People

We are clinicians, designers, engineers, developers, analysts, researchers, and project managers who are passionate about transforming health care.

 

Leadership

Mohan Balachandran Mohan Balachandran, MA, MS Chief Operating Officer, Way to Health Mohan Balachandran, MA, MS Chief Operating Officer, Way to Health Mohan Balachandran is the chief operating officer for Way to Health. He is a passionate problem solver with nearly 25 years of experience in building, growing, and sustaining businesses. In his… Read more
Kit Delgado M. Kit Delgado, MD, MS Director, Nudge Unit M. Kit Delgado, MD, MS Director, Nudge Unit Kit Delgado is the director of the Nudge Unit. He is also an assistant professor of emergency medicine and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, an attending… Read more
Shivan Mehta Shivan Mehta, MD, MBA, MSHP Associate Chief Innovation Officer, Penn Medicine Shivan Mehta, MD, MBA, MSHP Associate Chief Innovation Officer, Penn Medicine Shivan Mehta is the associate chief innovation officer at Penn Medicine and an associate professor of medicine and health policy at the Perelman School of Medicine. Shivan is also a clinical… Read more
Raina Merchant Raina Merchant, MD, MSHP Chief Transformation Officer, Penn Medicine Director, Center for Digital Health Raina Merchant, MD, MSHP Chief Transformation Officer, Penn Medicine Director, Center for Digital Health Raina Merchant is the director of the Center for Digital Health. She is also the chief transformation officer and vice president at Penn Medicine and a professor of emergency medicine at the… Read more
Roy Rosin Roy Rosin, MBA Chief Innovation Officer, Penn Medicine Interim Executive Director, CHCI Roy Rosin, MBA Chief Innovation Officer, Penn Medicine Interim Executive Director, CHCI Roy Rosin is the chief innovation officer at Penn Medicine and the interim executive director at the Center for Health Care Innovation. He works with thought leaders from across the health system to… Read more

Staff

Dina Abdel-Rahman Dina Abdel-Rahman Research Project Manager, Nudge Unit Dina Abdel-Rahman Research Project Manager, Nudge Unit Dina Abdel-Rahman serves as a research project manager at the Nudge Unit, focusing her efforts on the Behavioral Science & Analytics for Injury Reduction (BeSAFIR) Lab portfolio. Dina earned… Read more
Anish Agarwal Anish Agarwal, MD, MPH Deputy Director, Center for Digital Health Anish Agarwal, MD, MPH Deputy Director, Center for Digital Health Anish Agarwal serves as the deputy director of the Center for Digital Health, an assistant professor at the Perelman School of Medicine, and chief wellness officer in the Department of Emergency… Read more
Headshot of Emeka Anyanwu Emeka Anyanwu, MD, MScBMI Clinical Informatics Manager, Acceleration Lab Emeka Anyanwu, MD, MScBMI Clinical Informatics Manager, Acceleration Lab Emeka Anyanwu is a clinical informatics manager at the Acceleration Lab. He is also an assistant professor at the Perelman School of Medicine and a general cardiologist and echocardiographer at the… Read more
Maya Childs Maya Childs Clinical Research Coordinator, Nudge Unit Maya Childs Clinical Research Coordinator, Nudge Unit Maya Childs is a clinical research coordinator at the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit, focusing her efforts on the Behavioral Science & Analytics for Injury Reduction (BeSAFIR) Lab portfolio. Maya… Read more
Skip Coon Skip Coon Software Developer, Way to Health Skip Coon Software Developer, Way to Health Skip Coon is a software developer at Way to Health. He brings over 15 years of experience accumulated from various industries. Before joining the team, Skip worked with pharmaceutical companies to… Read more
Jency Daniel Jency Daniel, MSN, DNP Senior Innovation Manager, Acceleration Lab Jency Daniel, MSN, DNP Senior Innovation Manager, Acceleration Lab Jency Daniel is a senior innovation manager at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, she leads projects that utilize information technology tools that can serve as a crucial interface between patients… Read more
Deirdre Darragh Deirdre Darragh, MA Director of Communications and Engagement, CHCI Deirdre Darragh, MA Director of Communications and Engagement, CHCI Deirdre Darragh serves as the director of communications and engagement at the Center for Health Care Innovation. Through strategic communication efforts, Deirdre works to enhance the visibility,… Read more
Adriana Discher Adriana Discher Clinical Research Coordinator, Center for Digital Health Adriana Discher Clinical Research Coordinator, Center for Digital Health Adriana Discher serves as a research coordinator for the Center for Digital Health and the Department of Emergency Medicine at Penn Medicine. Currently, her work is focused on the Digital Data and… Read more
David Do David Do, MD Clinical Informatics Manager, Acceleration Lab David Do, MD Clinical Informatics Manager, Acceleration Lab David Do is a clinical informatics manager at the Acceleration Lab. His work leverages big data to automate clinical care aspects and assist clinicians in delivering care more efficiently. He… Read more
Jeff Ebert Jeff Ebert, PhD Senior Research Investigator, Nudge Unit Jeff Ebert, PhD Senior Research Investigator, Nudge Unit Jeff Ebert is a senior research investigator at the Nudge Unit, focusing his efforts on the Behavioral Science & Analytics for Injury Reduction (BeSAFIR) Lab portfolio. Jeff completed his… Read more
Headshot of Chalanda Evans Chalanda Evans, MPH Assistant Director of Health Equity, Center for Digital Health Chalanda Evans, MPH Assistant Director of Health Equity, Center for Digital Health Chalanda Evans serves as the assistant director of health equity at the Penn Medicine Center for Digital Health. In this role, she provides operational leadership for the Accelerate Health… Read more
Madeline Fagen Madeline Fagen Project Manager, Nudge Unit Madeline Fagen Project Manager, Nudge Unit Madeline Fagen is a project manager at the Nudge Unit. In this role, she supports the Nudge Unit's health system portfolio, which aims to achieve impact at scale by partnering with care teams,… Read more
Sadie Friday Sadie Friday Lead Applications Analyst, Way to Health Sadie Friday Lead Applications Analyst, Way to Health Sadie Friday is the lead applications analyst working with Way to Health. In this role, she helps design, plan, and execute the implementation of a diverse portfolio of clinical and research programs… Read more
Headshot of Caro Garzon Mrad Caro Garzon Mrad, MSE Design and Strategy Lead, Acceleration Lab Caro Garzon Mrad, MSE Design and Strategy Lead, Acceleration Lab Caro Garzon Mrad serves as a design and strategy lead at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, she advises teams seeking to test and implement new solutions across Penn Medicine and supports staff… Read more
Sara Gershkovich Sara Gershkovich, MPH Director of Strategic Operations, CHCI Sara Gershkovich, MPH Director of Strategic Operations, CHCI Sara Gershkovich serves as the director of strategic operations at the Center for Health Care Innovation. In this role, she provides oversight for operations efforts, engages key partners across the… Read more
Odelia Ghodsizadeh Odelia Ghodsizadeh Communications Associate, CHCI Odelia Ghodsizadeh Communications Associate, CHCI Odelia Ghodsizadeh is a communications associate at the Center for Health Care Innovation. She supports communications efforts to advance understanding of and engagement with the center’s projects… Read more
Yevgeniy (Eugene) Gitelman Yevgeniy Gitelman, MD Clinical Informatics Manager, Acceleration Lab Yevgeniy Gitelman, MD Clinical Informatics Manager, Acceleration Lab Yevgeniy Gitelman is a clinical informatics manager at the Acceleration Lab, a hospitalist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, the associate chief medical information officer (CMIO)… Read more
Rachel Gonzales Rachel Gonzales Research Coordinator, Center for Digital Health Rachel Gonzales Research Coordinator, Center for Digital Health Rachel Gonzales serves as a research coordinator for the Center for Digital Health and the Department of Emergency Medicine at Penn Medicine. In these roles, she works on a wide range of studies… Read more
Headshot of Sharath Guntuku Sharath Guntuku, PhD Research Scientist, Center for Digital Health Sharath Guntuku, PhD Research Scientist, Center for Digital Health Sharath Chandra Guntuku serves as a research scientist at the Center for Digital Health, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer and Information Science, and a faculty member at the… Read more
Michael Harhay Michael Harhay, PhD, MPH Director of Statistical Evaluation, Nudge Unit Michael Harhay, PhD, MPH Director of Statistical Evaluation, Nudge Unit Michael Harhay is the director of statistical evaluation at the Nudge Unit. He is also an assistant professor of epidemiology and medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine and a core member of… Read more
