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Leadership

Hero Practice Services Leadership Team

Kevin Lawton

Chief Executive Officer

Kevin is an experienced executive of clinician-led businesses. He grew his career providing business support services, developing infrastructure, and serving in nearly every operational role across multiple healthcare organizations. Lawton brings a wealth of experience operating and expanding multi-site healthcare businesses to Hero. Most recently, he led operations for Pacific Dental Services in several states and supported more than 200 dental practices. Prior to Pacific Dental, he served as Regional Vice President for Banfield Pet Hospitals, the largest general veterinary practice in the world.

Lawton grew up in Colorado and now resides in the Phoenix area. When he is not working, Kevin enjoys spending time with his son, Luke and his twin daughters, Avery and Gabriella.

Julie Serewicz

Chief Financial Officer

Julie leads accounting, financial planning and analysis, revenue cycle management and procurement. Julie earned her BBA and MBA at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. Julie came to Hero with extensive experience in senior financial leadership roles in multi-site, high growth healthcare organizations. She has a broad range of experience spanning multiple specialties and partners with operations to create the optimal balance of quality care and fiscal accountability. Julie joined Hero for the opportunity to continue to pursue her passion to deliver quality care to underserved populations.

Eleanor Kasper

Chief Compliance Officer & General Counsel

A native of St. Simons Island, GA, Eleanor attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her undergraduate degree and Mercer University for law school before completing a federal clerkship in the Southern District of Georgia. She then spent years working for two international law firms before joining Hero. As the Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel, Eleanor loves being able to put her legal background and skills to work for the benefit of underserved children. She has always had a heart for underprivileged communities and has been part of various mission-driven volunteer programs, both in the United States and Africa.

In her free time, Eleanor enjoys skiing, camping and adventuring with her husband, son and two pups.

Paul Olson

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

In his role as Chief Information Officer, Mr. Olson is responsible for Information Technology, Facilities and Construction. Prior to joining Hero Practice Services, Mr. Olson served in the U.S. Army where his initial leadership training started as a non-commissioned officer. After leaving military service, Mr. Olson worked in information technology support roles at Schriever AFB and Peterson AFB. While at Peterson AFB, Mr. Olson worked to support NORAD/USSPACECOM and was promoted to the J624 IT Help Desk Manager role to support NORAD/USNORTHCOM and is a plank owner of US Northern Command. Mr. Olson transitioned to healthcare in 2007 and worked in senior leadership as the Vice President of Information Technology at Peak Vista Community Health Centers. Joining Hero Practice Services in 2016 as the Vice President of Information Technology, Mr. Olson was promoted to Chief Information Officer in 2017.

Olson finished his bachelor’s and master’s programs at Colorado Technical University. He is also an alumnus of Leadership Pikes Peak. Paul is passionate about serving patients and ensuring Hero’s mission is accomplished each day.

REBECCA MISNER, DMD

VICE PRESIDENT OF CLINICAL OPERATIONS

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.”

MICHAEL PHARRIS, OD

OPTOMETRY CLINICAL DIRECTOR

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.

JOHN DURUSSEL, DDS, MS

ORTHODONTIC CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. John DuRussel was born and raised in Brighton, Colorado. He attended college at Michigan State University where he studied Human Physiology then went on to obtain a Masters Degree in Biomedical Science at the Wayne State School of Medicine. Dr. DuRussel earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, hailed as one of the top dental schools in the world. He then continued his training at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Masters of Science in Orthodontics and was fortunate to have some of the leading Orthodontists in the country as his mentors. Dr. DuRussel loves his work transforming his patients’ smiles while watching their self-confidence grow. Dr. DuRussel helps to open and transition new Hero Orthodontic offices. Dr. DuRussel is responsible for defining, training and auditing our orthodontic standards of care and acts as a resource to all Hero Practice Services orthodontists for procedural and individual patient consultation.

Travis Hill

Vice President, Eastern/Mid-West Operations & Specialty Services

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.

Erik Kleven

Vice President, Western Operations & Vision Services

A native of Colorado, Erik attended Colorado State University and brings an extensive background in Operations and Leadership. He joined Hero Practice Services 2020 and is passionate about our mission and our focus on increasing access to quality care for kids in underserved communities. He believes there is no greater calling than to serve others, and the team at Hero is doing that every day by being advocates for our patients.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time in the great outdoors with his wife, two sons, dogs, and anyone else who would like to tag along!

Chris Pershin

Vice President of Facilities and Information Technology

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.

Alissa Pope

Vice President of People Services

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.

Lynn Robbins

Vice President of Accounting

Lynn is a Certified Public Accountant originally from Washington State. She attended Western Washington University where she earned a double major in Accounting and Management Information Systems. She started her career in public accounting, specializing in the health care audits. The years spent auditing many organizations of differing sizes and structures provided a broad understanding of business accounting. She prides herself on creating an organized monthly process that results in reliable financial data to further the goals of the company in advocating for each patient.

In her free time she enjoys baking for friends and family, binging Netflix with her husband and playing games with her three kids.

Janelle Shumaker

Vice President, Payor Relations and Marketing

Janelle joined the Hero team in 2009. During her time at Hero, she has developed the Community Outreach Department, oversees all Marketing functions and developed the Payor Relations department. Through her role in Payor Relations, she works closely with state Medicaid programs, commercial insurance companies and participates in government affairs committees to advocate for children’s healthcare at the highest levels.

Janelle received her Bachelor’s in Communications and Marketing from University of Colorado and her Master’s in Education from Regis University. Her experience in elementary education and passion for helping children is what drives her to improve the lives of children across the country.

In her free time, Janelle enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends. As a Colorado native, she partakes in many outdoor activities with her three very active dogs (2 Australian Shepherds and a Border Collie).

Craig BArry

Vice President of recruiting

A greater Boston resident his entire life, Craig Barry comes to Hero with 15+ years of progressive recruiting leadership experience. Craig previously spent 8 years overseeing day-to-day dentist recruitment efforts at a national dental service organization. He believes that recruiters are the lifeblood of growing organizations and hopes to give each candidate a pleasant and professional experience.

Craig has a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Stonehill College and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts. While he’s not trying to find providers to join the Hero team, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and daughter, doing monthly bar trivia with his friends, and loudly and obnoxiously rooting for Boston sports teams

Dr. Sheila Brown

Dental Clinical Director

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.