Sherry Avila, is an accomplished healthcare leader with 35 years of laboratory experience including laboratory operations, quality management and information technology. Prior to joining NMG, Ms. Avila served as both Laboratory Director and system wide Laboratory Informatics Manager for one of the largest health systems in the southern United States.

Most recently Ms. Avila was the Laboratory Director at a reference laboratory in New Jersey, where she assisted with the migration of the laboratory to new ownership, implemented a state-of-the-art automation system and established a successful and productive workforce.

Ms. Avila has extensive operational experience including financial management and technical quality.  She can guide you in accreditation readiness (CLIA, CAP, Joint Commission and NY State). She is also expert in laboratory chargemaster as well as risk assessment and providing seamless integration of new risk initiatives and best practices.  Ms. Avila has co-authored a chapter in the CAP quality manual.

Ms. Avila received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from Arkansas State University. She is Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certified. She currently resides in New Hampshire with her family.

Maryam Milani-Baladi, is an NMG consultant with over 25 years of experience leading Epic strategy, enterprise-scale modernization, and digital transformation across health systems, diagnostics, and clinical platforms.

Prior to joining NMG, Maryam was Executive Director of Enterprise Clinical Applications at Providence Health & Services, where she led ERP integration, Epic implementations and optimizations across 51 hospitals in six states. She directed the lifecycle delivery of none- Epic and Epic modules including Beaker LIS, Willow Pharmacy, Cupid, Bugsy, Beacon, and MyChart, consolidating 18 legacy lab systems into two hosted platforms with multi-site integration and achieving $16M+ in annual savings. Her leadership enabled a seamless digital front door strategy, improved clinician workflows, and boosted patient engagement through MyChart adoption.

Maryam also served as Head of Global Digital Technology & Transformation for Zoetis Global Diagnostics, where she built AI-powered diagnostic platforms, integrated LIS and genomics data pipelines, and scaled operations across North America, South America, and China. Her work drove Triple-digit revenue growth, optimized global PIMS, ERP, and LIS workflows, and ensured regulatory compliance (SOC 2, CAP, CLIA, GDPR).

Her career began at Cardinal Health as Senior Manager of Clinical Operations, where she managed large-scale clinical system integrations, HL7 interoperability, and product development initiatives delivering $22M+ in savings.

Maryam holds a PharmD and BS from Long Island University, and an MHS from Oregon Health & Science University. She completed executive education in AI at UC Berkeley, and Strategy & Innovation at MIT Sloan. She resides in Oregon with her family.

Gary Bronstein, brings extensive expertise in financial management and strategic planning to the realm of laboratory operations. Mr. Bronstein provides valuable insights and recommendations to key stakeholders, including C-suite executives, board members and executive partners.

Mr. Bronstein’s expertise includes over 38 years of experience in the clinical laboratory industry encompassing strategic planning, financial modeling, due diligence activities and valuations. He also has extensive experience in laboratory financial reporting, laboratory operations cost improvement, developing and managing value-based initiative and integration of healthcare capabilities.  

During his tenure at Quest Diagnostics, spanning over 24 years, Mr. Bronstein held various key positions, including Director of Emerging Markets and Senior Director of Strategy & Ventures. In these roles, he played a pivotal role in evaluating, analyzing, and devising strategic plans for emerging laboratory ventures. Additionally, he served as Executive Director for Finance of Anatomic Pathology Services, further demonstrating his multifaceted expertise in financial management within the healthcare sector.

Prior to his tenure at Quest Diagnostics, Mr. Bronstein served as Director of Business Development at SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories for 12 years. He also held positions as a Controller at International Clinical Laboratories and public accountant at Arthur Andersen and Company, where he honed his financial acumen and gained invaluable experience in financial reporting and analysis.

Mr. Bronstein earned his BS in Accounting from Villanova University in Villanova, PA, laying the foundation for his successful career in financial management. He currently resides in Pennsylvania with his family, where he continues to contribute his expertise to the field of laboratory operations and financial management.

