Your Partner for Improving Care Outcomes

Lawrence (Larry) Smith, MD, CMD is a Regional Medical Director for AlignMed Partners. Prior to joining AlignMed Partners, Dr. Smith led an independent practice where he instructed Residents on rural family medicine and obstetrics. He then led an effort to establish a FQHC in Maine and began working in post-acute care.

Dr. Smith moved into full-time administrative medicine in 2014, taking on the Chief Medical Officer role at Kindred’s Nursing Center Division before joining AlignMed Partners in 2016.  

Ana Gomes, DO, CMD, FAAFP is the Regional Medical Director with AlignMed Partners in post-acute and long-term care facilities. Bringing a wealth of leadership experience in directing patient care, developing medical directors and physicians in their roles, and coordinating and delivering center medical care services, she leads the organization's growing and successful medical teams across the PALTC care continuum.

Dr. Gomes has been at the forefront of managing telehealthcare delivery in the centers, expanding healthcare access to residents, bridging gaps with operating teams, and focusing on care utilization. Her extensive and robust experience in infection control practices, regulatory compliance, and survey management are a testament to her commitment and passion for delivering the highest quality of care across the industry.

Veronica Westcoast is a Director of Performance Management with AlignMed Partners, serving as the bridge between Physicians, center leadership, and regional stakeholders. Ensuring alignment with organizational objectives to deliver outstanding patient care, Veronica drives performance and improvement initiatives across the organization.

Veronica has over 20 years experience in healthcare administration, credentialing, compliance, and team leadership.

Sharon Farber, MD, CMD is a Regional Medical Director with AlignMed Partners. Dedicating her career solely to post-acute and long-term care settings, Dr. Farber carries dual certifications in Family Medicine and Geriatrics, and is a Certified Medical Director (CMD) by the American Board of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. 

Joining AlignMed Partners in 2016, she focused on dementia care treatment and reduction of polypharmacy as an active member of both PALTC and AAFP.

Dr. Farber earned her Doctorate Degree of Medicine from the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University in 2001.

Nathan Johnson, MSN, NP-C, APRN is a Senior Director of Clinical Practice with AlignMed Partners, directing and supporting a multi-state team of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. An experienced provider and clinical leader in post-acute care, as well as an active member of PALTC, Nathan creates and implements company-wide education programs to enhance day-to-day practice and overall patient care—achieving excellent outcomes over the past 11 years.

Nathan received both his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University.   

Liz Emrey is the Director of Provider Operations and Business Development for AlignMed Partners, leading a variety of initiatives in collaboration with internal and external partners to improve operational efficiencies, grow the company, and help achieve strategic goals.  

Joining AlignMed Partners in 2012, Liz has expanded her role within the organization several times—helping launch the company’s telehealth service before transitioning into a Manager position and now into her current role. 

Liz earned a Bachelor of Arts from Mount St. Mary’s University in Rhetoric and Communications with a minor in English.    

Lisa Matherson, MSN, CRNP, GNP-BC, CWS is the Director of Clinical Practice with AlignMed Partners, providing leadership, support, and direction to a team of Advanced Practice Providers (Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants). Lisa facilitates the development and successful implementation of Corporate Clinical Initiatives to enhance quality of care and improve outcomes in post-acute and long-term care settings. 

Prior to joining AlignMed Partners in 2012, Lisa practiced in the PALTC and Senior Living space for 17 years—providing primary and wound care consultation as a Board Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified Wound Specialist, and member of the American Board of Wound Management.

Lisa received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Delaware in 1987 and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995.     

Leigh Simpkins, DNP, ACNP-BC is the Senior Director of Clinical Practice with AlignMed Partners, leading a multi-state team of Advanced Practice Providers focused on quality improvement and strategic initiatives. 

Serving as a practicing board-certified Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Leigh started her career at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania working in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery. She joined AlignMed Partners in 2012—leveraging her hospital experience to support care delivery and advanced practice in the post-acute setting.

Leigh earned her DNP from The George Washington University where she simultaneously received a certificate in healthcare policy.  

Louise Dias, PA-C is a Director of Clinical Practice with AlignMed Partners, emphasizing personal and professional development across the organization’s healthcare teams and advocating for improved outcomes for all. Prioritizing the utilization of technology to identify and optimize the potential of key initiatives, Louise steers AlignMed Partners’ forward-facing outlook as it relates to the quality and delivery of care for patients. 

Joining AlignMed Partners in 2013, Louise actively practices long-term and post-acute care—leveraging her previous eight years experience in acute care and internal medicine.

Louise received her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Physician Assistant Studies from Northeastern University in 2005.

Johanna Farra is a Director of Performance Management with AlignMed Partners, ensuring data-driven strategies are implemented and providers are empowered to deliver exceptional patient care. Johanna has over 20 years of experience in healthcare communications, project management, and employee engagement.

Gina Hardican is a Director of Performance Management with AlignMed Partners, specializing in physician engagement, performance tracking, and aiding Physicians in improving the quality of patient care. She has more than 25 years of practice management and healthcare administration experience in the medical field.

Scott Bolhack, MD, MBA, CMD, CWSP, PCWC, FACP is a Regional Medical Director with AlignMed Partners. He is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Hospice & Palliative Care, with two additional certifications as a Certified Medical Director (CMD) by the American Board of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, and as a Certified Wound Specialist Physician (CWSP) as designated by the American Board of Wound Management. 

Dr. Bolhack was a board member of the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) and is a current board member of the Post-Acute Wound & Skin Integrity Coalition (PAWSIC). For over three decades, he has shared information nationally via lectures and scientific posters on topics including rehabilitation in nursing homes, quality improvement processes, palliative care, and wound care. 

