VitalCore Health Strategies (VCHS) has improved and advanced the field of correctional healthcare. We’re people who are fueled by passion, not by profit. At VCHS, we come to work ready to do whatever it takes to care for our patients and better serve our partners by doing the right thing the first time.
We’ve gathered the industry’s brightest leaders to help us redefine the way correctional healthcare is delivered. We hire experienced and committed health professionals, then use our knowledge and experience to educate our staff and focus on continuous learning. We care about our employees and one of the ways that is reflected is within our robust benefits package that exceeds industry standards. Our philosophy is to hire the best professionals in the field of correctional health, in addition to competent individuals who are committed to providing quality services; we train all employees to meet our standards of care, and we retain educated and experienced staff. VitalCore’s leadership and clinical teams understand the value of a well-run system. Our patient-first approach ensures safe, high-quality care aimed at optimizing outcomes and mitigating risk. We focus on preventive care, outcomes-based behavioral services, evidence-based practice, and medical care that treats the whole patient. We know that preventative medicine leads to healthier patients, fewer risks, and lower costs.
We put our expertise and energy where it matters most. We value smart cost management. Our years of boots-on-the-ground experience delivering quality healthcare services in correctional facilities, working with the security side of corrections, and sitting on oversight boards have taught us how to deliver quality healthcare services and manage a lean budget without sacrificing end patient care.
Our Experience Runs Deep
VitalCore Health Strategies was founded in January 2015 as Viola Riggin, LLC and quickly became a successful correctional healthcare consulting firm. In January 2018, Viola Riggin, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, and the leadership team expanded services and rebranded as VitalCore Health Strategies, LLC. In the beginning, VCHS partnered with companies in the Wichita, Kansas area to share personnel and business services, which allowed for better efficiency. However, VCHS has expanded and with rapid growth is independent providing all the personnel and business services within the Corporation.
VitalCore’s Central Corporate Office and Human Resources Department is in Topeka, Kansas with Regional offices, and contracts across the nation.
VitalCore is passionate about making a difference in peoples’ lives and assisting our clients in delivering quality health services. Our cost treatment models, sensible, realistic, and allow us to produce good patient outcomes at a fair cost.
Leadership Matters
VitalCore’s leadership and clinical teams are comprised of some of the most renowned professionals in various fields; their backgrounds and expertise have helped us achieve our mission to redefine correctional healthcare. Some of our accomplishments include:
System Management
We have built teams full of experts which include experience with system management. These professionals include people who have served as wardens, superintendents who have run prisons and jails, secretaries of large state correctional departments, and experts in all areas of the correctional healthcare system.
Turn-around Initiatives
VCHS has resolved critical issues of care within correctional institutions, state hospitals, and rural jails throughout the United States. With our guidance, these facilities have improved and transitioned from distressed; to accredited and competent.
Innovative Training
We have developed and implemented programs aimed at mitigating risk and violence. We can achieve this by creating community clinical practice standardization, grow-your-own nurse expansion plans, advanced curriculum development, and by offering national certification programs for correctional staff.
Leader Development
We have shared our expertise and taught executive leadership skills to state secretaries of correction, health authorities, and line staff for succession planning.
Our ExecutiveLEADERSHIP TEAM
Viola Riggin, CCE
Chief Executive Officer
Lori Ammons, Psy.D.
Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Affairs
Stuart Hudson
Chief Operating Officer
Viola Riggin, CCE
Chief Executive Officer
Lori Ammons, Psy.D.
Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Affairs
Linden Appel, JD
Chief Legal Counsel
Troy Berberick
Deputy Chief Counsel
Doug Strubbe
Chief Financial Officer
Harold Sass
Chief Information Officer
Susan Fout
Chief of Human Resources
Jamie McLaughlin
Chief of Staff
Shannon Meyer
President of Operations
Nikki Gilliland
President of Administration
Roger Haden
President of Business Development
Frank Fletcher
President of Marketing
Our Executive CLINICAL TEAM
Lori Ammons, Psy.D.
Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Affairs
Raman Singh, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Harbans Deol
Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Deb Schult, Ph.D
President of Behavioral Health
Lannette Linthicum, M.D.
