Meet the Satellite Healthcare leadership team

Satellite’s research focus on how best to deliver care has improved the standard of care within its centers and across the industry. Its patients, and those throughout the chronic kidney disease community, are the better for it.

Delivering value and quality in patient-centered care is my mission. Each person’s right to compassionate, safe, and optimal care for each stage of their kidney disease journey drives our intentions, efforts, and execution of clinical policy.

Dr. Gopa Green is the Chief Medical Officer, In-Center Dialysis Services & Clinical Programs, at Satellite Healthcare. Since joining Satellite in 2021 as the Vice President of Quality and Clinical Programs, her role has expanded to provide collaborative oversight of the Corporate Quality Program, lead the organization’s quality strategy and data analytics teams, and manage clinical improvement programs that improve the lives of those living with kidney disease. She also chairs the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee and the Medical Policy Committee. She is a strong advocate for quality and patient-centered care with a focus on physician and patient education.

Dr. Green grew up in New Orleans and will always consider Louisiana to be her home, but left the South to pursue her undergraduate education at the Johns Hopkins University and her medical degree at Harvard Medical School. After completing her residency and nephrology fellowship training at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, she stayed on as Chief Resident and was an editor of the 31st edition of The Washington Manual of Medicine. She has honed her skills as an astute and compassionate physician in busy inpatient and outpatient settings during seventeen years of clinical practice prior to joining Satellite Healthcare in 2021.

What we do touches real people, who have hopes and dreams. We play a part in their lives. We have to do it right. Research can pave the way to making life better for those we serve!

Dr. Wael Hussein is Chief Medical Officer, Research and Development, at Satellite Healthcare.

Dr. Hussein studied medicine in Sudan, then specialized in nephrology and internal medicine in Ireland through an internationally recognized program. After joining the Stanford Nephrology Fellowship program in 2012, Dr. Hussein moved back to Ireland, where he practiced nephrology at a number of university hospitals. Dr. Hussein joined Satellite Healthcare in 2018 and served in director and vice president positions in research and development before joining the CMO Council in 2022. Dr. Hussein has developed multiple programs for healthcare organizations and published many studies under his name. 

Dr. Hussein received his Bachelor of Medicine degree at the University of Khartoum, and his Master of Science degree in Healthcare Informatics at the University of Bath. He obtained a Certification of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in Internal Medicine and Nephrology from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI). He completed a nephrology fellowship at Stanford University.

My passion is to enable physicians to thrive in the contributions they make to our health care system, in innovative ways that improves care for people with kidney disease. I’m excited to play a role in Satellite Healthcare’s purpose to be a catalyst for the transformation of kidney care.

In his capacity as Satellite Healthcare’s CMO-Innovation, Dr. Raffo will play a central role in developing and overseeing strategies that guide the company’s focus on innovation, including Satellite Healthcare‘s nephrology management services affiliate National Nephrology Alliance, the company’s newly formed Ancillary Services Division, and working with its team of physician executives focused on chronic kidney disease management, value-based care and home dialysis.

Dr. Raffo, a nephrologist, board member and Nephrology – Cardiothoracic Service Line Department Head with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group (PAFMG), has held numerous leadership positions with PAFMG. He also serves as Medical Director of Satellite Healthcare’s Watsonville (CA) Dialysis Center, and Division Chief - Nephrology at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, CA.  He previously served as Chief Resident and Assistant Clinical Professor in Internal Medicine at the University of California-Davis Medical Center. Dr. Raffo graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine after attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from California Polytechnic State University.

Our goal is build software and develop applications to maximize efficiency and productivity for our patient care teams, so that our patients can live their best lives possible.

Sree Kamojjala is an accomplished, versatile technology executive and organizational change leader for healthcare (payer and provider), with a strong technical and engineering background. He brings experience in product development and agile methodology, with a strong continuous integration and continuous delivery, DevOps, and infra-as-a-code mindset, managing various complex engagements to successful completion for large healthcare IT organizations.

Sree has deep technical knowledge in integration and business process management, various claims and billing programs (Facets and Optum), and healthcare clinical management systems (McKesson CCMS and TruCare). He has led the vision, strategy, and roadmap for various clinical initiatives; is a forefront leader for conversion projects involving HIPAA and ICD-9-to-ICD-10 conversion solutions; and is a subject matter expert for domain knowledge in the provider life cycle.

Sree holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a master’s in computer applications.

Ensuring compliance and managing risk is a continuous process to adhere to regulatory guidelines, improve operational efficiencies, and increase quality of care.

Cassandra Pullen is Satellite Healthcare’s Vice President, Risk Management and Chief Compliance Officer, leading compliance with healthcare laws, rules, and regulations. She believes ensuring compliance not only minimizes risk for the organization, but also improves operational efficiencies and contributes to increased quality of patient care.

Prior to joining Satellite Healthcare, Cassandra served as director of compliance at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Faculty Services Organization, and Kaiser Permanente of Ohio. She also served as Senior Director of Ethics and Compliance for Fresenius Medical Care, NA. 