Marci Dop, is a laboratory management professional with more than 25 years of experience in health system operations and IT. She has received numerous awards for excellence and innovation.
Prior to joining NMG, she served as the System Vice President of Laboratory and Support Services for a large Ohio Health System. While there she was instrumental in the formation of a laboratory outreach program and also for the integration of laboratory IT for all hospital acquisitions. Ms. Dop managed multiple system implementations, hospital integrations and physician practice acquisitions.

An expert in process improvement, she also successfully migrated all of her areas of responsibility to “system” structures that supported all health system facilities. She also developed unique training programs for staff to enhance operations.

Ms. Dop received an MBA from Ohio State University with a concentration in Information Systems. She also completed her undergraduate study in Medical Technology at Ohio State University. She resides in Ohio with her family.

Jeffrey Downs, is a senior healthcare and clinical laboratory executive with strong business acumen and deep expertise in laboratory finance, operations, and strategic growth. Mr. Downs is solution-oriented and provides clear, actionable financial and strategic guidance to C-suite executives, boards, and executive partners.

Mr. Downs’ expertise includes process improvement, business transformation, and mergers & acquisitions. He also brings extensive experience in revenue cycle management, financial reporting, auditing and laboratory operations.

Mr. Downs has served as Chief Financial Officer of PDL since October 2024. Prior to joining PDL, he spent five years at Accumen as Vice President of Strategic Relationships and Vice President of Sales and General Manager of Consulting Services. He previously held CFO roles at Select Labs/CellSolutions and Spectrum Laboratory Network.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Downs held senior leadership positions at Accordant Health Services, Coastal Physician Group, Labcorp, Eastman Kodak, and Deloitte.

Mr. Downs earned a Master of Science in Biomedical Diagnostics from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Elon University. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Eric Glassy, is a pathologist, a key opinion leader in the anatomic pathology industry and an NMG consultant. Dr. Glassy graduated from the University of San Francisco summa cum laude in 1972 and from UC San Francisco Medical School in 1976. He completed his Pathology residency at UCLA-Harbor General Hospital in 1980 and completed a fellowship in Hematopathology.

He was the Medical Director at Bay Harbor Hospital and at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center. He has also been the Medical Director at Little Company of Mary Hospital. He is currently medical director at Pathology, Inc. and San Pedro Peninsula Hospital. He is Board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology with a specific interest in Hematopathology and Information Technology.

His memberships include Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society, California Society of Pathologists, American Society of Clinical Pathologists and Collage of American Pathologists (CAP). He is former Chairman of the CAP Hematology Resource Committee, Publications Committee and Curriculum Committee. He has also served on the Council on Education, Committee on Professional and Community Engagement, Council on Scientific Affairs, and the Council on Membership and Professional Development. He was also a member of the CAP Foundation Board of Directors.

He has received several awards from the CAP, including President’s Honor Award (2012 and 2015), Distinguished Service Award, and Excellence in Education Award. Dr. Glassy is the editor and illustrator of the CAP Color Atlas of Hematology, the CAP Color Atlas of Body Fluids, Color Atlas of Urinary Sediment and designer and illustrator of the Color Atlas of Hemoglobinopathies. His specialties include hematopathology, medical photography, digital imaging, graphic design, and computer applications. He is a nationally known speaker on Digital Pathology and the value of Pathology in Clinical Medicine.

He has written several well-received computer programs for pathologists and is also involved in video projects (filming, editing, and DVD creation). He is the president-elect of the Digital Pathology Association and is current chairman of the CAP Digital Pathology Committee. He was recently appointed a Trustee of the American Board of Pathology.

Thomas Hirsch, A Senior Consultant for NMG, Mr. Hirsch has an extensive background in consulting, financial management, and operations of hospital and independent laboratories. From 1984 to 2002, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of PathLab, the second-largest laboratory in New England prior to its purchase by LabCorp for $110 million in 2001.

Mr. Hirsch has been an industry leader working with institutions and developing innovative solutions to enhance lab performance. PathLab managed six hospital laboratories and three major physician office labs, and had a joint venture with New York University Medical Center.