Headshot of Steve Honeywell Steve Honeywell, MBA Senior Data Analyst, Acceleration Lab Steve Honeywell, MBA Senior Data Analyst, Acceleration Lab Steve Honeywell is a senior data analyst at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, Steve works with project teams to evaluate data needs and build analytics solutions to improve care delivery and… Read more
Michael Josephs Michael Josephs Product Manager, Way to Health Michael Josephs Product Manager, Way to Health Michael Josephs is the product manager of the Way to Health platform. In this role, Michael is responsible for maximizing the value that Way to Health delivers to patients, researchers, clinicians,… Read more
Laura Kavanaugh Laura Kavanaugh Innovation Manager, Acceleration Lab Laura Kavanaugh Innovation Manager, Acceleration Lab Laura Kavanaugh is an innovation manager at the Acceleration Lab, where she works to support clinical teams to help reimagine processes and provide better patient and clinician experiences.  … Read more
Neda Khan Neda Khan, MHCI Director of Strategy and Operations, Nudge Unit Neda Khan, MHCI Director of Strategy and Operations, Nudge Unit Neda Khan is the director of strategy and operations at Penn Medicine’s Nudge Unit. She is responsible for the end-to-end design and execution of Nudge Unit projects, support of project teams to… Read more
Elissa Klinger Elissa Klinger, SM Director of Health Equity, Center for Digital Health Elissa Klinger, SM Director of Health Equity, Center for Digital Health Elissa Klinger serves as the director of health equity at the Center for Digital Health. In this role, she provides strategy and project leadership for Accelerate Health Equity (AHE). AHE is a… Read more
Michael Kopinsky Michael Kopinsky Director of Product Development, Way to Health Michael Kopinsky Director of Product Development, Way to Health Michael Kopinsky is the director of product development at Way to Health. He is passionate about building high-quality software and teams and has been doing so at Penn Medicine since 2014, when he… Read more
Mathias Krisam Mathias Krisam, MD Visiting Scholar, Nudge Unit Mathias Krisam, MD Visiting Scholar, Nudge Unit Mathias Krisam is a visiting scholar at the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit. Being a physician by training (at Charité Berlin, Germany), he discovered the opportunities of applying behavioral science in… Read more
Aaron Leitner Aaron Leitner, MSHI Software Developer, Way to Health Aaron Leitner, MSHI Software Developer, Way to Health Aaron Leitner is a software developer at Way to Health. In this role, Aaron works to improve and maintain the Way to Health platform. Before joining the team, Aaron worked for several startups… Read more
Damien Leri Damien Leri, MS.Ed, MPH Principal Engineer, Acceleration Lab Damien Leri, MS.Ed, MPH Principal Engineer, Acceleration Lab Damien Leri is a principal engineer at the Acceleration Lab. He builds platforms for rapid experimentation to test assumptions and evaluate solutions. Damien has a background in information… Read more
Arleen Lopez Cruz Arleen Lopez Cruz Clinical Research Coordinator, Nudge Unit Arleen Lopez Cruz Clinical Research Coordinator, Nudge Unit Arleen Lopez is a clinical research coordinator at the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit, focusing her efforts on the Behavioral Science & Analytics for Injury Reduction (BeSAFIR) Lab portfolio.  … Read more
Sean Lynch Sean Lynch Software Engineer, Acceleration Lab Sean Lynch Software Engineer, Acceleration Lab Sean Lynch is a software engineer at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, he develops prototypes for new ideas taken from within the hospital system. He loves to use technology in creative ways for… Read more
Katy Mahraj Katy Mahraj, MSI Director of Clinical Care Innovation, CHCI Katy Mahraj, MSI Director of Clinical Care Innovation, CHCI Katy Mahraj is the director of clinical care innovation for the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Risk Reduction Initiative. In this role, she leads the design, development, and… Read more
Grace McDermott Grace McDermott Research Coordinator, Center for Digital Health Grace McDermott Research Coordinator, Center for Digital Health Grace McDermott is a research coordinator at the Center for Digital Health. She works on the Accelerate Health Equity (AHE) initiative, splitting her time between two studies: Narrowing the… Read more
