Hero Practice Services Leadership Team

Julie brings over 20 years’ experience in legal and business operations to her role as General Counsel at Hero Practice Services, including over 10 years serving health care organizations. Julie is a first-generation college graduate who started her career in high school as a janitor in the local courthouse and worked up to leading legal operations in successful organizations. Her professional career began in higher education managing a highly successful finance team, where she developed a passion for servant leadership and operational efficiencies. Julie then decided to pivot her career to pursue a legal degree while working full time. Following law school, Julie began working in health care as a risk manager overseeing multiple critical access hospitals and rural clinics. She then transitioned to a managed care organization where she developed and directed a compliance and privacy program, health information department, organizational risk management, and internal auditing. Most recently, Julie served as legal counsel to a large health care system in the Midwest where she was subject matter expert on compliance, privacy, regulatory, and financial matters. Julie is excited to be a part of Hero where she can collaborate with operational and clinical team members across the country who all serve the same mission.

Outside of work, Julie is a proud mother to her two amazingly unique children. She is a passionate disability and autism advocate who strives to make the world a safer place for her son. Julie also enjoys downhill skiing, hiking, reading, music, and traveling to “da UP” (Upper Peninsula of Michigan) where she was born and raised.

Dr. Rebecca Misner is Hero Practice Services’ Vice President of Clinical Operations for Dental. In this role, Dr. Misner directly leads and trains Hero’s regional dental leadership across seven states. She travels across the country supporting dentists with both mentorship and training. Additionally, Dr. Misner actively practices across the Front Range of Colorado and has vast experience in treating children in low-income, underserved communities, including children with special needs. Her clinical emphasis is on treating those children who have large treatment plans and may need full mouth reconstruction of the dentition (completed either while the child is awake or while they are placed under general anesthesia by a dental anesthesiologist).

Dr. Misner chairs the Hero Clinical Leadership Board, which sets clinical direction for providers in Hero’s network. She holds a doctorate of dental medicine from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and a bachelor of science degree from Montana State University. She also holds dental licenses from the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Washington, Oklahoma, Indiana, California and Maryland and in the District of Columbia.

“I love this job. I get to teach the newest members of the team while still being able to provide dental care for the patients. It is very rewarding to meet parents that are so grateful to have a welcoming dental home for their kids. Every day, I feel like I’m able to make a difference.”

Dr. Pharris oversees optometric clinical quality for Hero Practice Service, leading the eye care program since 2007. Dr. Pharris has been practicing eye care for over 25 years and has specialized in pediatric eye care for more than 15 years. He is passionate about closing the gap of untreated childhood vision issues and making sure children’s eyes and their visual systems are functioning to help them learn and develop properly. Dr. Pharris is responsible for defining Hero’s clinical guidelines and training and coaching the optometric staff to deliver consistent, top quality vision care. Born in Southern California and raised in Colorado Springs, Michael Pharris graduated with a Biological Sciences degree from Colorado State University in 1985. He then went on to Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon, where he received his Doctorate of Optometry degree in 1989.

After starting a family and embarking on a journey into business, Laurie decided to meld her business acumen with her innate desire to care for people.  She attended Park University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a minor in Biology.  Dr. Thompson then received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri – St Louis, graduating with honors.  During her time in St Louis, she developed a passion for community health and ensuring access to care.

Starting with Hero at a single-provider office in Colorado, Dr. Thompson always prioritized the delivery of high-quality eyecare to every patient while holding herself and her team to high ethical standards.  Now, in her role as National Optometry Director, she helps oversee and set the clinical standards for care delivered to patients across the country.  Dr. Thompson is dedicated to fostering a culture of teamwork and mentoring those around her in leadership skills that can be used in all facets of life.

In her time away from work, Laurie enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her husband, family, and friends. 

Dr. John DuRussel was born and raised in Brighton, Colorado. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, which is consistently ranked as the top dental school in the world. He then continued his training at the university, earning a Master of Science in Orthodontics while being mentored by some of the leading orthodontists in the country.

Dr. DuRussel loves transforming his patients’ smiles, watching their self-confidence grow, and getting to know their families throughout treatment. Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering for community groups, and mountaineering. Dr. DuRussel is responsible for defining, training, and auditing orthodontic standards of care, and he acts as a resource to all Hero Practice Services orthodontists for procedural and individual patient consultations.

Dr. Sheila has been with Hero DVO for 10 years and is licensed and practices in CO, NM, KS, and OK. She was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and she graduated from Regis University. She earned her DDS from Creighton University School of Dentistry. After dental school, Dr. Sheila earned her Master’s in Public Health from Creighton University. She then worked in community health and completed an AEGD at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Dr. Sheila is active with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and served on the Council on Clinical Affairs Committee for 6 years contributing to the AAPD Reference Manual.

Jeff comes to Hero with 25 years as an operations leader in the vision and dental field.  He has extensive experience specifically with provider relations and talent development.  Most recently he led operations for a dental group with over 100 locations across 7 western US states. Jeff spent many years with Pacific Dental Services serving in a variety of roles including opening and leading a new market in New England as the Regional Partner. 

In his spare time, Jeff enjoys hiking, skiing, and traveling with his family. 

