Our Leadership

Bryan S. Judge, MD, FACMT, FACEP, is an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist and practices in Grand Rapids, MI, and Laurium, MI. He graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, MI and completed his residency in emergency medicine in Grand Rapids at the Grand Rapids Medical Education & Research Center | Michigan State University, and his medical toxicology fellowship at Indiana University | Indiana Poison Center in Indianapolis, IN.

 He is currently a Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine | Division of Medical Toxicology, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Academic interests include a broad array of topics within the disciplines of emergency medicine, medical toxicology, and medical education. His most fascinating scientific achievement is helping ‘discover’ a new poisonous mushroom species, Cortinarius orellanosus.

Hannah is a healthcare executive and executive coach with more than two decades of experience across health systems, physician-led organizations, and startups. Hannah previously served as our Chief Financial Officer and currently sits as our Chief Executive Officer.

Contact: john@intersections.group

John Beranek brings a unique approach to intersecting learning and strategy, particularly in the realm of strategic planning. Acknowledging that the terms “strategy” and “strategic planning” are often casually used, John and his team adopt a highly focused and accountable approach to guide organizations in their evolution. When your organization is at a pivotal point, striving to maintain authenticity while evolving, John facilitates a thoughtful exploration of the best strategies to leverage existing resources, align vision and leadership, and set meaningful milestones and accountabilities.

Intersections Consulting excels at developing customized programs that propel companies, leaders, and aspiring leaders forward.  The core of John’s philosophy lies in the strategic intersection of intention and action.

Contact: cedgeinc@gmail.com

John has been sharpening people’s Competitive Edge in the business field as a consultant, facilitator, and coach since 1984. He is dedicated to coaching individuals, teams, and organizations to set and achieve their highest goals. John has developed and collected hundreds of simple, effective, and easy to use tools and models to help people with leadership development, communication, decision making, problem solving, team dynamics, and executive coaching.

John’s style is dynamic and engaging, focused mainly on teaching through his own blend of experiential activities and storytelling. Clients comment on John’s knowledge and passion for his work.  He truly loves what he does and cares for the people he works with.  The special part of working with John is in the way he empowers people with his simple yet powerful tools which clients can begin applying to see results right away.

John has planned and facilitated customized programs with organizations including: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, BB&T, WEX, Community Health Systems, Bell South, AT&T, Sara Lee, GMAC, Ingersoll-Rand, and Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. John is a graduate of Rice University, with a BS in mechanical engineering and has completed an executive coaching certificate through Duke University.

Contact: brady@bradyross.com   

Website: https://bradyross.com/

Brady Ross, ACC is an International Coaching Federation-certified coach and the current president of ICF Arkansas-Oklahoma.

He’s passionate about helping people unlock deeper sources of motivation to achieve their goals and reach their potential. He is the author of two books: “Seven Steps to Dominate Your Day and Crush Your Goals” and “Motivation for Regular People: Reframing Your Drive to Pursue Your Goals and Achieve Your Potential.” In addition to coaching his own clients, Brady also supports, trains, and mentors future coaches.

Brady lives in Edmond, OK with his wife and two young children. You can learn more about Brady by visiting his website at bradyross.com or listening to his podcast, “Motivation for Regular People.”

Kim has been with Wapiti since March 2012 when her company, Siouxland Staffing Services, merged with Wapiti. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer, with previous roles as Vice President of Allied Health. Kim has been responsible for staffing, developing, and maintaining current business in all of Wapiti’s regions.

Kim is a physician assistant by trade and although she rarely pulls a shift, she continues to teach ACLS, BLS, and PALS and assists with clinician development. She holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in Zoology from South Dakota State University and one in Physician Assistant Studies from University of South Dakota. Her passion is connecting the science of business with the art of medicine to ensure that patients are well taken care of wherever Wapiti serves. In her spare time, Kim enjoys spending time with family at the lake, reading and running.

Rae Kaare is Vice President-Chief Operating Officer for Aspirus Iron River and Aspirus Ontonagon which are two critical access hospitals located in the western end of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

She is originally from the western end of the Upper Peninsula and actually began her career in the one of the Aspirus UP sites 37 years ago before it was Aspirus.

Rae began her career as a medical technologist and through the years progressed into a number of different leadership roles before moving into her current role five years ago.

Rae loves her job and works very hard to ensure that rural patients have access to excellent healthcare and services.  She describes her role as challenging and rewarding!

Carlos is a former Army officer and has 20 years’ experience in the Staffing & Recruiting industry. Carlos obtained a Bachelor of Science majoring in Foreign Area Studies and minoring in Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy, West Point and holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Notre Dame. He resides in Coppell with his wife Janet, who is a L&D nurse at Baylor Scott & White Grapevine, and has two daughters, Angelica and Lauren.

Contact: WWard@uams.edu

Dr. Ward is a clinical psychologist with a history of working over 20 years in faculty affairs and faculty development in an academic health care setting.  

She created and managed an internal coaching program and now has developed her own coaching business.  She is a member of the International Coaching Federation, a Korn Ferry ESCI 360 Evaluation Coach, and a Master Certified Physician Development Coach™. 

Dr. Ward has published over 100 peer-reviewed publications and presented regularly at international/national conferences during her career.  She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the National Academies of Practice, and the recipient of multiple mentor and educator awards.

James has been employed at Pocahontas Community Hospital since 1992.  He worked as a Radiologic Technologist in the Radiology Department from 1992 until 2004, serving as Director starting in 1996. In 2004 he was hired as CEO of the hospital and has been in that position for the past 20 years.  In April of 2019, James also started serving as Rural Hospital Liaison for the managed hospitals of UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge.  

 With 31 plus years of rural healthcare experience in both clinical and administrative settings, James has been able to successfully lead Pocahontas Community Hospital and is also well respected by his rural hospital CEO peers across the state and has served on many committees and boards. He is currently serving on the Iowa Hospital Association Board of Directors as well as the Rural EMS Legislative Subcommittee and the Rural Healthcare Innovation Taskforce.   James is also active on many rural hospital and EMS subcommittees of UnityPoint Health.

 James and his wife Julie, reside in Pocahontas and have two grown children Nicole and Austin.  

Greg Ruberg is the president/CEO of Lake View Hospital in Two Harbors and vice president of St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN.  Greg also provides administrative support to the North Shore Health hospital in Grand Marais, MN and to the executive director of Wilderness Health, a nine-hospital collaborative serving northeastern Minnesota.  He has a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Physical Therapy from The College of Saint Scholastica. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.  Greg is a current regional board member and past Region 2 chair of the Minnesota Hospital Association, and also serves on the MHA executive committee.  He is also the board chair of the Two Harbors Federal Credit Union, board chair of Wilderness Health, and a board member of The Victory Fund in Duluth, MN.  He is a graduate of the Blandin Community Leadership Program in 2012 and Leadership Duluth program in 2018.  Greg lives in Two Harbors with his wife and three children, and the family enjoys traveling, boating and other outdoor activities.

Jen joined Wapiti in January of 2018. Prior to joining our team, she spent 20 years with Avera McKennan Hospital and Avera Medical Group, with previous role as Director of Clinic & Ancillary Services. Jen has a wealth of experience with administrative and operations functions of healthcare spanning across multiple aspects of a healthcare facility – multispecialty clinic practice, CRNA practice, ancillary services, ER coverage, facility business office functions, quality measures, EMR implementation, and new facility construction. Her overarching roles focused on serving patients in Critical Access Hospitals and Clinics.

Jen and her husband together have 5 grown children and are supporters of each in their future path to serve the Midwest in construction, agriculture, and healthcare. They enjoy spending time together at the lake near their home on a warm summer day, working outside on their acreage, traveling and motorcycle riding. Over the past 20 years, Jen’s passion has resided in rural medicine and maintains one goal, to make a difference in the lives of others.

Carter joined Wapiti in December of 2023 as an Operations Manager. Previous to Wapiti, Carter worked in senior living/assisted living.
Carter and his wife, Maddison, have 3 fur babies (Dog-Blair, Cat-Teddy, & Cat-Heathcliffe). He likes to play tennis, spend time on the lake, and travel to new places with family and friends.

Margaret Sumption’s roots are deeply entrenched in the rural landscapes of Northern South Dakota. Born as the youngest of seven children to parents who were lifelong farmers and had not pursued education beyond the eighth grade, Margaret embodies the spirit of resilience and innovation. Her journey from a farm to becoming a first-generation college graduate is a testament to her determination and commitment to personal and professional growth.

Margaret initially embarked on a career in special and elementary education but soon realized her passion did not lie in working with children. This realization steered her towards a path where she could make a profound impact on adults facing developmental, mental health, and substance abuse challenges. The first 15 years of her career saw Margaret advancing in the disability services sector, where she played a crucial role in developing community-based services and resources.

With a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling and Personnel Services, Margaret’s expertise expanded into counseling and mental health, laying the groundwork for her subsequent ventures into consultancy and strategic planning. Alongside her then-partner, now husband, she co-founded a consultancy firm specializing in grant writing, administration, and management, with a significant focus on the healthcare sector. Her work predominantly revolves around strategic planning and organizational development for hospitals and health systems, specializing in governance excellence and education programs for large non-profit organizations.

Approximately 12 years ago, Margaret ventured into career coaching, establishing a coaching practice dedicated to assisting individuals in crafting strategic career development plans. Her approach, deeply influenced by her background in education and counseling, focuses on helping clients set and achieve their career goals through personalized strategic planning. Her workforce and organizational planning expertise underpin her work in career coaching, skills she has honed throughout her 33 years in consultancy. 

Carrie joined Wapiti Medical Staffing in March 2012 following the merger with Siouxland Staffing Services.  She currently serves as the Director of Human Resources.  Her previous background includes banking, sales, and agriculture before transitioning into the healthcare staffing sector.  Within Siouxland Staffing Services and Wapiti Medical Staffing, Carrie held operational roles and then transitioned into Human Resources in 2017.  She holds a Bachelors degree in Agriculture Business and an MBA degree with Human Resources Management Specialization.

Carrie enjoys spending quality time with her two young children, exploring new destinations through travel, indulging in long-distance running including the occasional half-marathon (sometimes mixing travel with running events), reading, and doing anything else outdoors. 

Dr. Ameen Taleb serves as Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospital and Clinics. His primary practice is at SSM Health in Monroe, WI as an ED Physician and ED Fellowship Program Director. Dr. Taleb is board-certified in Emergency Medicine by the American Board of Physician Specialists (ABPS) and in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). He is a graduate of National Medical University in Kyiv, Ukraine and completed residency at the University of Iowa in Mason City.   Dr. Taleb has a passion for  making an impact by improving healthcare in rural communities.

Amit Shahane, PhD, ABPP is a Board Certified, Licensed Clinical Health Psychologist. He completed his PhD at the University of Oregon following his master’s degree at Indiana State University. He completed his clinical internship at the Michael E. Debakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and his postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine.

Dr. Shahane is a partner at Rivanna Counseling, LLC where he provides individual/group therapy and assessment services to medical professionals. As a member of the PSYPACT, Dr. Shahane can see clients in multiple states across the United States. 

Before his work in private practice, Dr. Shahane served as an Associate Professor at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine and the Directors of the Behavioral Medicine Center and Postdoctoral Fellowship program. Prior to UVA, he served as an Assistant Professor at Emory University School of Medicine. More recently, he served as a mental and behavioral health consultant for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

Utilizing Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches, Dr. Shahane has expertise in assisting medical professionals to better cope with anxiety, depression, trauma, time management, burnout, health and wellness, communication skills, sleep difficulties, and navigating health system challenges.

Contact: dcfalck@gmail.com

Dr. Darilyn Falck is passionate about advising, coaching, and mentoring.

She is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. She is a graduate of Eastern Virginia Medical School and completed her residency in emergency medicine at Loma Linda University Medical Center. 

Dr. Falck has held various leadership roles including Chair of both her hospital’s Emergency Department and Bioethics Committee, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs while serving as medical school faculty, and board member of a national non-profit organization. Dr. Falck is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and has also been awarded the Federation’s (ICF) Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential. 

She has over twenty years of clinical emergency medicine experience and currently practices telemedicine urgent care. Dr. Falck is transitioning from clinical work to focus more on professional coaching and mentoring. She has completed an International Coaching Federation Level 2 Accredited Coach Training Program. She uses coaching as a tool to help clients navigate transitions with confidence, gain clarity about their values and strengths, and achieve a greater sense of purpose.

Contact me through my website: drjulieradico.com

Julie Radico, PsyD, ABPP is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She holds two master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Health Psychology as well as her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Health Psychology- Primary Care at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Department of Family Medicine.

 Dr. Radico is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Radico Psychological and Consultation Services, LLC where she provides one-on-one coaching, consulting and therapy services to medical professionals. As a member of the PSYPACT, Dr. Radico is able to see clients in multiple states across the country.  (Check the map for your state.)

 Outside of her private practice, Dr. Radico served as an Associate Professor in Behavioral Medicine at Penn State Hershey Medical Center Department of Family Medicine. 

Integrating Solution Focused, Problem Solving, Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques, Dr. Radico works with medical professionals to harness motivation, advocate for themselves, prioritize their values, and pursue achievable goals. She works with women in medicine to address anxiety, creating boundaries, communication skills, time management, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, grief/loss, health and wellness, developing leadership skills, DEI, stress/burnout, compassion fatigue, sleep hygiene, and work/life balance.

 Click here to schedule a free 30 minute goodness of fit appointment. 

Contact: roots.wings.coach@gmail.com

Marsha Wakefield, MD, MHPE, is a life coach with Roots and Wings Coaching.  Dr. Wakefield has spent over 30 years in clinical practice as an academic anesthesiologist and clinical teacher. She has experience collaborating with practitioners in a number of healthcare disciplines including medical and nursing students, anesthesiology residents, CNRAs, and APNs.

Her interest in teaching and learning led to a variety of leadership roles in undergraduate and graduate medical education. She has mentored and coached people in healthcare across a spectrum of career points from beginning students through mid-career to late career practitioners. 

After personally experiencing the benefits of life coaching, she transitioned to coaching as a way to continue to support those seeking to reach their goals, clarify their vision, and achieve their full potential. She is a member of the International Coach Federation with over 100 hours of coach training and 100+ hours of coaching clients. She gets great joy from sharing those “ah ha!” moments with clients as they apply new insights to life’s challenges.  

Contact: john@intersections.group

John Beranek adeptly navigates the crossroads of medical expertise and leadership development.  John designed, and leads the Physicians Leadership Institute for the South Dakota State Medical Association, he is committed to fostering the growth of healthcare professionals at the convergence of clinical acumen and leadership prowess.

Opting for John Beranek as a physician coach promises an investment in a distinctive blend of medical proficiency and leadership finesse. Recognizing that coaching is both compassionate and challenging, he emphasizes that it is not therapy but a strategic process involving understanding your situation, setting actionable plans, and harnessing existing strengths to cultivate new ones.

With a proven record of insightful mentorship and a commitment to helping physicians navigate the delicate balance between compassion and challenge, John Beranek excels at guiding individuals through the intricacies of coaching. His approach includes understanding challenges and opportunities, setting tangible goals with accountability, assessing progress and adjusting as required, and providing ongoing follow-up and support, ensuring a comprehensive and transformative learning experience for those seeking to enhance their leadership skills in the medical field.

Contact: margaret@sumptionandwyland.com

Margaret Sumption’s roots are deeply entrenched in the rural landscapes of Northern South Dakota. Born as the youngest of seven children to parents who were lifelong farmers and had not pursued education beyond the eighth grade, Margaret embodies the spirit of resilience and innovation. Her journey from a farm to becoming a first-generation college graduate is a testament to her determination and commitment to personal and professional growth.

Margaret initially embarked on a career in special and elementary education but soon realized her passion did not lie in working with children. This realization steered her towards a path where she could make a profound impact on adults facing developmental, mental health, and substance abuse challenges. The first 15 years of her career saw Margaret advancing in the disability services sector, where she played a crucial role in developing community-based services and resources.

With a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling and Personnel Services, Margaret’s expertise expanded into counseling and mental health, laying the groundwork for her subsequent ventures into consultancy and strategic planning. Alongside her then-partner, now husband, she co-founded a consultancy firm specializing in grant writing, administration, and management, with a significant focus on the healthcare sector. Her work predominantly revolves around strategic planning and organizational development for hospitals and health systems, specializing in governance excellence and education programs for large non-profit organizations.

Approximately 12 years ago, Margaret ventured into career coaching, establishing a coaching practice dedicated to assisting individuals in crafting strategic career development plans. Her approach, deeply influenced by her background in education and counseling, focuses on helping clients set and achieve their career goals through personalized strategic planning. Her workforce and organizational planning expertise underpin her work in career coaching, skills she has honed throughout her 33 years in consultancy. 

Contact: mwolf@veriteepartners.com

Mary is an incredible asset to our field.  Personally, I have had numerous discussions with her that were both productive and therapeutic.  Her experience in the field and commitment to advancing the focus on physician well-being are unparalleled.  She truly lends a warm, compassionate voice to those in need and I will forever be grateful for her help in maintaining my simultaneous focus on my own mental health and my ability to provide exceptional patient care during these recent difficult times in medicine.  Her efforts in our field are cherished by many and appreciated by all that know her.

Niel Burns, MD

 Mary Wolf is the president of Veritee Partners LLC, a coaching and consulting business designed to promote wellbeing and success for physicians, physician leaders, advanced practice providers, dentists, executives and the companies they serve.  Veritee Partners offers assessments and consultation for healthcare systems to build wellbeing programs and cultures.

Mary was the Program Director for the Avera Medical Group LIGHT Program, an award-winning wellbeing program for physicians and advanced practice providers. She led multi-strategy wellbeing services and provides executive coaching for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, residents, and executives.

Before creating LIGHT, Mary was the director of multiple behavioral health programs at Avera including employee assistance program-EAP, addiction recovery, outpatient mental health, and day hospital.

Mary earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Resource Development and is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health.  Mary is a Board Certified Coach and holds certifications in executive, life, and spirituality coaching.

Mary’s extensive work with the Coalition for Physician Wellbeing includes being published as a chapter author for their two books:

• Transforming the Heart of Practice:

An organizational and personal approach to physician wellbeing 

• Physician Well-being During Sustained Crisis:

Defusing Burnout, Building Resilience, Restoring Hope