Dr. Ferdinando Mirarchi

Dr. Mirarchi, is the Chief Medical & Scientific Officer of the Institute on HealthCare Directives and the Founder of MIDEO® (My Informed Decision on VidEO). He is the Principal Investigator of the TRIAD (The Realistic Interpretation of Advance Directives) Research Series which has been featured by the New York Times & Wall Street Journal. His research reveals there is a new nationwide patient safety risk effecting patients who have living wills, Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment orders and those who are critically ill. His TRIAD VIII study, released by the Journal of Patient Safety, is groundbreaking and reveals we can do better for patients if we incorporate video testimony into their advance care plans. Dr. Mirarchi, is also a practicing Emergency Medicine Physician and Medical Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at UPMC-Hamot in Erie PA.

Michael Hebb

Michael is a partner at RoundGlass and the Founder of EOL.community and Deathoverdinner.org. His second book “Let’s Talk About Death” was published by Hachette in the U.S., U.K., and Australia in October of 2018 and Russia, China, Indonesia, Poland and Romania in the fall of 2019. He currently serves as a Board Advisor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts; and in the recent past as Senior Advisor to Summit Series, Theo Chocolate, CreativeLive, Architecture For Humanity, and Mosaic Voices Foundation.

George G. Couch

George Couch is a member of the Faculty, teaching health care management and business at Gannon University’s Dahlkemper School of Business.He received his Doctorate in Healthcare Administration and Leadership from the Medical University of South Carolina in May of 2017. His professional background includes serving as Chief Executive Officer of Wetzel County Hospital, New Martinsville, West Virginia; President and Chief Executive Officer of Ohio Valley Health Services and Education Corporation in Wheeling West Virginia; Vice President of Wheeling Hospital, Wheeling, West Virginia; and he was the owner and Administrator of New Martinsville Health Care Center, New Martinsville, West Virginia. He is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives; a member of the Health Care Financial Management Association and Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. He was a guest lecturer in Health Care Administration at West Liberty University. He has consulted to hospitals and health care organizations. He also owns and operates GeoEquity, Inc. a real estate development and investment company.

Dr. Jason C. Chenault

Dr. Jason C. Chenault started his Emergency Services career in 1996 as the manager of Emergency Medicine Operations for Penn Medicine. In early 2010, Jason accepted a position with UPMC Hamot, where he currently serves at the Senior Director of Emergency, Hospitalist and Critical Care Services.Jason is credentialed since 2009 as a Board-Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) by the International Association of Emergency Managers. Jason attended Virginia CommonwealthUniversity, University of Virginia and Lexington University. He holds his bachelors in Biology along with his masters and doctorate in Emergency Services Management. Jason is also credentialed as a Certified Healthcare Emergency Professional (CHEP) by the International Board for Certification of Safety Managers. Jason is a Fellow of the Emergency Management Academy (FACEM) and holds certification as an Officer of Healthcare Compliance (OHCC).

Brian Slawin

A former radio host, instructor pilot, airshow performer, ski bum, software developer, college professor and entrepreneur, Brian Slawin’s life is characterized by the phrase; “Let’s try that!”. So, when Brian was invited to come to Erie, he couldn’t wait to start his next great adventure. A native of St. Louis, Brian is a Portfolio Manager and the Regional Director for the Ben Franklin Technology PArtners, always on the lookout for great companies in which to invest. After exiting his final startup in 2015, the opportunity to combine his three greatest passions presented itself; working with entrepreneurs, supporting, mentoring and helping them connect with the right resources and ultimately, providing them the capital necessary to grow. An international speaker and presenter, broadly described as engaging, supportive and committed, Brian brings a fresh perspective on the diamond, hidden amidst our challenges, and his “Let’s Try That!” commitment can move an entire community forward. A passionate advocate for entrepreneurs, Brian is inspired by big ideas and shares his thoughts @BenFrankBrian

Jonathan Evans

President & CEO
Safe Harbor Behavioral Health Inc.

Jonathan has been employed in the behavioral healthcare field for over 30 years. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. His career began at Hamot Institute for Behavioral Health where he was initially employed in the emergency department providing initial evaluations for patients presenting in the emergency room. Jonathan left Hamot IBH in 1993 to become the founding President and CEO of Safe Harbor Behavioral Health. Safe Harbor was established to provide intensive outpatient services to patients with serious mental illness and to provide 24 hour a day crisis intervention services to anyone in Erie County. Jonathan was also the founding Board Chairman of Presque Isle Psychiatric Associates, a non-profit organization that provides psychiatric coverage for hospitals and community based providers.

Jim Fiorenzo

Information Services. During his presidency, patient volumes at UPMC Hamot have reached all-time highs as the hospital continues to advance and thrive as a tertiary care center, keeping specialty care close to home. Fiorenzo has led UPMC Hamot on several major projects and initiatives including:

$153 million in improvements to the hospital’s clinical facilities, physical plant, technology and infrastructure to improve patient care, including the construction of the Bayview Centre and the new patient lobby and healing garden.
More than $25 million annually in community benefits, including charity care and unreimbursed amounts for programs for the poor, community health programs and donations, and medical research and education.
Recruiting dozens of new physicians and clinical specialists, including those in women’s health, neurosurgery, pediatrics, behavioral health, pain management and critical care, as well as primary care.

George Dusckas

George is a seasoned financial advisor and has been assisting clients build and preserve wealth since 1982. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree and joined RBC Wealth Management in 2005. George holds his Series 3, 7, 9, 10, 63 and 66 licenses and is also licensed to offer life, accident, and health insurance, fixed and variable annuities. He also is an AIF (Accredited Investment Fiduciary). George also serves as the Branch Director for the Erie Pennsylvania office.

Jonathan D’Silva

Jonathan is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Office of The Urban Oasis Project. Jonathan is also the founder and CEO of the D’Silva Law Group, PLLC d.b.a MMI Intellectual Property, an intellectual property boutique law firm located in downtown Erie. Jonathan is a registered patent attorney and registered to practice law in New York, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. Jonathan received a B.S. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering and an M.Eng. in Biological and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University and his J.D. from the University at Buffalo. Prior to attending law school, Jonathan practiced as a consulting civil and environmental engineer for the firm of Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. in the Buffalo, NY area. Jonathan is very involved in the Erie community and is the founder and Lead Curator of TEDxErie, TEDxYouth@Erie, and TEDxErieSalon events. He is also a member of the board of the Innovation Collaborative and the V.P. of the board of the Purple Martin Conservation Association and is a former board member of many other local non-profits. He ran the Innovation Erie Design Competition for five of its seven years of operation. In addition, Jonathan provides lectures and seminars at many regional schools, economic development entities, and local organizations on intellectual property law basics.