The Medical Society Of Virginia Foundation
Program Committee
Lawrence E. Blanchard,
III, MD, Co-Chair
Richmond
Dr. Blanchard is a managing partner with Dermatology Associates of Virginia.
He is committed to creating operational excellence and customer satisfaction
in his office, and actively participates in growing the practice and
forming relationships with insurers to deliver high quality, cost-effective
Dermatological care to central Virginia. As a former president of the
Medical Society of Virginia, Dr. Blanchard has had the opportunity to
participate locally, statewide and nationally in organized medicine
with a goal of creating and preserving a political and legal environment
supportive of patients and physicians. He serves as a lay member of
the Judiciary Committee of the Richmond Bar Association and is a member
of the Advisory Board of the Duke University Marine Laboratory at the
Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences. Dr. Blanchard
is a graduate of Duke University and received his medical degree from
Washington University in St. Louis. He is a former president of the
Richmond Academy of Medicine and is a member of the local, state and
national chapters of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Kurtis S. Elward, MD, MPH,
Co-Chair
Charlottesville
Dr. Elward has built his family medical care practice around “serving
my patients in ways that are meaningful to them.” In addition
to his private practice, Dr. Elward is the Assistant Professor of Research
in Family Medicine at the University of Virginia; Medical Director of
Quality Improvement for Southern Health Services of Virginia; and serves
on the National Asthma Education Program Coordinating Committee. He
is a member of the Technical Expert Advisory Panel for Children’s
Asthma Performance Measures at the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations; and a member of the Commission on Clinical
Policies and Research at the American Academy of Family Physicians.
He is also a volunteer physician at the Charlottesville Free Clinic;
the Medical Director of Pregnancy Centers of Virginia; and President
of the Klilnk Lenkahasyon Fondasyon, an organization dedicated to supporting
development of health care services in rural Haiti. Dr. Elward completed
his undergraduate work at the University of Illinois, where he also
received his medical degree. He completed a fellowship in health services
research as well as an MPH at the University of Washington.
Carl W. Armstrong, MD
Richmond
Dr. Armstrong is the State Epidemiologist/Director for the Office of
Epidemiology at the Virginia Department of Health. In this role, Dr.
Armstrong is responsible for statewide disease surveillance. He is formerly
the Vice President and Senior Medical Advisor of the Virginia Hospital
and Healthcare Association, where he provided leadership for clinical
quality improvement, patient safety, and emergency preparedness. He
is an associate clinical professor in the Department of Epidemiology
and Community Health at VCU/MCV. Dr. Armstrong received his undergraduate
degree from Kenyon College and his medical degree from Case Western
Reserve University School of Medicine.
Caroline Cox, Associate Director
Charlottesville
Beginning her fourth year of medical school at the University
of Virginia, Ms. Cox has already shown herself to be one of Virginia’s
future medical community leaders. Ms. Cox’s experiences at the
Williamsburg Community Hospital Emergency Department have driven her
desire to improve access to care for those Virginians without adequate
resources. She has worked as a community health educator and with the
UVA Medical Reserve corps, during which time she helped form an outreach
program in disaster preparedness. Ms. Cox received her undergraduate
degree from the College of William and Mary. She has been active in
the Medical Society of Virginia since 2005 and has served as the Treasurer
for the UVA Student Medical Society.
Leslie C. Ellwood, MD
McLean
Dr. Ellwood has played an integral role in the Foundation’s Program
Committee and was recently recognized as the Tar Wars Virginia Volunteer
of the Year for the 2003-2004 school year. A pediatrician in the Fairfax
area, Dr. Ellwood is a longstanding member of the Medical Society of
Virginia, President of the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy
of Pediatrics, and President-Elect of the Medical Society of Northern
Virginia. Dr. Ellwood leads the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group’s
quality improvement efforts in northern Virginia and served as their
Chief of Pediatrics for nine years. He is a faculty member of George
Washington University, INOVA Fairfax Hospital—University of Virginia
Pediatrics Residency and the Georgetown University College of Medicine.
