Sumantra Sen is the Founder and Managing Director of Transnational Business Solutions, a New York City based strategic advisory and operations consulting firm. In his thirty plus years of professional experience, Sumantra has served and advised a range of industries, including engineering, packaged goods, financial service, health care, pet & animal wellness, nonprofit & social enterprise and business and knowledge process outsourcing companies. Sumantra maintains a successful track record in business strategy, operations consulting, business process reengineering and innovation, international business and start up and change management.

Prior to his current role in Transnational, Sumantra has worked with Fortune 100 companies and entrepreneurial start-up ventures in countries like India, Germany, UK, and USA. His senior leadership positions in Mobil Oil, Cummins Power, Invensys, and Lazard make him an expert in start-up & change management, retail and distribution, international and Big-Ticket M&A initiatives, and capability sourcing. As a former CEO, he has a successful track record in operational innovations, marketing, team building and mentoring. Sumantra has also served as a leading consultant in the office of Innovation of a large global human resource and consulting firm.

Sumantra is very active in the professional/business community. He is also a regular speaker at various international business schools and spends time with the academic communities abroad. As the founder and managing director of Transnational Business Solutions, Sumantra has been responsible to create unique Academic and Private partnerships in linking the academic world with Industries and developing scalable capabilities in the areas of Advanced Data Analytics and Technology.

In Transnational, he is the key architect in creating a unique healthcare division that addresses key challenges in the transition of US healthcare industry from volume to value. He has created a consortium of partner companies that along with Transnational provides unique advisory and operations consulting services to financial, clinical, digital health and regulatory aspects of healthcare.

Sumantra is also a co-founder of a nonprofit in climate change, that has become the go to portal for every aspect of climate change.

Sumantra believes that overall, globalization has been an advantage to big-name companies worldwide. Sumantra envisions a future where small and mid-size businesses are empowered with knowledge and resources to be a true part of the globalized world and continues to work with clients in such Endeavour.

His expertise includes Business Strategy, Startup Management, Change Management, International Business Development, Business and Knowledge process IT enabled services in Financial, legal and health care sector, Manufacturing & assembly, Six Sigma, Merger and acquisition, Capability Sourcing, Supply Chain, Training / advisory and mentoring and executive leadership.

An Engineer by training, Sumantra also has a master’s degree in business administration with specialization in Business Strategy and Human Resource.

Send Sumantra a secure message

Dr. Charles N Aswad is the principal consultant for Transnational Business Solutions’ Healthcare Practice Area since 2011.

Dr. Aswad is the Emeritus Executive Vice President and CEO of the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY). He served as President of the MSSNY, Speaker of the American Academy of Family Physicians; Chairman of the American Medical Association’s Task Force on the Medical Workforce and was a member of the American Medical Association’s Council on Long Range Planning and Development. In addition, Dr. Aswad served as a member of the AMA’s Health Policy Agenda for the American People and was and AMA New York Delegate.

Dr. Aswad was appointed, by the New York State Commissioner of Health, to the Council of Graduate Medical Education (GME) where he was Chairman of the Subcommittee of Minority Participation in GME. He was appointed to serve on the Commission for a Healthy New York and the New York State Tobacco Control Partnership.

Dr. Aswad has been a consultant and advisor in both medical and dental fields, as well as to major corporations. He developed the Smoking Cessation Program for MSSNY, which included training programs for Physicians and patients. He was consultant to major pharmaceutical companies in the areas of: clinical trials, communication to professions in the areas of AIDS, Hepatitis C, Influenza, Diabetes, Cancer, Childhood and Adult Obesity, physician involvement in anti-terrorism efforts, and developed a program for treatment of Biological Warfare Agents, post 9/11. He collaborated with multiple health agencies in State and Federal government, as well as NGOs, including The American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society, The Lung Association, and others in developing communication programs.

Dr. Aswad served as Chairman of the Editorial Board of a major continuing medical education and communication company. He has personally worked with both the heads of FDA and the US Surgeon General’s Office and the predecessors.

Dr. Aswad served as Medical Director of the New York State professional Standards Review Organization. He has provided nominations to the US Pharmacopeia. He is a charter founder and Director of the Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company, the largest physician owned company in the US. Dr. Aswad was Chairman of the New York State Continuing Medical Education affiliate of the American Council on CME, which certified most CME programs in NYS. As CEO of the MSSNY, Dr. Aswad supervised all its communication efforts, including its “News of NY” newspaper all fax and email communications and educational programs.

Dr. Aswad is a graduate of the State University of New York at Binghamton-Harpur College and New York Medical College. He is a Charter Fellow of both the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Dr. Aswad is the recipient of numerous honors including Distinguished Alumnus Honors from both State University of New York and New York Medical College.