Cassandra received her law degree at Cleveland State University’s Marshall College of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and economic and community development at Bradford College in Massachusetts.

Cassandra is a certified compliance and ethics professional with the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics. She attained her certification in healthcare compliance from the Health Care Compliance Association.

She has provided pro bono work and has served on the boards of several nonprofit charitable organizations for a number of years. 

I go to work every day with a sense of gratitude for the honor of caring for our patients – body, mind, and spirit.

Susie Soares-Phillips excels at inspiring a collective sense of purpose while balancing the needs of patients, employees and physician partners. With her unique breadth and depth of experience in end-stage kidney disease care, Susie’s expertise lies at the intersection of business and care delivery.

Susie leads a suite of health services that underscore our mission of helping patients live their best life possible. She oversees nutrition, social work, and admissions operations and also is responsible for overall patient experience and advocacy. She plays an integral role in the development and implementation of key strategic initiatives across the organization.

Her enduring commitment to Satellite Healthcare began early in her career, when she distinguished herself in clinical roles of increasing responsibility. Susie’s dedication to patient care and her strong business acumen has led her to regional leadership positions in the organization. She was recognized for her talent to instill and nurture Satellite Healthcare’s mission, values and culture in strategic acquisitions in new markets. She quickly became the go-to senior leader to make sure the new centers reflected Satellite Healthcare’s reputation for compassionate, high-quality care and operational excellence.

Susie earned a nursing degree from Modesto Junior College and went on to become a certified nephrology nurse (CNN). She is deeply committed to the kidney health community and is a frequent industry speaker. She has served in leadership roles with a number of national nonprofits, including the American Nephrology Nursing Association and the National Kidney Foundation.

Delivering on our mission depends on building and nurturing a strong team with individuals who feel valued and appreciated.

Dr. Lisa Collings has a passion for helping companies meet their strategic goals by empowering employees to reach their fullest potential.

As Satellite Healthcare’s senior Human Resources executive, Lisa is responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to maximize employee engagement and contribution, while driving workforce excellence and productivity. She provides guidance and oversight for all human resources functions including talent management, compensation and benefits, workforce planning and talent acquisition, employee relations, and employee health.

Lisa came to Satellite Healthcare in 2016 as Head of Talent Management. In 2019, she was promoted to Vice President of Talent Management and Employee Relations, providing support and guidance to the field and home office in all people-related areas. She was instrumental in efforts to ensure the safety and wellness of Satellite Healthcare employees across the country when the COVID-19 pandemic began and during weather-related emergencies. Before joining Satellite Healthcare, Lisa served in increasingly senior HR roles, honing her skills in the areas of talent acquisition, leadership development, and organization development.

She holds a doctorate in organizational psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.

It’s extremely exciting to be on the forefront of the change that is happening in healthcare. My role at Satellite Healthcare enables me to work with payers and physicians to bring the highest quality care to patients with kidney disease.

Jim Glafkides provides executive oversight for Satellite Healthcare’s Value-based Care division. He is also involved in the future direction of kidney care as addressed in the Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health.

Under Jim’s leadership, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) selected Satellite Healthcare to implement a kidney contracting entity model demonstration with the goal of enhancing proactive, preventive, cost-effective kidney care for Medicare beneficiaries with late-stage chronic kidney disease or end-stage kidney disease. Central to this effort is bringing to patients the innovations, high-quality outcomes and convenience associated with home dialysis, while preparing for transplant.

Prior to his role at Satellite Healthcare, Jim was a senior contracts manager and managed a portfolio of hospital, skilled nursing, mental health, home health and value-based dialysis contracts for Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California Region. He worked in collaboration with Kaiser’s health plan/hospital and physician leadership teams to ensure patient access to medical services not provided within the Kaiser integrated system. Prior to his contracting role, he served as an analyst for its end-stage kidney disease operations.

Jim graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a bachelor’s in exercise science – exercise physiology, and Saint Mary’s College with master’s degree in health services administration.

Nothing is more rewarding than informing and connecting people through communications that positively influence behavior and action.

Patrice Smith leads public policy and community benefit efforts at Satellite Healthcare. She tells our story, increases our brand presence, and advocates for our patients. Patrice’s work touches internal and external audiences, including employees, physicians, patients, influencers, media, and policy makers.

Patrice has an extensive background in public relations and communications. Over the past two decades, she has honed her skills in corporate, nonprofit, and agency settings. She has managed high-profile corporate communications departments at healthcare, pharmaceutical and financial services companies. She has focused on executive and employee communications, video production, speaker placements, crisis communications, influencer engagement, and community and government affairs.

Patrice holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from San Jose State University. She also has a certificate from the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program. Over the course of her career, Patrice has received more than 20 awards for her work, including an Emmy nomination for the television series, City Walk, and she is a member of the Public Relations Society of America.

Our nearly fifty-year-long history is guided by our mission of making life better for those living with kidney disease and has its founding in the care we delivery every day with knowledgeable clinicians and business leaders. I am passionate about my role in developing and educating our people, who provide care to the patients we serve and the partners with whom we collaborate.

