Under Nick Culbertson’s leadership, Protenus has grown to become the leading healthcare compliance analytics platform, hired more than 100 team members, and established an innovative community of healthcare compliance professionals, PANDAS.

While serving in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret, Nick specialized in human intelligence network gathering and analysis. This knowledge and expertise play into Nick’s skills in building behavioral profiles to train artificial intelligence, but also to lead teams of experts from diverse disciplines and backgrounds in achieving shared goals. In addition to Protenus being named the 2020 KLAS Category Leader in Patient Privacy Monitoring and a Gartner 2019 “Cool Vendor” in Healthcare Artificial Intelligence, Nick has also been named one of “Healthcare’s Entrepreneurs to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review and received SmartCEO’s Executive Management Award. He was also named one of Baltimore’s Top 40 under 40. In 2019, Nick was named a finalist in EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Mid-Atlantic region. 

Prior to attending medical school and founding Protenus, Nick spent four years as a biomedical researcher at Johns Hopkins University, from which he holds a bachelor's degree in cellular biology. He also helps run The 6th Branch, a veteran-led community service organization in East Baltimore. During his eight years with the U.S. Army veteran, Nick was awarded two Bronze Stars, one for extraordinary valor. 

Christa White brings more than a dozen years of leadership and experience in customer engagement, training, and support for software platforms to her work leading Protenus’ Customer Success team as well as the PANDAS Community and Customer Education program. Her work involves collaborating cross-functionally to optimize the customer journey and craft meaningful customer engagement initiatives.

Prior to joining Protenus, she spent eight years at Booz Allen Hamilton as a senior technologist. Her customer-facing experience there ranged from managing a support team for thousands of global users to developing and delivering precision technical documentation for Department of Defense clients. 

Christa holds an MBA from the combined University of Baltimore/Towson University program. She received her BS in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Economics from Loyola University in Maryland.

Ellen followed her passion for data analysis from experimental science into the data science field. As director of data science, she oversees the research and development of the analytics component of the platform, with a team focused on analyzing user behavior in the EHR to find cases that are delivered to our customers.

After studying math and chemistry as an undergrad, she earned a doctorate in neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University studying how neural activity represents experience in brain systems related to memory formation. Ellen was drawn to Protenus by the enormous potential in healthcare data and the desire to extract meaningful and useful signals from this data.

Ellen is a proud UNC Tarheel and North Carolina native although she’s called Baltimore home for many years. She’s been deeply engaged in the Baltimore community through nearly a decade volunteering with Thread, a program that builds support networks around students and young adults facing significant challenges.

Erika earned her B.S. in math from the University of Chicago and earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University. She is passionate about using quantitative analytics and machine learning to unlock insights from data. She loves working at Protenus because of the people, and the opportunity to positively impact the healthcare industry through data science and AI.

As a member of the Data Science team since 2017, Erem investigates and develops new analytical capabilities for existing and future Protenus products. Erem earned his Ph.D. from Yale University, where he studied the evolution of sex change in fish using mathematical models and phylogenetic analyses. Prior to joining Protenus, Erem was a senior manager at comScore where he led a team of data scientists to develop comScore’s next-generation methodology for measuring television audiences.

Russell brings more than a decade of pharmacy operations and leadership experience to Protenus, including an emphasis on managing proactive drug diversion programs.

Prior to joining Protenus as a Senior Customer Success Manager, he spent 5 years at Baptist Health as the Special Projects & Indigent Care Coordinator within the inpatient pharmacy. Among his various data driven projects, he led a multidisciplinary team to identify drug diversion and educate staff on the organization’s proactive diversion posture. At Protenus he collaborates with customers and colleagues alike to drive a positive customer experience and deliver value with healthcare compliance analytics.

Russell holds a BS in Biology from the University of Central Arkansas, is a nationally certified pharmacy technician, and is an active member of the board HealthcareDiversion.org.

Heather has over ten years of regulatory compliance experience ranging in industries from telecommunications, financial institutions, and healthcare.  She has an extensive background in compliance and has worked as an Internal Auditor and Vendor Manager.  Before joining Protenus, Heather worked at Johns Hopkins Health System where she was the HIPAA Compliance Coordinator and was an end user of the Protenus platform.