Mr. Hirsch also served as President of Diagnostic Laboratory Services in Honolulu from 1989-1994. The company was a joint venture with Queens Medical Center that Mr. Hirsch helped start in 1986. It soon grew into the largest laboratory in Hawaii, with $55 million in sales. Mr. Hirsch previously served as Associate in the Health and Medical Division of Booz-Allen & Hamilton in New York, where he performed strategic planning and financial management assignments. He also served as Vice President of Laboratory Operations for Metpath, Inc. (Quest Diagnostics).

Mr. Hirsch earned his MBA degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and his BA magna cum laude from Duke University

Harold Kisner, A Senior Consultant with NMG since 1987,  Dr. Kisner is a consultant in laboratory medicine and a nationally recognized expert in instrument and reagent selection, workflow design and optimization, and laboratory automation.  Dr. Kisner is a valued resource to integrated health systems/academic medical centers and large physician group practices throughout the U.S, assists in-vitro diagnostic companies on product design and commercializing innovation, serves on several scientific advisory boards, and advises private equity firms on investment in the laboratory and diagnostics sectors.  Dr. Kisner also served as Chief Science Officer to Davita Clinical Research (DCR) and Chief Laboratory Officer to Davita Laboratories.

In 2003 Dr. Kisner founded and continues to serve as President of NorthEast Clinical & Anatomic Pathology Solutions Inc. He has assisted several nationally visible clients during his career including Partners Healthcare, Cleveland Clinic, LumiraDx and Akoya BioSciences.

In 2006 Dr. Kisner co-founded ConVerge Diagnostic Services, LLC, an anatomic pathology laboratory with an emphasis on the integration of traditional anatomic pathology services with molecular diagnostics and flow cytometry.  After the sale of ConVerge Dx to Water St. Health Partners (WSHP) in 2009, Dr. Kisner served as a consultant to the company until 2011.

Prior to founding NECAPS, Dr. Kisner was COO and Laboratory Director of Path Lab Inc. from 1987-2003.  One of the fastest growing and most dynamic integrated health network laboratories in the country, Dr. Kisner was instrumental in helping design, implement and oversee (with P&L responsibility) the various management models servicing seven hospitals and six large group practice POLs.  His responsibility extended over all the technical and medical aspects of the clinical and anatomic pathology laboratories associated with Path Lab.

Dr. Kisner served as special advisor to the board of the Clinical Laboratory Management Review (CLMR), authored its “Talking About Technology” column, and had previously served as editor of the “Diagnostics Report”, a newsletter on the diagnostics industry. He has numerous publications on both scientific and management topics and frequently speaks at national and local conferences on strategic laboratory issues.  Dr. Kisner received his Ph.D. in Clinical Chemistry from the University of Rhode Island, and his MBA from an executive program at Loyola College in Maryland.

Richard Lash, brings over 25 years of laboratory medicine expertise in the realms of academics, clinical medicine, and business to his role as Senior Consultant at NMG.

With a distinguished career, Dr. Lash has demonstrated innovative leadership, notably as the former Chief of Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Operations for a national anatomic and molecular pathology company. There, he devised a uniquely successful medical practice, overseeing the care of over 1.2 million patients annually and directing a team of over 700 professionals, including as many as110 physicians. Dr. Lash designed and implemented an unprecedented medical practice model integrating academic and commercial medicine using consensus and criteria-based diagnostics, results-based QA programs and unique comprehensive sub-specialty development, resulting in measurable and substantial improvements in quality and outcomes.

Dr. Lash’s approach to consultation integrates his vast experience to craft and execute strategies, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and using innovation to creatively address various challenges. His strength is helping identify and focus everyone on the key strategic goals while still paying meticulous attention to detail and timelines.

Dr. Lash has also served as a board member of Baylor Genetics Laboratory, chaired the board at Caris Life Sciences and served on the Medical Advisory Committee of Cernostics. Additionally, he holds the position of Clinical Professor of Pathology at UT-Southwestern Medical Center where he teaches about leadership and medicine.

After graduating the University of Michigan Medical School with the distinction of AOA in his 3rd year, Dr. Lash completed his residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Cleveland Clinic, where he was Chief Resident.

Lisa Littleton is an NMG consultant with more than thirty years of IT experience in the healthcare industry. Lisa specializes in the project management, build, implementation, validation, and training of Epic Inpatient Orders, Beaker Clinical and Anatomic Pathology LIS, Sunquest LIS, and various other systems.

Ms. Littleton has experience in multiple roles throughout her career including Project Manager, Lead Project Analyst, Senior Systems Analyst, System Administrator, Laboratory Outreach Supervisor, and Medical Technologist. Her most recent engagements include:

• Inpatient Manager (Orders, Clin Doc, ASAP) for multi-hospital university medical center for implementation to CPOE
• Lead Beaker Analyst for major 2-year Big Bang implementation for a 3-hospital, 1 stand-alone laboratory (including Outreach) system, converting Sunquest and PowerPath laboratory systems to Beaker CP and AP
• Project Manager for major Sunquest conversion of multi-hospital university medical center, coordinating within both Meditech and Epic CPOE systems. Also managed large Epic clean-up of EAPs, LRRs, Preference Lists, and Order Sets for laboratory orders.
• Epic Beaker Analyst – Community Connect: Converted to Epic Beaker 2010. Data migration, system build, instrument interfacing (via Data Innovations Instrument Manager), Bi-directional reference lab interfaces to Quest and NorthWest Pathology (PowerPath), System validation, Post Go-LIVE support

Ms. Littleton earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics, an Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology at Ohio University.

She is active with sea turtle rescue and preservation and coral reef preservation. A certified diving enthusiast, Lisa lives on the East Coast of Florida.

Corrie McDonald, MLS is a seasoned NMG consultant specializing in laboratory and lab informatics solutions. With a robust background in Epic laboratory implementations, Corrie brings highly analytical and data-driven approach to her work. 

Formerly serving as Senior Epic Lab Analyst at Providence Health and Services, Ms. McDonald played a pivotal role in implementing Beaker Micro and Bugsy applications. Her expertise extends to interface development and innovative data solutions for micro/molecular instrumentations. Corrie has also led discussions on standardization and best practices, contributing her insights to over 80 hospital laboratories. 

Before transitioning to laboratory informatics, Ms. McDonald served as Clinical Laboratory Scientists at Clark Fork Valley Hospital and Marias Medical Center, where she held the role of microbiology lead. 

Ms. McDonald holds a BS in Microbiology from Montana State University and a BS in Social and Behavioral Science from University of Mary. She is certified as a MT ASCP. 

Ms. McDonald is based in Montana with her family.

Marilyn Owens, A Senior Consultant for NMG since 2005, Dr. Owens is a healthcare executive with extensive management experience in esoteric and anatomic pathology reference laboratories, including clinical trial studies.  She has a comprehensive scientific background in immunology, infectious disease, oncology, and genetics.  Throughout her forty-year career, she has established 17 laboratories over a broad range of scientific specialties and integrated 6 acquisitions. She has provided technical strategic and interim management consulting services to major health systems in the US, IVD companies, startup and turnaround laboratory management for genetics, oncology, and, most recently, SARS-CoV-2 PCR and serology test validation and high-volume operations, both domestically and internationally.

A founding member of Nichols Institute (now part of Quest Diagnostics), Dr. Owens was responsible for establishing and growing 10 esoteric specialty laboratories, including flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, image analysis, cytogenetics, FISH, infectious disease, and molecular genetics.

As SVP of Operations at IMPATH, responsible for budgets to $50 MM and 575 staff members, she created a multi-site management structure and led operational improvements in quality, standardization, workflow re-engineering, and cost-savings across the organization.  After IMPATH was acquired by Genzyme Genetics, she became responsible for Technology and Development, creating a process to move innovative, profitable products to market quickly through multi-disciplinary evaluation and design control teams for prenatal, and oncology testing disciplines.

As SVP for Operations at Caris Life Sciences, Dr. Owens restructured the laboratories, increasing capacity and productivity in the anatomic pathology and oncology labs, while decreasing costs during significant transformational growth of the company.

Dr. Owens most recently created the infrastructure and strategy for commercializing molecular and genetic testing for Personalized and Precision Medicine at the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University.  As COO of the Knight Diagnostic Laboratories, she led a rapid implementation for commercialization nationwide, increasing billable revenues by 300%, while accommodating shared operational processes with the University and OHSU Hospital.

Dr. Owens earned BS and MS degrees in Microbiology from California State University, Long Beach, her Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology and Immunology from UCLA. and an MBA. in Strategy and Management from the Graziadio School of Business at Pepperdine University.  She currently resides in Wyoming with her family.

Julie Pantalone, a Senior Consultant with NMG, has over 35 years of operational, sales, and sales leadership experience in the laboratory industry. Ms. Pantalone has trained over 200 salespeople throughout her impressive career. Julie is a proven sales leader that helps companies to grow their business and people to grow themselves. She has extensive experience evaluating operational workflows in transportation, accessioning, and customer service in some of the largest laboratories in the country.

Ms. Pantalone’s career in this arena, started as a sales position in the laboratory field working for one of the largest clinical laboratories in the country. She continued working for Quest Diagnostics for more than two decades and won numerous awards in sales. Julie went on to serve as Corporate Sales Director for Beaumont Hospitals. As Vice President, Sales for Atlas Medical, she was responsible for national growth and sales team management for IT middleware product sold to commercial laboratories and large health systems. At Atlas Medical, Julie had extensive experience with EMR interfaces and workflow engineering to connect disparate systems enabling clean orders and results to outreach market. And, most recently as she spent time a Director of Sales and Marketing for McLaren Medical Laboratory. Julie has a bachelor’s in business leadership from Baker College.

In her capacity as a sales leader, Julie has helped businesses grow rapidly. However, she is most proud of what she’s accomplished in mentoring other professionals; helping them to develop and succeed in their careers.

Donata Random, is an NMG financial analyst with proven business, contract management and accounting experience. She has strong interpersonal and collaborative skills and excels at managing accounts payable and receivable, general ledger review, financial reporting and tax preparation.

Donata’s financial experience includes not only a wide range of industries but also virtually all levels of management.

Donata received a Bachelor of Science degree overseas in 2001 and received an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University in 2008. She lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with her husband.

Sarina Rodriques, is a Senior Consultant with The Nichols Management Group and a nationally recognized laboratory management and healthcare executive with more than 30 years of experience across health-system, academic, pediatric, and pathology-based organizations.

Most recently, Sarina served as Chief Operating Officer for the largest pathology group in Arizona. Previously, she held the role of Administrative Director of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine for large, complex health systems throughout Southern California. Her leadership experience spans community hospitals, children’s hospitals, and academic medical centers, where she has overseen multi-site laboratory operations and large clinical workforces.

Sarina brings deep expertise in laboratory automation, having led the planning, design, and implementation of advanced automation solutions, including the development of laboratories built from the ground up. She implemented a one-of-a-kind total laboratory automation system and is widely regarded for her ability to align technology, operations, and financial performance. Her experience also includes comprehensive operational benchmarking, productivity analysis, and expense review to drive efficiency and sustainable performance.

A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), Sarina is actively engaged in initiatives focused on workforce development, leadership advancement, and elevating the role of the laboratory within healthcare delivery. She has served on the Board of the Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA) and is the author of the finance section of the clinical laboratory management body of knowledge. Sarina also teaches the preparatory course for the ASCP Diplomate in Laboratory Management (DLM) examination.

Sarina has published extensively in professional laboratory journals, including a widely cited four-part series on total laboratory automation in hospital laboratories. She is a sought-after national speaker, presenting on laboratory automation, leadership, and clinical operations at major industry conferences, including AACC, CLMA ThinkLab and KnowledgeLab, Executive War College, and G2 Intelligence’s Lab Revolution.

