BRONSON BATTLE CREEK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Healthcare Administration Intern
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Secretary / Director, Social Impact, Stryker
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Information Technology, Chief Information Officer
Ash Goel, MD, is senior vice president, information technology, chief information (CIO) officer (CMIO), for Bronson Healthcare. He leads the system enterprise technology group with oversight of technology strategy, infrastructure, information security, clinical and business applications, analytics, digital innovation and consumer applications.
Goel has over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience in strategic planning, technology deployment and optimization, business development, digitization, value transformation and healthcare operations. He continues to practice medicine with direct patient care responsibilities as an inpatient adult hospitalist and is also on the faculty at the WMU Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Informatics.
Goel completed his medical education at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi in 1994 and his graduate medical education at West Virginia University - Charleston Division. He is board certified with the American Board of Family Medicine. He also holds a master's degree (MS) from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. in medical informatics and a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is active in community activities including serving as second vice chair for the board of the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Director
- Senior Vice President
- Director / Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Bronson Healthcare
Becky East is responsible for system-wide activities at Bronson Healthcare related to general accounting, budgeting, investments, treasury management, accounts payable, payroll, decision support, taxes, reimbursement, patient accounting, health information management, registration, insurance verification and patient access.
Prior to joining Bronson in 2004, East worked as a certified public accountant and manager at Plante Moran in west Michigan. During her career at Bronson, she has served as director of reimbursement and compliance, assistant controller and assistant vice president/controller.
East received her bachelor's degree in accountancy from Walsh College and completed her master of business administration degree from Cornerstone University in May 2015.
East is an active member of numerous professional and community organizations, including: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants; Healthcare Financial Management Association; Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine Finance Committee; West Michigan Air Care Board of Directors; West Michigan Cancer Center Board of Directors and Finance Committee; and Bronson Health Foundation Board of Directors and Finance Committee.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Director
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President
- President / President & CEO - Bronson Healthcare
- President and Chief Executive Officer for Bronson Healthcare
Bill Manns is president and chief executive officer for Bronson Healthcare ─ the largest employer and leading healthcare system in southwest Michigan. As the senior executive, he oversees a full range of services from primary care to critical care across more than 100 locations.
Manns, who joined Bronson in 2020, has nearly 30 years of experience in healthcare leadership. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in Organizational Psychology and a master's degree in Health Services Administration. He received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Kalamazoo College in 2022. In addition to his healthcare-specific background, he is experienced in LEAN and Six Sigma. His current professional memberships include the National Association of Healthcare Executives, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and an appointment by the Governor of Michigan to the Public Health Advisory Council. In 2021, he was named one of the nation's Top 25 Innovators by Modern Healthcare.
Manns serves on several Boards throughout the state of Michigan including the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA), MHA Service Corporation, Bronson Health Foundation, Cascade Engineering, First National Bank of Michigan, Gilmore Car Museum, Southwest Michigan First, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research and Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director / President & CEO - Battle Creek Community Foundation
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- CEO - Zhang Financial / Board Member since 2022
Job Titles:
- Chief People Officer
- Senior Vice President
Cheryl Johnson is responsible for system-wide leadership in the development and operations of human resources programs and initiatives related to talent management, compensation, benefits, employee relations, education, organizational development and learning, and the patient experience.
Johnson has more than 30 years of experience as a human resources leader across large and complex domestic and global organizations spanning education/higher education, retail, manufacturing, and chemical industries. She started her career as a recruiter for the Upjohn Company and has had executive positions with several Michigan firms including Ford, Whirlpool, Wolverine World Wide, Textron Fluid Handling Products, Meijer and Battle Creek Public Schools.
Johnson received her bachelor of arts degree in Psychology from Oakland University and master's in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University. She is a Certified Human Resources Professional and Six Sigma Green Belt.
Job Titles:
- Chief Quality Officer
- Senior Vice President
Cheryl Knapp oversees system-wide quality and safety, infection prevention, patient satisfaction data analytics, post-acute services, and care management, and has more than 25 years of experience at the senior executive level.
Knapp is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS). She has led or co-led Bronson's quality initiatives, which resulted in Bronson Methodist Hospital receiving the Michigan Quality Award, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, AHA's Quest for Quality Citation of Merit, and Quest for Quality Prize.
Knapp received a master's degree in Business Administration and a bachelor's degree in Health Studies from Western Michigan University; she became a registered nurse through the Bronson School of Nursing. She has served on many professional and community boards and is currently a member of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center Board, the MHA Quality & Accountability Committee, the National Association of Quality Professionals and the National Quality Forum.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director / Vice President, Bronson Healthcare
Chris Fitzgerald, RN, BSN, MPA/HCA, is the vice president, chief nursing officer at Bronson LakeView Hospital and Bronson South Haven Hospital. She has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership including nursing administration, clinical operations, specialty clinics management and emergency preparedness.