At Protenus, Heather focuses on assisting customers with privacy monitoring and general compliance through the Professional Services products.  She plays an integral part in the initial set-up of the Protenus monitoring program for customers, as well as serving as an extension of customers’ Privacy Offices by providing on-going case reviews, annual privacy health check-ups, and general consultative services.

Heather holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master’s in Business Administration from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD.

Kati Shell is a pharmacist with experience in clinical pharmacy staffing and leadership for the past 15 years, with a focus on medication safety and quality.  She completed an undergraduate degree at University of Central Florida in Biology, and went on to complete a Doctorate of Pharmacy Degree at University of Florida.  Starting her pharmacy career as a retail pharmacy technician, Kati moved to Long Term Care pharmacy upon receiving her PharmD.  Since then, Kati has worked with a variety of different pharmacy roles over the last 13 years within Ascension, including Staff Clinical Pharmacist, Quality and Safety Coordinator and Director of Pharmacy.   Currently, she serves as the National Clinical Coordinator for the Ascension Opioid and Pain Management Governance in addition to her role as a Clinical Operations Area Manager with a focus on Controlled Substances and Diversion on the Ascension National Pharmacy Team.  

Rebecca is a HIPAA Privacy Officer/Security analyst professional with over 13 years of privacy and security training experience and a total of over 25 years in the healthcare industry. She holds the title of Privacy Officer and Security Supervisor for The Villages Health organization located in The Villages of Central Florida. She is a wife, mother and grandmother to three grandchildren. In her spare time, she is on the lake fishing or playing with her new boxer, Prada.

Stephanie Jerse is an Executive Director at Cleveland Clinic with over a decade of legal and compliance experience in large, international organizations in both the for-profit and not-for-profit arenas.  She is a licensed attorney and holds a master's degree in international business.  Stephanie currently heads up the Cleveland Clinic’s Compliance Program and is credited with developing and managing all aspects of Cleveland Clinic's international compliance program. Stephanie enjoys camping, boating, and spending time with her husband (Kevin), son (Jameson), and Siberian Husky (Zeus).  

Brian Gyurko is a Senior Director at Cleveland Clinic with over 25 years of experience identifying and resolving complex business issues and risk management activities impacting organizations. He currently leads a team of Information Technology and Forensics skilled professionals within Internal Audit that collaborates with Corporate Compliance and other stakeholders across the Cleveland Clinic. The team focuses on mitigating technology and digital risks and leverages tools to assist with safeguarding patient health information. Brian holds a BBA in Accounting from Cleveland State University, is a Certified Information Systems Auditor and is Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control. Brian spends most of his time outside of work coaching youth basketball and baseball, especially with his two sons (Kyle and Evan). After baseball season, he tries to fit in continuous home improvement projects and a little bit of golf.

Domenic Leco is currently the Deputy Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA and has been with the organization for almost 5 years. Prior to joining the DFCI team, he was also the Compliance and Privacy Officer at Southcoast Health in Boston and Manager, Compliance and Privacy at Lifespan in Providence, RI. Domenic holds his JD from University of Massachusetts School of Law, his MBA from Providence College, and his undergrad from University of Connecticut. He is also CHPC, Certified in Healthcare Privacy Compliance and a member of AHLA and HCCA.

Andrej Ausing is currently a Compliance Project Manager and Analyst at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA and has been with the organization for 4 years. Prior to joining the DFCI team, he held several Project Manager positions in health information technology and operational departments at Lahey Health and Harbor Health Services. Andrej also has experience in clinical coordination from his time with Meditech and technical account management experience in a variety of industry settings. Andrej holds an MBA and a Master’s in Information Systems from Boston University Questrom School of Business and received his BS in biochemistry from UCLA. He is a volunteer for the Boston Food Bank and Special Olympics Massachusetts.

