Bronson System Executive Leadership Team

Martinson Arnan, MD, is vice president and chief clinical officer for Bronson Medical Group. His responsibilities include supporting the development and cascading of system-wide clinical strategy for Bronson. He oversees all provider related issues, engagement and productivity as well as an aligned compensation and contracting process. He is also responsible for creating a unified group culture and advancing clinical integration through collaboration with key partners outside of BMG.

Dr. Arnan received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed both his residency in Neurology and a fellowship in Vascular Neurology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School and a Master of Science Degree in Clinical and Population Translation Sciences from Wake Forest University.

Marla Atkinson, MSN, RN is vice president, chief nurse officer for Bronson Methodist Hospital. She has more than 15 years of experience in healthcare leadership including clinical operations in both inpatient and procedural areas.

Atkinson graduated from the Bronson School of Nursing with a diploma in nursing and subsequently began her nursing career in 1993 as a nurse in the Step Down/Medical Intensive Care units at Bronson.

After many years working at the bedside in critical care, she returned to school and earned her bachelor’s of science and master’s in nursing degrees from Western Michigan University. Active in the community, she is a past president of Hospital Hospitality House of Southwest Michigan.

Laurel Barber is vice president of operations for Bronson Medical Group. She is responsible for the operations, financial performance, strategic plan development and oversight of provider recruitment and employment agreements as well as provider compensation.

Barber has nearly 30 years of healthcare leadership experience in both acute care and ambulatory settings. She graduated from Bronson School of Nursing with a diploma in nursing and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan, graduating magna cum laude. After many years practicing nursing in the neonatal intensive care unit at Bronson Methodist Hospital, she assumed leadership roles for Bronson Children’s Hospital and pediatric subspecialty practices. Barber is a certified medical practice executive with the American College of Medical Practice Executives.

Sue (Reinoehl) Birch oversees system-wide strategic planning, corporate communications, and board development.

Birch has over 33 years of experience in health care administration. She has held many roles at Bronson including outpatient services, operations, physician recruitment and development, physician practice administration, regional development, planning, marketing, and service line administration. Prior to joining Bronson, Birch was the system vice president for physician support services at Oakwood Healthcare System in Dearborn, Michigan.

Birch received her Master of Health Services Administration in Hospital Administration from the University of Michigan and her Bachelor of Arts in Business from Michigan State University. She served on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners and is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. She has served on many community boards including Leadership Kalamazoo, Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, West Michigan Cancer Center, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Bronson Lakeview Foundation and United Way of the Battle Creek and the Kalamazoo Region.

Ken Buechele is vice president of information technology. His responsibilities include system-wide oversight of clinical information technology for Bronson Healthcare.

Buechele joined Bronson in 2003. Prior to his current role, Buechele served as director of information technology responsible for the implementation and support of Bronson’s enterprise electronic health record (EPIC). His earlier career includes work in software development at Country Insurance in Bloomington, Illinois, and Thompson Reuters in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Buechele earned his bachelor of science in Applied Computer Science from Illinois State University.

Matthew Dommer, MD, MBA, FACEP, is chief operating officer and vice president for medical affairs for Bronson LakeView Hospital and Bronson South Haven Hospital. His responsibilities include hospital administration, overseeing Bronson medical staff and medical staff leadership in Van Buren County, oversight of the system Medical Staff Office, system ethics, as well as Van Buren Emergency Medical Services (VBEMS).

Dr. Dommer obtained his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1996, and completed his residency in emergency medicine at the Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies in 1999. He received a Masters of Business Administration from Cornerstone University in 2014. He served as emergency department director for Lakeview Community Hospital and subsequently as vice president and treasurer for Southwest Michigan Emergency Services. In 2006, he became the chief medical officer for then Lakeview Community Hospital and continued as vice president for medical affairs after it became Bronson LakeView Hospital in 2008.

Dr. Dommer served on the steering committee for the Bronson Network as well as vice chair of the board of directors for the statewide Affirmant Health Partners ACO. He is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians as well as a member of the American Association for Physician Leadership and the Michigan Hospital Association.

Becky East is responsible for system-wide activities at Bronson Healthcare related to general accounting, budgeting, investments, treasury management, accounts payable, payroll, decision support, taxes, reimbursement, patient accounting, health information management, registration, insurance verification and patient access.

Prior to joining Bronson in 2004, East worked as a certified public accountant and manager at Plante Moran in west Michigan. During her career at Bronson, she has served as director of reimbursement and compliance, assistant controller and assistant vice president/controller.

East received her bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Walsh College and completed her master of business administration degree from Cornerstone University in May 2015.