Medical Affairs, Consultant
Newton Kendig, M.D.
Clinical Peer Review, Consultant
Our CORE VALUES
At VitalCore Health Strategies, we believe our clients and patients are the most important part of what we do. Our Mission, Vision, Values, and Guiding Principles set the foundation for the company and are the basis for all our programs and systems. We require that all leaders and team members practice and display these core values and guiding principles and are held to these high standards of performance. VitalCore Health Strategies’ success is rooted in our core values and the corresponding culture it creates.
Mission
To establish a culture that recognizes the value of each patient, team member, and client through product and service excellence that results in the most positive clinical experience.
vision
To redefine benchmarks for the industry utilizing core values, strong partnerships, effective clinical practices, and innovative healthcare strategies.
purpose
VitalCore Health Strategies is driven by a passion for making a difference in people’s lives and assisting our clients in delivering quality health services to the justice involved population.
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CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
We continuously raise expectations of what is possible and seek out new opportunities for individual and organizational growth. We are committed to being an industry leader and developing leaders within our company. We utilize our achievements and our setbacks to inform our actions and lead us to a path to continued success.
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THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
We take pride in what we do and strive to do a job well done. We are committed to consistently achieving the highest levels of performance and execution by saying what we will do, doing what we say, and documenting our results, which establishes clear accountability.
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TEAM CONCEPT
Although we praise and reward individual achievement, team success is a priority and we will set aside personal ambitions to make sacrifices for the good of the team. We share ideas, opinions, and expertise openly within our company, and with our clients. We believe that collaboration and participation in the decision-making process achieves the best results.
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HONESTY AND INTEGRITY
The highest standards of honesty and integrity permeate our business decisions and actions. We provide an atmosphere of respect, fairness, and trust. We conduct our business in a manner that promotes transparency and encourages open and honest discussions between all parties.
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HUMILITY
We will not permit personal or corporate arrogance to dictate our decisions or impede our progress and success. We seek feedback so that we can accurately assess our strengths and opportunities for improvements.
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SENSIBLE COST MANAGEMENT
We make careful and prudent value-based decisions concerning expenses and how we use the resources entrusted to us.
COST CONTAINMENT
VitalCore controls cost by ensuring that the patient receives the right amount of care the first time. Doing things correctly the first time means that we do not allow conditions and illnesses to get out of hand and become more complicated, which can be very costly. For example, we utilize smart Utilization Management and are privileged to partner with George Washington University that oversees VitalCore’s telehealth program through peer review. VitalCore’s telehealth program provides services on a 24/7 basis with access to over 750 physicians in over 50 different specialties.
One of the most frequent concerns VitalCore hears from the employees at the sites when we have obtained a new contract is the “frequency and cost of off-site services under the previous contractors.” VitalCore plans to reduce the need for off-site services, by ensuring that our medical staff is prepared and capable of assessing and treating patients in emergency medical situations. We hire experienced medical staff and give them the knowledge and training necessary to triage patients and determine effective treatments and medical urgency. This allows our medical staff to make informed judgment calls and send patients off-site only when necessary. VitalCore ensures that a seasoned and experienced Registered Nurse (RN) is on each shift to make such judgments. We do, of course, ensure that patients who truly need to be transported to hospital emergency rooms receive those services. However, whenever possible, we serve the patient at the facility by providing necessary care until the regular physician can see them the next day. We ensure patient care comes first, we have safety protocols in place, and provide individualized and ethical treatment.
VitalCore believes in transparency which is why we share performance and cost information with our partners to demonstrate that we do not add on costs to the supplies, pharmaceuticals, or equipment that we purchase.
Viola Riggin
Chief Executive Officer of VitalCore Health Strategies
Viola Riggin has over 30 years of experience in correctional healthcare. Before starting VitalCore Health Strategies in 2018, Ms. Riggin served as the Executive Director of Healthcare Services for the University of Kansas Medical Center for 16 years. She began her career in corrections in classification and records in 1984 and moved to health care management by 1989. Since 1992, she has worked in healthcare management at both the state and national levels for several healthcare companies providing healthcare services to vulnerable populations. In 2002, Ms. Riggin became the Director of Healthcare Services at state correctional and mental health facilities until March 2018. Along with her practical experience, Ms. Riggin has a strong educational background in the field and has studied information technology and healthcare administration.
