Leadership

Richard R. Vath, MD, joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in 2006 as the inaugural Quality & Patient Safety Medical Director for Our Lady of Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. He became the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer in 2008. With increasing emphasis on physician performance and quality, Dr. Vath broadened his responsibilities to the health system serving as its Chief Clinical and Transformation Officer until he was appointed health system President and CEO in June 2019. He has thoughtfully assembled a high-performing leadership team to help carry out his vision for a truly integrated network of care delivery that is focused on improving patient experience and clinical quality while decreasing costs. Under Dr. Vath’s guidance, these leaders oversee all operations for the $3.6 billion, 1,700-licensed bed not-for-profit, integrated healthcare organization serving multiple regional markets in Louisiana and Jackson, Mississippi.

During his vast tenure in healthcare, Dr. Vath built strong partnerships and coalitions for innovation throughout the health system’s regional markets and ministry, paving the way for the creation of Health Leaders Network in 2014. The clinically integrated network of employed and independent providers continues to advance quality performance. In a relatively short time, the progress has been remarkable. The network has successfully established performance-based contracts to improve overall health among at-risk populations. Early success for managing populations and controlling costs has become a trademark for the network, delivered by its more than 1,400 participating providers.

Dr. Vath and his senior leadership team continue to build a culture of excellence at all levels of the organization, fostering commitment among physicians and team members for our ministry work and Franciscan Core Values of Service, Reverence and Love for All of Life, Joyfulness of Spirit, Humility and Justice. The result is a positive work environment with stronger physician engagement and better patient outcomes.

After earning a medical degree in 1977 at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, Dr. Vath completed an Internal Medicine residency and Pulmonary/Critical Care fellowship at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He successfully practiced as a Pulmonary Critical Care physician in Baton Rouge for 23 years before joining the health system.

Dr. Steven Gremillion, Chief Medical Officer, joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in 1993 and became Chief Medical Officer in March 2020. He serves as liaison between the physician enterprise and the leadership team supporting projects and initiatives that promote integrated operations and strategic growth. In addition, he leads the health system’s comprehensive quality and safety initiatives.

Dr. Gremillion is focused on the productive and fulfilling engagement of the organization’s providers, including its statewide Physician Group of more than 900 providers and clinically integrated network. He leads the team of chief medical officers who serve the health system’s 10 acute care facilities, Children’s Hospitals in both Baton Rouge and Acadiana, multiple academic medicine partnerships, as well as a growing network of ambulatory sites and free-standing ER campuses. Dr. Gremillion’s leadership guides the clinical standards and activities resulting in an engaged network of providers who deliver top-quartile patient outcomes and experiences.

A Board Certified cardiologist, Dr. Gremillion earned his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in 1982 followed by his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. He later completed his residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where he added a Clinical Cardiology fellowship and Electrophysiology fellowship. Before accepting his current position, Dr. Gremillion served as Associate Chief Medical Officer, Chief Medical Officer/VPMA and Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge.

Mike Gleason, Chief Financial Officer, joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in 2023. He is a servant leader with more than 30 years of healthcare experience spanning both the provider and payor sides of the industry. In addition to his direct payor experience, Gleason has led the creation of three health plans under the control of health systems for which he previously worked. Gleason also has considerable experience working with rating agencies and managing both public and private debt issuances.

Gleason oversees the financial operations of our health system across regional markets in Louisiana and Mississippi. He manages operational efficiencies within the health system, both acute care and ambulatory services. In addition, he is responsible for streamlining financial processes across all system facilities and providing support for the organization's strategic growth and long-term viability.

Gleason has been recognized multiple times by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the top 125 hospital and health systems CFOs in the country. He also received the 2012 Ultimate CFO Award from the Jacksonville Business Journal. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Gleason has served on several not-for-profit community boards and finance committees, with a focus on investment management, cost control and ways to serve the healthcare needs of the uninsured.

Prior to joining FMOLHS, Gleason was senior vice president and chief financial officer for Baptist Health Care in Florida. His career also included roles at University of Florida Health Jacksonville and Humana Medical Plans, Inc.

Tara Haney joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in 2012. Today she works closely with President and CEO Dr. Richard Vath in pursuit of the health system’s transformation aligned to the Triple Aim and best practices within the evolving value-based healthcare industry. She helped create the health system’s clinically integrated network and oversees the performance and experiences of the more than 1,400 physicians who comprise Health Leader Network. In addition, Haney ensures organizational focus, resources and team members throughout the $3.6 billion, 1,700-licensed bed not-for-profit, integrated health system in Louisiana and Jackson, Mississippi, are aligned with the organization’s balanced vision.

