Research.
Strategy.
Transformation.
CONSULTING FOR VALUE
We help healthcare clients manage change and identify commercially viable strategies for growth at the intersection of payment, policy, and delivery.
MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Primary and secondary research into market
drivers, market size, growth opportunities,
competitive landscape, and market tolerance considering healthcare payment reform and epidemiological shifts.
STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR GROWTH
Strategic facilitation and planning to develop impact oriented earned revenue strategies for competitive growth considering risk based contracting, value based care, and population health.
GO-TO MARKET
STRATEGY
Growth oriented strategy for commercialization including consumer engagement, digital marketing, channel access, GTM strategy, public/private partnerships, and demand generation to drive service delivery.
DEVELOPMENT & CONTRACTING
Business development and strategy for contract negotiations on shared risk/shared savings to drive earned revenue and sustainability to enhance mission.
The Focus Group represents decades of work and expertise across all 50 states and across 15 countries.
Client segments include:
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
Hospital and health systems
CINs and IDNs
Multi-specialty providers
Ancillary care providers
Behavioral health
Home health and hospice
Skilled nursing facilities
INVESTORS
Private equity
Venture capital
Angel
Family offices
Opportunity zone funds
PHARMA
Retail / mass market
PBMs
Wholesalers
Mail order pharmacies
Manufacturers
PAYORS
Medicaid MCOs
Medicare Advantage
Commercial
LTSS/MLTSS
State Medicaid Offices
ACOs (commercial and Medicare)
Risk based contracts
MEDICAL DEVICE &
HEALTH TECH
Diagnostics
Therapeutics
EMR
Compliance
Revenue Cycle
PUBLIC HEALTH & NON-PROFIT
Community foundations
FQHCs and CBOs
State and local health departments
School-based health
Global health programs
K-12 / early childhood education
INNOVATION PROGRAMS
The Focus Group is committed to building new innovation programs across Medicaid and Medicare payors and providers . This is coordinated through Adaptation Health
MEET US
The Focus Group is founded on the principles of innovation, value, and growth. It combines decades of commercialization experience and utilizes dozens of subject matter experts to deliver value. We have deep expertise in public health, healthcare, and non-profits and understand the complex needs of patients, clients, and consumers.
We attempt to find critical pain points and focus on effective solutions that maximize your resources and respond to the needs of clients and their customers.
DAVID KULICK, MPH
Managing Director
David Kulick is the founder and Managing Director of The Focus Group. He is an innovation and commercialization expert having worked for the last 15 years focusing on population health, high impact earned revenue generation, and transformation. David has worked with nearly every F500 healthcare organization across payors, providers, and life science organizations in private and government market delivery. David is a national expert in SDOH and population health having worked on advanced delivery and risk models across all 50 states.
Early in his career, he worked with communities and vulnerable populations as an AmeriCorps Volunteer and then with the U.S. Peace Corps in South Africa. David earned his MPH from Tulane University, Bachelors in Chemistry from the University at Buffalo. David lives in New Orleans with his wife, four children, and dog.
ALEX RICH
Managing Director
Alex Rich is an experienced business transformation leader with deep expertise in designing and deploying strategic programs that produce meaningful results. He has partnered with leaders across the healthcare verticals to solve business challenges and grow the bottom line.
Prior to The Focus Group, Alex worked with Platinum Equity's Portfolio Operations team to improve the performance of their holdings and was most recently VP Transformation at LifeScan, a market leader in glucose monitoring owned by Platinum.
Before focusing on healthcare and private equity portfolio improvement, he served a variety of Fortune 50 clients within Deloitte Consulting's Strategy & Operations group and completed a Commercial rotational program at BP.
ELAINE HORTON
Principal
Elaine is a healthcare innovator with experience across provider, payer, medical technologies, and life sciences sectors. Early in her career, she advised Fortune 500 companies and large health systems in Deloitte's Strategy and Operations practice. Most recently, she led commercial strategy for Acessa Health, a venture-backed gynecology medical device company to successful exit by acquisition. Elaine studied at The University of Texas at Austin in the Canfield Business Honors Program with a degree in Finance and Economics.