Fitzgerald began her nursing career in 1992 as a trauma and emergency services nurse at Bronson. From 1998 to 2010, she held leadership positions at Eaton Rapids Medical Center, Riverside Family Practice and Springport Medical Center. For the next four years, she served as nurse manager for endoscopy at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Most recently, she has led surgical services and acute care management while serving as director of nursing for Bronson LakeView Hospital and Bronson South Haven Hospital.
Fitzgerald received her bachelor's degree in nursing from American Sentinel University and master's degree in public administration from Western Michigan University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Compliance Officer
- Vice President
- Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer for the Bronson Healthcare
Christine Sangalli serves as vice president, chief compliance officer for the Bronson Healthcare system.
Sangalli is responsible for overseeing ethical and legal standards and ensuring corporate compliance at all Bronson entities and works closely with the Bronson Board of Directors Audit and Compliance Committee.
Previously she served as Bronson's director of risk management, responsible for patient safety and privacy; risk prevention and education; laws and regulations that impact patient care services and promoting a safe working environment.
Sangalli earned her master's degree in nursing administration from Andrews University, and a bachelor's degree in nursing from Nazareth College.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Vice President for Campus Planning and Operations / Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director / President, Mall City Mechanical
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Vice Chair / Vice President for Finance and Treasurer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Director of Donor Relations
Holly C. Adams, FACHE, FACMPE, is a Bronson Healthcare system vice president and chief operating officer for Bronson Medical Group (BMG). She is responsible for overall operations and fiscal performance of this large primary care and multi-specialty group that sees patients at Bronson's outpatient practices and hospitals in Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. With a focus on improving patient outcomes and patient satisfaction, she collaborates with BMG's chief clinical officer on planning, organizing, and implementing strategic initiatives to meet the goals of a fully integrated healthcare delivery system.
Adams has an extensive background in ambulatory care operations. Prior to joining Bronson in 2022, she held executive leadership roles at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center ─ OU Health Physicians, Tulane University Hospital & Clinic in New Orleans and at the University of Texas Health Center in Tyler, TX.
She graduated from Bethel University in McKenzie, TN, with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry, and earned her Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA) from Saint Louis University School of Public Health.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Legal & Legislative Affairs for Bronson Healthcare
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Legal & Legislative Affairs
James "Chip" Falahee is Senior Vice President, Legal & Legislative Affairs for Bronson Healthcare. He joined Bronson in 1987 and has more than 40 years of experience in health care law and legislation. He has been named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in health care. He is a frequent speaker about health care policy and reform. Falahee is a founding member, past president and a Fellow of the Health Care Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
Falahee is one of two hospital representatives on the state's Certificate of Need Commission. He is the current Chairman of the Commission.
He is a former board member of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
He is a former board member of 340B Health, an organization of over 1,100 public and private non-profit hospitals and health systems throughout the U.S. that participate in the 340B drug discount program.
Falahee received his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and his juris doctor degree at Wayne State University.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Senior Counsel
- Vice Chair / Senior Counsel - Warner Norcross & Judd
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director / President - Kalamazoo College
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Senior Vice President
- Senior Vice President ( SVP ) for the Bronson Healthcare
Joseph du Lac is a Senior Vice President (SVP) for the Bronson Healthcare system and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. In this role, he oversees operations as well as builds key community relationships within Calhoun County.
Du Lac has a strong background in healthcare and over 20 years of experience in manufacturing operations, business excellence and transformation. Prior to joining Bronson, he served as Regional Vice President & Chief Performance Officer for Trinity Health of New England in Hartford, Connecticut. He has significant experience in lean operating systems and is a healthcare certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. From 2012-16, he was Regional Director, Strategic Lean Operations, with Tenet Healthcare at Detroit Medical Center.
He has a Master of Science in Management, Strategy & Leadership from Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan, and a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Management & Leadership from Rochester University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He is a member of both the American College for Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the American Society for Quality (ASQ).
Job Titles:
- Community Advisor
- Emeritus Director
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Technology
- Vice President, Technology Applications
Katie Dickens is Vice President of Technology Applications. She oversees the system portfolio of IT applications for clinical services, specialty and diagnostics, revenue cycle and corporate functions. She is also responsible for solution delivery of consumer health products, community health programs and information technology financial management.
Dickens has over 20+ years of progressive experience within healthcare operations specifically in information technology, revenue cycle operations, systems implementations, and process improvement. She is passionate about developing careers in information technology and works closely with community schools and universities to create pathways and programs.