Ms. Riggin currently serves as a member of the American Correctional Association’s (ACA) Constitution and Bylaws, Healthcare, Policies and Procedures, and Standard committees. She also represents the state of Kansas on ACA’s Coalition of Correctional Health Authorities, serves on the Board of Governors for ACA, and is on the Governor’s Mental Health Executive Board for the State of Kansas.
During her years of service, she has received many awards, most notably: the 2006 National Council of State Governments Innovations Award; the 2006 Kansas Public Health Association Corporate Public Health Services Award; the 1989 and 1992 Employee of the Year Award for Correctional Medical Services; Prison Health Services Employee of the Year Award in 1996, 1999, and 2001; and the 2006 Kansas Department of Corrections Contract Employee of the Year Award. In 2013, Ms. Riggin received the prestigious National Health Authority Leadership Award.
Lorelei Ammons, PsyD, CCHP
Chief Operating Officer – Clinical Affairs
Dr. Lorelei Ammons has over 23 years of experience in correctional healthcare. Before starting VitalCore Health Strategies in 2018 with Viola Riggin, they worked in conjunction to create a well-run, stabilized healthcare system during their time with the Kansas Department of Corrections. As VitalCore’s Chief Operating Officer of Clinical Affairs, Dr. Ammons facilitates and manages the Corporation’s infrastructure, daily operations, provides corporate clinical oversight, and collaborates with every department for a thriving and effective system.
Dr. Ammons currently serves as a member of the Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Committees for the American Correctional Association (ACA) and has conducted behavioral health certification training for several state correctional programs across the United States. She has served as co-chair of the Governor’s Behavioral Health Planning Council’s Subcommittee for Justice Involved Youth and Adults, which collaborates with mental health entities and community partners across Kansas and has represented Kansas as a member of the Mental Health Network through the National Institute of Corrections. She also has served as a member of ACA’s Commission on Accreditation.
As an experienced and licensed psychologist in Kansas, Dr. Ammons received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri. She began her career at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, while she was active duty in the U.S. Army, and where she fulfilled her clinical psychology internship in 1993. In 1998, Dr. Ammons began working in the correctional health field, working as the Clinical Supervisor at the Topeka Correctional Facility. Her work history also includes working at the Veteran’s Administration and performing Quality Management services while simultaneously maintaining a private clinical practice in the community.
In 2008, Dr. Ammons was appointed as the first Behavioral Health Director for the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) where she developed the behavioral health monitoring program for KDOC. She continued in that role until joining the VitalCore executive team.
Stuart Hudson
Chief Operating Officer
Stuart Hudson has over 28 years of experience working in corrections, with more than 10 of those years in correctional healthcare. Stuart began his corrections career with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction in 1994.During his tenure with Ohio he worked in community supervision, prison operations, healthcare and administration and fiscal oversight of the state agency.Stuart served Ohio as a Warden at two different facilities, one of which was a long-term care and dialysis facility for inmates.He served as Chief of the Office of Correctional Healthcare and served as the Health Authority for Ohio for more than 9 years.In 2013, Stuart was appointed to oversee all fiscaloperations and budgeting for the agency totaling $1.8 billion per year.
As VitalCore’s Chief Operating Officer of Administration and Finance, Stuart is responsible for the oversight and direction of the administrative and fiscal business operations.Stuart coordinates administrative activities with clinical care needs to ensure VitalCore provides the highest quality of service to each patient, team member, and client we serve.
Stuart has served on the Board of Governors for the American Correctional Association (ACA) and the Board of Directors for the National Correctional Industries Association.Currently, he is active with the ACA serving on many committees to include the Healthcare Committee, Substance Use Disorders Committee, Behavioral Health Committee and served as the national co-chair of the Coalition of Correctional Health Authorities (CCHA).Stuart was instrumental in implementing Medicaid for the inmate population in Ohio and received the CCHA Leadership Award for his contributions to the field of correctional healthcare in 2019.