NICOLE OISHI
Principal
Nicole brings 30 years of experience as a healthcare clinician and executive. Nicole started her career as a front-line nurse, which drove her passion to improve healthcare. This led her into senior leadership roles across diverse healthcare organizations, giving her both a broad and deep understanding of the healthcare system. Nicole initially focused on traditional organizations, leading healthcare purchasing as the Administrator for the Washington State Health Care Authority, as the General Manager for Regence’s Self-Funded business and later as Vice President of Clinical Services across all lines of business for Regence (Cambia). Nicole became interested in the use of technology to solve healthcare problems and served as the Head of Success at Collective Medical and the VP of Product Innovation at Matrix. Prior to joining The Focus Group, Nicole served as the Chief Operations Officer for Asserta Health.
R.J. BRISCIONE
Principal
R.J. is an expert in operations and patient/member engagement across government-sponsored plans, with a focus on Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). Prior to joining The Focus Group, R.J. Briscione led SDoH for CVS Health, scaling SDoH Strategy across the CVS Health enterprise for all lines of CVS and Aetna business. Prior to this role, R.J. led Medicaid Business Development for Aetna’s East Region across all stages of proposal response for multi year, Medicaid managed care contracts, new product creation, and renewal & de novo business growth. Prior to joining Aetna, R.J. served as director of Medicaid and Duals Operations in multiple states for Anthem and before that he worked for the Georgia House of Representatives. He holds a BS in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
PATRICK WOODS, MBA
Principal
Patrick has developed deep strategy, finance, and operational expertise over 18+ years of experience spanning startups and $100B+ corporations in a variety of industries. He enjoys working alongside clients and colleagues to create and implement strategies amidst complex and ambiguous situations. A maximizer at heart, Patrick has accrued technological savvy to help scale the impact of his work. He earned his MBA at Emory University Goizueta Business School and AB at The University of Chicago
SUPRIYA LAKNIDHI, MBA
Principal
Supriya is a healthcare strategy, product, and operations leader with over 15 years of experience in a variety of healthcare roles. She spent many years in healthcare strategy at Boston Consulting Group, Optum, and Aetna and many years leading new product areas, such as Medicaid Behavior Change and Women's Health at CVS Health. Most recently, Supriya was the COO of an early-stage startup in the behavioral health space. Supriya holds a B.S. in Economics and Biology from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
KYLE MURPHY, MBA
Senior Consultant
Kyle is a researcher and process expert with deep experience in commercial diligence, competitive research, and market strategy. Kyle served in AmeriCorps and worked as an elementary school teacher at a high-needs school and in non-profit operations. He focuses his work on addressing vulnerable populations' needs and facilitating innovation in Medicaid.
He holds a BA in History and Political Science from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Loyola University New Orleans.
BRITTANY BICKFORD, MPH
Senior Consultant
Brittany Bickford is a strategist and expert researcher with over 10 years experience leading local and national evaluation, data analysis, performance management, and public health programs. Brittany is driven by a passion for using data to develop innovative strategies that improve the health of vulnerable populations. Prior to her public health career, she served as a Community Health Peace Corps volunteer in Swaziland. She holds a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Michigan State University and an MPH from Tulane University.
HOMAN MOHAMMADI, MBA
Consultant
Homan focuses on post-merger integrations and complex transformations having worked with dozens of healthcare provider on M&A and post acquisition operations, Homan started his career at McKinsey, where he served Fortune 500s on M&A and post-merger integrations. Homan has an AB in neurobiology and an MBA from Harvard University.
DAVID SCHULTE, MBA
Consultant
David Schulte is an expert at understanding the dynamic qualities that govern public markets and the forces that act on businesses and organizations over time. David focuses on commercial and market research to drive strategy and organizational growth efforts. Prior to joining TFG, David earned a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University of New Orleans. David has spent his former life as an agent of change for small businesses in a variety of markets and modalities.
In his spare time, David shares his operational and financial management knowledge with small nonprofits in the arts and in healthcare.
JAZMINE VENTURANZA, MPH
Consultant
Jazmine is an expert in research and evaluation, with extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative methods, data collection and analyses, and reporting and dissemination to diverse audiences. She is particularly skilled at conducting feasibility studies and needs assessments, as well as synthesizing and translating findings into actionable items and strategies. Jazmine works with public and private programs to improve population health, enhance patient care, and address the needs of vulnerable communities through data-driven practices. She earned her MPH from Tufts University and BS in Human Biology, Health, & Society from Cornell University.
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