Dickens received both her Bachelor's degree in Administration and her Master of Science degree in Organization Administration from Central Michigan University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director / VP, CHRO - Stryker Corporation
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director / Bronson Colon & Rectal Surgery Specialists - Capital Ave.
- Director / Surgeon - Bronson Center for Colon and Rectal Diseases
Job Titles:
- Chief
- Vice President
- Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, Bronson Methodist Hospital
Marla Atkinson, MSN, RN is vice president, chief nurse officer for Bronson Methodist Hospital. She has more than 15 years of experience in healthcare leadership including clinical operations in both inpatient and procedural areas.
Atkinson graduated from the Bronson School of Nursing with a diploma in nursing and subsequently began her nursing career in 1993 as a nurse in the Step Down/Medical Intensive Care units at Bronson.
After many years working at the bedside in critical care, she returned to school and earned her bachelor's of science and master's in nursing degrees from Western Michigan University. Active in the community, she is a past president of Hospital Hospitality House of Southwest Michigan.
Job Titles:
- Chief Physician Executive
- Senior Vice President
Martinson Arnan, MD, MS, MPA, FAAN is the Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Executive (CPE) for the Bronson Healthcare system and is responsible for leadership and oversight of clinical care and strategy, business operations, quality and safety across the regional system. He is responsible for all aspects of the clinical enterprise including acute care, employed and affiliated medical practices, ambulatory, post-acute care, clinical programs, and clinical ancillary support services. As CPE, he supports clinical efficiency optimization and growth of products, services, and market presence. He is responsible for designing a contemporary clinical delivery system including system structure, geographic footprint and access, care model design, primary and ancillary service offerings and capabilities. He also serves as a liaison between Bronson's internal and external stakeholders such as system executives, medical staff, and nursing leadership, as well as affiliated institutions, and strategic partners.
Arnan joined the Bronson Neuroscience Center in 2015. As Medical Director of Bronson's Comprehensive Stroke Center, Bronson achieved the Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement and the Target Stroke Honor Role elite status for 3 consecutive years. He served as Vice Chief of Staff for Bronson Methodist Hospital and as a board member for the corporation. As Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer for the Medical Group, he oversaw the growth in the medical group membership by 33% and a doubling of practice visits to over a million annual visits, with 90% 5-star provider ratings, well above national average of 70%. He is an active member of Bronson's Unified Medical Staff and is on the faculty at the WMU Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Department of Medicine.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer, Vice President, Medical Affairs of Bronson LakeView Hospital and Bronson South Haven Hospital
Matthew Dommer, MD, MBA, FACEP, is chief operating officer and vice president for medical affairs for Bronson LakeView Hospital and Bronson South Haven Hospital. His responsibilities include hospital administration, overseeing Bronson medical staff and medical staff leadership in Van Buren County, oversight of the system Medical Staff Office, system ethics, as well as Van Buren Emergency Medical Services (VBEMS).
Dr. Dommer obtained his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1996, and completed his residency in emergency medicine at the Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies in 1999. He received a Masters of Business Administration from Cornerstone University in 2014. He served as emergency department director for Lakeview Community Hospital and subsequently as vice president and treasurer for Southwest Michigan Emergency Services. In 2006, he became the chief medical officer for then Lakeview Community Hospital and continued as vice president for medical affairs after it became Bronson LakeView Hospital in 2008.
Dr. Dommer served on the steering committee for the Bronson Network as well as vice chair of the board of directors for the statewide Affirmant Health Partners ACO. He is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians as well as a member of the American Association for Physician Leadership and the Michigan Hospital Association.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Analytics
- Vice President, Analytics & Program Management
Meghan Cole is Vice President of Analytics & Program Management. She has responsibility for IT talent development, enterprise digital transformation, analytics strategy & deployment, project management, corporate applications and innovation.
Cole has an extensive background in quality reporting, managed care contracting, and technology solutions demonstrated through 18+ years of healthcare experience and progressive responsibilities. Prior to joining Bronson in 2016, she served as System Director of Quality & Business Analytics at Spectrum Health System in Grand Rapids, MI. During her tenure at Bronson she has been a champion of the digital strategy. She has a passion for people and has spent several years developing a robust career pathway program to support growth and development for key skill gaps across the Information Technology Department.
Cole received her Master of Public Administration with a focus on healthcare administration and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Grand Valley State University. Additionally, she is a community faculty member at Western Michigan University as an instructor of Biomedical Informatics.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Treasurer / President - Greenleaf Trust
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Facilities & Real Estate
Michael has been with Bronson for over 28 years leading areas such as supply chain, contracting, facility development and real estate management.
Way received a bachelor's of science degree in Health Services Administration from Northern Arizona University and a master's degree in Finance from Western Michigan University. He is also a certified contract/purchasing manager as designated by the ISM (Institute for Supply Management).
Way has acquired a thorough background in healthcare contract negotiations, facility planning and development and real estate management. He has led Bronson's environmental initiatives, which resulted in receiving the Healthcare Environmental Leadership Award in 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007 from Practice Greenhealth, the Energy Star Label from the Environmental Protection Agency and recognition from the Green Guide as one of America's Top Ten Green Hospitals.
Mike has been involved in several professional and community organizations, including:
Hospital Network Ventures
WMed School of Medicine Site Selection and Facility Committee
Southwest Michigan First
Michigan Medical Device Accelerator
Downtown Tomorrow Incorporated
Leadership Kalamazoo
Vine Ventures Board of Directors
Hospital Network Incorporated Board of Directors
Association for Healthcare Resource and Materials Management
American Society for Healthcare Engineering
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director / Retired - Kellogg Company
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Chairman / Attorney - Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director / Partner, Diekema Hamann Architecture Engineering
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director / Partner, Hamilton Law PLC
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Community Leader
- Member of the Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Secretary / Retired Executive Director - W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director / Retired Physician - South Haven Family Physicians
Ron Foor - SVP, Treasurer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Senior Vice President
- Treasurer
Job Titles:
- Data and Financial Specialist
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President of Revenue Cycle
Ryan Horn is Vice President of Revenue Cycle. His responsibilities include providing strategic direction and oversight of revenue cycle operations including Patient Accounting, Health Information Management, Patient Access, Charge Data Master, and Revenue Integrity.
Horn has over 20 years of experience in the health care industry. He joined Bronson in 2001 and has held several leadership roles in Information Technology, Patient Accounting, and Compliance. Horn earned his Master of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director / Emergency Medicine Physician - Southwestern Michigan Emergency Services, P.C
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director / Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, CSM Group of Companies
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Chief of Staff / Anesthesiologist - Bronson Healthcare
Job Titles:
- Chief Strategy Officer, Senior Vice President Business Development & Communications
Ms. Birch oversees system-wide strategy, business development, communications, marketing and board development for Bronson.
Birch has over 35 years of experience in health care administration, highlighted with Bronson Methodist Hospital receiving the Malcolm Baldrige award in 2005. Prior to joining Bronson, Birch was the system vice president for physician support services at Oakwood Healthcare System in Dearborn, Michigan.
Birch received her Master of Health Services Administration in Hospital Administration from the University of Michigan and her Bachelor of Arts in Business and Organizational Development from Michigan State University. She twice was appointed to the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners and is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
She has served on many community boards including WMU Health Administration Advisory Board, Brass Band of Battle Creek, Leadership Kalamazoo, The Gilmore, Chair of West Michigan Cancer Center, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Greater Kalamazoo United Way, Bronson Lakeview Foundation, YWCA Women of Achievement Committee, and United Way of the Battle Creek and the Kalamazoo Region. She often volunteers to provide strategic planning to other non-profits such as Girls on the Run and Senior Care Partners PACE.
Job Titles:
- Vice President Communications & Public Affairs
Susan Watts is responsible for corporate communications, brand strategy, marketing, public relations and community sponsorships for the Bronson Healthcare system.
Watts has over 30 years of experience in all facets of marketing and communication and has been with Bronson since 1993. She is a member of the Society of Healthcare Strategy and Market Development (SHSMD), and represents Bronson in various community activities and initiatives. She currently serves on the board of United Way of Southwest Michigan.
Prior to joining Bronson, her career experience included management roles in franchise marketing and in television and radio broadcasting. She has a bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Wisconsin.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- President
- President ( Ex - Officio ) Vice President of Development, Bronson Healthcare
- Vice President of Development, Bronson Healthcare
- Vice President of Development, Bronson Healthcare Group
Terry oversees fund development for the Bronson Healthcare system and serves as the president of Bronson Health Foundation. The Foundation focuses on fundraising to support patients, employees, programs and special projects.
Terry has more than twenty years of fund development, operational, and board governance experience in various not-for-profit sectors throughout the United States. A Kalamazoo native, Terry earned his Bachelor of Science in economics from Western Michigan University, and a Master of Science in management, strategy and leadership from Michigan State University. He is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, American College of Healthcare Executives, and is active in the community in several ways including board service with Communities in Schools Kalamazoo, Residential Opportunities Inc., the Lakeview Foundation, and Bronson Battle Creek Hospital Community Partners.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant and Board Liaison
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Immediate past Chair / Executive Director, the Kalamazoo Promise
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director / President, DeNooyer Chevrolet
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Vice Chief of Staff