Joe has more than 30 years of experience in the dialysis services industry and is the former President and CEO of Optimal Renal Care, a joint venture in disease management between Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) and Kaiser Permanente of Southern California. Prior to Optimal, Joe was Vice President of Administration at Fresenius and responsible nationally for managed care, medical director relations, and facility development. He has considerable operations experience from Facility Administrator to Director of U.S. Operations. Joe received his B.S. degree in Accounting from Bentley College.

Syed is the former President of Fresenius Medical Care North America’s southern business unit, responsible for the complete management and oversight of more than 200 outpatient dialysis facilities. His more than 30 years of dialysis services experience began as a Facility Administrator in Louisiana and increased with a series of promotions covering U.S. and overseas operations. He previously served as Regional Manager of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions (U.S.), Director and Vice President of Operations for International and later, Vice President of Operations, U.S., Canada and Mexico. Syed received his B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Punjab in Pakistan.

JOHN J. MCDONOUGH
Chief Operating Officer

John has more than 21 years experience in accounting and finance. His experience includes being Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at DaVita, the second largest provider of kidney dialysis, where he was responsible for accounting, financial reporting, and billing/collection, with a staff of several hundred people. Prior to DaVita, John was CFO at Palatin Technologies Inc., a public biotechnology company and MedChem Products Inc., a public medical device manufacturer. John began his career at KPMG Peat Marwick, in their Boston office, where he rose to the position of audit manager. John received a B.S. degree in Accounting from Bentley College in 1986 and his M.B.A from Harvard Business School in 1998.

JONATHAN WILCOX
Chief Financial Officer

Jon has more than 13 years of experience in accounting and finance. His experience includes being Executive Director of Finance at Cynosure, a public medical device manufacturer, where he was primarily responsible for all worldwide financial activities.  Prior to Cynosure, John was Director of Finance at Forrester Research, a public research company.  Jon was also Vice President of Finance at Vlingo, a venture backed speech recognition software company.  Jon was an audit manager at Arthur Andersen, in their Boston office, and is a CPA.  Jon received his B.S. degree in Government and History from Centre College in 1995 and his Master of Public Accountancy and M.B.A from Northeastern University in 1996.

Dr. Cronin is responsible for quality improvement and supports Medical Directors and staff at local kidney dialysis centers in their efforts to evaluate and incorporate new technologies and improve treatment options. He is a specialist in kidney diseases for more than 37 years and has been a Medical Director of outpatient dialysis facilities and inpatient dialysis programs. He is a former Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from Fordham University and Georgetown University, respectively. Dr. Cronin has also served as a member of the Board of the Renal Physicians Association.

Jan has more than 27 years of renal care experience since she started as a staff nurse in southern California in 1979 and continued as Director of Nursing Services. Jan is the former Regional Quality Manager for Fresenius Medical Care North America’s western business unit, where she was in charge of regulatory affairs, CQI and facility compliance with company policies and procedures. During the past ten years Jan assisted in the opening and acquisition of more than 40 facilities. She worked closely with nephrologists and facility staff to ensure the facilities compliance with all regulatory agencies. During the past 9 years, Jan has served as Secretary on the Executive Board of the California Dialysis Council and is an active member of the NKF, NRAA and ANNA.

Michael has more than 15 years of experience as a corporate healthcare attorney, including 6 years as a member of the Health Law Group of one of the largest international law firms where he handled complex contractual, business and regulatory matters. Michael has extensive experience representing all forms of health care providers including both large and small renal dialysis companies. He is a frequent lecturer before hospitals, medical practice groups and legal associations on both regulatory and transactional healthcare issues and has published extensively in these areas. Michael is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School and Boston University School of Public Health.

FRANCINE WACHTMANN
Vice President and Corporate Compliance Officer

Francine has more than 21 years of experience in health care operations. Prior to joining ARA in 2004, Francine served as General Counsel for Physicians Dialysis, Inc. where she performed corporate legal, regulatory and management services for the company’s acquisition, joint venture and de novo development of free standing chronic dialysis facilities and acute dialysis management programs. Francine also developed and implemented PDI’s Corporate Compliance and HIPAA Privacy Programs and served on the Board of Director’s Compliance Advisory Committee. Francine began her legal career at the law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo P.C. in Boston, MA and received her B.A. from Colgate University and her J.D., from Suffolk University School of Law.

EDWARD BIANCO
Chief Information Officer

Edward has over 26 years of experience in Information Technology with 15 years working directly in the healthcare industry. Prior to joining ARA, Edward held a number of key leadership positions at Boston Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, Private Healthcare Systems, and most recently as the Chief Information Officer at Specialized Receivables. Edward received his BSBA from Lesley College in 1986 and his MBA from the University of Lowell in 1998. His credits include Inc. Magazine Growing Technology award, NT Magazine Innovator of the Year award and Modern Healthcare most Wired Healthcare Organization award.

