Client storytelling is a staple of the nonprofit business model, ever present in advocacy, clinic tours, fundraising—and news articles like the one you are reading right now.
12.20.17
On Tuesday, December 19, we officially welcomed 10 new members to our Board of Directors! You're sure to hear plenty more about them in the New Year, but here's a brief introduction to get you all acquainted!
Brandon Berryain
Health Care for the Homeless, client and advocate
Brandon is known as a “big picture” thinker. As a client and advocate for over 7 years, he’s been hugely involved with Health Care for the Homeless, as well as the Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau and Bmore Housing for All. Welcome, Brandon!
Shelly Buck, DNP, MBA
Bon Secours Baltimore Health System, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer
For more than 10 years, Shelly has been working to improve the financial and operational performance of acute care hospitals. She has held a number of positions with Bon Secours since 2005, including Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Nursing. She holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Old Dominion University and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives as well as the National Association of Health Service Executives.
Thora Johnson, Esq.
Venable, Partner
Thora co-chairs Venable’s Healthcare Initiative and provides counsel on regulatory, compliance, tax and business matters in the health care environments. Thora currently sits on our Human Resources committee with Health Care for the Homeless and holds a JD from the University of Maryland.
Stuart Levine, MD, FACP
MedStar Harbor Hospital, President and Chief Medical Officer | MedStar Health, Senior Vice President
As the Vice President of Medical Affairs at Medstar Harbor Hospital, Stuart has led initiatives to provide quality, integrated care to local communities. Before coming to Medstar, he was the Co-Chair of the Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center. He holds an MD from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and is a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine postdoctoral fellow.
Shannon McMahon, MPA
Kaiser Permanente, Executive Director of Medicaid Policy
At Kaiser Permanente, Shannon provides public policy, regulatory and legislative advice on Medicaid and other strategic public policy, regulatory and legislative issues. Previously, Shannon served as a legislative analyst for the Maryland General Assembly and served on the Board of the National Association of Medicaid Directors.
Diana Morris, JD
Open Society Institute-Baltimore, Director
Diana is the Director of Open Society Institute-Baltimore, a field office Open Society established in 1997 to understand and address the local and state social and economic dynamics at play that impede opportunity and justice. Previously, she served as the executive director of the Blaustein Philanthropic Group, a set of eight family foundations based in Baltimore which awards local, national and international grants. She holds an AB from Smith College and a JD from Boston University.
David Oros
Gamma 3 LLC, Founding Partner
David is a leader in high-technology businesses and currently provides early stage funding for start-up initiatives focused on IP creation, technology advancement and commercialization at Gamma 3 LLC. David has also held leadership roles at Global Domain Partners, LLC, Aether Systems, Inc. and NexGen Technologies. He was recognized as the Ernest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Ann “Mickey” Pickett
Health Care for the Homeless, client and advocate
Mickey is an active member of our Baltimore County Consumer Advisory Group and every year helps plan our annual lobby day in Annapolis. She is particularly interested in educating people on our agency’s legislative priorities. She is also active in planning our annual 5K, client holiday party and client BBQ.
Joanne Pollak, JD
Johns Hopkins Medicine, (Retired) Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief of Staff
Joanne served as head of the Health Care Group at DLA prior to assuming 17 years as the Vice President and General Counsel for the Johns Hopkins Health System Corporation and Johns Hopkins Medicine. Her work included practice before the major medical regulatory bodies in Maryland, including the Health Care Commission and the Health Services Cost Review Commission. She currently also serves on the Maryland SPCA Board.
Christopher Thomaskutty, MPP/UP
Mercy Health Services, Senior Vice President for Clinical Programs and Chief of Staff
Christopher joined Mercy Health Services in April 2012 and oversees daily operations of Mercy’s Centers of Excellence, the clinical programs featuring Mercy’s renowned surgeons in women’s health, orthopedics, the Cancer Institute, digestive health and various other specialties. Prior to joining Mercy, Christopher served in the Baltimore Mayor’s Office for nine years. Christopher has a BA in Political Science from Birmingham-Southern College and a Masters in Public Policy and Urban Planning (MPP/UP) from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Christopher is also a Co-Chair for the B’More for Healthy Babies campaign.
Client storytelling is a staple of the nonprofit business model, ever present in advocacy, clinic tours, fundraising—and news articles like the one you are reading right now.
The Trans Rights Advocacy Coalition (TRAC) has been the driving force in championing trans rights policy changes in Maryland. Due to stigma and structural discrimination, transgender people—particularly transgender people of color—experience high rates of homelessness. Following the implementation of the Trans Health Equity Act in January, we talked with TRAC leadership about their work and community.
Since starting in January 2022, REI Health Specialist Arie Hayre-Somuah, LMSW, MPH has worked with our clinical teams to identify health disparities and move us closer to health equity. This year, she is turning her focus to the topic of health literacy.
We are delighted to announce the promotion of Hanna Mast from Senior Communications Manager to Director of Communications. Get to know more about her work in the Q&A below!