The role of clinical and medical leaders has grown increasingly more complex over the last decade, characterized by market trends like a shrinking workforce, increased demand for integrated care, the critical role of outcomes and data in reimbursement, and changing consumer expectations.
The OPEN MINDS Clinical Leaders Learning Path is a series of interactive sessions and networking experiences catered to the unique needs of clinical leaders. This learning path is woven throughout the broader three-day institute and is designed to deepen industry expertise and equip today’s leaders with strategies for success in a changing market.
View featured courses and sessions below to get started!
Portfolio Management To Optimize Organizational Performance: The 2026 OPEN MINDS Executive Seminar On How To Optimize, Retire & Build A Service Line Portfolio For The Future
Sponsored By: 
In the current environment of changing consumer expectations and new financial models, two essential skills that all executives need to master are the ability to evaluate and modify existing service lines as well as the ability to develop new services to meet the changes in the evolving market.
In this revamped seminar, OPEN MINDS industry expert Joe Naughton-Travers will break down the process of evaluating current service lines to help answer the questions, which ones should you keep, invest in or curtail? They will also discuss the details of the finances, legacy and compliance issues that come with enhancing the service lines you already have. In addition, they’ll review real-world case studies, and the tools used in the analysis to help create a budget for new service lines, the understanding of reimbursement rates, and the units of service and staffing needed to help organizations decide if this is a viable option.
Attendees will take away:
- A multi-faceted approach for evaluating service line opportunities
- The tools needed to analyze current and new service lines
- Real world examples of new service line development and decision making from successful organizations
Joseph P. Naughton-Travers, EdM
Joseph P. Naughton-Travers, EdM, Senior Associate, has more than 30 years of experience in the health and human service field. In this tenure as senior associate with OPEN MINDS since 1998, he has served as lead of dozens of client initiatives, served as editor of OPEN MINDS publications, and is the author of many groundbreaking articles and presentations.
Mr. Naughton-Travers brings to OPEN MINDS a broad range of experiences in private and public sector delivery of behavioral health and social services. He started his career as a behavioral health clinician, working in both child welfare and community mental health clinic settings. Subsequently, Mr. Naughton-Travers held a senior business operations management position for a psychiatric hospital system and its community mental health clinics. Later, he was vice president of a firm specializing in information systems and billing and receivables management for community-based mental health programs.
Since joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Naughton-Travers has developed business solutions for provider and professional organizations, state and county government, technology companies, and venture capital firms. His primary areas of expertise include strategic planning and metrics-based management, electronic health record (EHR) and technology selection and implementation, operations improvement, and corporate compliance. For the past decade, over half his consulting practice has focused on aiding organizations in technology selection and implementation, including all aspects of strategic technology planning, functional specifications development, request for proposal development, vendor selection, and contracting.
He has written numerous articles, including “Winning the Human Resource Wars: Tried, True and New Strategies for Behavioral Health and Social Service Organizations,” “Five Pillars of Management Competency,” “Data Driven Decision Making: Moving to an Organizational Measurement Culture,” “Survival of the Smartest: What is Your Organization’s Information Literacy IQ?,” and “Strategic Human Resource Management: Aligning Compensation with Employee Performance and Organizational Strategy.” Mr. Naughton-Travers is also a nationally recognized speaker, having conducted hundreds of executive and professional executive training events around the nation.
Mr. Naughton-Travers received his Bachelor’s degree from Miami University of Ohio and his Masters’ of Education in Counseling Psychology from Boston University.
Keynote
Dawn Gillam, LCSW
Perfecting Patient Engagement & Experience From Beginning To End
Patient engagement is no longer a single touchpoint—its an end-to-end ecosystem that shapes clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and long-term organizational growth. This session explores how leading behavioral health organizations are redesigning the patient journey from the first outreach to sustained recovery, with strategies that blend human-centered design, technology enablement, and trauma-informed care.
Discover how to create a customer success program through proven tactics for improving intake and navigation, enhancing the care experience across care teams, strengthening communication, and supporting successful transitions and follow ups.