Travis comes to Hero Practice services with over 20 years experience in the medical and dental field. His experience ranges from pharmaceuticals with Johnsons and Johnson, surgical sales and support with Nobel Biocare, managing specialty services for Pacific Dental Services across 5 states and 200 offices, and most recently VP of Specialty for Children’s Choice Healthcare Services. Travis is a dedicated leader who prioritizes the betterment of patients, his team, and the organization. Travis has always had a passion for working with children from a young age, Travis spent many years working and volunteering in hospital pediatric units and pediatric ICU’s.

In his spare time, Travis can be found doing just about anything outdoor related with his wife, four daughters, and their dog Penny.

Joshua is the Vice President of Accounting at Hero, where he oversees the financial operations and strategic financial planning of the organization, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role.

In his current position, Joshua is responsible for managing the accounting department, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and providing strategic guidance on financial matters. He plays a key role in financial reporting, helping to drive the company’s financial performance and growth.

Prior to joining Hero, Joshua held various leadership positions in accounting and finance at Deloitte and a multi-site company experiencing massive growth with over 100 locations. During this time, he successfully led initiatives to improve financial processes, enhance internal controls, and optimize financial performance. Additionally, Joshua has over 20 years of operational experience across multiple industries, giving him a broad perspective on financial management.

Outside of work, Joshua is passionate about staying active through outdoor activities and is actively involved in community service. He enjoys spending time with his two daughters and is deeply committed to his faith, which is a cornerstone of his life. Joshua also loves attending live music events, which helps him maintain a well-rounded and fulfilling lifestyle.

A native of Colorado, Chris attended Colorado State University–Pueblo receiving an undergraduate degree in Computer Information Systems. He has worked in the group practice space for 15+ years. As the Vice President of Information Technology and Facilities, Chris loves to work in the day-to-day operations of both departments ensuring the offices are open to serve our patients.

In his free time, he enjoys life with his wonderful wife and three children.

A native of the great state of Arizona, Alissa attended the University of Arizona receiving her undergraduate degree. After moving to California upon graduation she found her way into the dental field with a large dental support organization growing practices and developing her team to serve patients’ needs. Guiding and developing teams has been her passion for the last 19 years in the dental field which has led her to her current role, VP of People Services. Alissa’s greatest joy is seeing her team reach new heights they did not realize they could accomplish, especially when it impacts a patient’s life!

In her free time, she enjoys working out at Orange Theory and photography, especially catching those special sporting moments of her three boys.

Janelle joined the Hero team in 2009. During her time at Hero, she played a role in several core functions, including developing the Community Outreach Department, supporting and overseeing marketing initiatives, and establishing the Payor Relations department. In her current role in Payor Relations, she partners closely with state Medicaid programs, Managed Care Organizations, commercial plans, and industry stakeholders to strengthen access to care through strategic payor partnerships. She focuses on advancing reimbursement strategies that support provider networks and expand care for underserved populations. She is also actively engaged in government relations efforts, collaborating with state agencies, legislators, and industry associations to advocate for policies that protect and expand children’s healthcare services.

Janelle received her bachelor’s degree in communications and marketing from the University of Colorado and her master’s degree in education from Regis University. Her background in elementary education, combined with her passion for serving children, continues to drive her commitment to improving access to high-quality care for underserved populations across the country. In her free time, Janelle enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends. As a Colorado native, she takes advantage of the outdoors and stays busy with her three highly energetic dogs—two Border Collies and an Australian Shepherd.

Jennifer Frueh brings over 15 years of extensive marketing experience, coupled with a profound understanding of dental and healthcare industries, to her role as the Vice President of Marketing at Hero Practice Services. With a career marked by continuous growth and leadership, Jennifer has excelled in various management roles, leveraging her expertise to drive strategic marketing initiatives and deliver tangible results. Graduating from Colorado Christian University for Communications and Marketing, Jennifer combines academic knowledge with real-world experience to craft innovative marketing strategies that resonate with diverse audiences.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Jennifer finds joy and fulfillment in her role as a partner to Josh and a mother to their 17-year-old daughter, Carly Ana. Whether cheering on Carly Ana at volleyball games on the weekends or embarking on adventures with her family.

Jennifer’s life and work are deeply rooted in her faith and her commitment to serving others. Jennifer’s faith is not only a source of personal strength and guidance but also informs her professional ethos and values. She is driven by a profound sense of compassion and a desire to emulate Christ’s love and compassion in all aspects of her life. With her unwavering dedication to her work, her family, and her faith, Jennifer embodies the qualities of a compassionate leader, a devoted parent, and a passionate advocate for excellence in marketing and healthcare.

A lifelong resident of the greater Boston area, Craig Barry brings more than 15 years of progressive recruiting leadership experience to Hero. Prior to joining the team, he spent eight years overseeing day-to-day dentist recruitment efforts at a national dental service organization. Craig firmly believes that recruiters are the lifeblood of growing organizations, and he is dedicated to giving every candidate a pleasant, professional, and “red-carpet” experience.  In his role at Hero, Craig oversees a dedicated team of three recruiters and leads strategic planning for talent acquisition. His comprehensive operational scope includes managing doctor contract negotiations, vendor relationships, and agency relations. Craig also supports critical organizational initiatives, including provider immigration, credentialing, doctor onboarding, and retention strategies to ensure long-term clinical success.

Craig holds a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Stonehill College and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts. When he is not working to bring top doctors to the Hero team, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and daughter. You can also find him participating in monthly pub trivia with friends or loudly rooting for his favorite Boston sports teams,