Meet the DAG team
About David
David has had a 40 year career spanning hospital and health plan administration, managed care, and health economics/outcomes research (HEOR). A 1989 NYU MPA alum, he was a partner and healthcare leader in three consulting firms during the second half of his career, while spending some of the first half in healthcare systems and health plans.
He has been a national speaker for groups such as HFMA, ACHE, NAMCP, ACC, AOA, AUA, etc, and has been published in peer-reviewed outlets such as the American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) with key population health and HEOR messages. He currently teaches healthcare policy and economics at NYU, is also a Fellow with the American College of Health Care Executives (FACHE) and a Special Olympics coach for basketball and tennis.
Career highlights include:
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Negotiated hundreds of revenue-generating managed care agreements between payers and providers (over $1B of incremental revenue secured)
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Co-authored more than a dozen peer-reviewed publications focused on Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR)
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Led five integrated delivery networks (IDNs) that successfully accepted financial risk from health insurance plans
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Managed dozens of financial transformation engagements for provider clients generating at least $25M in incremental revenue
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Assisted all six “national/super regional” health plans with managed care and economic impact assessments
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Managed network development engagements for health plans that resulted in competitive networks for commercial HMO, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid Advantage and I-SNP offerings
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Managed Operating Room, Recovery Room and ICUs at a major NYC academic medical center
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Broadened patient access to several innovative therapies for heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and pain management amongst others through HEOR and market access efforts
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Supported successful healthcare litigation with expert witness testimony for health plan vs health plan disputes
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Also participated in legal disputes/trials involving provider vs provider, provider vs health plan, provider vs state government and provider vs CMS
ABOUT MARY ELLEN
Mary Ellen Kasey is an accomplished healthcare management consultant with extensive experience in managed care contract negotiation, health plan/payer relationship building, and healthcare system transformations to enhance operational efficiencies, care delivery, and profitability. She is an effective communicator who cultivates relationships with chief financial executives, primary care groups, and industry professionals to optimize health outcomes.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Biology, Regis College
Master of Business Administration/Healthcare Management, University of Connecticut
Certified Healthcare Executive (CHE) with Fellow Designation (FACHE), American College of Healthcare Executives
Career highlights include:
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Mary Ellen worked in healthcare management consulting for 10 years at Baker Tilly. While at Baker Tilly, she worked with multiple healthcare systems, hospitals, physician groups, IPAs. PHOs, SNFs and other healthcare providers.
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Projects and programs included navigating the complexities of healthcare administration with emphasis on operations, managed care contracting and claims administration for healthcare systems and provider practices.
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She negotiated key contracts with national and regional health plans, facilitating strategic affiliations.
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Mary Ellen coordinated multiple diverse engagements across Baker Tilly's healthcare practice while facilitating COVID-19 relief funding for providers.
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Prior to Baker Tilly, Mary Ellen provided healthcare consulting services to a diverse portfolio of healthcare clients, as well as managed care contracting for national health plans and insurance companies.
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Known for developing managed care contracting/business development strategies, IPAs, and accountable care networks to address complex provider-payer financial challenges, enhance provider revenue cycles, and foster financial sustainability.
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Specialized in directing healthcare initiatives, supporting healthcare facilities, crafting healthcare consulting strategies, and navigating complex managed care environments to streamline operations and improve patient care delivery.
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Proven success in generating revenue streams through contract negotiations, team leadership, and cost-effective care models deployment.
ABOUT DANIEL
Daniel Buck is an accomplished senior executive in the healthcare and clinical laboratory sectors, with over 25 years of global experience spanning oncology, biotechnology, and diagnostics organizations. Currently serving as Vice President of Operations at Cellsbin, Inc., a precision medicine technology company, Daniel leads laboratory operations leveraging artificial intelligence for advanced rare cell-based diagnostics. His previous leadership roles include Chief Operating Officer and General Manager at Wren Laboratories, guiding strategic expansion of novel oncology diagnostics and overseeing laboratory operations during the critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic. His diverse consulting background showcases his capabilities in operational improvement, value-based strategy, and complex project execution across healthcare organizations.