J.J. Johnston, Ed.D., BCBA
Rene Hurtado, MBA
Rene Hurtado was born and raised in El Paso and has over 25 years of experience in healthcare operations and public policy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Mr. Hurtado has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors of healthcare delivery systems along the U.S.-Mexico border. He has designed communication initiatives in different areas of public health to include trauma & crisis communications, children’s outreach and poison control centers. He has also led marketing and public affairs initiatives for one of the largest hospital systems in El Paso, where he designed multi-media communications initiatives for various healthcare product lines including pediatrics, kidney transplant and oncology. In the area of public policy and government relations, he served as Director of Public Affairs for Spectrum Communications where he advocated for effective telecommunications legislation.
He currently serves as Chief of Staff for Emergence Health Network, the designated mental health authority for El Paso County responsible for designing and maintaining the public mental health/developmental disability service delivery system for the region to include crisis services and suicide prevention. He oversees community affairs, human resources, training & education, and government relations.
Mr. Hurtado also works and has held leadership positions with various community agencies. He has served as chair of the public relations committee for the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation and chair of the government relations division for the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce. He also volunteered with Leadership El Paso, Creative Kids and various community agencies. Mr. Hurtado is a graduate of the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund Leadership Program, Leadership El Paso and the El Paso Creative Cities Leadership Group.
Recently Mr. Hurtado was appointed to One Fund El Paso, which provided guidance and resources for victims of the El Paso August 3rd 2019 Walmart Shooting and has advocated for increased access to mental health services as a result of this tragic mass shooting.
Breaking The Silence: Addressing Mental Health & Social Isolation In Older Adults
Mental health conditions among older adults are often underdiagnosed and undertreated due to stigma, workforce shortages, and limited integration between behavioral health and aging services. At the same time, social isolation and loneliness are increasingly recognized as major contributors to depression, anxiety, and declining health among older adults.
This panel will examine strategies to reduce stigma and expand access to behavioral health care while addressing social isolation as a key driver of mental health challenges. Panelists will discuss approaches such as integrating behavioral health into primary care, expanding geriatric mental health training, strengthening partnerships between health care providers and community organizations, and incorporating social connection interventions such as peer support and community engagement programs.
Scott Kaiser, M.D.
Scott A. Kaiser, MD, is the CEO of Determined Health, a company he co-founded with a vision for a new approach to community care—one that starts with human connection, first. Kaiser is a board-certified family physician and geriatrician with executive leadership experience focused on the improvement of aging services, geriatric care, and population health. Engaged in clinical care, teaching, community outreach, advocacy, and research, Kaiser is the Director of Geriatric Cognitive Health at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, an adjunct faculty member of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, and serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations. He is determined to solve healthcare’s greatest challenges and create healthy communities that support us all in living well and aging well.
Kaiser completed his undergraduate studies at Vassar College with a degree in Science, Technology, and Society, and received his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He went on to train within the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency, the Harvard Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, and the UCLA Health Services Research Fellowship.
Kristen Brooks, M.D.
Integrated Supports For Dual-Diagnosis: The Convergence Of Mental Health & I/DD Services
Individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions and intellectual or developmental disabilities often fall into gaps between traditionally siloed systems—resulting in fragmented care, unnecessary crisis events, and inconsistent outcomes. As demand grows and acuity rises, behavioral health leaders are increasingly challenged to design coordinated, person-centered models that meet the full spectrum of needs for this population.
This session explores emerging best practices in integrating mental health and I/DD services across clinical, community and residential settings. Presenters will highlight innovative models that blend behavioral health expertise, trauma-informed care, and care coordination to deliver comprehensive, consistent, and culturally responsive services.
Attendees will learn:
- Implications for the workforce in providing comprehensive care
- The funding and regulatory considerations, and
- Data-sharing strategies and partnerships that drive care for dual-diagnosis populations
Angela Yen, MA, BCBA
Angela Yen is a dedicated behavior analyst with over 15 years of experience working with complex, underserved populations. After receiving her master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in autism spectrum disorders, she pursued her certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Since then, she has worked in a variety of settings, including schools, residential facilities, and community organizations, helping individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health disorders and other unique needs.
Angela has demonstrated a commitment to delivering innovative and effective individualized interventions for her clients. She has also provided training and consultation to other professionals and organizations, helping to expand the use of evidence-based practices in the field.
At Easterseals Southern California, Angela oversees both the Consultation Services and the Crisis Support Services Departments. She believes in collaborative approach that emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with individuals and their systems of support to create linkages and build capacity.
Angela is interested in research topics related to trauma informed care and organizational behavior management. She is passionate about what she does and looks forward to continuing to make a difference in the lives of those she serves.