Linden G. Appel, JD
Chief Legal Counsel
Linden Appel serves as VitalCore’s Chief Legal Counsel. His experience in providing legal counsel in the field of Corrections has given him knowledge and valuable perspectives. He understands the impact of quality healthcare on creating positive health outcomes and improving the lives of vulnerable populations.
Linden has worked in the legal field for over 44 years. During that time, his expertise allowed him to provide services in multiple roles within the Department of Corrections. Most recently, he served as Chief Legal Counsel for the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), a position he held for 15 years. He also worked as legal counsel to the Warden of Kansas State Penitentiary/Lansing Correctional Facility and was the Deputy Chief Legal Counsel for KDOC.
Mr. Appel joined VitalCore Health Strategies as the Chief Legal Counsel because he believes in the mission to provide quality care and has confidence in the company’s leadership.
Doug Strubbe
Chief Financial Officer
Doug Strubbe serves as VitalCore’s Chief Financial Officer. During his years in finance, Mr. Strubbe met Viola Riggin and became impressed with her vision for Correctional Healthcare and her optimism. He grew up with an awareness and knowledge of Corrections as his father worked at the State Penitentiary serving as the Prison Commissionaire Supply Supervisor and instilled his work ethic in Doug, who has mastered his expertise as a Chief Financial Officer.
Within his role at VitalCore, Doug is managing monetary business, the accounting team, and the financial infrastructure of our rapidly growing corporation. He is tasked with reviewing and analyzing financial statements, reports, tax functions, and conducting internal fiscal audits. In addition to developing, preparing, and overseeing budgets for all existing and potential engagements; he provides the formulation of forecasts as VitalCore continues to expand. As the Chief Financial Officer, he works directly with the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors to evaluate corporate and site financial results, provides economic insight, and collaborates to make operational decisions on financial planning and strategized acquisitions. Cost containment is a crucial part of VitalCore’s business model and Mr. Strubbe evaluates system efficiency, strategic operational planning, process and business optimization, and regulatory compliance which includes leading financial teams and reviewing facility budgets to meet the terms of the contracts. He provides recommendations as needed for change management and tracks key performance indicators that can impact financial investments to ensure short-term and long-term growth of the corporation. The financial model includes building and maintaining investor and banking relations while ensuring the budgets are appropriately balanced per contract including accomplishing cost containment and mitigating monetary risks without compromising patient care and facility needs.
Before joining VitalCore, Mr. Strubbe worked in public accounting and finance for over 23 years. His experience is primarily in public accounting, as the owner of Prime Accounting Solutions, LLC in Shawnee, KS where he handled the finances for small and medium-sized businesses and worked directly with the business owners. In addition to his extensive work experience in the preparation of payroll, reports, financial statements, federal and state income tax returns for individuals and businesses. Throughout his career, Doug was able to grow his tax preparation, payroll, and bookkeeping business from one office to six with revenue growth exceeding 700% during a 5-year period all while leading the expansion of insurance into the financial services industry.
He studied Business at Western Illinois University and in 1997, he obtained a Bachelor of Accounting Degree with a Minor in Finance. Doug holds a CPA certificate and has passed Series 6 and 63 Securities Examinations and is currently licensed to sell Life, Health & Property and Casualty Insurance. His civic activities included coaching, mentorship, volunteering.
Mr. Strubbe joined VitalCore because he believes in Ms. Riggin’s vision for the company and her commitment to improving healthcare within Corrections. They are aligned in their professional values, and Doug believes it is important to support vulnerable populations who deserve quality care at an affordable rate. Within his role as the CFO of VitalCore, Mr. Strubbe is able to protect taxpayers by managing funds appropriately and efficiently within this multimillion-dollar Corporation that is fiscally responsible while providing top of craft services to those we serve.
Scott Jones
Chief Information Officer
Scott Jones serves as VitalCore’s Chief Information Officer and manages the Corporations entire technology footprint. With the help of his team, he manages internal systems, new account deployments, communications, Electronic Health Records (EHR), Helpdesk, information security, and other technological need that arise.