Send Charles a secure message

Dr. Couch has over 30 years of accomplishments in healthcare delivery and management with an emphasis on evaluating, developing and implementing health IT systems to improve the demonstrable quality, safety and value of health care delivery. His work in value based purchasing, and what is now called accountable care, dates to the 1980s.

His most notable accomplishments have been in the use of Advanced Clinical Analytic, Care Management and Population Health Management Systems. For example, he led an unprecedented controlled clinical trial at a major medical center which demonstrated the 700% ROI of an advanced clinical decision support and care management system.  Aetna purchased the company that had developed this system for $400 million three months after a leading academic journal published this study.   The Director of the White House Office of the Management and the Budget (OMB) lauded this study in the July 21, 2009 online edition of the “Washington Post” as an example of how the healthcare reforms being pushed by the Obama Administration could save both lives and money

Dr. Couch has also worked extensively the past seven years in evaluating and positioning leading edge cloud-based electronic health information systems, clinical and population health analytics products for use by top healthcare providers and payers.  He helped to introduce, to present, and to position a leading edge technology company to Humana, which now serves as the core analytics engine for optimizing the quality of care delivered to 12 million Humana members.

Dr. Couch has served as the Chief Medical Quality Officer of a leading academic health system and university hospital and two “Big 5” Health Insurance Companies.  He has also served as the Director in Charge of Disease Management Consulting at a “Big 4” Professional Services firm and as Chief Medical Officer (CMO), VP of Strategy and Leader of Health IT for the American Division of the world’s largest reinsurance company. In all of those roles, he was intimately involved in researching, identifying and overseeing the implementation of best evidence based medical practices both in the U.S. and Abroad.

Working with KPMG, recently, he assisted  NYC Performing Provider Systems to put together their proposals to the NY State Dept. of Health to obtain funding for the next five years to transform the delivery of care in NY.  This is part of the $8 billion New York Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program.

Dr. Couch was the first to publish on value based purchasing (VBP) in 1987. As its Chief Medical Officer, he led the VBP efforts of the American Division of the world’s largest reinsurance company in becoming a Charter Member of the Leapfrog Group.  He also served as a charter member of the Health Policy Council of the National Business Group on Health, promoting VBP to its Fortune 500 company membership.

In 1992, Dr. Couch, the first physician in the country trained at Motorola University in Six Sigma Process Improvement methodologies.  His team uncovered $55 million in waste due to preventable defects identified in Travelers’ (then) 487 step health claims payment process.

From 1992 through 1994, Dr. Couch was also the only physician Senior Examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.  During that time, he worked with the Director to help develop Healthcare Criteria for the Award. He did similar work for New York and Connecticut with their State Healthcare Quality Awards.

Dr. Couch has advised two National Directors of Health Information Technology (ONC), senior staff at  the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Committee on Health IT and Patient Safety, lead officials at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Executive Director of Health Innovations for the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) on how to use Health IT to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care, while minimizing the risks of medicolegal liability (the “Quadruple Aim”).  In October, 2013, “Health Data Management” featured his work in this area.  In 2013, he also got published an “Editors Correspondence” in “JAMA Internal Medicine” on how to accomplish this “Quadruple Aim”.  His most recent book on “Achieving the Quadruple Aim in a Technology-Driven Transformed Health System:  Better Care, Improved Health, Lower Costs and Decreased Medical Liabilty” was published in 2014.

He has taught health policy, healthcare quality, patient safety, medical risk management and computer assisted clinical decision making at Penn’s School of Medicine and Wharton Schools, Johns Hopkins,Cornell, NYU, Harvard, Yale and Oxford Universities (Wolfson and Green Templeton Colleges). He conducted funded methodological research at the Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics and National Healthcare Management Center at Penn. Since 2010, Penn has awarded each year at Commencement the James B. Couch, M’81 Prize to the Senior Medical Student who has made the greatest academic, professional and scholarly research contributions in the joint fields of Medicine and Business.

Dr. Couch’s education includes a BA from the Social and Behavioral Sciences Honors Program at the Ohio State University; a JD (Doctor of Jurisprudence) from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law; and an MD from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

Mr. Blair has managed field operations for network development and contracts negotiation projects for the Creative Group providers of Smart Solutions for Healthcare Management, for over the past 17 years. These assignments have included developing state-specific PPOs; national specialty networks and HMO network start-ups; Medicare Advantage Plans nationwide and network expansions across all product lines. As a consultant, Mr. Blair has served as interim VP, Network Development for Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield and directed strategy and the entire staff.

