Team Members
The Asclepius Initiative is proud and honored to have an exceptional group of passionate, skilled, and highly engaged individuals working to make access to
high quality, affordable healthcare a reality for all Kentuckians-and Americans.
Susan Bornstein, MD, MPH
Founder and CEO
Susan G. Bornstein, MD, MPH is an OBGYN by training. She became so frustrated with
Kevin Pearce, MD, MPH
Co-Vice Chair
Kevin A. Pearce, MD, MPH is a tenured professor in the UK College of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, where
Steve Barger
Board Member; Chair Finance Committee
Steve Barger has over 45 years of experience in providing health care benefits for working families. He has
Liza Creel, PhD
Board Member; Chair Strategic Planning and Metrics Committee
Liza M. Creel is an Associate Professor in the Division of Health Care Policy and Research
Lee Gill, JD
Board Member
Lee Gill has more than 20 years of experience in the diversity field. He is a nationally recognized leader...
Richard Hirth, PhD
Board Member
Richard Hirth, Ph.D. is the S.J. Axelrod Collegiate Professor of Health Management and Policy and Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan. His research
Craig Blakely, PhD, MPH
Chairman of the Board
Dr. Craig Blakely, Dean of the School of Public Health and Information Sciences at the University of Louisville, has
Jeffrey Zakem, MHSA
Secretary
Jeff Zakem, MHSA, brings more than 20 years of experience: designing education to help individuals develop
Tina Bojanowski, PhD
Board Member
Tina is a certified special education teacher who works with students who have learning and behavioral disorders such as autism.
Shireen Deobhakta, PhD
Board Member
Shireen Deobhakta serves as an Evaluation Researcher for REACH Evaluation. She provides expertise in Behavioral Science approaches,
Keesha Gardner
Board Member
Keesha Gardner works as the Services and Data specialist at St. John's Center for Homeless Men, helping her clients obtain
Carole Christian, JD
Co-Vice Chair
Ms. Christian is a partner in the law firm of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP in its Louisville office. Her practice
Bill Jessee, CPA, JD
Treasurer
Bill Jessee is a founder and principal with Henderman, Jessee, and Company, PLLC. Bill has
John Chessare, MD, MPH
Board Member
John B. Chessare, MD, MPH, is the President and CEO of GBMC HealthCare, in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Chessare has
Donna Fiaschetti, CRNA, DNAP
Board Member
Donna Fiaschetti CRNA, DNAP graduated from the New Britain School of Nurse Anesthesia in 1995 and completed her doctoral studies from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011.
Barbara Hadley Smith
Board Member
Barbara Hadley Smith graduated from Indiana University (Bloomington) and worked as a teacher, journalist, and community organizer before
Kimberlee Turner
Board Member; Chair Education & Messaging Committee
Kimberlee Turner is the President/Owner of 5 Star Public Relations, Inc., located in Louisville, Ky. She began her business in 2005.