AMHERST, N.Y. – Daemen College has established a new Health Care Strategic Alliance Committee (HCSA) made up of key health care professionals in the Buffalo Niagara region who will provide advisement on changes in health care, while also developing a greater understanding of the college’s range of health-related programs.

The committee’s first meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Oct 18 in Daemen’s Academic and Wellness Center. Expected to meet twice annually, the inaugural group is being co-chaired by Dr. Ron Schenk, dean of health and human services and professor of physical therapy, and Dr. Maureen Millane, associate vice president for community engagement.

“We are pleased to bring together this prominent group of leaders and professionals in the health care field who will share their valuable expertise,” said Schenk. “Their insight will be important as we continue to enhance and develop short- and long-term goals for our programs to best meet the needs of the health care sector.”

Committee members are Lavonne Ansari, CEO and executive director of the Community Health Center of Buffalo; Jarrod Atkinson, director of nursing - patient care services at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo; Gary Brice, vice president of learning and engagement at Kaleida Health Systems; Al Dirschberger, Erie County commissioner of social services; Peter Eimer, chief operating officer of Brothers of Mercy; Dr. Michael Freitas, associate professor of clinical orthopaedics at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Joseph Fritz, CEO/technology director at Dent Neurologic Institute; Nestor Hernanedez, associate vice president at People, Inc.; Adam Kisailus, assistant dean of the Division of Educational Affairs at Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Brett Lawton, chief operating officer at Jericho Road Community Health Center; and Diane Lobdell, director of nursing at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.

Also, Dr. George Matthews, chief of the Department of Medicine at Kaleida Health Systems; Veronica Meldrum, vice president for employee services at Horizon Health Services; Paige Prentice, vice president of operations at Horizon Health Services; Mark Pundt, CEO of MASH Care Network; Lisa Schmidt, vice president/chief operations Officer at Buffalo General Medical Center; Daniel Scully, CEO at Buffalo Medical Group; Nancy Stoll, practice administrator at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo; Anthony Surace, sports medicine director at Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital; Assunta Ventresca, director of health related services at Buffalo Public Schools; and Dr. Richard Vienne, vice President and chief Medical Officer at Univera Healthcare.

Dr. Michael Brogan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, said, “At a time when health care is at the forefront both locally and nationally, this committee will serve as an important resource for our health profession programs. We look forward to hearing their recommendations to assist with refining our educational programs and our role in fulfilling the increasing demands for a highly skilled health care workforce in our region.”