Caitlin McDonald Caitlin McDonald, MPH Research Project Manager, Acceleration Lab Caitlin McDonald, MPH Research Project Manager, Acceleration Lab Caitlin McDonald is a research project manager at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, she manages various studies that leverage behavioral economics principles and technology to improve patient… Read more
Brenna McGinnis Brenna McGinnis Design Strategist, Acceleration Lab Brenna McGinnis Design Strategist, Acceleration Lab Brenna McGinnis is a design strategist at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, she works with patients, families, and clinical teams to reimagine what is possible in health care. Brenna is passionate… Read more
Kyle McGrogan Kyle McGrogan Software Developer, Way to Health Kyle McGrogan Software Developer, Way to Health Kyle McGrogan is a software developer for Way to Health. In this role, he works to maintain and improve the platform through the use and adoption of best practices and exciting technologies. Kyle… Read more
Sarah Milinski Sarah Milinski, MA Applications Analyst, Way to Health Sarah Milinski, MA Applications Analyst, Way to Health Sarah Milinski is an application analyst at Way to Health. Before joining Way to Health, they worked as an educator, media producer, and program manager. Sarah earned their master's degree in… Read more
Jenna Moyer Jenna Moyer, MSN Innovation Manager, Acceleration Lab Jenna Moyer, MSN Innovation Manager, Acceleration Lab Jenna Moyer is an innovation manager at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, she works to improve care delivery for patients, providers, and staff. Before joining the team, Jenna worked as a… Read more
Maya Nelson Maya Nelson, MPH Clinical Research Coordinator, Nudge Unit Maya Nelson, MPH Clinical Research Coordinator, Nudge Unit Maya I. Nelson is a clinical research coordinator at the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit, focusing her efforts on distracted driving research in the Behavioral Science & Analytics for Injury Reduction … Read more
Evelyn Okorie Evelyn Okorie, MBS Clinical Research Coordinator, Acceleration Lab Evelyn Okorie, MBS Clinical Research Coordinator, Acceleration Lab Evelyn Okorie is a clinical research coordinator at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, she assists with developing and managing various studies that leverage behavioral economics principles to… Read more
Arthur Pellulo Arthur Pelullo, MS Data Scientist, Center for Digital Health Arthur Pelullo, MS Data Scientist, Center for Digital Health Arthur Pelullo is a data scientist at the Center for Digital Health. His work encompasses both research and providing infrastructure support for the team. Arthur’s research is centered around the PA… Read more
Martina Plag Martina Plag, MHCI Innovation Manager, Way to Health Martina Plag, MHCI Innovation Manager, Way to Health Martina Plag is an innovation manager at Way to Health. She is passionate about health equity with a specific focus on person-centered solutions to improve end-user experiences.   Before… Read more
Cathy Reitz Cathy Reitz, MPH Research Project Manager, Acceleration Lab Cathy Reitz, MPH Research Project Manager, Acceleration Lab Cathy Reitz is a research project manager at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, Cathy manages a portfolio of research studies that leverage technology and principles from behavioral economics to… Read more
Dave Resnick David Resnick, MS.Ed, MPH Senior Innovation Manager, Acceleration Lab David Resnick, MS.Ed, MPH Senior Innovation Manager, Acceleration Lab David Resnick is a senior innovation manager at the Acceleration Lab, where he works to reimagine and implement new models of care. His current projects help vulnerable patients spend less time in… Read more
Ben Rosenbach Ben Rosenbach Senior Software Developer, Way to Health Ben Rosenbach Senior Software Developer, Way to Health Ben Rosenbach is a senior software engineer at Way to Health. Ben has a particular passion for web development. He believes it presents the greatest opportunity for new and unique ways of interacting… Read more
Emily Seltzer Emily Seltzer, MPH Director of Practice Transformation Innovation, Center for Digital Health Emily Seltzer, MPH Director of Practice Transformation Innovation, Center for Digital Health Emily Seltzer is the director of practice transformation innovation at the Center for Digital Health.  Her portfolio focuses on improving access and health outcomes for women in the greater… Read more