Haney believes the physicians and staff working throughout the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System are its greatest asset. Her relational approach to leadership and day-to-day interactions helps to foster continued, mutual growth of individual team members at all levels and for the health system as a whole.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in management from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Haney completed a master’s degree in public administration at LSU. She served in the policy office for Louisiana Governor Mike Foster and subsequently held various private industry leadership roles in strategic initiatives, development, and government relations before joining the health system as Member Services Director for the organization’s first population health operations. In 2018, Haney was recognized as a Tomorrow’s Leader by the Catholic Health Association.

Hunter Richardson, Chief Administrative Officer/Executive Vice President, joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in 1996 as a member of the Home Health division management team. He held numerous leadership positions with FMOLHS before being appointed to his current role in October 2022.

Richardson sets strategic direction for team members throughout the $3.6 billion, 1,700-licensed bed not-for-profit, integrated health system in Louisiana and Mississippi. He ensures the organization is in alignment with its employment practices, seeking always to cultivate an inclusive work environment where each team member can achieve personal success. Richardson has been instrumental in the development of health system benefit design, job architecture, professional education, and recognition. He is the executive champion for the ministry’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion commitment and activities.

Inspired by individuals with a hunger to learn and make a difference, Richardson achieves his objectives by being present to every interaction and leading by example. He serves as a bridge to build relationships and is a catalyst for change when the opportunity arises. His commitment to more engaged physicians and staff results in better patient experiences and outcomes.

Richardson earned his undergraduate degree in 1994 from LSU and also completed a master of Business Administration in 2005.

Kristin Wolkart, Executive Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in 1995 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Gonzales, Louisiana. As Chief Nursing Officer, her contributions helped propel the community hospital to consistently top performance for patient satisfaction and team member engagement.

Wolkart transitioned to the health system as its Chief Nursing Informatics Officer in 2007 focused on improving the electronic medical record. Leading a growing number of the system’s special projects, Wolkart was tapped in 2014 to serve St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Louisiana, as Chief Operating Officer until being named CEO later that year. In May 2022 Wolkart stepped into the newly created role of Executive Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer to lead efforts for best practices of care across the health care system.

Wolkart is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and holds board-certification as a Nurse Executive, Advanced. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans in 1991 before completing a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Kennedy-Western University in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Wolkart is board certified as a Nurse Executive, Advanced through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In 2010 she became a Certified Green Belt in Six Sigma and a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute. In 2021 she earned her Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives® (FACHE) Credential.

Jennifer DeCuir serves as General Counsel for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.

DeCuir began her career in healthcare representing providers in medical malpractice litigation, business transactions, licensing, reimbursement, healthcare regulatory, HIPAA compliance and peer review matters. She joined the health system in 2009 as an Assistant General Counsel and was promoted to Regional General Counsel in 2013.

DeCuir has extensive experience advising the health system on regulatory matters, peer review, labor and employment, long-term care facility regulations, physician contracting and practice acquisitions, as well as a variety of other general commercial and business matters. She has also successfully represented the health system in numerous acquisitions during her tenure.

DeCuir holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Tulane, a master's degree in Social Service Administration and a Certification in Health Care Administration and Policy from the University of Chicago. She received her Juris Doctor/Bachelor of Civil Law degree from Louisiana State University's Paul M. Hebert Law Center.

Will Landry, Chief Information Officer, joined Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in 2019. He leads the health system's digital and information technology initiatives, ensuring that digital systems are improving patient and provider experiences in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Landry offers experience from multiple industries and different areas of healthcare. He is focused on making the health system more efficient and effective through technology, and he is passionate about using technology to improve patient care within the communities that we serve.

Prior to joining FMOLHS, Landry served in technology leadership roles at Lafayette General Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana, Amedisys and retail/wholesale. Landry earned a bachelor of science in information systems and decision sciences from LSU.

Janice Lamy, Chief Marketing Officer, joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in 2018 after a 25+ year career in marketing, primarily in the healthcare industry. She leads the health system’s marketing and communications activities, ensuring those efforts align with the overall goals of the thriving not-for-profit organization serving five regional markets in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Lamy offers experience working with faith-based, not-for-profit, and for-profit health systems. Her focus is on blending marketing with strategy to create programs and processes aimed at fueling exceptional productivity and generating fresh revenue. A creative problem solver, instructor, team leader and communicator, Lamy has a proven ability to develop marketing and communications strategies designed to increase efficiency while substantially heightening performance levels.

Her responsibilities include leading a collaborative team of experienced, progressive, and innovative marketing and communications professionals. The team is accountable for brand management, advertising, web presence, digital marketing, social media, internal communications, public relations, reputation management, crisis communications, and consumer research.