She holds a Master’s degree in Health Systems Management from Rutgers University and a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from California State University, Northridge. Sarina resides in California with her family.

Andrea Langston Ryan, is NMG’s Project Manager who specializes in laboratory business development, management analysis and project management. Prior to joining NMG, she served as the service manager for a large west coast clinical and anatomic pathology laboratory. In this role she collaborated with both operations management and the sales team to continuously improve quality and service delivery to clients.

Ms. Langston has hands on knowledge and experience in laboratory field service, customer service operations and marketing. She is well versed in laboratory life cycles including mergers, acquisitions, and consolidation of operational services including both clinical and anatomic pathology services.

Ms. Langston has been a project manager for the Nichols Management Group for 15 years. During this time she has managed several multi-million dollar projects with teams of up to 30 on-site consultants. Recent client projects include Tufts Medicine, UCSF Health, Cleveland Clinic, Partners Healthcare, Mount Sinai Health System, Carilion Clinic, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Quest Diagnostics. Ms. Langston has also served as a Senior Consultant in the technology and finance sectors supporting clients such as Meta, and Google in their privacy, compliance and risk management practices.

Andrea received her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Biopsychology at the University of California Santa Barbara and her Master’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Organizational Change and Leadership from Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business. Andrea lives in Redwood City, CA.

Heidi Wagner, is an industry expert in biobanking, surgical pathology and laboratory medicine.  She has over a decade of experience in leading central biorepositories at the largest cancer centers in both Canada (Princess Margaret Cancer Center) and the United States (MD Anderson Cancer Center). She currently serves as head of operations of biobanking services at the University Health Network (UHN). In this role, she has been responsible for opening the area's COVID-19 Biobank.

Heidi is considered a thought leader in the biobanking and surgical pathology workflow space.  Areas of interest and expertise for Heidi include bioregulatory policies, best practices and outcomes, biobanking vis-à-vis translational research, standardized sample management, risk assessment, quality assurance and quality control, waste management, biobanking protocol design, accreditation by regulatory agencies and hiring of clinical and research professionals.

Heidi serves on various committees of the International Society for Biological and Environment Repositories (ISBER) and the European, Middle Eastern and African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking (ESBB).

Heidi received a BSc in Anatomic Pathology from Wayne State University, MI.

Ran Whitehead, is a seasoned laboratory executive with more than 40 years of experience. Mr. Whitehead has led laboratories in a variety of settings from founding a start-up venture capital backed laboratory in Tennessee to leading for-profit and non-for profit laboratories in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, New Mexico and Oregon.

Mr. Whitehead is expert at strategic development, lab construction and site development, LIS implementation and outreach development. He is well known for his technical and clinical excellence, collaborative partnerships, and innovative programs. He has also led initiatives such as the distance learning program that was later adopted by laboratories across the country.

Prior to joining NMG, he most recently served as CEO at PeaceHealth Laboratories where he integrated twelve laboratory operations in to one operating unit with standardized policies, procedures and equipment. While there he also developed new service lines to enhance future revenues, introduced Lean Assessment program for process improvement and implemented the EPIC/Beaker LIS.

Mr. Whitehead also served as CEO at SED Medical Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM and Oregon Medical Laboratories in Eugene, OR. He has also held senior leadership positions at Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL, Moses Cone Health System in Greensboro, NC and at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC.

He has presented at the Executive War College, Frontiers in Laboratory Medicine, California Clinical Laboratory Association and Roche Molecular Center of Excellence. He has also led numerous online seminars and has authored several articles for the Medical Laboratory Observer and released four podcasts focusing on the clinical laboratory industry.

Mr. Whitehead served on the Boards at Lane Workforce Partnership, Lane Memorial Blood Bank, New Mexico Workforce Partnership and Ascendant Diagnostics.

He earned his Master of Business Administration at Duke University and his Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology at Michigan State University. Ran lives in Santa Barbara, CA with his wife.