Meghana Sharma Meghana Sharma, MPH Research Project Manager, Center for Digital Health Meghana Sharma, MPH Research Project Manager, Center for Digital Health Meghana Sharma is a research project manager at the Center for Digital Health. In this role, she manages randomized controlled trials and assists with various studies that seek to leverage accessible… Read more
Chris Snider Chris Snider, MPH Data Scientist, Acceleration Lab Chris Snider, MPH Data Scientist, Acceleration Lab Chris Snider is a data scientist at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, Chris combines and analyzes data across multiple sources to support exploratory analyses, project evaluation, and decision… Read more
Lauren Southwick Lauren Southwick, MPH Senior Research Project Manager, Center for Digital Health Lauren Southwick, MPH Senior Research Project Manager, Center for Digital Health Lauren Southwick is a senior research project manager at the Center for Digital Health. In this role, she manages the grant portfolio and executes randomized controlled trials that test how digital… Read more
Leo Thorbecke Leo Thorbecke Research Project Manager, Center for Digital Health Leo Thorbecke Research Project Manager, Center for Digital Health Leo Thorbecke is a research project manager working across the Penn Medicine Center for Digital Health and the University of Pennsylvania's schools of engineering and medicine. In this role, he… Read more
Ken Tomczuk Ken Tomczuk, MLA Design Strategist, Acceleration Lab Ken Tomczuk, MLA Design Strategist, Acceleration Lab Ken Tomczuk is a design strategist at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, he designs and implements initiatives to improve clinician experience and enhance health care access for patients and… Read more
Matt Van Der Tuyn Matt Van Der Tuyn, MA Senior Director of Design and Strategy, CHCI Matt Van Der Tuyn, MA Senior Director of Design and Strategy, CHCI Matt Van Der Tuyn is the senior director of design and strategy at the Center for Health Care Innovation. Since joining the team in 2012, Matt has worked with staff from across the health system to… Read more
Jacob Van Osten Jacob Van Osten Software Developer, Way to Health Jacob Van Osten Software Developer, Way to Health Jacob Van Osten is a software developer at Way to Health. In this role, he improves and maintains software to ensure that Way to Health users have the best possible experience and outcomes.  … Read more
Gideon Whitehead Gideon Whitehead, MS Software Engineer, Acceleration Lab Gideon Whitehead, MS Software Engineer, Acceleration Lab Gideon Whitehead is a software engineer at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, he creates tools to streamline work processes and provide end-users with actionable insight to assist their day-to-day… Read more
Keyirah Williams Keyirah Williams Clinical Research Coordinator, Acceleration Lab Keyirah Williams Clinical Research Coordinator, Acceleration Lab Keyirah Williams is a clinical research coordinator at the Acceleration Lab. In this role, she supports gastroenterology medical research that leverages behavioral economics to improve screening… Read more
Aria Xiong Ruiying (Aria) Xiong, MS Senior Statistical Analyst, Nudge Unit Ruiying (Aria) Xiong, MS Senior Statistical Analyst, Nudge Unit Aria Xiong is a senior statistical analyst at the Nudge Unit. In this role, she supports projects in the Nudge Unit and Behavioral Science & Analytics for Injury Reduction (BeSAFIR) Lab… Read more
Lin Xu Lin Xu, MS Data Analyst, Nudge Unit Lin Xu, MS Data Analyst, Nudge Unit Lin Xu is a data analyst in the Health Economics Data Analyst Pool (HEDAP) at Penn, supporting Nudge Unit-funded projects. In this role, she helps researchers extract and makes sense of data from… Read more
Rachel Yan Ruiqi (Rachel) Yan, MS Statistical Analyst, Nudge Unit Ruiqi (Rachel) Yan, MS Statistical Analyst, Nudge Unit Rachel Yan is a statistical analyst in the Health Economics Data Analyst Pool (HEDAP) at Penn. She provides data analysis and statistical support for the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit.   Before… Read more

Past leadership

  • David Asch, MD, MBA, served as the founding executive director of the Center for Health Care Innovation from 2012 to 2022. 
  • Mitesh Patel, MD, MBA, served as the founding director of the Nudge Unit from 2016 to 2021.
  • Rinad Beidas, PhD, served as director of the Nudge Unit from 2021 to 2022.
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