JEFF DALE
Vice President of Project Management

Jeff is responsible for developing new dialysis facilities throughout the U.S. He has been involved in the opening of more than 100 units with Physicians Dialysis, Inc., and earlier with Renal Treatment Centers. Since 1996, he has since developed over 100 de novo clinics, and expanded and relocated more than 75 facilities. Jeff also has project management experience with civil consulting, environmental, and land development companies. He received his undergraduate Civil Engineering degree from Temple University and his M.B.A. degree from Penn State University.

Toshiya has over 15 years of dialysis experience in the Equipment Technician and Management fields.  He has acquired specialized equipment training from B. Braun, Gambro, Minntech and Fresenius to be knowledgeable on nine distinct types of hemodialysis affiliated equipment. He joined American Renal Associates in 2005 as a Facility Technical Manager in the Titusville, FL Facility.  He was promoted to Manager of Technical Services in July of 2007.  He has worked in the dialysis environment since 1990, taking a four year hiatus to serve in the US Navy.  He has attended DeVry University in Columbus, Ohio and has also earned his AA from Okaloosa Walton Comm. College., in Fort Walton Beach, FL. 

KENT REISENAUER
Director of Project Management

Kent was responsible for over 120 De novo clinic openings while with Fresenius Medical Care. In addition, he was involved with many expansions, renovations and relocations during his 18 years with Fresenius Medical Care. As a licensed architect he provides experience in various other fields including solar technologies and AutoCAD. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Science and Bachelor of Architecture from North Dakota State University.

HOWARD A. BUTLER
Manager of Technical Services

Howard has over 24 years experience in the dialysis field which includes patient care, equipment repair, water treatment systems, project supervision, and management. He is manufacturer certified in several pieces of equipment to include Fresenius, Gambro, Minntech, and Baxter. He specializes in set-up and opening of new facilities and has opened over 25 clinics in his career and assisted in several more. He has worked in technical management with Davita and Fresenius Medical Care as well as Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, TX. and University Health Systems in San Antonio, TX. He joined American Renal Associates as an Area Technical Manager in 2001 in Augusta, GA. then relocated to the Jacksonville, FL. area to help expand ARA’s presence in that market. He was promoted to the position of Manager of Technical Services in 2009.

Karen has 19 years experience in the renal field.  She began at Fresenius Medical Care as a staff, acute, and charge nurse and ultimately as a Director of Nursing.  She opened a dialysis facility for Health Resources Group and served as the unit manager for 6 years before joining American Renal Associates in December 2004.  Karen had been a clinic manager at 3 ARA facilities in the Jacksonville, FL area, and was promoted to Manager of Clinical and Regulatory Services in February of 2008.  She was recently promoted to the position of Regional Director of Operations.  Karen is also member of ANNA.

Shari has 20 years of dialysis experience which includes management in hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and acute dialysis. She joined American Renal Associates in 2001. During that time, she was clinic manager at one facility in Butler, PA and then opened and managed two other facilities in the surrounding area. Shari was promoted to the Corporate office in April of 2006 as Manager of Clinical and Regulatory Services and in 2008 promoted to her new role as Regional Director of Operations. Shari is an active member of ANNA and NRAA.

JAMES M. DILTS, R.N.
Regional Director of Operations

James got his start in dialysis in 1993 as a patient care technician and continued his education becoming a registered nurse in 2000.  He joined American Renal Associates in 2002 in the role of Clinic Manager and assisted in the opening of 3 facilities in Columbus, OH.  He was promoted to Regional Director of Operations for Ohio in 2007 and has assisted in the opening of several facilities in this area.  His territory has since expanded to include the facilities in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.  James has served on the Ohio Board of Nursing’s Advisory Group on Dialysis, which oversees PCT Certification in Ohio.  He is also a member of the Ohio Renal Association, NRAA, and ANNA.

RICHARD E. FISHPAW
Regional Director of Operations

Richard has more than 30 years of experience in health care administration. His experience in the management of dialysis facilities includes the opening and development of new and existing dialysis facilities. In his current position with American Renal Associates, Richard manages and coordinates the operations of dialysis facilities located in RI and Fall River, MA. Prior to joining ARA in 2005, his previous positions included Vice President of Roger Williams Medical Center and Vice President of Operations for Village Retirement Communities. He is a fellow in the American College of Health Care Administrators. Richard received his B.S. in Health Care Administration from Providence College.