East is an active member of numerous professional and community organizations, including: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants; Healthcare Financial Management Association; Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine Finance Committee; West Michigan Air Care Board of Directors; West Michigan Cancer Center Board of Directors and Finance Committee; and Bronson Health Foundation Board of Directors and Finance Committee.

James “Chip” Falahee is Senior Vice President, Legal & Legislative Affairs for Bronson Healthcare. He joined Bronson in 1987 and has more than 40 years of experience in health care law and legislation. He has been named one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in health care. He is a frequent speaker about health care policy and reform. Falahee is a founding member, past president and a Fellow of the Health Care Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and past president of the Michigan Society of Hospital Attorneys.

Falahee is one of two hospital representatives on the state’s Certificate of Need Commission. He is the current Chairman of the Commission.

He is a board member of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

He is a board member of 340B Health, an organization of over 1,100 public and private non-profit hospitals and health systems throughout the U.S. that participate in the 340B drug discount program.

Falahee received his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and his juris doctor degree at Wayne State University.

Chris Fitzgerald, RN, BSN, MPA/HCA, is the vice president, chief nursing officer at Bronson LakeView Hospital and Bronson South Haven Hospital. She has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership including nursing administration, clinical operations, specialty clinics management and emergency preparedness.

Fitzgerald began her nursing career in 1992 as a trauma and emergency services nurse at Bronson. From 1998 to 2010, she held leadership positions at Eaton Rapids Medical Center, Riverside Family Practice and Springport Medical Center. For the next four years, she served as nurse manager for endoscopy at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Most recently, she has led surgical services and acute care management while serving as director of nursing for Bronson LakeView Hospital and Bronson South Haven Hospital.

Fitzgerald received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from American Sentinel University and master’s degree in public administration from Western Michigan University.

Ash Goel, MD, is senior vice president, information technology, chief information (CIO) and medical informatics officer (CMIO), for Bronson Healthcare. He leads the system enterprise technology group with oversight of technology strategy, infrastructure, information security, clinical and business applications, analytics, digital innovation and consumer applications.

Goel has over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience in strategic planning, technology deployment and optimization, business development, digitization, value transformation and healthcare operations. He continues to practice medicine with direct patient care responsibilities as an inpatient adult hospitalist and is also on the faculty at the WMU Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Informatics.

Goel completed his medical education at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi in 1994 and his graduate medical education at West Virginia University - Charleston Division. He is board certified with the American Board of Family Medicine. He also holds a master’s degree (MS) from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. in medical informatics and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is active in community activities including serving as second vice chair for the board of the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region.

Laura Hamann is vice president of post-acute and care management for Bronson Healthcare. She is responsible for the operations, financial performance, and oversight for Bronson Commons, Bronson at Home, Advanced Illness Management, Case Management, Utilization Management and Care Management.

Hamann has over 30 years of healthcare leadership experience in post-acute care. She joined Bronson in 1989 and has been an an executive leader in the healthcare system since 2008. Hamann graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and from the University of Notre Dame with a Master of Business Administration. She is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Administrators. Hamann has been on the Health Care Association of Michigan Board of Directors for over 25 years and currently serves as chair.

Ryan Horn is Vice President of Revenue Cycle. His responsibilities include providing strategic direction and oversight of revenue cycle operations including Patient Accounting, Health Information Management, Patient Access, Charge Data Master, and Revenue Integrity.

Horn has over 20 years of experience in the health care industry. He joined Bronson in 2001 and has held several leadership roles in Information Technology, Patient Accounting, and Compliance. Horn earned his Master of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University.

Cheryl Johnson is responsible for system-wide leadership in the development and operations of human resources programs and initiatives related to talent management, compensation, benefits, employee relations, education, organizational development and learning, and the patient experience.

Johnson has more than 30 years of experience as a human resources leader across large and complex domestic and global organizations spanning education/higher education, retail, manufacturing, and chemical industries. She started her career as a recruiter for the Upjohn Company and has had executive positions with several Michigan firms including Ford, Whirlpool, Wolverine World Wide, Textron Fluid Handling Products, Meijer and Battle Creek Public Schools.

Johnson received her bachelor of arts degree in Psychology from Oakland University and master’s in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University. She is a Certified Human Resources Professional and Six Sigma Green Belt.

Cheryl Knapp oversees system-wide quality and safety, infection prevention, patient satisfaction data analytics, post-acute services, and care management, and has more than 25 years of experience at the senior executive level.

Knapp is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS). She has led or co-led Bronson’s quality initiatives, which resulted in Bronson Methodist Hospital receiving the Michigan Quality Award, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, AHA’s Quest for Quality Citation of Merit, and Quest for Quality Prize.

Knapp received a master’s degree in Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Health Studies from Western Michigan University; she became a registered nurse through the Bronson School of Nursing. She has served on many professional and community boards and is currently a member of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center Board, the MHA Quality & Accountability Committee, the National Association of Quality Professionals and the National Quality Forum.

