Healthcare Synergetics :: Leadership Team

Healthcare Synergetics’ Leadership and Business Advisory Team is comprised of over eighty highly skilled professionals. Many of HS’s Experts are former C level executives and all have had at least 15 years of industry experience prior to entering the consulting world. Each member of the team possesses a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in guiding organizations through the transformation process. HS’s executive staff will work closely with you to ensure that the team of Experts assigned to your engagement posses the specific expertise and skill sets needed in order to make certain that optimal results for your program are achieved.

Paul Lemke – President and Managing Partner

Paul’s consulting assignments encompass a broad range of experience at multiple levels, including numerous leadership roles, as well as project management and hands-on implementation. He conducts diverse international engagements, including Management turnarounds, Customer Driven Performance Improvements, Lean Implementations and Supply Chain Integrations, Six Sigma Deployment, and Strategy Development and Deployment. Paul has served as a Vice President for Fleetguard, a subsidiary of the Cummins Engine Company. Other leadership roles include President, COO, Sr. VP Integrated Supply Chain Management, Sr. VP Operations, and Plant Manager. He also served on the Board of Directors for a US-Chinese Joint Venture. Paul holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University, is a Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), and is certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM). Paul successfully incorporated the InfoQuest® Business Process Review into HS’s complement of client services and profit improvement initiatives. He currently services on the Board of Directors for the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity.

Kevin Crumbo, CPA – Senior Advisor

Kevin brings a unique complement of skills to Healthcare Synergetics: he is a Managing Partner of Kraft Corporate recovery services, LLC, and a Partner in KraftCPAs. KCRS provides consulting services pertaining to troubled companies, including turnaround management, due diligence review, fraud investigation, and litigation support. Beginning his career at Coopers & Lybrand, Kevin has held senior financial positions in manufacturing, telecommunications, and Healthcare companies. He has led successful turnarounds, private placements, and mergers and acquisitions. He presently services on the board of directors of publicly-traded YAK Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: YAKC) and has previously advised the boards of several private companies. Kevin has also served on non-profit organizations: he is a board member of the Vanderbilt University School of Business, and a trustee of both the Nashville-Area American Red Cross and the Crisis Intervention Center. Kevin received a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Kentucky, an MBA from Vanderbilt University, and is certified in forensic accounting.

Visit Kraft Corporate Recovery Services online »

Dr. George Linney – Healthcare Advisory Partner

Dr. Linney is a board-certified pediatrician who works with physician group practices and hospital medical staffs on a variety of issues. He received his BA degree from Furman University, his MD degree from The Medical College of Georgia, and his pediatric training at The University of Virginia. His clinical and management background is in large multi-specialty group practice. He is a Fellow of The American College of Physician Executives and a past president of that organization. He has also been a trustee of The American Medical Group Association (formerly known as The American Group Practice Association).

Blake Hendrickson – Physician Practice Advisory Partner

Blake brings over 20 years of healthcare experience in senior management, having served in the capacity of COO, CFO, CEO/ President of Centra Care and Baptist-Centra Care Medical Centers. He has extensive experience in managing physician practices, emergency rooms and specialty practices. He created special worker’s compensation programs both on and off site and has successfully led turnarounds. Blake was one of the first in the country to negotiate Urgent Care facilities to have a Copay of Commercial Insurances and was the first in the country to have JCAHO accreditation for Urgent Care Centers. He is known for building performance teams that drive bottom line results and exceed patient expectations. Blake holds his BA from WKU, his MBA from Vanderbilt, and is a Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE). Blake is a member of MGMA, TMGMA, HEFMY, ACHE, and ACMPE. In addition, he has conducted numerous seminars on leadership, marketing, patient satisfaction and more; he was named “Healthcare Marketer of the Year” by Healthcare Marketing Magazine.

David M. Southerland – Hospital Management Advisory Partner

David is an experienced healthcare executive and a master at leading change. He has served as Sr. Vice President, COO, and CEO of multi-site operations. His record of delivering results can be measured by clinical excellence, patient satisfaction, revenue growth, and turnaround capabilities. David received a BS from Clemson, an MA from Michigan, and an MS in Health Care Administration from Trinity University. He is a Diplomat of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is a Certified Healthcare Executive.

Meryl D. Luallin – Advisory Partner

Meryl is a founding partner of Sullivan/Luallin, a nationally known healthcare marketing firm, as well as a professional “mystery patient” and physician “shadow coach.” She has a national reputation for delivering lively, interactive seminars on physician-patient communication, and directs comprehensive Customer Service training programs for physicians, employees, and supervisors. Meryl has recently co-authored “Star-Studded Service: Six Steps to Winning Patient Satisfaction” as well as articles for numerous healthcare publications. She is affiliated with Medical Group Management Association (Denver), California Association of Physician Groups (LA), Cardiology Leadership Alliance (Florida), and received her BA from San Diego State University.

Diana B. Revell – Advisory Partner

Diana is an accomplished administration and operations executive with a strong financial background. She has spent more than 15 years building and leading operations as CFO & COO for Tennessee Urgent Care Associates and Vice President Administration for Baptist-Centra Care Medical Clinics. Diana’s expertise is in practice assessment, long-range planning, mergers, and negotiation. She has served in a consulting capacity with MGMA and ACMPE where she conducted seminars and workshops on leadership, employee satisfaction, customer service, patient loyalty, and financials for non-financial managers, and time management. Diana is a Fellow of The America College of Physician Executives.