Scott began his career in Information Technology in 1991 and has worked with healthcare technology for over 20 years. In 1999, Mr. Jones began his own technology services company, which has since grown to serve hundreds of companies, in various business and government sectors, across the nation. His experience working with and supporting a diverse customer base taught him to be creative and agile which allows him to imagine and create technology solutions for a variety of business challenges. He left the business in the very capable hands of his children and trusted team when he became the Chief Information Officer for VitalCore Health Strategies.
Mr. Jones joined VitalCore because he believes in the company’s purpose, and it allows him the opportunity to support a company that aligns with his core values. He believes in raising standards and providing the highest quality healthcare.
Nikki Gilliland
President of Administration
Nikki Gilliland serves as VitalCore’s President of Administration overseeing the administrative teams and the corporation’s daily functions. Her role includes development of policies and procedures, logistics, data analysis, collaboration of teams, employee relations, and communications.
Prior to joining VitalCore, Nikki served as Chief of Staff to the Secretary for the Kansas Department on Aging and Disability Services. In this role, she assisted with the oversight of State Hospital operations, including personnel and state and federal compliance. She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Washburn University.
In 2019, Nikki was accepted as one of the first participants in the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences “One-of-a-Kind” Correctional Health Administration Master’s Degree Program (CHA). After completing the CHA program in August 2021, she was interviewed for the GW University Health Science News article (Issue 111) which stated “Nikki Gilliland, a 2021 cohort member who transitioned to correctional health care in 2019, noted that the critical thinking and analysis skills the program instills are essential for the field. “Students entering this program … ultimately walk away with a practical set of tools and experiences,” she said. “Students will exit this program understanding the importance of health care excellence in correctional settings and how it directly impacts public health.”
Nikki has paved the way for other VitalCore employees by being part of the first class of graduates from this outstanding program at George Washington University by obtaining her Master of Science in Health Services in Correctional Health Administration.
David McKune
President of Operations
David McKune serves as VitalCore’s President of Operations and has played an integral part in the growth of the Corporation. He has fulfilled several essential roles within VitalCore prior to accepting the President of Operations position which includes participation in the bidding process, policy and systems development, onboarding and start-up on site within multiple facilities, Information Technology, overseeing sites as a Director of Operations and involvement in overall Quality Management by collaborating with each department, Executive Leadership and their teams.
David has decades of experience working in correctional leadership. He served as Warden of Kansas State Penitentiary/Lansing Correctional Facility for 21 years and previously served as Director of the Johnson County Juvenile Services Center.
In these leadership roles, Mr. McKune was responsible for his facility’s population, staff, grounds, finances, and overall operations. As Warden of Lansing Correctional Facility, he was responsible for 2,500 clients, 1,000 staff, 120 buildings, 3,500 acres of grounds and an operating budget of approximately $38 million annually. As Director of Juvenile Services, he oversaw 40 clients, 100 staff and an annual operating budget of approximately $4 million.
He also negotiated contracts for services, including medical, mental health, electronic media, and food service, which totaled over $20 million. In addition, Mr. McKune has served on numerous local and state boards including chairing the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative and sitting on the Johnson County Children’s Coordinating Council, Johnson County Trauma Informed Care Task Force, and the Kansas Health Policy Authority Advisory Council.
On the national-level, Mr. McKune was previously Commissioner of the American Correctional Association Commission of Accreditation, a member of the National Law Enforcement Corrections Technology Center Technology Assessment Committee, and a National Correctional Quality and Standards Compliance Auditor conducting over 150 audits for local, state, federal, and private facilities.
Along with his decades of career experience, Mr. McKune has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from McPherson College and a master’s degree in Administration of Justice from Wichita State University. He has written numerous professional articles and presented on many corrections-related topics during his career including leadership, ethics, volunteerism, and use of technology in changing management practices and organizational culture.
His work in corrections and on these committees has led to safer correctional environments, evidence-based treatment in numerous facilities, and the creation of successful alternatives to incarcerating for youth, all while maintaining public safety and safety for those he was responsible for. Mr. McKune brings his experience and expertise to VitalCore as his beliefs and lifelong body of work aligns with the mission, philosophy and partnerships that are the foundation of this corporation.
Roger Haden
President of Business Development
Roger Haden serves as VitalCore’s President of Business Development by identifying new opportunities, solidifying existing partnerships while integrating his vast knowledge and expertise into the corporation. Roger met Viola Riggin and Dr. Lorelei Ammons during his time in KDOC as they all worked in conjunction to create a well-run stabilized healthcare system during their time with the Kansas Department of Corrections. He joined VitalCore because he believes in their work and in the values the company models and promotes.
Roger worked for the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) for over 34 years. During that time, he served in numerous positions, including his most recent role as the Deputy Secretary for the department. During his tenure as Deputy Secretary, he specialized in the provision and management of programs and services for staff and those residing in KDOC facilities. His oversight responsibilities included medical and mental health services, staff development and training, offender education and employment programs through correctional industries, and various treatment services. As part of this oversight, Roger had a significant responsibility in contracting services, which included developing requests for proposals (RFP), reviewing proposals, negotiating procurement, and monitoring contracts for a variety of statewide programs.
Roger holds a Master of Arts degree in English Literature. Prior to his work with the Department of Corrections, he was an educator and continues to hold a teaching license in Kansas. Mr. Haden is a veteran, having served with the US Army in Vietnam, and he is proud to be a grandfather to 11 grandchildren. He is an asset to VitalCore and has been an integral part of the development and growth of VitalCore Health Strategies.
Shannon Meyer
President of Operations
Shannon Meyer serves as VitalCore’s President of Operations. This includes working closely with the Vice Presidents to provide oversight of the contracts, ensuring that quality services are being provided to the patients, that staff are equipped to provide care according to national standards and building relationships with partners throughout the country.
Before joining VitalCore, Shannon was with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) for twenty years. She worked in several positions during that time, including Discharge Planner, Case Manager, Assistant Reentry Director, Community Corrections Director, Deputy Warden and lastly as Warden for the last six years. She served as Warden at Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF), the only female facility in KDOC and then at Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF), the largest male facility in KDOC. She was involved in multiple ACA accrediation audits throughout her career. In these leadership roles, Shannon was responsible for the offender population, staff, operations, programs/services, contracts, staff development, maintenance, policies and budget for the correctional facility.
As LCF Warden, Shannon was responsible for the final planning and activation of the newly constructed Lansing Correctional Facility that opened in 2021. The facility was designed to house 2,500 offenders of all custodies, ranging from long-term restrictive housing down to minimum.
During her career with KDOC, she was very involved in oversight of the medical and behavioral health services and worked closely with CEO Viola Riggin and COO Dr. Lorelei Ammons for many years.
Shannon joined VitalCore because she believes in the company’s mission. She has witnessed the medical and behavioral health services historically provided to the offender population and is dedicated to improving those services.
Frank Fletcher
President of Marketing
Frank Fletcher brings 38 years of health care experience, including 30 years in correctional health care to his role as Senior Vice-President of Marketing at VitalCore. His business expertise spans a variety of components, including staffing development and analysis, business development, operations, government relations, RFP review andresponse, contract pricing, proposal development, contract negotiation and implementation, and client satisfaction.He has worked with twenty (20) state departments of corrections as well as numerous jails.
His work has included touring many prisons and jails across the country in an effort to determine and use bestpractices. Frank exemplifies a collaborative philosophy with extensive experience working with an internal team ina complex business environment and has worked with teams including operations, clinical, finance, legal, andhuman resources. Frank believes the key to success has been an unwavering commitment to personal integrity. As a former C-suite executive, he is comfortable working with executive leadership and jail and prison administrations.Frank is a member of the American Correctional Association and the American Jail Association.
Dr. Harbans Deol
Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Harbans Deol joined VitalCore in 2023 following his retirement asmedical director for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS).While working with the NDCS, Dr. Deol was honored for his service during the pandemic. According to NDCS Director Scott R. Frakes, Dr. Deol and others wererecognized because they served NDCS in extraordinary ways during the pandemic.Response to the coronavirus required long-range planning, and in many situations, immediate action. “Ours is an agency that is responsible for the care of people, just like a nursing home or a hospital. At times, we needed all-hands-on-deck. Our staff responded without hesitation.”
