Executive Team
Michael J. O’Connor, President and Founder
A graduate of Loyola University, Mike has over thirty years experience in the delivery, evaluation, and financing of healthcare. Prior to founding MCM, he was the Executive Director of one of the country’s largest physician peer review organizations. He also served as the Chief of Medicare Contractor Budgets for the CMS Administration’s largest regional office. Mike was involved in the development and management of Medicare’s initial utilization management and peer review programs. He has provided consultant services to a variety of health care providers and payers in both the public and private sectors as a member of the US Public Health Service.
Lawrence J. Kerns, M.D., Associate Medical Director
A graduate of Yale University and the University of Chicago, Dr. Kerns completed advanced psychiatric studies at Northwestern University, the Institute of Psychiatry and the University of Illinois. He is a board-certified psychiatrist who has extensive experience in the utilization of mental health and nervous benefits. Dr. Kerns has published and lectured on a variety of utilization issues in adult and adolescent psychiatry. In addition to his private practice, he serves as an Assistant Professor for Clinical Psychiatry at the University of Illinois Medical School. Dr. Kerns also serves on the Board of MCM.
Kathleen Kalber, RN, CPUM, CCM, Senior Vice President Clinical Operations
A graduate of Joliet College of Nursing, Kathy is a certified case manager, certified in utilization management and a Certified Oncology nurse who brings over thirty-five years of clinical experience with twenty-five years of managed care experience to MCM. Kathy is responsible for the management of all clinical services at MCM. Kathy began her nursing career in a medical oncology unit before transitioning to the managed care arena. She has managed a home care agency, held management positions in areas of medical case management, utilization management and quality improvement. Prior to joining MCM, Kathy served as the national Director of clinical services for a large managed care organization.
Amy Gasbarro, BHA, MHA, Vice President, Operations
A graduate of Governors State University, Amy has undergraduate and graduate degrees in healthcare management. Amy is responsible for the day-to-day non-clinical operations of MCM including financial management. During her 11 years of employment at MCM, Amy has lead the multi-legacy system conversion to a single, fully integrated medical management platform, maintained a leadership role in corporate accreditation and reaccreditation processes, and maintains oversight of the regulatory compliance and HIPAA Privacy and Security initiatives.
Health & Wellness
Alana Warren, RN, BA, MS, CCM, Director for Case Management and Disease Management
A graduate of Maryville University with a Master of Science degree in Public Health Administration from DePaul University, Alana is also a Certified Case Manager who brings over twenty years of managed care experience to MCM. Alana began her nursing career in medical and surgical ICU for several years before transitioning to the managed care arena. She worked for Medicare as a Cost Outlier Analyst and has held management positions in areas of medical case management and quality improvement for local and national Group Health and Workers Comp insurance. Prior to joining MCM, Alana served as the National Director of Case and Disease Management for a large managed care organization.
Sales, Marketing, and Client Services
Brian Vervynck, Senior Vice President, Sales/Marketing & Client Services
A graduate of the University of Washington and Western Washington University, Brian has also completed executive graduate programs at UCLA. Brian Vervynck began his career in health care in 1975 and over the last thirty-five years has held a variety of positions with leading and start-up companies in health care. Prior to joining MCM, Brian was Vice President of Sales and Account Management at AllMed Healthcare Management, VP of Sales and Marketing for Calypso Healthcare Solutions and in recent years he served as Vice President of Sales for American Health Holding. Additionally, Brian held senior management positions at established health care organizations including TOKOS Medical Corporation, Paradigm Health Corporation and IVAC Corporation. Brian has also served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army.
Lindsay DeYoung, Vice President of Sales, Western Region
An attendee of The Ohio State University, Lindsay has over 24 years of experience in the Health Care Industry with an extensive record of increasing sales and identifying new opportunities. She has a wealth of experience working with TPAs, Taft- Hartley groups, HMOs, Insurance Companies, Stop-Loss Carriers and MGUs to design and implement industry leading saving solutions. Prior to joining MCM, Lindsay held a variety of Sales and Management positions that included MedBen, The Chandler Group, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS) and First Health. Lindsay’s primary responsibility as Vice President of Sales in the Central Region is to develop new partnerships and expand sales growth in the Midwest by marketing MCM’s broad range of medical management products, and provide customized, integrated health care solutions to clients.
Robert T. Kellam, Jr., Vice President, Health and Welfare Services
A graduate of DePaul University, Bob received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology while working part time in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Claims Department. During his forty year tenure at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Bob began as a Manager of the Health & Welfare Accounts Department, with over one hundred funds covering one million union members, and joined the Marketing Division. Bob also worked as the Account Executive in National Accounts for Wrigley, Illinois Tool Works, Jewel/Osco, Federal Reserve Bank and Zenith Electronics. Bob was instrumental in the development of the National Labor BlueCard.
Gina Coyle, Director, Client Services
An attendee of Fullerton College, Gina has over ten years of experience in Client Service, Account Management and Operations for the Care Management and Health Insurance industry. Gina has worked with many clients to create solutions to address their unique needs and challenges as well as being responsible for developing and managing relationships.
Gina has also held roles in where she was responsible for leading a team of Account Representatives in the development of building long-term relationships with clients and ensuring workflow efficiencies, customer service excellence, and quality assurance.
Peggy Bell, Department Administrator
A graduate of the University Wisconsin – Stout, Peggy earned her undergraduate degree and completed three years of graduate studies in Employment Counseling and Vocational Rehabilitation. Peggy has worked in the field of managed care since 1988. She has extensive experience in operations management as well as business development in the health care industry. Peggy will serve as a resource for Sales and Client Services; administer software programs for sales and proposals and ensure all client leads and requests for information are handled promptly.