He is highly regarded as a physician leader in the arenas of public
health, health education, child advocacy, and quality improvement. Dr.
Ellwood earned his doctor of medicine from the University of Florida
College of Medicine.
Patrick W. Finnerty
Richmond
Mr. Finnerty has served the Commonwealth of Virginia for 28 years, including
his current position as the Director of the Department of Medical Assistance
Services. He cares passionately about improving access to health care
for underserved areas and populations, and is responsible for increasing
the enrollment of children in Virginia in Medicaid/FAMIS by more than
115,000 since 2002. Prior to joining DMAS, Mr. Finnerty served as the
Executive Director of the Virginia General Assembly’s Joint Commission
on Health Care. He received his master’s of public administration
from Virginia Commonwealth University. He participates in Mission of
Mercy projects and is an Assistant Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of
America.
Joi M. Lenczowski,
MD
Richmond
Dr. Lenczowski is a dermatologist with Dermatology Associates
of Virginia, a ten physician, four office dermatology practice in Richmond.
She is a leader in the adoption and modification of an electronic medical
records system for the practice. She is also an active member in the
Richmond Dermatological Society and a member of the Legislative Committee
of the Richmond Academy of Medicine. Dr. Lenczowski has recently joined
the Medical Society of Virginia’s Women Physicians’ Steering
Committee and is serving on the Medical Society of Virginia Foundation’s
Program Committee. Prior to her work in Virginia, Dr. Lenczowski was
a clinical assistant professor in New York University’s Department
of Dermatology where she was awarded “Attending of the Year 2005.”
She received her MD from Duke University and a BSE in biomedical engineering
from Tulane University.
Margaret
G. Lewis, FACHE
Richmond
Mrs. Lewis is president of HCA’s Capital Division. She began her clinical career at Chippenham Medical Center as a student nurse and was later promoted to several senior-level positions, including chief executive officer of Chippenham & Johnston-Willis Medical Center. She is a member of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, a Founding Board Member of LEAD Virginia, and Board Chair of the John Tyler Community College Foundation. Mrs. Lewis recently received the 2005 VCU Alumni Star Award for Nursing, and is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Health Administration at the college.
David Maizel, MD
Virginia Beach
Coordinating care for patients and bringing joy back to the
practice of medicine are two passions Dr. Maizel brings to the Medical
Society of Virginia Foundation’s Program Committee. Prior to Dr.
Maizel’s appointment as the first medical director for the Sentara
Medical Group, he served as a US Naval Physician for five years, two
of those in Australia. He then opened and grew a private family practice
to include ten providers at the site. He co-chairs the United Way annual
campaign for Sentara Healthcare and is on the Board of Directors Temple
Emanuel in Virginia Beach. Dr. Maizel shares the Foundation’s
mission focusing on quality improvement in the physician community.
Mitchell B. Miller, MD
Virginia Beach
As a former President of the Medical Society of Virginia, Dr. Miller
had the opportunity to advocate for patients and physicians across the
Commonwealth. Dr. Miller’s work as a family practitioner has earned
him numerous awards and honors, including: Virginia Beach Medical Society
Physician of the Year, 2002; Best Virginia Physicians by Virginia Business;
Best Physicians Hampton Roads by Hampton Roads Monthly; and Best US
Physicians by Town & Country Magazine. He is a former president
of the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians, the Medical Staff of Virginia
Beach General Hospital, and the Virginia Beach Medical Society. He serves
on the Mayor’s Task Force on Health Care Issues, Virginia Beach.
He completed his undergraduate degree at LaSalle University, received
his medical degree from Penn State University, and completed his residency
at the Medical College of Virginia.
Sharon Moffatt, Ex-Officio
Richmond
Mrs. Moffatt is co-president of the Medical Society of Virginia Alliance.
A graduate of Maryland's Montgomery College, she is formerly a pediatric
nurse. In addition to her duties with the MSV Alliance, Mrs. Moffatt
serves on the Liaison Committee of the Science Museum of Virginia; and
as a Eucharistic minister to the sick at the Cathedral of the Sacred
Heart. She has previously served as the President of the Richmond Academy
of Medicine Alliance.
