About Us
Michael J. O’Connor, President and Founder
A graduate of Loyola University, Mr. O’Connor 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. Mr. O’Connor 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.
David S. Fox, M.D, Vice President, Medical Director
A graduate of Haverford College and the University of Chicago Medical School, Dr. Fox completed his internship in the United States Navy and post graduate training in surgery at the University of Chicago. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Fox is a Past President of the Illinois State Medical Society and the Chicago Medical Society. He has been formally involved in the development and conduct of medical peer review programs since 1971, serving as the President of one of the country’s largest physician peer review foundations and Chairman of a hospital utilization review committee. Dr. Fox currently serves on the Board of MCM.
Eugene B. Loftin, M.D., Associate Medical Director
A graduate of Illinois State University and the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Dr. Loftin completed post graduate work at the University of Illinois and the Veterans Hospital of Chicago. He is a board certified internist and clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at Midwestern University with many clinical and socio-economic publications. Dr. Loftin joined MCM in 2002 as a Physician Advisor and has over twenty years experience in UR/QA/QI/PCC. Dr. Loftin has over thirty years experience in direct patient care and has served as Chief Medical Officer of a federally qualified healthcare center for over five years.
Lawrence J. Kerns, M.D, 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.
Jack Hurley, Vice President of Sales and Marketing
A graduate of St. Joseph College, Mr. Hurley has over thirty years of experience in the area of employee benefits with an emphasis in medical management for employer sponsored plans, Taft-Hartley Trusts and government entities. Prior to joining MCM, Jack was the Vice President of Sales for a national medical management organization. Jack has also served as the Vice President of the Self-Insurance Association of Illinois.
Cy Rohan, Vice President, Business Development
A graduate of St. Mary's University majoring in Journalism and Public Relations, Cy has over 20 years of Healthcare sales experience. Prior to joining MCM, Cy was the Director of Account Management, and Manager of Customer Service for a National Healthcare Provider located in the Midwest. He also served as a Board Member for the Continuity of Care Organization while working in Sales in the Home Health and Respiratory Division of Chartwell Midwest, Dependicare and the British Oxygen Corporation.
Kathleen Kalber, RN, CPUM, Vice President Care Management
A graduate of Joliet College of Nursing, Ms. Kalber is a certified Oncology nurse who has over 25 years of nursing experience. Prior to joining MCM, Ms. Kalber managed a Home Health Agency and was the Director of Clinical Services for one of the nation’s largest managed care firms. Ms. Kalber is also certified in utilization management.
Nancy Strand, RN, BSN, MPH, Director of Disease Management
A graduate of William Paterson University with a graduate degree from Benedictine University, Ms. Strand specialized in Cardiovascular Surgical, Burn and Trauma Nursing for over 18 years. From 1985 - 1990, she served as the Training & Development Coordinator for one of the nation's first Managed Care firms in Boston, and continued in Case Management after relocating to Chicago. After living and working in Hong Kong for four years, Ms. Strand held faculty and Curriculum Chair positions with the School of Health Studies at Robert Morris College in Chicago.
Laura Graham, RN, BSN, MBA, CCM, Assistant Director of Disease Management
A graduate of Lewis University, Ms. Graham is a certified case management nurse who has over 20 years of nursing experience. Specialized expertise includes care and disease management, claim payer medical management and quality assurance. Prior to joining MCM, Ms. Graham was responsible for medical management programs for a large international health and welfare fund. She has also provided care management, utilization review and quality improvement services for a large health carrier as well as serving as an acute care charge nurse in oncology and medical surgical units. Ms. Graham was awarded Case Manager of the Year for 2003 by the Illinois CMSA.
Amy Gasbarro, BHA, MHA, Director Operations
Ms. Gasbarro has undergraduate and graduate degrees in health administration with over 10 years of experience in practice management, quality assurance and regulatory compliance. Ms. Gasbarro oversees HIPAA, State and Federal compliance issues as well as co-chairing MCM’s Quality Improvement Committee.
Alice D. Oest, Director Client Services
A benefits professional with over twenty years management experience in multi-employer Taft-Hartley ERISA welfare trust funds and TPA’s, Ms. Oest has had hands-on involvement with all segments in the health and welfare fund environment ranging from plan design to data reporting. Ms. Oest provides an unequalled commitment to meeting and exceeding the needs of MCM clients.
