2024 Board of Directors
Board Chair, Dr. Jeffrey P. Engel, Former State Epidemiologist & State Health Director, North Carolina Division of Public Health
Dr. Engel served on the faculty at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University from 1988-2002 ending as Professor of Medicine and Director of the Infectious Disease Division of the Department of Internal Medicine. From 2002-2008 he served as the State Epidemiologist, and from 2009-2012 the State Health Director for the North Carolina Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Human Services. From 2012-2020, Dr. Engel was the Executive Director of the national non-profit organization Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists in Atlanta, Georgia.
Secretary, Kathleen Gormley, Retired, WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Kathleen is an accomplished Healthcare Executive with 35 years of experience in Healthcare Management. Her most recent experience prior to her retirement was as the Executive Vice President of WakeMed Health and Hospitals. Much of her career has been spent on physician acquisitions and ambulatory healthcare.
Treasurer, John A. Donofrio, Jr., President, EPI Health, Inc.
John, with over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, is a trusted finance leader with a proven track record of building strategy, financial management, business partnering, leading teams and strong collaboration among all levels of an organization.
Rebecca Andrews, SVP & Administrator, Raleigh Campus, WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Becky serves as the Senior Vice President and Administrator of WakeMed Health and Hospital’s Raleigh Enterprise. Becky is experienced in information management, utilization management and financial operations and has tremendous experience in the hospital and health care industry.
Chris Brady, M.S.S.W., Th.M., M.Div., District Superintendent, Capital District, North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church Visiting Assistant Professor, Duke University Divinity School
Chris leads cultural diversity and race equity training for AMM’s staff. Chris is the pastor at Wilson Temple UMC in Raleigh and has been in ministry for over 20 years. Prior to entering the ministry full-time, he served honorably in the U.S. Army/Army Reserves as both a Non-Commissioned and Commissioned Officer.
Dr. Karen A. Burke-Haynes, Chief Medical Officer, The North Carolina Medical Board
Dr. Karen Burke-Haynes serves as the Chief Medical Officer at the North Carolina Medical Board with a practice history spanning from academic medicine to solo practice. Dr. Burke-Haynes earned a medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and completed postgraduate training in pediatrics at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.
Brooke Cummings, Chief Human Resources Officer, Curi
Brooke has more than two decades of human resources leadership across varied industries (technology, hospitality, life science, and insurance/financial services). She is no stranger to dynamic environments. Her passion lies in understanding employee needs and leading organizations to respond in the best way possible to build a winning culture and a talented, engaged workforce.
She currently serves as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Curi, an advisory firm committed to helping physicians in medicine, business, and life. In the changing landscape of work, she finds purpose in using her expertise to support people in their professional lives and personal growth. Her expertise has also aided numerous companies and their leadership to adapt and evolve through new ways of leading, communicating, and connecting.
Dr. Barbara Griffith, President, Duke Raleigh Hospital
Dr. Griffith is board certified in emergency medicine. She began her tenure as President of Duke Raleigh Hospital in October 2021. Prior to joining Duke Raleigh Hospital, Griffith served as President and CEO of Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, La.
Griffith’s healthcare experience includes 20 years of clinical practice and more than 15 years in a variety of leadership roles that have spanned hospital leadership, operations, physician practice management, clinical affairs and board governance.
Dr. William Charles Helton, Executive Medical Director, Physician Services, WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Dr. Helton is founder of Carolina Cardiovascular Surgical Associates and specializes in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at WakeMed and Rex Hospital. Dr. Helton is involved in and supports a number of nonprofit organizations throughout Raleigh. Dr. Helton attended University of Miami Medical School.
S. Todd Hemphill, Retired Health Law Attorney
Todd practiced health law for over 30 years with Bode, Call & Stroupe, LLP and Poyner Spruill LLP in Raleigh. His practice involved the representation of health care providers, with an emphasis on Certificate of Need law. He focused on health care strategic planning issues, assisting clients in developing health care development strategies under the Certificate of Need law, negotiating health care transactions, and litigating Certificate of Need awards and denials. He also represented health care clients on licensure and certification issues, including appeals challenging certification and licensure survey decisions and penalties.
Board Chair, Elizabeth Pharr McCullough, Partner, Walker Allen Law
Elizabeth is the first female equity partner at Walker Allen. She joined Walker Allen in 2021 after practicing for 16 years as a shareholder and serving as the first female member of Young Moore’s practice management committee. She focuses her practice on advising and defending healthcare providers in matters involving patient care issues and risk.
Neil Morris, President, Creedmoor Partners
Neil is the owner of Nemoco, LLC, a real estate development and consulting firm. He has been a member of the Alliance Board for 16 years. Neil’s background includes extensive experience in real estate taxation and financial modelling as well as real estate development.
Gerald Petkau, Senior Vice President, Commercial Markets, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
Gerald is senior vice president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. He is responsible for Financial Services, Treasury, Actuarial Services, Underwriting and Analytical Services and Workplace Resources. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He is also an Illinois Registered CPA. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics.
Kirsten Riggs, MHA, BSN, RN, Chief Operating Officer, UNC REX Healthcare
Kirsten works as the vice president of heart and vascular services at UNC REX Healthcare. Kirsten has a long track record of leadership and commitment to patient care, with an 18-year career at UNC REX. She has a long track record of leadership and commitment to patient care. Kirsten holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University and a Masters in Health Administration from Pfeiffer University.
J.R. Shearin, Consultant, VACO
J.R. is a senior business executive and Big 4 Managing Partner with over 25 years of extensive finance, public accounting and international business experience. He serves as the account leader for a number of clients in the Public Sector, Life Sciences, Construction and Industrial Products Industries. J.R. holds a B.A. in Accounting from North Carolina State University and has a background in other financial roles at Price Waterhouse Cooper and Deloitte.
Hugh Tilson, Director, North Carolina Health Education Centers
Hugh is the director of the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) Program, associate dean and assistant professor in family medicine at the UNC School of Medicine. Tilson has extensive experience in health care, including particular experience in hospital and provider issues, health policy development, and North Carolina’s Medicaid transformation. Tilson is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and the UNC School of Law. He holds a Master of Public Health from Harvard.
Pete Tannenbaum, President and Executive Director, Alliance Medical Ministry
Pete, with a B.A. in Political Science from Duke University followed by a J.D. from Wake Forest Law School, leads Alliance Medical Ministry as Executive Director. Pete has more than 25 years of experience in business and investment banking. Pete has a history in philanthropy and other leadership roles in nonprofit organizations including active roles as founding Board member at Marbles Museum and as a Trustee at Ravenscroft School.