Dr. Deol began his services as medical director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services on Jan. 2, 2017. He had served as health services administrator for the Iowa Department of Corrections since 2004 after being in private practice for more than 15 years.
Dr. Harbans S. Deol’s article, “Strategies in Managing Chronic Pain,” was featured in a 2018 edition ofCorrections Today, a publication of the American Correctional Association.
In 2017, Dr. Harbans Deol was appointed chairperson of the American Correctional Association’s (ACA) Health Care Committee.Each of the 50 states is represented on this committee, which sets the standard for health care in American prisons.
As chairperson, Dr. Deol played a principal role in guiding the direction and practice of corrections health care nationwide. James Gondles, executive director of ACA, said of Dr. Deol, “He is well-respected and highly regarded by his peers and has been an active member of the Coalition for Correctional Health Authorities (CCHA) for many years.Dr. Lannette Linthicum, ACA’s 105th president, recognized his abilities and appointed him as the ACA Health Care Committee chairperson.”
Dr. Deol was re-elected recently as Treasurer of the ACA.
He was also selected as one of eight CCHA members who provided training to ‘new’ health authorities in 56 corrections jurisdictions. In that role, he delivered insight and guidance on executive leadership and the scope and delivery of health services as well as mentored new members.
Dr. Deol served as Chair of the Coalition of Correctional Healthcare from 2019 to 2021, and he currently is the Chair of the CME and COVID Therapeutics.
He was selected for a 2021 CCHA Leadership award by his peers.This award is granted to an outstanding leader who has contributed to the correctional field.He has given numerous presentations to clinicians updating them on the medical advances in correctional medicine.
Raman Singh, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Raman Singh is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician with an extensive correctional healthcare experience, which includes managing a state correctional system for more than 10 years. He is one of the first to initiate an inter-agency collaboration to use Medicaid for correctional healthcare. He also pioneered the usage of telehealth and utilized is effectively. Some of his other accomplishments include accessing 340-B pricing for all medications, utilizing Ryan White HIV/AID Program funding for the reentry of HIV positive patients, and securing federal funding for the electronic health record (EHR) system. He has worked diligently to improve behavioral health care in correctional facilities and discharge planning for patients with behavioral health issues.
He was the co-chair of the Coalition of Correctional Health Authorities (CCHA), a member of American Correctional Association’s (ACA) Standards Committee, as well as a recipient of the Exemplary Correctional Health Care Leadership award by CCHA in 2017.
In September 2020, Dr. Singh joined VitalCore’s clinical leadership team as the President of Medical Affairs. His track record of advancing correctional healthcare and improving the quality of care in a cost-efficient manner is invaluable to VitalCore.
Deb Schult, Ph.D.
President of Behavioral Health
Dr. Deb Schult joined the VitalCore team in May 2019. She is a seasoned executive with over 26 years of experience in correctional and healthcare leadership roles. Before joining VitalCore, she served as the Assistant Director of the Health Services Division for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington D.C. She is highly regarded in the correctional industry and has administered a billion dollar nationwide correctional healthcare system for a population of over 155,000 in 122 institutions, to include seven joint commission-accredited prison hospitals.
Dr. Schult is a licensed psychologist who has treated vulnerable populations and overseen clinical treatment programs at the national level. She is experienced in providing correctional healthcare services to those especially vulnerable, including those with serious mental illnesses, people dealing with substance use disorders, the aging, and transgender patients.
Dr. Schult has worked in prison management for many years, having served as Chief Executive/Warden at two federal facilities. She is experienced in managing a workforce of healthcare personnel and has extensive experience in policy development and delivery of clinical guidance. She is also an accomplished public speaker and has presented on correctional healthcare issues in the past. VitalCore’s mission aligns with Dr. Schult’s commitment to bettering the lives of the correctional and institutionalized populations and supporting and improving the quality of healthcare provided.
Shammie Felps, MAOL, BSN, RN
President of Nursing Services
Shammie Felps is the Sr. Vice President of Nursing Services at VitalCore, bringing a blend of nursing experience and business leadership skills into the role. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree in organizational leadership, as well as years of experience in correctional healthcare.
