Senior Staff

Dr. Larry N. Cook was appointed by the University of Louisville (UofL) Board of Trustees as Executive Vice President for Health Affairs (EVPHA) in April 2005, after serving in an interim capacity since August 2004. He assumed the leadership of the UofL Health Sciences Center, located in downtown Louisville, which includes oversight of the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Public Health, as well as 17 centers and institutes.

A native of Harlan, Kentucky, Shannon R. Turner serves as the Executive Vice President of University Health Care, Inc. Ms. Turner brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private health care sectors. Prior to accepting her current position, Ms. Turner served as Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Medicaid Services. In her role as Commissioner, she engineered a complete Medicaid transformation plan design and received approval from CMS for the first Deficit Reduction Act reform plan in the country.

Nici C. Gaines serves as the Associate Vice President of University Health Care, Inc. Her state government experience includes serving as the former director of the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) where she transformed the program under the Deficit Reduction Act. She also formerly served as the director of pharmacy operations for the Department for Medicaid Services where she worked closely with advocates, providers, and CMS.

As Interim Executive Director for Passport Health Plan and Passport Advantage, Mr. Stanley is responsible for oversight and execution of all health plan operations for the Medicaid and Medicare Advantage lines of business. David Stanley has more than 20 years of financial experience. As Vice President and CFO of Passport Health Plan, his responsibilities include functioning as primary contact for all financial related inquires; working closely with the UHC Board regarding the Plan's financial matters; preparing the annual UHC financial plan; and providing UHC owners and local AmeriHealth Mercy staff with ad hoc financial support as needed.

As Vice President of Public Affairs for Passport Health Plan, the Region's Kentucky Medicaid Managed Care Plan, Jill is responsible for Legislative, Community and Media affairs for the 150,000-member health plan. Her duties include communications, outreach and education to members in the sixteen county service area.

DeDe Davis is Vice President of Operations and Contracting with the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies. She has accountability for Passport Health Plan, a Medicaid Managed Care Organization under contract with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and Passport Advantage, a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan under contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a total of $850 million in revenue under management.

As Vice President of Medical Management for Passport Health Plan and Passport Advantage, Helen Homberger is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for all medical management programs. These include Utilization Management, Case Management, Mommy & Me, EPSDT, Disease Management, Health Management, Behavioral Health Coordination, and Clinical Programs.