Harvey B. Morgan
Gloucester
Delegate Morgan, a pharmacist by profession, has represented
his home town of Gloucester and surrounding areas in the Virginia General
Assembly since 1980. Del. Morgan’s service began as a young pharmacist
in Gloucester, where along with his father and brother, he owned and
operated Morgan’s Drug Store—an experience which exposed
him to the challenges that many Virginians face in accessing affordable
quality health care. As part of his service as a State Delegate, Del.
Morgan is Chairman of the Joint Commission on Health Care and is a member
of the House Appropriations’ Health and Human Resources Subcommittee.
He has also received gubernatorial appointments to the Governor’s
Advisory Committee on Medicare/Medicaid, and the Virginia Drug Abuse
Advisory Council. His leadership is also demonstrated by his service
on numerous other health care related boards and councils. Dozens of
organizations including the American Cancer Society, the American Lung
Association, and the Virginia Primary Care Association have recognized
Del. Morgan for his profound contributions to health care in the Commonwealth.
Karen Remley, MD, MBA, FAAP
Richmond
Dr. Remley was appointed by Governor Tim Kaine as Commissioner
of the Virginia Department of Health in January 2008. In her role as
State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Remley is responsible for managing
the operations of the Virginia Department of Health, coordinating the
department's emergency preparedness and response efforts, and providing
leadership for the Commonwealth's public health system in order to protect
and promote the health of all Virginians. Dr. Remley previously served
as the vice president of medical affairs at Sentara Leigh Hospital in
Norfolk and was an assistant professor of Pediatrics and Community Faculty
School of Public Health at Eastern Virginia School of Medicine. She
also served as Medical Director of External Quality at Anthem Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Virginia from 2004-2006, CEO of Physicians for Peace
from 2001-2003, and has served on numerous hospital boards and committees.
Remley received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of
Missouri, Kansas City in 1980. She also holds a Master of Business Administration,
Health Services Management Certificate from the Fuqua School of Business
at Duke University. She holds professional certifications from the American
Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Pediatrics and
Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and is a member of the American Academy
of Pediatrics.
John C. Taylor
Harrisonburg
John C. Taylor is the Chief Executive Officer for Valley Health Plan.
As CEO, and previously as Chief Financial Officer, his responsibilities
include developing the strategic agenda with regards to managed care,
quality improvement and physician practice development. Prior to Valley
Health Plan, Mr. Taylor served as the Vice President of Finance and
Health Systems Development for QualChoice of Virginia, the managed care
organization sponsored by the University of Virginia where his responsibilities
included the development of “partnership” relationships
with other delivery systems in the region; and as the Vice President
of Client Services for Novalis Corporation in Albany, New York where
he was responsible for the implementation and continued support of the
Novalis managed care program at client sites throughout the country.
Mr. Taylor currently serves as the board treasurer for the Jefferson
Board on Aging, Charlottesville’s area agency on aging, and for
Rebuilding Together, a home modification and rehabilitation program
for low-income disabled or elderly homeowners in Harrisonburg/Rockingham
County. He was also an adjunct professor for James Madison University’s
Graduate Program in Health Sciences Administration from December 2001
to May 2002. Taylor received his Masters of Business Administration,
Health Systems Administration from the Institute of Management and Administration,
Union College and his Bachelor of Arts, Biomedical Sciences from Brown
University.
Shannon
Valentine, Director
Lynchburg
Del. Valentine was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates on January
10, 2006. She serves on the Transportation Committee, the Science and
Technology Committee and the Sub-Committee to study fuel-efficient vehicles
and transportation funding. In April 2007, Delegate Valentine was appointed
by Governor Kaine to serve on the Virginia Interagency Coordinating
Council. She was also named as the 2007 Nicki Bazaco Individual Distinction
Award winner by the Medical Society of Virginia Alliance, awarded to
the individual who best promotes health education and quality of care
through legislation. Delegate Valentine has been named as a Top 20 delegate
two years in a row by the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. She
is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and recently completed
the school's Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.