Dr. Bolhack attended Bucknell University as an undergraduate and Downstate Medical Center for his medical degree.

Michael Owen, PA-C is the Senior Director of Clinical Education-Compliance at AlignMed Partners, leading a team that performs internal audits and provides documentation and billing education for all Providers.

Joining AlignMed Partners in 2010 as a Provider, Michael quickly expanded his role to assist other Providers in enhancing their productivity before, ultimately, forming the organization’s Clinical Education and Compliance Program in 2014.

Michael completed the Physician Assistant program at Emory University in 1985. Following graduation, he practiced in various clinical settings, including Internal Medicine/Family Practice and ten years in a primary care clinic at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Laura Slack, MD, CMD is a Regional Medical Director with AlignMed Partners, managing education programs for clinical initiatives and supporting the organization’s attending Physicians and Medical Directors in multiple states. Dr. Slack is a dual board-certified, fellowship-trained Geriatrician with over 15 years of experience as both a Provider and Regional Director in post-acute care.

She is an active member of PALTC, AAFP and AGS, and holds a special interest in the reduction of hospitalization, polypharmacy management, accountable care, and facilitation of conversations surrounding patient-specific goals. She has served with AlignMed Partners since 2015.

Christina DeFrancisco, DNP, FNP-C, CWS serves as Director of Clinical Education for AlignMed Partners, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to professional development and leading the Clinical Education Team. Curating, designing, and implementing educational resources and programming that reflect a meaningful investment in the individual Provider, Christina reinforces AlignMed Partner’s approach to “meeting the Provider where they are”—whether new-to-practice or an expert-level clinician. 

Christina is a doctorally-prepared, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Wound Care Specialist with nearly 20 years experience in long-term care and post-acute settings. She received the Clinician of the Year award from the Pennsylvania Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine in 2019, and currently serves on the Board of Directors. 

Christina attended Temple University where she earned her Master of Science and Doctorate in Nursing Practice.    

Anne Clark is the Senior Director of Human Resources for AlignMed Partners, providing HR support to both Providers and Corporate Employees. Overseeing company policies and procedures, as well as investigations of employee relations or compliance concerns, Anne ensures AlignMed Partners is consistent, fair, and equitable in its decisions as an organization.

Joining AlignMed Partners in 2014, Anne piloted the expansion of the Human Resources department to include Training & Education and Talent & Acquisitions teams over the past ten years. With Anne’s guidance, these teams empower the growth of the organization through positive candidate experiences, from recruitment to onboarding, and continued support throughout each team member's career with AlignMed Partners.

Anne has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Shippensburg University, majoring in Comprehensive Social Studies with a minor in Sociology. 

Denise Spataro is the Vice President of Performance Management at AlignMed Partners, overseeing the contracting, training, and ongoing performance evaluation of Providers. Collaborating closely with clinical, operations, and HR team leaders, Denise ensures the execution of organizational goals and objectives while helping team members align their career goals with personal quality of life. 

She began her career in long-term care as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She held positions in addiction medicine and worked in several prominent Boston hospitals prior to joining AlignMed Partners. 

Denise attended the University of Southern Maine, graduating with a degree in Communication and Political Science.  

Molly Langford, MSN, CRNP serves as the Vice President of Clinical Practice for AlignMed Partners, leading the Advanced Practice Provider management team. Focused on achieving success in key quality metrics and providing compassionate and quality patient care, Molly drives the development and implementation of clinical programs for the organization.

She is a board-certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years of experience as a Provider in post-acute, long-term, and palliative care. Molly also actively serves as a board and/or committee member for numerous industry associations, including the Pennsylvania Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care, the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Education Network, the Jewish Health Care Federation Residential Living Full Court Press committee, Pennsylvania POLST education committee, and the Pennsylvania Moving Forward Coalition.  

Molly received both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. 

John Loome, MD serves as Chief Medical Officer of AlignMed Partners, providing medical oversight and management for the Physician and Advanced Practice Practitioner services enterprise. He currently leads more than 300 AlignMed Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers in over 20 states and across 15 skilled nursing operators. 

Dr. Loome has held several faculty appointments during his professional career and is an active member of the Society of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (AMDA), as well as a Certified Medical Director (CMD). He is a Past President of the Mid-Atlantic Medical Directors Association (MMDA), has served on numerous AMDA committees, and proudly served on the Governor of Maryland’s COVID-19 Task Force from 2020-2023. 

Dr. Loome received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and Fellowship in the Division of Geriatric Medicine/Gerontology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.

Flora Petillo, MSN, CRNP, CWS serves as Chief Operating Officer of AlignMed Partners, leading operations and clinical initiatives across the organization. Flora is a Certified Wound Specialist and board-certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner with experience as a Provider in post-acute care, primary care, and pain management. 

She is a member of the American Academy of Wound Management and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and an active board member of PAWSIC—a non-profit inter-professional collaboration for the advancement of evidence-based wound prevention and care management practices within the post-acute healthcare arena. 

Before rejoining AlignMed Partners in 2010, Flora co-founded On-Site Specialty Care, a successful nurse practitioner consultation service.

Flora received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania.   

Al Shaine, MBA serves as President of AlignMed Partners, collaborating with clinical and operational leaders to carry out the company’s mission of enhancing clinical capabilities in skilled nursing and long-term care settings.

Prior to joining AlignMed Partners as COO in 2019, Al served as a Regional Vice President for Privia Health, where he managed operations across the Mid-Atlantic region and implemented strategies to drive ACO performance. Before Privia, Al served as a Senior Director with The Advisory Board Company, where he advised health systems’ in-network development strategy and revenue cycle performance improvement.

Al holds an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and a Bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.