Mr. Blair provides consultative services in managed care including interim management, network contracting, strategy and venture development and implementation, acquisition analysis and negotiations, HMO and PPO development and provider and payer contract negotiations.

Previous positions include Executive Director, Sanus Health Plan of Greater New York and New Jersey; Vice President, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; President, MetLife Healthcare Network of New York/New Jersey; First Assistant New York State Deputy Attorney General of Medicaid Fraud.

David Felton, currently, serves as the founding President of the Board and CEO (part-time position) of a 120-bed nursing home and rehabilitation center. The center, in central New York, provides both inpatient and outpatient rehab services and also provides off-site daycare in three adult, medical model centers covering a three-county area. Felton has been a licensed Nursing Home Administrator since 1973.

Current Board memberships include serving on the Board and Executive Committee of Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company, Central New York Area Health Education Center(Vice Chair), Health Foundation of Western and Central New York through March 2018, Health Work Force New York(Chair), The New York State Rural Health Council and Chair of a Workmen’s Compensation Trust.

Previously, Felton served as the President/CEO of Community Memorial Hospital, Hamilton, New York from 1981 until his retirement in the fall of 2012, Past Board memberships and affiliations include the Board of the Princeton Insurance Company, VHA, Iroquois Healthcare Association(past Chair), Hospital Association of New York Board of Trustees and other related State and local advisory Committees.

Education includes undergraduate degrees from Broome Community College and Rochester Institute of Technology.

Current residence is in Hamilton, New York and Naples, Florida.

Richard K. Merchant earned his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Michigan State University, his master’s degree in Forensic Anthropology from the University of Florida and conducted his Doctoral work in Medical Anthropology at Texas A&M University. For the past 20 years, Richard has lead organizations dedicated to health workforce development. Richard currently serves as the CEO for four nonprofit organizations: Northern Area Health Education Center in Canton New York, Central New York Area Health Education Center in Cortland New York, Brooklyn Queens Long Island Area Health Education Center in Brooklyn, New York, and Health WorkForce New York in Syracuse New York.  Along with his executive responsibilities, Richard teaches Medical Anthropology at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Prior to this, he spent 16 years as a faculty member at SUNY Potsdam teaching human disease in the Community Health Department, as well as Medical Anthropology in the Anthropology Department. From 1994 to 1999 Richard served as a faculty member at the University of Texas College of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine. Richard is past President of the New York State Association for Rural Health. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country/Community Health Center of the North Country, United Helpers, and numerous other State and National boards and associations. Richard is co-founder of the Crazy Good Foundation. He also has to his credit over 50 invited presentations and papers at national and international professional meetings and conferences.

Atul is a seasoned computer software professional/consultant with about 20 years of experience primarily in the VLSI, Mobile Communication and Energy domains. He has worked with many international clients in US, Europe and Japan in outsourced software development. As a result he understands the intricacies of outsourced projects in great detail.

Interests & Specialties: International software projects, Consulting, Energy, WITSML, PRODML, MultiSpeak, Mobile Communications, 3GPP, SIP, IMS, VOLTE, RCS, Circuit Simulation, IBIS, SPICE, IOT, Automotive Ethernet.

• 30+ years’ international experience including 23 years C level, in US, India and the Middle-east;
• 6 start-up/restructuring /turnaround situations
• Hands on experience in Banking, Financial Services, Healthcare and Information Technology,
• Managed private equity investments, generating exemplary returns using multiple exit strategies of cross border M&A, restructures, spin-offs, divestments or IPOs
• Experience runs across Fortune 500, family owned groups, absolute start-ups;
• Expertise focused on business strategies, divestments, acquisitions and value creation

After 12 initial years as a Credit analyst with American Express bank and India’s largest Banking conglomerate, Manab was selected by India’s premier Media group, to head their finance function and spearhead diversification. Setting up a diversified Financial Services organization from ground-up he ran it as President, leading to the formation of a retail Bank, public listing and being rated as one of India’s most respected organizations.

Next he implemented a diversification exercise for India’s largest domestic pharmaceutical group into financial services, healthcare delivery and a health insurance joint venture. As CEO he completed an acquisition and took the company public within a space of 4 years from setting up.

Manab then moved to Bahrain where he set-up the Corporate Finance function of a leading Investment Bank. He managed a private equity fund with exemplary returns, led several cross-border mergers and acquisition transactions with focus on information technology.

Moving to the USA in 2000, Manab took up the role of President, Chief Strategy Officer, and Global head financial services solutions for a global, IT services company. The company’s valuation increased 17 fold in 4 years.

Since 2006 Manab has invested in, coached and helped restructure a Business Process Management company, now on a profitable path from near bankruptcy.

