Health Care Conference Webcast Part 2

Andrew E. Blustein is the Vice Chairman of Garfunkel Wild, P.C. Mr. Blustein's practice includes the representation of hospitals, physicians, ambulatory surgery centers and other healthcare industry-related clients (both for profit and not-for-profit). Mr. Blustein has been a leader in developing and implementing Compliance Programs for healthcare providers and health plans, advising ambulatory surgery centers and assisting hospitals in strategic affiliations. He frequently lectures on physician practice issues, private equity transactions, cyber-security, telemedicine, corporate transactions practice mergers and computer contracting. Admitted to the New Jersey Bar, the New York Bar and the Connecticut Bar, Mr. Blustein is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the New Jersey State Bar Association (Health and Law Section); Past Co-Chairman of the Westchester County Bar Association (Hospital and Physician Law Section) and the American Health Lawyers Association. Mr. Blustein graduated from Vassar College in 1987 (B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude) in 1987 and Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude) in 1990.

Alexander Buchholz has amassed more than 15 years of experience in public accounting, including with a Big Four accounting firm. He is also the Practice Leader of the Firm’s Cemetery Division. Alex is responsible for the development of the audit approach as well as the supervision of staff. Additionally, he is responsible for managing the audit so that it is performed on a timely basis with as little intrusion to client operations as possible. Alex’s expertise is in Single Audits and internal control/compliance audits. His industry experience is in healthcare and Not-for-Profit entities, including skilled nursing facilities, social service agencies, charter schools, diagnostic and treatment centers, homecare service entities, adult homes, and other long-term care facilities as well as special-needs entities and cemeteries. Alex also serves as a peer reviewer. Alex is also an adjunct professor at Brooklyn College and Lehman College of the City University of New York in the Department of Accounting, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in accounting and auditing. He conducts internal training seminars for the Firm and frequently speaks to outside organizations and associations. Alex is also a former member of the Firm’s continuing professional education (CPE) committee, with special emphasis on Single Audit training. He also writes various articles on accounting and auditing topics for a variety of professional publications. He has professional affiliations and civic involvement in the following: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA), Academic Advancement of Higher Education (Former Chair), Health Care Committee (Former Member and Chair), Not-for-Profit Committee (Former Member), Foundation for Accounting Education (Former Member), National Conference of CPA Practitioners, New York State Association of Cemeteries, New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA), Nonprofit Interest Group, Greater Washington Society of CPAs Nonprofit Interest Group, Metropolitan Cemetery Association, New Jersey Cemetery Association, American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service (Board Member and Chair), St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children (Board Member), and New York State Board of Public Health Accountancy (Board Member). His education includes Baruch College Master of Business Administration degree in Finance & Investments, and Brooklyn College Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in Accounting.

Sanath Rajapakse is the partner in charge of the Risk Advisory Services practice of Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C. and oversees a team of 25 professionals. His specialties include Enterprise Risk Management, Information Security, Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Information Technology (IT) Governance and Strategy. Sanath has served in the capacity of Chief Risk Officer, Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer as he serves clients in multiple industry segments. He assists clients with developing IT strategies, roadmaps and aligning IT service delivery with business objectives. Information Security services include risk and vulnerability assessments, information security program development, assessments, and testing. He joined Freed Maxick at the end of 2012. Prior to that, he was with KPMG LLP for over 12 years. In addition to the ERM and IT services, over the last 20 plus years he has led internal and external audits including conducting risk assessments to drive auditing planning, establishing multi-year audit plans, executing audits, delivering attestation services such as SOC1 and SOC2, and interfacing with regulatory agencies. Other services include conducting business process redesigns, controls design, business impact analyses, and business continuity planning. After living in Brooklyn and Staten Island New York where he attended middle and high school, he moved to Buffalo to attend SUNY. He currently lives in Clarence NY with his wife and son.

Tom Joined the firm in May 2019 as a Partner in the Audit Department. Tom has more than 28 years of experience serving clients in the healthcare, not-for-profit and government industries. Prior to joining the firm, Tom served as the co-managing partner and head of business development for the Mid-Hudson Valley office of PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP, a top 50 national firm. Tom also served in the private sector as Vice President of Finance for a Manhattan-based health system where he oversaw the managed care organization for a Medicare Advantage plan, a Managed Long-Term Care Plan (MLTCP) and a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plan. Tom is a trusted financial advisor to client management and their boards of directors in financial, operational and internal control related matters and has written several articles on compliance for healthcare and not-for-profit organizations. Tom’s expertise includes providing services for health systems, hospitals, HMOs, physician groups, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), religious orders, voluntary health and welfare organizations, arts and educational institutions, foundations, school districts, community colleges, and local and county governments.

Suzanne Breit has been a certified public accountant since 1988 and has been a member of the Firm since 1985. Along with celebrating her 20th anniversary with the Firm in 2005, Suzanne was promoted from Senior Tax Manager to Director in November of that year. In 2006, Suzanne made the transition from the tax department to the audit department and was promoted to Partner. She is known as the “care setter” because she sets the standard at HMM for dedication to her work and her concern for the professional needs of her clients. Her responsibilities include auditing (of both healthcare facilities and employee benefit plans), accounting and providing tax services to HMM’s clients. Along with her auditing experience of over 20 years, Suzanne has extensive experience in tax preparation, research and has successfully represented clients in tax audits. Suzanne has been involved in matters relating to more than 50 healthcare facilities throughout New York State. Her work requires an extensive practical knowledge of the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement systems, and the rules and regulations relating those systems. Suzanne also manages her firm’s employee benefit plan (EBP) practice, bringing value to clients by staying in front of ever-changing EBP regulations. Suzanne is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) Healthcare Committee, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). She is an active member of the NYSSCPA’s Suffolk Chapter Employee Benefits Committee. She also volunteers her time in in her local community.