Emerging Needs in a Changing World

Keynote Address

Thomas Harris, Jr., will provide an overview of emerging healthcare needs as he sees them—spanning fast-moving technology and AI, opportunities in workforce recruitment, employee health and well-being, and innovative models that help to connect care and reduce costs across the healthcare sector. 
 

Thomas Harris, Jr., FACHE, is the Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer at Gillette Children's in Saint Paul, Minnesota. 

With more than 24 years of healthcare experience, Harris is a board-certified healthcare executive who is known for his leadership in employee engagement, change management, and performance improvement. In his current role, he oversees patient care operations across hospital, clinic, ancillary, and integrated-care services for all Gillette sites.

Harris holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Dillard University and a master's in health administration from Tulane University. An influential figure in the healthcare community, he serves as vice chair of the Board for LifeSource, president-elect for the National Association of Health Services Executives-Heartland Chapter, and advisory board member for the Health Services Management program, part of U of M CCAPS.

Panel Discussion

Following the keynote, CCAPS Dean Radhika Seshan will moderate a panel discussion among healthcare professionals on the front lines of these changes. Together, they will share the innovative solutions they are using to meet these challenges head-on.
 

Dr. Brooke Cunningham is the commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Health, the state’s lead public health agency. Prior to being appointed commissioner, Cunningham was appointed assistant commissioner for the Health Equity Bureau, through which she oversaw the Center for Health Equity, the Office of American Indian Health, the COVID-19 Health Equity Team, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

A general internist, sociologist, and assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota, Cunningham also is a primary care provider at the Community-University Health Care Clinic, a federally qualified Minneapolis health clinic. 

Previously, she codirected the Medical School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Thread in medical education. In 2021, she was selected as one of four inaugural recipients of the U of M’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award. 

Cunningham holds doctorates in medicine and sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in history and African American studies from the University of Virginia.

Mary DaSilva (HSM '22), is an inspirational leader who manages the Interpreter Services Department at Hennepin Healthcare in Minnesota. DaSilva is a dedicated advocate for improving healthcare access for Limited English Proficient (LEP) and Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHoH) patients. She is passionate about promoting positive patient experiences and eliminating language barriers that may hinder healthcare access. 

In her work, DaSilva uses innovative technology to advocate for prompt language access and to expand remote language services, improving healthcare access for LEP/DHoH patients. Her efforts have contributed significantly to Hennepin Healthcare Systems' reputation for excellence in patient care, and her ongoing advocacy led to Governor Tim Walz declaring September 30th as Healthcare Interpreter Day in Minnesota.

DaSilva holds a bachelor's degree in Health Services Management from CCAPS, and certificates in Healthcare Interpretation and Applied Business from the University of Minnesota. 

Dr. Tom Hegblom (ICP '10) is a lecturer in CCAPS's Integrated Behavioral Health and Addictions Counseling programs. His teaching and research interests include issues related to culture and human diversity, specifically queer- and trans-affirmative mental healthcare. Hegblom also is interested in ethical considerations within the counseling field, postmodern counseling theories, expanding critical thinking among counselors, and developing the self-efficacy of counseling students.

He sees clients at a group private practice and is involved in various state, regional, and national professional organizations. 

Hegblom holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Walden University, an MA in Counseling from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies, and a BA focused on youth studies, Spanish, and educational psychology through CCAPS's Inter-College Program.

Sameer Siraj is a senior vice president at Norstella, where he plays a crucial role in facilitating access to life-saving therapies for patients and providers. In his current role, he leads product, business, and growth strategy across multiple businesses that support pharmaceutical customers within the payer, provider, and patient ecosystems.

Siraj previously held senior leadership positions at ServiceNow, OptumInsight, GetWellNetwork, and Seagate Technology, among other businesses. He has a diverse background in healthcare, working with health plans, device manufacturers, and hospital systems in B2B2C environments, driving consumer interaction and digital health solutions. 

He’s passionate about promoting health equity and patient engagement through the optimal use of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Siraj holds an MBA in Health Sector Management from Duke University and an MSEE and BSEE.

Dr. Radhika Seshan (moderator) became the Dean CCAPS in July 2024. Prior to that, she was dean of the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University and dean of San Diego State University Global Campus. 

Seshan has an extensive record of success in developing and sustaining professional and community education programs. She led transformative initiatives to elevate student success, build international partnerships, and enhance the brand and reach of programs that serve professional, global, and lifelong learners. Before her work in higher education, she held leadership roles in the technology industry. 

Seshan is committed to building collaborations across the University and relationships with external stakeholders, including business and industry leaders, to assess workforce needs, enhance programs, and expand learning and career opportunities for students.

Seshan holds a PhD in economics from the University of Houston and a BA from the University of Chennai, India.