Terri Gowey, MS, BCBA, LBA
Valerie Wilmink, MS, BCBA, LBA
Kate Lopas, MS, BCBA
Safety As Strategy: Reducing Risk For Patients & Staff
In behavioral health care, safety is more than compliance, it’s a core strategic advantage. As organizations face rising clinical complexity, workforce pressures, and heightened regulatory scrutiny, proactive safety design has become essential for protecting both patients and staff while strengthening operational resilience.
This session examines how behavioral health organizations are integrating safety into organizational strategy, from frontline practices to enterprise-wide decision-making. Participants will explore frameworks for reducing patient harm, preventing staff injury, and addressing environmental and operational vulnerabilities before they escalate into crises.
Key takeaways include:
- Evidence based risk-reduction models
- The role of culture and leadership in advancing safety, and
- The use of data, technology and cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement
Ashley Brewer
Ashley Brewer, MPH, LSW, CHPI, is a licensed social worker and public health professional based in Urbana, Ohio. With degrees from Wilmington College and Kent State University, Ashley has spent 15+ years improving behavioral health outcomes for at-risk populations in rural Ohio. She developed and managed the Integrated Behavioral Health Program at Community Health and Wellness Partners, a Federally Qualified Health Center, and now serves as Safety Compliance Manager, focusing on quality, safety, process improvement, and regulatory compliance. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys traveling, reading, volunteering, and spending time with her husband and their dog Mo.
Combining Smart Data & Collaboration For Better Performance With Banner Health
Health systems across the country face a common challenge: improving access and quality while managing limited capacity and growing demand. In this keynote, Dr. Marjorie Bessel, Chief Clinical Officer at Banner Health, (who was named as one of Modern Healthcare’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives for 2025) will share how a system-wide initiative combining real-time data, interdisciplinary teamwork, and operational alignment transformed patient flow and care performance across six states.
By creating a diverse team, breaking down silos and coordinating daily decision-making across clinical specialties and care settings—including rehabilitation, home-based care, and post-acute services—Banner created smoother care transitions which improved care agility. The results were significant: capacity equivalent to 100 additional beds and the ability to serve nearly 10,000 more patients in a single year.
Join Banner Health to hear actionable insights for harnessing data, strengthening collaboration, and accelerating patient movement across the continuum, all for sustainable operational impact.
Marjorie Bessel, M.D.
Marjorie Bessel, M.D. is the chief clinical officer at Banner Health. Dr. Bessel began her journey with Banner 12 years ago, and has served in progressive physician leadership positions. She initially served as chief medical officer for several hospitals, then moved into the Arizona Division chief medical officer role, before accepting vice president roles for Continuum Management and Clinical Integration. She most recently served as vice president/chief medical officer for Community Delivery.
Her clinical background is as a hospitalist and she maintains board certification and active staff privileges. She is also passionate around empowerment of patients through transparency of individual’s clinical information. Dr. Bessel earned a B.S. in biology, magna cum laude, from Syracuse University and she attended Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois, where she was presented with the James B. Herrick award for most outstanding performance in internal medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Rush- Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago and was honored by continuing for an additional year in the capacity as Chief Resident.
From Assessment To Treatment: What AI Brings To Today’s Clinicians
Artificial Intelligence is at the top of everyone’s minds lately, and the health care industry is no exception—from streamlining assessments to enhancing clinical decision-making and expanding access to personalized treatment. Yet the questions remain in understanding which AI innovations truly support clinicians instead of replacing them, how AI can be implemented responsibly, and what are the safeguards needed to maintain trust and quality.
This session provides some clarity to the mystifying state of AI in health care and explores practical, ethical, and strategic considerations for health care executives. Presenters will highlight emerging tools that reduce administrative burden, strengthen diagnostics, support risk identification, and improve patient engagement.
Correnda Perkins
Driving Outcomes For High-Needs Youth: Innovations In Foster Care Services
Youth in foster care with complex behavioral health needs often face fragmented services, frequent placement disruptions, and limited access to specialized supports. As acuity rises and systems strain under workforce and funding pressures, organizations are being challenged to rethink how they deliver coordinated care.
Presenters will explore emerging models that integrate behavioral health, child welfare, education and community supports to build stability, and reduced reliance on higher levels of care.