TAMMY JENSEN
Regional Director of Operations

Tammy has over 23 years of experience in dialysis operations and administration. She joined ARA in 2010, as a Regional Director of Operations, with responsibility for facilities located in Colorado, California and Missouri. Tammy began her dialysis career with Fresenius Medical Care in Accounts Receivable and moved into facility operations serving in various positions including Area Administrator, Area Manager, RVP and Business Unit VP. Her experience also includes extensive physician relations, Human Resource leadership, and the development and opening of new facilities in both new and existing markets. Tammy has a B.S. in Business and a Master’s degree in Leadership. She has been actively involved with the Arizona Kidney Foundation, National Kidney Foundation, and is a member of the American Diabetes Association.

ASHWIN PATEL
Regional Director of Operations

Ashwin Patel has extensive experience in the development and operations management of out-patient dialysis facilities and acute dialysis programs. He started his career in dialysis over 30 years ago as an independent dialysis facility Administrator, leading to successful partnerships with physicians in several de novo independent facilities. Ashwin worked as a Regional Operations Director for DaVita for 15 years, managing the operations in DaVita’s top-performing South Florida region; he joined ARA in November 2010 as a Regional Director of Operations supporting ARA facilities in Florida, Louisiana and Texas. Ashwin received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL; he is an active member of the NRAA and FRAA.

NANCY RENNA, RN, CDN
Regional Director of Operations

Nancy has over 22 years of experience in management and 13 years of experience in the renal field. She began her career in Hemodialysis in 1979 as a Staff Nurse and Charge Nurse. She joined American Renal Associates in 2003. During that time she worked as a staff nurse, charge nurse and educator. In 2009, she was promoted to Clinic Manager for the ARA -Agawam, MA unit. She was recently promoted to her role as Regional Director of Operations. Nancy is an active member of ANNA.

Ginny has more than 29 years of dialysis experience, including 24 years with Fresenius Medical Care, where she most recently held the position of Corporate Clinical Quality Manager, serving as a clinical resource and educator for dialysis facilities, area and regional management, as well as business unit and corporate staff.  Her experience includes positions as Director of Nursing for a large acute program in Boston, as well as Case Manager with Renaissance Health Care.  Ginny received a BSN from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Simmons College.  She is a Certified Nephrology Nurse and a member of ANNA and NKF. 

Sue has been with ARA for seven years functioning as a staff nurse and then Director of Nursing. Prior to that, Sue worked for Fresenius Medical Care where she worked as a staff nurse, acute nurse and case manager. In total, Sue has over 13 years of experience in dialysis. In September , 2009 she joined the clinical and regulatory team at the corporate office. Sue is a graduate of Ohio University where she received her BSN. She is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau, National Kidney Foundation and American Nephrology Nurses Association.

Deirdre has 16 years of dialysis experience, including 10 years with Melbourne Kidney Center, Inc.. Deirdre’s prior experience includes Acute Dialysis Clinical Specialty Coordinator, Center Director, Nurse Manager, Nurse Manager of PD and Patient Education, and Charge Nurse. Most recently Deirdre held the position of Clinic Manager at one of the Jacksonville, FL ARA clinics. In June, 2010 she joined the Clinical and Regulatory team at the corporate office. Deirdre has her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Florida and her nursing diploma from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital of Brighton, MA. She has been a Certified Nephrology Nurse since 1999.

Laura has worked for ARA since 2008. Most recently she was the Director of Nursing in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Laura came to ARA with a medical/surgical background. In May of 2011, Laura joined the Clinical Regulatory Department at the corporate office. She is an active member of American Nephrology Nurses Association.

Michele has over 30 years of nursing experience, of which the past 19 have been in dialysis with Fresenius Medical Care. Michele joins us with a wealth of experience in clinical, regulatory and operations management in the dialysis industry. She holds a Master’s Degree in Nursing and most recently held the position of Operations Manager at Fresenius Medical Care. During her tenure at FMC, she also held positions as Vice President of Quality, Regional Quality Manager, Area Administrator, and Director of Nursing. She joined American Renal Associates in August of 2011 as a member of the Clinical Regulatory Department at the corporate office.

Craig joined ARA in 2007 and has functioned as an interim DON and Regional Director of Education in the Ohio area.  Prior to joining ARA, he worked for both Gambro Healthcare and Fresenius Medical Care in the roles of staff nurse, acute nurse, Director of Acute Education and Quality and Regional Director of Education.  With 13 years of ESRD experience, Craig joined the clinical and regulatory team at the corporate office on December 1, 2009.  He is a graduate of Shawnee State University and a member of ANNA.