Prior to joining FMOLHS, Lamy served in division vice president of marketing roles for Catholic Health Initiatives’ Houston, TX, market and HCA’s North Florida Division, based in Tallahassee, FL. Lamy earned both her Bachelor of Fine arts and Master of Business Administration degrees from LSU.

Peter F. Guarisco Jr. joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in 2010 and is responsible to see that the health system’s Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Catholic identity are evident in the day-to-day operations of the organization. He provides guidance for health system initiatives, leadership decisions, planning, and the daily tasks of team members and physicians serving the organization. His oversight includes directing the activities of mission leaders across the multiple regional markets in Louisiana and Mississippi. He also cultivates meaningful relationships with each of the Bishops in whose Diocese our facilities reside.

Guarisco fosters a commitment to Catholic healthcare ministry while providing relevance and a strong sense of purpose for roles at every level of the health system. He contributes perspective to the decisions and activities involved in patient caregiving, co-team member work life, organizational collaborations, and community involvement. Internally, his guidance is essential to mission leadership, ethics, pastoral care, formation, and response to community needs.

After completing his bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from University of Louisiana at Monroe, Guarisco earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Bioethics and Health Policy from Loyola University in Chicago and a master’s degree in Health Care Mission from the Aquinas Institute of St. Louis. Prior to his current role, Guarisco served as AVP of Mission Integration and Pharmacy Director for St. Elizabeth Hospital in Gonzales. He is a member of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, a board member for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and serves as a member of several other professional, civic, and service organizations.

C. Bryan Miller, MD, serves as Vice President, Chief Clinical Transformation Officer for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.

Dr. Miller has been part of our health system ministry since 2020 when he became a Physician Executive with Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group. He served as interim market president for our Northshore Market in 2022 before taking on his current role as a driver in designing, strategizing and implementing our approach to advancing excellence in clinical care and care delivery.

Prior to joining our ministry, Dr. Miller was Vice President of Medical Affairs with Slidell Memorial Physicians Network and has decades of leadership experience for that network and others. He was a practicing family medicine physician from 1996 until 2020 and owned his own practice from 2003 to 2010.

Dr. Miller serves on a number of advisory boards including St. Dominic's Hospital, Health Leaders Network, Lake Surgical Hospital Slidell and Pontchartrain Surgery Center. He is a professional member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians.

Dr. Miller earned his doctorate of medicine from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and completed his family practice residency at the medical center there in an accelerated residency program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry and psychology from the University of Alabama Birmingham.

Dr. Chris Funes has served as president of Health Leaders Network ACO, the Value-Based Care arm of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, since 2020. In this role, he leads the efforts of more than 2,200 providers in Louisiana and Mississippi to improve outcomes for our patients with chronic conditions, decrease total cost of care and improve the patient experience – collectively referred to as the “Triple Aim.” Dr. Funes also serves as the Medical Director for Quality for Franciscan Health Physicians and has a passion for improving the quality of care delivered to all patients. 

Dr. Funes is a general pediatrician practicing with Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group since August 2000. He received his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and completed a general pediatric residency at the Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine Affiliated Residency Program in Houston, during which time he served as the Ben Taub Hospital Neonatology Chief Resident. As a medical student, he was awarded the Herbert Rothschild Award as the outstanding pediatric medical student in his class. Dr. Funes is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and currently serves on the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Pharmacy Advisory Committee and the LDH Medicaid Quality Committee.

Dr. James Craven has served as president of the employed provider group for our health system since 2020. In this role he oversees more than 1000 providers across Louisiana and Mississippi driving results for clinical affordability, quality, growth, and financial performance, as well as for internal physician relations and external relationship initiatives.

A New Orleans native, Dr. Craven has been a practicing vascular surgeon since 2003, previously working in private practice in the New Orleans region and then with CVT Surgical Center in Baton Rouge before joining Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Vascular Surgery in 2019.

Dr. Craven received his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Science Center in Shreveport. He went on to complete his residency in general surgery and a fellowship in vascular surgery from the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He is a fellow in the American College of Surgeons and has recently earned an Executive Master of Business Administration from Brandeis University in Boston.

Prior to his current positions, he served as Associate Chief Medical Officer and as the Medical Director of Surgical Services at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Dr. Craven also is a member of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center board and serves as chair of the Contracting and Finance Committee for Health Leaders Network. In addition, Dr. Craven is a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans.

Dr. Craven also serves as Vice-Chair of the Community Practice Division of the Society of Vascular Surgery.

LaDonna Williams serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer for Franciscan Health Physicians, the multi-state physician enterprise of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.