Education
Daniel holds a BA in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy from Duke University, anMBA in Health Care Management from Boston University, and MPH magna cum laude in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from Yale University. He is currently a Doctor of Business Administration candidate at Fairfield University, focusing his dissertation on the value-based pricing of immunotherapies using Medicare claims data. Daniel is recognized for his ability to align clinical, operational, and research strategies to achieve organizational goals and is a respected leader in laboratory innovation and commercialization.
Career highlights include:
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Daniel’s extensive laboratory background features executive positions at Precision forMedicine, Pathologists Diagnostic Laboratory, Vermillion, Inc., and a decade atLaboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp), where he managed international companion diagnostic studies and regulatory submissions.
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He has led initiatives that introduced innovative diagnostic technologies, expanded commercial laboratory operations, and achieved significant revenue growth through strategic partnerships and clinical trial management.
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In addition to his laboratory diagnostics background, Daniel Buck’s healthcare consulting experience includes roles at Prescott Associates, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, and Ernst & Young, where he advised clients across the life sciences and healthcare sectors.
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At Baker Tilly, he managed and developed consulting engagements focused on economic value proposition creation, post-approval commercialization, and clinical trial management for medical device and diagnostics companies, participating in large-scale post-marketing trials and developing budget impact models published in peer-reviewed literature.
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At Ernst & Young, Daniel provided consulting expertise in physician practice evaluation, laboratory contract review, business plan development, and laboratory information system implementation, serving both academic and community medical centers and assisting with compliance audits, coding reviews, and operational optimization.
ABOUT DENNIS
Dr. Scotti is Emeritus Professor of Healthcare & Life Sciences at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he held the prestigious Alfred E. Driscoll Endowed Professorship in Healthcare and Life Sciences Management until his transition to part-time service in 2020. Dr. Scotti previously taught as an assistant professor at Rutgers University. His research interests include clinical epidemiology, population health, healthcare quality assessment, cost-effectiveness of medical technology. Dr. Scotti has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed scholarly and professional journals and served on the editorial board for several publishing outlets.
Aside from teaching and research, Dr. Scotti co-founded the healthcare consulting firm Presscott Associates, Ltd. in 1989, and served as its executive vice president. Presscott Associates. Ltd. was acquired by Parente-Beard, LLC in 2013 and subsequently merged with Baker Tilly, LLC in 2014 where he remained active as a principal and firm director until his retirement in 2018. Dr. Scotti presently maintains an active practice as an independent life sciences consultant.
Education
Dr. Scotti earned a Ph.D. in healthcare management and a M.S. degree in healthcare finance (both from Temple University), an MBA degree (from Adelphi University, NY), and a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences from S.U.N.Y. at Stoney Brook. He is also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA) and is affiliated with a variety of professional and scholarly organizations. He is board certified in healthcare management (CHE), a certified managed care specialist (CSMC), a certified professional in healthcare quality (CPHQ), and a certified healthcare financial professional (CHFP). He currently holds appointments to the Regents Advisory Council of New Jersey and to the board of trustees Quality of Patient Care Committee for CentraState Healthcare System.
Career highlights include:
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Recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Faculty Award for Research and Scholarship and the New Jersey Business and Industry Council 2105 Bright Idea Award. Dr. Scotti has also earned the Regent’s Leadership Award and Service Recognition Award, both conferred by the American College of Healthcare Executives.
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Recipient of the the William G. Fulmer Bronze Award, the Robert H. Reeves Silver Award, the Frederick T. Muncie Gold Award, and the Medal of Honor, all granted by the Healthcare Financial Management Association.
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He was also the co-recipient of a Best Theory to Practice Award by the Academy of Management.
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Added to these honors, his biography has been published in more than 50 editions of Who’s Who, including Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Education, and Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare.