He is also the President of the Board of Trustees of the Integral Yoga Institute, Princeton, a 501C (3) not for profit organization, for the last 3 years on a voluntary basis. He is a mentor for operational management, instrumental in restoring financial stability and growth.

Manab graduated from the University of Calcutta India with a degree in Finance. He has completed several programs at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Rutgers Business School and is also an Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers.

Send Manab a secure message

Cindy Borassi has made a career out of being a passionate change agent with the ultimate objective of improving lives. Whether it be promoting patient-centered, value-based care in the US healthcare system, advocating for transparency, patient empowerment, and fair healthcare practices that ensure patients receive the cancer care they need without unnecessary obstacles, or managing programs that sustainably build capacity and empower communities in developing and emerging countries Cindy’s vision is a world in which there is equal access to health and economic opportunity for all – regardless of their race, ethnicity or gender, or location in our global village.

Cindy actively seeks opportunities to collaborate with industry professionals, and other stakeholders on a national and global level to develop transformative solutions for the challenges we face. Cindy’s ability to tackle complex situations and issues has allowed her to contribute to the strategic vision, mission and growth of numerous organizations throughout her career.

She actively participates in various committees and coalitions focused on driving change. Her current involvement includes the New York State Cancer Consortium, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Global Health Impact Network, The Health Equity x A.I. Taskforce (HEAIT), Society for Physician Entrepreneurs (SOPE), Humanity Talent Network (“HTN”), Luminary and Ellevate Network.

In her spare time, she enjoys trying unique international cuisine, visiting botanical gardens, riding Ferris wheels, and spending as much time as possible with her kids, family, friends and furry friends.

Send Cindy a secure message

Arjun Malakar has been the Creative Director of Transnational Business Solutions since 2009.

Arjun is an architect by training, and he has a wide experience in multiple creative disciplines such as Architecture, 3D Animation, Graphic Design, to name a few. Prior to joining Transnational Business Solutions, Arjun has worked as a designer in various media and publishing houses in New York City, which culminated with a stint at creative department of Forbes.

His areas of expertise include high-end 3D modeling, texturing, lighting and animation for ad films, broadcast graphics, construction industry, industrial design, etc.

Arjun brings his entire knowledge and expertise into Transnational’s consulting and delivery platform.

He is directly responsible for handling all publishing, web design and new media related projects for Transnational. He also handles, successfully, all construction/architecture related delivery projects for Transnational, which are mostly based in and around New York City. The scope of work includes handling of construction documents, BIM, preparation of presentation drawings and support material for client presentations, 3D Visualization of high-end quality and estimation services.

Arjun has attended the very well-known 3D animation and special effects program at Vancouver Film School in Vancouver, Canada.

He is presently based in New Delhi, India, and he is a Life Member of The Council of Architecture, India.

Send Arjun a secure message

Janet Horton has worked in HIM since 1972. She began in a clerical position and transitioned to coding in 1989.

She has been both an inpatient and outpatient coder in a Medical Facility for 10 years. In addition, she has 20+ years experience managing and opening physician’s offices, setting up billing, coding and hiring staff.

She returned to the hospital setting in 2000 as Coding Manager and then Director of HIM in 2005 for Major Trauma Facility with over 400 beds, leading, transcription, release of information, clerical and coding areas. She has initiated the instillation of Electronic record and a Clinical Documentation Program and worked closely with the Revenue Cycle Team.

In 2009 she moved to remote work in the field as an I9-I10 Coder and Auditor, along with training for Physicians and Coders in ICD 10.

She holds her CCS and is an ICD10CM/PCS Trainer and Ambassador through AHIMA.

She continues to work toward her RHIT.

Bob Gold is one of the world’s leading behavioral technologists with more than 20 years applied research and development in the behavioral and cognitive science of human engagement focused on motivation and persuasion; with a sub-specialty in digital health applications to patient motivation, activation, and resiliency.

Bob focuses his energy on recrafting clinical care plans into behaviorally-based remote care coordination, transitions of care, and telehealth patient engagement protocols to achieve a sustainable Population Health business model for health systems, health plans, pharmaceutical companies, and governments; reducing readmissions and taking advantage of opportunities for CMS MACRA value-based reimbursement opportunities associated with the implementation of these programs.

Bob’s proven evidence based methods provide a more personalized, disciplined, and nurturing experience within the framework of a person’s lifestyle and typical day while improving satisfaction and adherence; especially for complex and chronic conditions that include co-morbidities and difficult to navigate patient health journeys.

Bob’s Behavioral Rx™ and Concierge Care® system has also shown to bring back Joy in Practice for doctors and nurses enabling them to spend more time on high impact clinical work.