Kim Spaziani leads an enterprise-wide approach to learning and development to benefit our patients, employees, and partners. She and her team focus on advancing our leadership competencies within the areas of clinical practice, business management, and service excellence.

Prior to joining Satellite Healthcare, Kim held key leadership roles in talent development, adult education, training, and organizational development at MedExpress Urgent Care, a division of UnitedHealth Group, Wesco Aircraft, and Jeppesen/Boeing. She earned a bachelor’s in communication and business administration and a master’s in education in training and organizational development from Pennsylvania State University.

Our goal is to develop long-term strategic partnerships and pave a pathway for organizational growth by successful integration of new centers, creating the best outcomes for our patients.

Jeff Cullinane is the Vice President, Integration and Growth Implementation at Satellite Healthcare. Jeff has a background in Corporate Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Strategy, Acquisition Integration, and Project Management within healthcare and other industries. He comes to Satellite Healthcare from Alterra Mountain Company in Denver, where he was a Director of Financial Planning and Analysis.  Previously he served as a Transactions Director and Division Finance Manager for DaVita, Inc.

Jeff holds an MBA from Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, and a BA from the University of New Hampshire. He earned certificates in Lean Six Sigma, and Project Management from Villanova University. Jeff is a Certified Management Accountant and member of the Institute of Management Accountants.

I am committed to developing and implementing financial strategies and goals that will contribute to the growth of our organization, building on Satellite Healthcare's reputation as an industry leader and provider of outstanding care.

Jose Sanchez is the Vice President of Finance at Satellite Healthcare.

In his role, Jose is responsible for developing our non-profit financial management strategy and participates in developing Satellite's strategic goals, implementing financial and operational policies and procedures, and leading change management. Additionally, Jose directs and coordinates company financial planning and analysis, and budget management functions.

Jose brings considerable financial leadership experience, strategic planning, and cross-functional team leadership skills within the dialysis industry. He recently held a leadership position with DaVita’s Division of Finance. Jose earned both a BS and an MBA from Pepperdine’s Graziadio Business School.

Companies are better able to deliver on their mission when the functions comprising them work arm-in-arm with a unified vision.  Satellite Healthcare’s focus on making life better for those with kidney disease is the North Star that guides everything they do.

Satellite Healthcare was an early adopter of home dialysis and has the highest percentage of patients on this modality. I’m drawn to the organization because of its enduring commitment to treat kidney patients with the most appropriate, individualized and compassionate care for their needs. Satellite Healthcare is a transformational force in the dialysis industry. Together, as a family of healthcare providers and patients, we are working toward individualized and empowered patient care.

Satellite Healthcare’s leaders, clinicians, employees and board members come together with a single focus, to proactively address the impact of chronic kidney disease while finding innovative ways to make the life of each kidney patient the best it can be.

Satellite Healthcare is a national force in delivering strong patient health outcomes and a high degree of patient satisfaction. It builds its operations, innovations and structure around the needs and aspirations of each individual patient.

I’m proud to serve on Satellite Healthcare’s Board because my utmost priority closely mirrors the organization’s mission, which is to make life better for those living with kidney disease.

Helping people with chronic disease change long-held habits is difficult without trained, invested care providers and the right tools to keep them on track. Satellite Healthcare’s holistic, patient-focused care teams empower patients with the information to make decisions for a longer, healthier life.

Satellite’s research focus on how best to deliver care has improved the standard of care within its centers and across the industry. Its patients, and those throughout the chronic kidney disease community, are the better for it.

My goal has always been to create unique experiences for people, from in-person events to phone conversations. No matter the scenario, I want people to leave impacted.

Mark Wolf has extensive experience in event planning, marketing, sales, and fundraising. He builds relationships, grows community awareness, and brings great energy to every room he enters.

Mark knows how to navigate the nonprofit world. His focus has been to create a fundraising culture throughout each organization he’s worked, including Providence Speech and Hearing Center and, most recently, at Thomas House Family Shelter. At Satellite Healthcare, Mark is excited to bring his expertise to kidney care to impact a much larger community across the country.

Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree from Chapman University.

At Satellite Healthcare we put our patients first in all ways, and I am proud to be part of such a caring organization. Driven by our purpose, we are intentional in our efforts to provide a compassionate and caring experience and make a positive impact in the lives of those living with kidney disease.

Lynnette Zuniga Thoreson has been actively involved in fundraising with notable non-profit organizations. She joined the Satellite Foundation for Kidney Health leadership team with 15 years of fundraising experience. Lynnette is committed to changing the lives of kidney patients and improving kidney care through her efforts to raise awareness and seek support for kidney disease.

Her entrepreneurial spirit and ability to engage others in causes she believes in has helped several charities raise awareness and garner support. Lynnette has held several positions for the National Charity League in Huntington Beach, as well as volunteered for several Orange County schools, sports programs and other organizations in Southern California.

Lynnette holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from La Salle University.