Kerry Hearns-Smith – Advisory Partner

Kerry is President and Co-Founder of AxysPointe Performance Solutions, LLC, a company dedicated to organizational renewal. Kerry has nearly 20 years of experience working with Fortune 100 companies around the globe on engagements requiring organizational culture renewal and strategic alignment, organizational assessments, business process development, change management, curriculum and program design, executive coaching and talent capitalization. As an author of numerous training programs, articles and books, Kerry is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker and presenter on a variety of topics involving individuals and organizations reaching their potential. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with her Master’s work focused in Educational Leadership and Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Kerry is an active member of the American Psychological Association, American Society of Training and Design, and National Association of Female Executives.

Kristi Gilbert – Advisory Partner

Kristi is Senior Partner and Co-Founder of AxysPointe Solutions, LLC, a company dedicated to organizational renewal. Kristi has over 20 years of business and entrepreneurial experience in the areas of high performance organizational and leadership development, strategic growth planning, healthcare practice management and information systems, healthcare finance, accounting and change management. Her engagements have involved assisting healthcare organizations, along with other businesses, maximize their potential by improving leadership, governance, planning and processes through action-based assessments and initiatives. Kristi is a licensed CPA with a strong knowledge of healthcare technology and its applications and holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Accounting. She is a member of Women Business Leaders in Healthcare, Healthcare Financial Management Association, American College of Healthcare Executives and American Society of Quality. She is also an Advisory Board Member of the U.S. Math Recovery Council, an organization offering professional development and intervention programs for grade school math teachers.

Jim McPherson – Senior VP

Jim’s extensive business development and international experience includes leadership roles with Wilmington Industries as President and CEO. Prior to WI, he held the position of President-USA with LAJAT, an International Manufacturer and Distribution Company doing business in the United States within the Healthcare, Apparel and Hardware industries. Jim’s other corporate experience includes assignments as Executive VP Market Development & Operations, VP and National Sales Manager. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University in Accounting, Economics and Business.

Dale Pinnekamp – Senior Partner

Dale has spent the last 20+ years in five countries on three continents acquiring diverse experience in international logistics, operations and supply chain management. This broad experience ranges from program management, information technology and production planning and control to master scheduling, distribution and manufacturing. Past positions include Logistics Systems Manager for GM Europe and Global Logistics Manager for Delphi, where his responsibility supported 50 factories and cc distribution centers. As a General Manager for APL Logistics he ran a logistics, warehousing and distribution operation in Northeastern China. Dale’s consulting engagements in Korea involved Kaizen events utilizing lean manufacturing principles, value stream mapping and other Six Sigma problem solving techniques. Most recently, he has served as Director of Global Logistics and Fulfillment for a venture capital group with six portfolio companies in the automotive aftermarket, chemical, pharmaceutical and electronic industries. Dale received his Bachelors in transportation and Logistics from Iowa and his MBA from the University of British Columbia.

Harry “Hap” Duncan – Advisor

Hap entered the field of real estate in 1972 as a general contractor. He became sales manager and principal broker for three real estate companies and served as a Review Appraiser, Real Estate Training Coordinator, and Leasing Officer for the State of Tennessee. After several years in commercial property management with a Nashville based national syndication firm, Hap became a Principal and Executive Vice President of Duncan McGuigan, Inc., a real estate brokerage, management, development and appraisal firm. Hap was the Owner and President of Duncan Investments, Inc., a real estate brokerage, management and development firm. From 1990 to 2005, he was Director of Asset Management and became partner of Holladay Properties Mid-South Office which specialized in Medical Properties, asset and enhanced asset management functions, Fair Market Rental Rate Analysis and medical related Real Estate Compliance Analysis under anti-kickback and Stark Laws. Hap attended Lambuth College and is a licensed real estate broker, a licensed general contractor, and holds the ‘Certified Property Manager’ (CPM) designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management. GEC Asset Management is affiliated with the national real estate brokerage company of Grubb & Ellis which has more than 90 offices in the U.S. and abroad.

Visit GEC Asset Management, LLC online »

Ron Bleakney – Advisor

Ron’s extensive knowledge and experience in developing quality management systems for regulatory compliance requirements in the healthcare industry is an asset utilized by Healthcare Synergetics. Ron has held Senior Level Executive positions with CIGNA Government Services, Whirlpool Corporation, as well as international experience with Walbar Canada Inc. and Raymond Industrial Equipment. He has been awarded the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence Achievement award, the Arkansas Quality award, holds a Six Sigma Black Belt and is a Baldrige Business Excellence Senior Examiner. Ron received his Industrial Management Degree from Mohawk College (Canada), a post degree Diploma in Business administration from Wilfred Laurier University in Canada and MBA from Webster University in the U.S.

Steve Tomasko – Partner

Steve has more than 30 years experience in Human Relations and Training. As VP of Human Resources in three different industries, he has successfully negotiated more than 60 union contracts, developed and conducted numerous training programs, and managed H.R. functions in organizations with more than 3,000 employees. Among his other consulting work, Steve currently conducts workshops on “Team Dynamics and Improving team Performance”, and a two-day course on “Collective Bargaining”. He also conducts executive and team coaching engagements. Steve has a BBA degree from Cleveland State University.

John Marshall – Client Services Manager

John’s role as Business Development Manager for InfoQuest® requires that he both develop and use the Customer Intimacy and Loyalty methods that Healthcare Synergetics advocates for its clients. John has more than 18 years of experience in developing customer intimacy tools in the fields of Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing, and Financial Services. He holds a Nursing Degree from Aquinas College and a Bachelors degree in Biology from Indiana University.

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Members of Healthcare Synergetics’ Leadership and Business Advisory Team specialize in areas specific to industry, subject matter and functional leadership skills. These Experts are “hands on” practitioners in the use of advanced management techniques. All have sat in the seat of management and are accustomed to having their improvement efforts measured objectively.