Jeanne Fernandes is currently a Privacy Analyst and Compliance Associate at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA and has been with the organization for almost 4 years. Prior to joining the DFCI team, she held several manager positions in the Health Information Services department at Partners HealthCare. She also has experience with healthcare project management, data systems, and operations throughout her career. Jeanne holds a number of certifications including CHC, CHPC, CHDA, RHIA, and a Health Information Administration certificate from Stephens College. She received her undergrad from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and she is an active volunteer in her local AHIMA chapter.

Nick Lancho is a data protection manager experienced in healthcare auditing and healthcare regulations, with a primary focus on investigations. He began his compliance career back in 2019 as a lead investigator for the State of Florida auditing long – term care facilities for the elderly. Four years later, he quickly transitioned into his current role at University of Miami UHealth System. Throughout his time at UHealth, he continues to spearhead privacy related investigations and data breaches and forges strategic workflows to ensure consistency across the health system.

Nick currently holds a Master’s in Business Administration, specializing in Leadership from Florida International University and is seeking additional certifications to help strengthen his compliance career. 

Dr. Andrew Lodolo is a 2011 graduate of Purdue University College of Pharmacy. Following graduation, Dr. Lodolo pursued a first year post-graduate residency at Indiana University Health and a second year specialty residency in critical Care at Eskenazi Health.  Immediately following residency, he continued his career at Eskenazi Health serving in the role of Inpatient Staff Pharmacist, followed by Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for the Adult Critical Care.  In November 2019, he transitioned to his current role as Pharmacy Manager for Inpatient Services. 
 
Outside of Eskenazi Health, Dr. Lodolo has gained recognition as a practice leader on a local, regional, and national level.  Locally, he serves the community of Indianapolis as the Pharmacist Lead at the Wheeler Missions Medical Clinic, an underserved clinic.  Additionally, he serves as an active member of the Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety.  Regionally, Dr. Lodolo promotes the scholarly activity of pharmacy residents through the Great Lakes Pharmacy Resident Conference Planning Committee and is an executive member of the Indiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists.  Nationally, Dr. Lodolo represents Eskenazi Health and the profession of critical care medicine and hospital pharmacy through continued leadership in Society of Critical Care Medicine and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Michelle E. Brown, PharmD, BCPS is the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for Pain and Opioid Stewardship at Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis, Indiana.  She graduated from Butler University in 2012 and subsequently completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency with Eskenazi Health.  Upon completion of her PGY1, she accepted an inpatient position at St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital focused on operations.  In 2014, she rejoined the inpatient staff at Eskenazi Health as an inpatient pharmacist and residency preceptor until taking the opioid stewardship clinical position in March 2019.  She currently serves as the co-chair for the Opioid and Pain Management Oversight Committee and co-lead for the Opioid Stewardship Team.  Michelle received the 2020-2021 Mentor of the Year award from the Eskenazi Health residency program. On a state level, she serves on Indiana’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee as the pharmacotherapy specialist. She also serves on the Opioid Stewardship Subcommittee for the Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists on a national level.

Ryan is Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at The University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, TN.  He obtained a degree in Accounting from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga after serving in the United States Marine Corps.  After obtaining his CPA license, he worked in public accounting for Ernst & Young and as an Assistant Controller at a physical therapy company. In 2013, he accepted a job as Compliance Auditor, a newly created position, at UT Medical Center. After expansion of responsibilities over the next 6 years, he was promoted to Chief Compliance Officer at the hospital in 2020.

Donna began her nursing career in 1995 and has been with the University of Tennessee Medical Center since 1999. Donna’s nursing roles at the medical center include working as a nurse on a cardiac step down, nurse specialist with Crisis Team, Interventional Radiology and Endovascular. Donna served as lead coordinator for the Nursing Education Department from 2007 to 2016. Among her responsibilities, she led a team who facilitated nursing new hire onboarding, mentoring and precepting programs, Nursing Grand Rounds and American Heart Association classes.
 
Donna’s current role since 2016 is UHS Compliance Specialist where she oversees the Drug Diversion Program. Donna holds a BSN and MPS from East Tennessee State University. She is an active member of both TNA, ANA and ASHRM and is certified by ANCC for Nursing Professional Development.