She has held various roles with increasing leadership responsibilities in our ambulatory and outpatient division and has been part of our health system’s ministry since 2010. In her current role, Williams is responsible for growth, business development and strategic implementations to ensure integrated patient access to our ambulatory healthcare services in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Prior to joining our health system, Williams served as Senior Business Manager for Juvenile Justice Program with LSU Health Services Center (2003–2010) and Business Development/Nursing Facility Administrator with General Health System (1998–2003). She is a professional member of the American Medical Group Association, Medical Group Management Association and American College of Healthcare Executives.

Williams received her Master of Public Administration and Bachelor’s in Business Management from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge. She has been a Board Member of the Volunteers of America South Central Louisiana since 2011, including serving as the board’s president (2021 and 2022). Williams is also a board member for Baton Rouge Green and a member of the International Women’s Forum.

Dr. Thomas Gullatt serves at the Northeast Louisiana Market President in Monroe, LA. Dr. Gullatt has served the FMOLHS ministry since 2004 when he began the Hospital Medicine Intensivist program at St. Francis. As a board-certified Pulmonologist, he has been instrumental in the expansion of the Intensivist role at St. Francis as well as its integration into the overall care model for St. Francis Medical Center and Medical Group. Dr. Gullatt most recently served as President of the St. Francis Medical Group, Chief Medical Officer for the medical center, and Designated Institutional Officer for St. Francis’ entry into academic medicine. Dr. Gullatt completed his medical training at LSU Medical Center in Shreveport including both Residency in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Fellowship.

Dr. Gullatt has been on staff at St. Francis Medical Center since July 1989. He served as a private practice physician for 15 years before becoming employed by St. Francis in 2004. Dr. Gullatt is married to Denise and has two children and five grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, hiking and is an avid supporter of LSU athletics.

Stephanie Manson serves as President of our Acadiana Market, which includes Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital along with an employed network of almost 150 providers. The collective market is known as Our Lady of Lourdes Health. Manson has been part of our health system since 1998.

Prior to leading Our Lady of Lourdes Health, Manson was Chief Operating Officer for Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Her distinguished healthcare career began at Our Lady of the Lake with an administrative fellowship and served in roles with executive responsibilities across both acute and ambulatory areas including the complex planning and implementation for Our Lady of the Lake’s public-private partnership with the state of Louisiana and the LSU School of Medicine.

Manson has also served as Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Operations for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System where she led successful implementation of the single electronic health record, Epic, across our Louisiana markets.

In 2021 Manson was named as a Baton Rouge Business Report’s Influential Woman in Business. She received the Tomorrow’s Leaders Award from Catholic Health Association in 2011, was named a 40 Under 40 recipient by the Baton Rouge Business Report in 2004 and is a graduate of the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Baton Rouge Class of 2002.

Manson received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Louisiana State University and a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science Health Administration from the University of Alabama Birmingham. In addition, she is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Charles L. “Chuck” Spicer, Jr., FACHE, joined Our Lady of the Lake as Market President in October 2022. Our Lady of the Lake is sponsored by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is a part of its Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.

Spicer previously served as President and CEO of University of Oklahoma Medicine, a health system that encompasses OU Medical Center, The Children’s Hospital, OU Medical Center Edmond and Breast Health Network. Spicer worked at OU Medicine for 17 years, where he also served as CEO of The Children’s Hospital for five years and chief operating officer for OU Medical Center for two years before assuming his role as CEO of the health system.

Spicer brings with him close to 30 years of knowledge and experience in the field of healthcare administration and has a deep understanding of the emerging healthcare needs of a flagship medical center as well as a growing outpatient and physician clinic footprint. He is also familiar with the necessary elements of value-based care and population health as we continue to make a positive impact for families in Louisiana. He has a strong commitment to the areas he serves and has been active in his community. Spicer has also been recognized for his contributions philanthropically.

Paolo Zambito serves as the Northshore Market President for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. In addition to executive oversight of Our Lady of the Angels Health in Bogalusa, Zambito provides leadership for our continued expansion on the Northshore, one of the fastest-growing areas of Louisiana.

With years of Louisiana healthcare leadership experience, Zambito has an impressive track record of service at every level of healthcare. He began his career as a registered nurse at Charity Hospital in New Orleans before making the transition to administration and leadership. Prior to joining our health system, he served as CEO for the physician-owned Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital in Hammond, and before that he held progressive leadership positions with LCMC Health in New Orleans. His ability to build physician relationships is exceptional and his deep knowledge of the market and involvement in the community serves our health system well.

In addition to his RN diploma from Charity Hospital School of Nursing, Zambito holds a bachelor of science degree and a master of science degree in health services administration from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana.