Joe Gleason
CEO and co-founder
Much of genusConnect stems from the ad-hoc services put together so his family (6 siblings and extended family) could work effectively together. While caring for his father, Jack Gleason (who had Alzheimer’s), Joe’s mother was feeling the strains of being the primary giver of care. His mother, Mary Gleason, continues to be an inspiration for new ideas and a reminder why caregivers benefit from working closely together.
[show_more more=”Show More” less=”Show Less”]
genusConnect represents a culmination of projects all centered around bringing people together on the internet.
- One of the largest educational software design & distribution companies
- A web hosting service for small businesses, with over 100,000 sites
- A tribute service that pre-dated Facebook, allowing family members to have a site to pay tribute to those they lose and continue to collect stories
- A video Tribute service that allowed videos to quickly be created for funeral services, reaching millions with an inspirational messages and images of reflections.
“To me, genusConnect represents the perfect combination of passions and experiences of the co-founding team. genusConnect provides caregivers with the resources and tools they need to work together to deliver the best possible care. As an open platform, technology providers, care providers, neighbors, friends, siblings, and grandchildren can come together in an elegant positive way.
All of us at the team see genusConnect as something that is truly a community company, harnessing the best in all of us. We see genusConnect growing into something we (our team, our community) can be proud of for generations to come.”[/show_more]
Patrick Rio
VP of Marketing and Co-founder
Pat and Joe began discussing genusConnect years back as Joe was working through care related concerns for his parents and family needs. As a system interface designer and marketing consultant for fortune 500 companies, Pat was able to apply that work history and help bring concepts together in a way that supported a positive friendly user experience.
“As we began developing genusConnect, it became clear to me that this wasn’t just a project. genusConnect™ represents something that allowed me to fully utilize the skills and contacts I had in the medical market. Overseeing the brand and knowing that millions could benefit from it has been a rewarding journey so far.”
Pat comes from a UI design and graphics background. Pat also holds a Master’s degree in Architecture and is a registered architect in Wisconsin and nationally certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.
[/show_more]Karen Hopman, CMPE
Director of Medical Integration
With over 30 years of experience in the medical field, Karen is passionate about helping medical professionals improve both quality of care and clinical performance through the best use of technology and workflow optimization. Karen is the former President of Michigan Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) and a National MGMA member. [show_more more=”Show More” less=”Show Less”]Karen has extensive experience working with many different Specialty and Internal Medicine/Family Practice Organizations. With expertise in IT integration and workflow optimization, Karen has led several proactive system-wide technology upgrades and EHR system transitions. A Certified Medical Practice Executive, Karen is also the founder and CEO of KLJ Consulting, providing medical practice optimization services specialized in helping practices operate more efficiently and with increased focus on quality of care and outcomes as our healthcare system transitions to value based care. With her experience and deep understanding in program like TCM, CPC+ and MIPS, Karen is instrumental in helping guide genus’ development and implementation to help practices explore additional opportunities within these new reimbursement programs and in the process deliver a deeper and more meaningful level of care their patients, families and communities.
“There is a powerful change taking place in the medical system that puts patients and their families at the center of care. Genus is an important part of that movement, helping drive improved out comes, better overall health and connections with community, and driving real value and improved quality of life for patients and families. I truly enjoy being part of genus as we help medical practices harness the new opportunities that bring bottom line improvements and, most importantly, allow our care providers to do what they love doing providing real care for those they serve”
[/show_more]
Kelly Scheer
Chief Sales Strategist
With more than 20 years of experience in executive management, Kelly’s work centers around compelling leaders to make business and personal decisions while thinking about the human impact.
Kelly was fortunate to have outstanding mentors while working in some of the most dynamic health care, senior living, and non-profit environments in the country. Giving voice to the voiceless was at the center of much of her work and among the most rewarding. During her career, Kelly has lobbied Congress, served as a national spokesperson for academic medical centers, served on boards for mental health, and directed philanthropic initiatives raising millions of dollars for cancer treatment and research.
In addition to her role at GenusConnect, Kelly is an executive coach and consultant. She has a degree in Communications from Michigan State University and is currently pursuing her MBA. An avid reader and lover of all Michigan seasons, Kelly loves to travel and spend time with her son, her extended family and friends. [/show_more]
Biju Jacob
CTO
Biju Joins Genus with deep system architecture and cloud development experience, with over 20 years of experience creating technology solutions for clients in the healthcare and insurance industries. At genusConnect, he helps ensure rapidly scalable systems that are secure and robust to support the companies mission of “building a community of care around every person in need.”
[show_more more=”Show More” less=”Show Less”]
Biju understands the important role of data integration in efficient interface and database architecture, ensuring supportive frameworks for the needs of the patients as well as the care community.
“What attracted me to genus was deep commitment for strengthening the caregiver network during the process of care. With my background, I saw all too often the challenges coordinating care information has had on all aspects of the care continuum… I am honored and excited to infuse that experience into a powerful platform that will be forefront to change”
[/show_more]
Sara Harding
COO
Sara Harding has been leading dynamic and various organizations, including a private investment company that managed over $850 million in assets. Her role as COO included optimizing operations, creating and strategic initiatives, and leading the execution of the multiple organizations’ tactics for growth and sustainability.
[show_more more=”Show More” less=”Show Less”]During her tenure, Sara has led the media company Spirituality & Health Media, Yen Yoga & Fitness, FIM Group, Utopia Foundation, as well as curate and organize TEDx Traverse City.
Advisory Board Members
Chris Uhl
VP Social Innovation, The Skillman Foundation
[show_more more=”Show More” less=”Show Less”]
Chris Uhl is the Foundation’s vice president, social innovation. He guides the Foundation’s social innovation work, including a portfolio of innovative grants with both longtime partners and unlikely allies. He also leads work involving PRIs and other creative financing vehicles. He is driven by the belief that all Detroit kids should have the same opportunities that kids in the greater Detroit region have and believes using market solutions to approach systemic problems will lead to better, more sustainable results.[/show_more]
Dennis Ramus, MD, F.A.A.F.P, CPABoard Chair of The Physicians Alliance
[show_more more=”Show More” less=”Show Less”]
Dr. Ramus is board certified in Family Medicine. His seven-physician practice have been leaders in the Patient-Centered Medical Home, CPC and CPC+ programs. Dennis is the Board Chair of The Physicians Alliance (one of the largest physician organizations in SE Michigan with 2,100+ members).[/show_more]
Paul SutherlandCEO FIMG.net Global Investments Lead investor
[show_more more=”Show More” less=”Show Less”] President and Chief Investment office of Financial & Investment Management Group, Ltd. (FIM Group), a Traverse City, Michigan-based registered investment adviser that manages investment portfolios on a discretionary basis for individuals, trusts, foundations, and retirement plans. Paul is also CEO of the Utopia Foundation, founded in 2007, which is focused on supporting projects and people that have the desire to create sustainable improvements in the livelihoods of those in need. Paul is also the owner of Spirituality and health Magazine and the author of several book centered on inspiration and awakening and development of the human spirit.[/show_more]