Scott Larson, MD, has overall responsibility for the medical staff and medical staff leadership, as well as clinical quality for the Bronson Methodist Hospital, Bronson Vicksburg Outpatient Center and the physician practices.

Dr. Larson received his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1978, and completed his residency in internal medicine at Michigan State University – Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies in 1981. He has practiced emergency medicine at Bronson Methodist Hospital since 1982 and is board certified in internal medicine and emergency medicine. At Bronson Methodist Hospital, Dr. Larson previously held positions as executive medical director, chief of staff and medical director of the Trauma and Emergency Center prior to assuming his current role in November 2000. He also held the position of medical director for IBA Health Plans.

Dr. Larson is a board member of several organizations including the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine, Affirmant Health Partners, Michigan Physician Insurance Exchange and the Kalamazoo County Medical Control Authority.

Dorothy Malcolm, MSN, RN is the vice president, chief nursing officer at Bronson Battle Creek. Her responsibilities include maintaining clinical and patient care standards and coordinating the implementation of new nursing strategies.

Malcolm began her nursing career in 1996 as a surgical staff nurse at Community Health Center of Branch County in Coldwater, Mich. For the next fourteen years, she served as an oncology staff nurse and held several leadership positions at Borgess Medical Center focused in emergency and trauma nursing prior to joining Bronson in 2011.

Malcolm received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. and her Masters of Science in Nursing from Grand Valley State University.

Bill Manns is president and chief executive officer for Bronson Healthcare ─ the largest employer and leading healthcare system in southwest Michigan. As the senior executive, he oversees a full range of services from primary care to critical care across more than 100 locations.

Manns, who joined Bronson in 2020, has nearly 30 years of experience in healthcare leadership. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Psychology and a master’s degree in Health Services Administration. In addition to his healthcare-specific background, he is experienced in LEAN and Six Sigma. His current professional memberships include the National Association of Healthcare Executives, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and an appointment by the Governor of Michigan to the Public Health Advisory Council.

Manns serves on several Boards throughout the state of Michigan including the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA), MHA Service Corporation, Affirmant Health Partners, Bronson Health Foundation, Cascade Engineering, First National Bank of Michigan, Gilmore Car Museum, Southwest Michigan First and Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine.

Terry oversees fund development for the Bronson Healthcare system and has executive oversight of the Bronson Health Foundation. The Foundation focuses on fundraising to support patients, employees, programs and special projects. Terry also assists in leading community health strategies throughout Bronson’s service area. Focusing on these areas helps Bronson’s understanding of the social determinants of health. Those are the conditions in the places where people live, learn, work and play and how they impact health. Terry leads efforts to partner with the community to better provide equitable healthcare experiences and outcomes for all.

Terry has more than eighteen years of professional fund development experience, having performed consulting and management roles in various not-for-profit healthcare, higher education and faith-based organizations throughout the United States. A Kalamazoo native, Terry earned his Bachelor of Science in economics from Western Michigan University, and a Master of Science in management, strategy and leadership from Michigan State University. He is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, American College of Healthcare Executives, and is active in the community with Communities in Schools, Cradle Kalamazoo, Residential Opportunities Inc., Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Western Michigan University, and the Lakeview Foundation in Paw Paw, Michigan.

Denise Neely, BSN,MBA, is a senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Bronson Healthcare and chief operating officer for Bronson Methodist Hospital.

Neely began her nursing career at Bronson in 1980 as a nurse in surgical services where she served in both staff and leader capacities. From 1991 to 2005, she held leadership positions at Southern Hills Hospital in Nashville, Tenn., Saint Thomas Health Services, also in Nashville, the Bureau of TennCare, and the University Hospital Methodist Health Systems in Memphis, Tenn. Neely earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Nazareth College and master’s degree in business administration from Belmont University’s Jack Massey School of Business in Nashville.

Kirk Richardson, RN, BSN, MSN, is a senior vice president with the Bronson Healthcare system overseeing care delivery Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, Bronson LakeView Hospital and Bronson South Haven Hospital.

Richardson has more than 30 years of progressive leadership experience in the healthcare field including administration, nursing, occupational health, safety, fire service, emergency medical services and emergency management.

Richardson began his healthcare career at LakeView Community Hospital in 1985, initially as an Emergency Medical Technician and then as an Emergency Department registered nurse. He became the chief nursing officer (CNO) at Bronson LakeView Hospital in 2008 and chief operating officer (COO) in 2014. From 2017 to 2020, he served as CNO and COO for Bronson South Haven Hospital as well as Bronson LakeView Hospital.