Attendees will learn:
- Actionable strategies to enhance clinical effectiveness, support caregivers and foster families
- Advancements in wraparound care coordination and in home stabilization
- The use of data to drive accountability and improve long term outcomes
Jane Wintz, LAPSW
Jane Wintz, CEO of Omni Family of Services, has spent her entire career in the child welfare industry working to improve outcomes for youth and families.
Prior to joining the Omni Family in 2017 as Omni Visions’ President & CEO, she served in numerous roles at Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth (SAFY) including Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer. (Omni Visions is now known as Omni Family of Services.)
A leader with over 25 years of non-profit experience, Jane has worked in 15 States where she has implemented Treatment Foster Care, Family Preservation, Residential and Congregate Care, and Education service delivery models.
Prior to her time with SAFY, Jane worked with Pressley Ridge for over 12 years in Cincinnati, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She currently serves as a Board member for Family Focused Treatment Association (FFTA).
She holds a Bachelor of Science in social work from St. Louis University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Cincinnati.
Patricia Cavanaugh, Ed.D.
Building High-Performing Teams Through Effective Clinical Supervision
Examine how organizations can elevate clinical supervision from a compliance requirement to a strategic driver of excellence. As work environments are marked by rising acuity, escalating documentation demands, and persistent workforce shortages, clinical supervision can be a lever for strengthening staff performance, improving retention and ensuring high-quality care.
Presenters will explore evidence-based supervision models, coaching techniques, and frameworks for cultivating professional growth and accountability.
Participants will leave with:
- Strategies for enhancing supervisory skills that empower clinicals at every level
- Lessons to transform team culture and ultimately improve outcomes for both staff and patients
- Discussions on how supervisors can support diverse teams, reduce burnout, reinforce treatment models and create safe environments where staff can thrive
Isaac L. Bermudez, MS, BCBA, IBA, LBA-TX
Isaac is the Chief Innovation Officer of Brett DiNovi & Associates (BDA). Isaac has been providing services in applied behavior analysis (ABA) since 1998. He has worked in executive leadership positions in the behavioral health industry since 2007 and uses the principles of organizational behavior management (OBM) to guide the support and growth of organizations. Over the last 18 years, Isaac has led ABA departments, started companies, and has grown organizations over 500% while earning awards for quality of service and employee satisfaction. In addition to Isaac’s primary role at BDA, he is a keynote speaker for state and national conferences as well as has co-authored articles and chapters, most recently in the textbook on Multiculturalism in Applied Behavior Analysis. Isaac is the co-founder of the Latino Association for Behavior Analysis (LABA) as well as a mentorship program called Mentorologist, which has a dedicated Youtube channel that bears the same name. Finally, Isaac is currently a doctoral student in Human Performance Improvement at Capella University.
Closing Keynote
Monica E. Oss
Monica E. Oss, M.S. is the founder of OPEN MINDS and serves as its chief executive officer, executive editor of its publications and websites, and executive lead of its consulting engagements. For the past three decades, Ms. Oss has led the OPEN MINDS team and its research on health and human service market trends and its national consulting practice. She is well known for her numerous books and articles focused on the strategic and marketing implications of the evolving health and human service field – and its focus on the verticals of the field serving consumers with chronic conditions and complex support needs.
Ms. Oss has extensive experience in developing and implementing growth strategies for a wide array of organizations in the field. She has expertise in industry trend analysis, reimbursement, rate setting, and creating actionable plans for market success. In her role, she has led numerous engagements with state Medicaid plans, county governments, private insurers, and health plans, service provider organizations, technology vendors, neurotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations, and investment banking firms – with a focus on the implications of financing changes on delivery system design.
Prior to founding OPEN MINDS, Ms. Oss served as an executive with a nationally managed behavioral health organization, responsible for market development, actuarial analysis, and capitation-based rate setting. She also held a position as vice president of the U.S. risk management and underwriting division of an international insurance company.
Ms. Oss has been the keynote speaker at the conferences of dozens of national associations and has been published in a wide range of professional journals and trade publications. She has provided Congressional and state legislative testimony on issues as diverse as the financial impact of parity and payer medication access policies.
Ms. Oss has led a range of industry research and consultation initiatives, serving as principal investigator on research projects that include the examination of national managed care enrollment and service patterns, development of provider rate structures for government entities, creation of return-on-investment models for technology investments; design of performance-based compensation models within public and private health plans; and analysis of the economic impact of changes in benefit design, adoption of evidence-based practices, and new technologies.