As Sr. VP of Nursing, Ms. Felps is responsible for all aspects of nursing services, including nursing process development, change management, and nurse training development and implementation. Her previous experience working for the Kansas state correctional system has taught her the skills needed to be successful in her role and provide extensive support to the organization.
She has worked in numerous positions in the correctional field. First, she worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the Receiving and Diagnostic unit before moving into nursing management where she held a variety of roles, including Infection Prevention and Control, Infirmary Charge Nurse, Utilization Management, and interim Director of Nursing. She helped transition the Receiving and Diagnostic Unit from Topeka to El Dorado and assisted its start up in the new location.
Before joining VitalCore, Ms. Felps leveraged her extensive nursing experience to launch a Topeka-based medical clinic that provides urgent care and primary care services, which she still co-owns. She chose to join VitalCore because of her previous experience working with the owners and her passion in developing nursing leadership within correctional nursing.
Lannette Linthicum, M.D.
Medical Affairs, Consultant
Dr. Lannette Linthicum is a respected leader in correctional healthcare. She works with VitalCore as a Medical Affairs Consultant and has helped set the the healthcare standards that VitalCore follows.
Since 1998, she has been the Director of Health Services for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. She began her career in the department in 1986 as a physician for their Huntsville Unit and has worked in numerous positions since. While working within the Texas Criminal Justice system, she has improved the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Health Services Office of Professional Standards by creating an ombudsman’s office and utilizing team leaders to provide clinical expertise and supervision for patient liaisons and grievance investigators. She also implemented a process to perform access-to-care and quality-check on-site audits and monitoring and tracking of statistical trends in healthcare complaints.
Along with practical experience, Dr. Linthicum has a strong educational background in healthcare. She has bachelor’s degree from Smith College and a medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She is licensed to practice medicine in Maryland and Texas and is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
She has many accomplishments and has received numerous awards in the field of correctional healthcare. She has served as Past President for the American Correctional Association (ACA), has been a fellow of the American College of Physicians and an Advanced Certified Correctional Health Professional. Dr. Linthicum’s other achievements include receiving ACA’s E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award in 2011, formerly serving as the chair of ACA’s Commission on Accreditation for Corrections, serving as vice chair of the ACA Standards Committee, and co-chairing ACA’s Coalition of Correctional Health Authorities.
Dr. Linthicum holds numerous other honors and awards and is published in several peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, and abstracts. She is frequently invited to speak at symposiums and conferences due to her breadth of knowledge within the field. Her expertise has been invaluable in creating VitalCore’s standards and procedures.
Newton Kendig, M.D.
Clinical Consultant,
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services
Dr. Newton E. Kendig is a board-certified physician in internal medicine and infectious diseases. In 1984, he graduated from Jefferson Medical College. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital in 1987. He then trained as an infectious disease fellow at Johns Hopkins Hospital through 1991.
From 1991 through 1996, Dr. Kendig served as Medical Director of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. He later became a Commissioned Officer in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) assigned to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) where he served as Chief of Infectious Diseases, Medical Director, and ultimately Assistant Director in charge of the Health Services Division from 1996 to 2015. In October 2015, Dr. Kendig retired from the USPHS and the FBOP as an Assistant Surgeon General of the USPHS, at the rank of Rear Admiral, Upper Half.
Highlights of Dr. Kendig’s federal correctional healthcare career include managing a billion dollar health care system for over 200,000 people in over 100 institutions, including six Joint Commission-Accredited prison-hospitals; serving as the Commanding Officer for the Department of Health and Human Services mission to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to provide critical technical assistance to the only hospital on the island of Saipan; and, in 2014, serving as Commanding Officer for the Team 2 USPHS Commissioned Corps Ebola Response in Monrovia, Liberia.
Dr. Kendig has authored numerous Clinical Practice Guidelines that have helped define the standard of care for correctional medicine in the United States. He has chaired American Correctional Association (ACA) committees that developed national correctional health care standards fro U.S. jails and prisons. Dr. Kendig also worked a practicing clinician, providing direct patient care in infectious diseases at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, from 1991 to 2015.
In April 2017, Dr. Kendig joined the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences as a Clinical Professor of Medicine to spearhead a criminal justice health care initiative for the university.