Richardson earned a master’s degree in management from Cornerstone University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Ferris State University. He holds numerous professional certifications and is active in the community. He serves as captain of the Paw Paw Fire Department and as an emergency services unit nurse for the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.

Nikki Romence is assistant vice president for human resources at Bronson Healthcare. She is responsible for system-wide planning, directing, coordinating and leadership of designated HR functions including employment, employee relations, compensation, benefits and HR information systems.

Romence began her career at Bronson as a medical-surgical nurse and has held various leadership roles over nearly 3 decades. These include nursing and customer service roles at IBA/PHP and in continuous improvement before taking a leadership position in human resources.

In addition to an associate’s degree in nursing, Romence has a bachelor’s degree in human resources management and master’s degree in organizational management, both from Ashford University, Forbes School of Business & Technology. She serves on the MHA Healthcare HR Conference Planning Committee and is a member of the Forbes HR Council.

Christine Sangalli serves as vice president, chief compliance officer for the Bronson Healthcare system.

Sangalli is responsible for overseeing ethical and legal standards and ensuring corporate compliance at all Bronson entities and works closely with the Bronson Board of Directors Audit and Compliance Committee.

Previously she served as Bronson's director of risk management, responsible for patient safety and privacy; risk prevention and education; laws and regulations that impact patient care services and promoting a safe working environment.

Sangalli earned her master’s degree in nursing administration from Andrews University, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Nazareth College.

Daniel Stewart, MD, FACEP, vice president of medical affairs for Bronson Battle Creek. He is responsible for overseeing Bronson medical staff and medical staff leadership and patient satisfaction at Bronson Battle Creek.

Since 2000, Dr. Stewart has held multiple director positions within the Bronson Healthcare system. These include the Bronson Methodist Hospital Emergency Department, Bronson Battle Creek Hospital Emergency Department, Bronson Occupational Medicine and Calhoun County Medical Control.

Dr. Stewart obtained his medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich. and received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Alma College in Alma, Mich. He has several certifications from the National Board of Emergency Medicine Diplomate, American Board of Emergency Medicine Diplomate and Fellow American College of Emergency Physicians.

Beth Washington is vice president of community health, equity & inclusion. She is responsible for expanding health equity practices within the organization, among community partners, and across Bronson's service area. She leads Bronson's efforts to create environments, mindsets, policies and interventions that enable all people to have full and equal access to opportunities to lead healthy lives. Her department works with the health system's employees and patients and families to improve access to medical care and wrap around services that support equitable care delivery. Their work is an integral part of expanding the organization's place-based community-building strategies targeted at tackling social and environmental determinants of health. Those are the conditions in the places where people live, learn, work and play and how they impact health.

Washington is a graduate of Kalamazoo College with degrees in Human Resources and Relations and a secondary teaching certificate in Social Studies and English. She worked as an educator for 18 years, teaching in Niles Community Schools, Holland West Ottawa Public School and in Kalamazoo Public Schools. Washington came to Bronson in 2015 after serving as Director of Derek Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation's Jeter's Leaders. She is currently a Kalamazoo College Trustee and serves on the Urban Alliance Board and the KVCC Groves Advisory Board.

Susan Watts is responsible for corporate communications, brand strategy, marketing, public relations and community outreach for the Bronson Healthcare system.

Watts has over 30 years of experience in all facets of marketing and communication and has been with Bronson since 1993. She is a member of the Society of Healthcare Strategy and Market Development (SHSMD), and represents Bronson in various community leadership roles including board positions with the Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership and United Way of Southwest Michigan. 

Prior to joining Bronson, her career experience included management roles in franchise marketing and in television and radio broadcasting. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Wisconsin.

Michael has been with Bronson for over 28 years leading areas such as supply chain, contracting, facility development and real estate management.

Way received a bachelor’s of science degree in Health Services Administration from Northern Arizona University and a master’s degree in Finance from Western Michigan University. He is also a certified contract/purchasing manager as designated by the ISM (Institute for Supply Management).

Way has acquired a thorough background in healthcare contract negotiations, facility planning and development and real estate management. He has led Bronson’s environmental initiatives, which resulted in receiving the Healthcare Environmental Leadership Award in 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007 from Practice Greenhealth, the Energy Star Label from the Environmental Protection Agency and recognition from the Green Guide as one of America's Top Ten Green Hospitals.

Mike has been involved in several professional and community organizations, including:

• • Hospital Network Ventures
  • WMed School of Medicine Site Selection and Facility Committee
  • Southwest Michigan First
  • Michigan Medical Device Accelerator
  • Downtown Tomorrow Incorporated
  • Leadership Kalamazoo
  • Vine Ventures Board of Directors
  • Hospital Network Incorporated Board of Directors
  • Association for Healthcare Resource and Materials Management
  • American Society for Healthcare Engineering