Board of Directors

Pediatric Health Care Alliance is 100% independently owned by our shareholder physicians. Our physician Board of Directors manages all policies and decision-making regarding health care services and business operations for the medical practice.

PHCA Administration, LLC

Pediatric Health Care Alliance employs a management services company to guide business operations for the medical practice. PHCA Administration, LLC provides executive management, IT, HR, insurance contracting and credentialing, billing, and other critical business services. This ensures that our team has optimal expertise in place to oversee these functions, and allows the clinical office to focus on our top priority - patient care. Many of these administrators have worked with Pediatric Health Care Alliance since its inception in 1997. PHCA Administration, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Novelle Health, LLC, a healthcare data science and analytics company.
Rich Ferrelli, CEO
Rich Ferrelli

Chief Executive Officer | PHCA Administration, LLC; CEO, Novelle Health, LLC; CEO, Novelle Venture Partners 

Rich is our CEO. He oversees the strategic direction of our entire Family of Companies including pediatric practice management, data science, real estate investments, and related healthcare ventures. 

See his bio at https://www.novellehealth.com/team.

 ps://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-ferrelli-a2813b15

Portrait of Karalee Kulek-Luzey
Karalee Kulek-Luzey, MD

Medical Director & Managing Partner | Pediatric Health Care Alliance, PA; Chief Medical Officer, Novelle Health, LLC

Karalee Kulek-Luzey, M.D., joined the Alliance in 1997 with one of the six founding practices, Tampa Bay Pediatrics. She has practiced pediatrics in Tampa for 20 years. In addition to serving as Medical Director for the Alliance, she also maintains a half-time appointment schedule at our South Tampa Office and currently serves as Chief of Pediatrics at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Dr. Kulek-Luzey received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida (1985) and her Doctor of Medicine from the University of South Florida, School of Medicine, Tampa, Florida (1990). She completed her internship (1991) and residency (1993) in Pediatrics at the University of South Florida - All Children's Hospital, Tampa, Florida. Dr. Kulek-Luzey has been Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics since 1993.

Dr. Kulek-Luzey is continually recognized on the Best Doctors in America® list, a leading resource for linking consumers with expert medical care. Physicians are chosen through an exhaustive peer-review survey that asks: "If you or a loved one needed a doctor in your specialty, to whom would you refer them?" Only physicians who earn the consensus support of their peers are included.

Portrait of Debra Gonzalez
Debra Gonzalez

Chief Administrative Officer | PHCA Administration, LLC; Chief Administrative Officer, Novelle Health, LLC

Debra’s executive experience includes the successful development and expansion of a private company that provides practice management services to independently-owned private medical groups. She joined the PHCA family of companies at its inception in 1998 and advanced through increasingly progressive roles in finance and operations, actively contributing to the company’s growth and profitability. Before joining PHCA, she worked as an Accounting Manager and an Auditor at a large regional accounting firm.

Debra is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from the State University of New York at Albany, and a Masters in Health Administration from Seton Hall University.

Jennifer Cherres

Senior Director of Finance | PHCA Administration, LLC

With 12 years of Accounting and Finance experience and a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Eastern Michigan University, Jennifer joined Pediatric Health Care Alliance in 2019 as the Manager of Accounting.  She worked to ensure the accuracy of the company’s financial files and data.

In January 2021, Jennifer was promoted to Director of Finance and continually works hard to maintain the integrity of the company’s financial information and to assist in the success and growth of the practice.

Darwin Baird photo
Darwin Baird

Director of Information Technology | PHCA Administration, LLC 

Darwin Baird is a highly skilled individual with a diverse background in the technology industry. As a graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology, he brings forth a solid educational foundation coupled with over two decades of hands-on experience. Darwin's tenure at WebMD displayed his ability to lead and mentor teams, providing technical guidance and ensuring a smooth support process He later served as a Systems Engineer at McKesson Corporation, where he applied his technical prowess to design, implement, and maintain robust systems infrastructure.  In 2005 Darwin joined the PHCA family and is currently serving as the IT Director, where he provides strategic leadership, overseeing the organization's IT operations, and aligning technology initiatives with business goals. Darwin holds certifications that underscore his proficiency in various technologies, including SCO UNIX, AIX, and Microsoft Azure. His multifaceted career has seen him excel in various roles, highlighting a versatile skill set and a commitment to delivering exceptional results. Darwin’s comprehensive skill set, coupled with his wealth of experience, positions him as a valuable asset in the ever-evolving landscape of technology. His commitment to excellence and adaptability makes him a standout professional in the field.

Bryan O'Neill photo
Bryan O'Neill

Director of Revenue Cycle Management | PHCA Administration, LLC

Bryan joined Pediatric Health Alliance in 2010. A product of University of South Florida, Bryan has over 30 years of operational, managerial experience in the Medical Revenue Cycle Management industry. Prior to joining PHA, Bryan gained his analytical skills, managerial experience, and proven track record in revenue cycle management by working for Drs. Sheer, Ahearn & Associates, along with national corporations such as Foster/General Medical, Team Health Radiology, and Apria Healthcare.

Don Szewczyk photo
Don Szewczyk

Director of  Information Science, Chief Privacy Officer | PHCA Administration, LLC 

Malinda Waters photo
Malinda Waters

Director of Health Information Services | PHCA Administration, LLC

Christi Carter
Christi Carter

Director of Quality Assurance and Special Projects | PHCA Administration, LLC

Christi Carter earned her LPN from St. Petersburg Vocational-Technical School in 1983. She began her career at Bayfront Medical Center Nursery and transitioned to office pediatrics in 1988. In 1991, she joined pediatrician Bruce Epstein, MD, and became part of PHCA when the practice was acquired in 1999. Christi was promoted to Clinical Supervisor of our Seminole location, later advancing to Site Manager of our two Pinellas County offices. In 2018, she became Assistant Director of Quality Assurance, and in 2023, she was promoted to Director.

With her extensive clinical experience, Christi supports all PHCA departments and office locations. She has a son and three grandchildren. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, live music, supporting local bands, movies, and crafting.

Debbie Sharp photo
Debbie Sharp

Director of Practice Site Operations | PHCA Administration, LLC

Debbie Sharp, MPH, joined PHCA in 2018 at our Lutz Office. She is seasoned in budget, contract, and compliance management and brings a wealth of expertise to our team. In her previous role in community development, she excelled in administrating multiple sites and streamlining operations to exceed program outcomes. She researched, implemented, and evaluated several programs designed to help families, one of which won the Most Successful Youth Program award. Demonstrating her ongoing dedication to the youth in our community, Debbie has organized numerous community events and collaborated with local partners to serve children and families effectively.

Debbie's commitment to community service is a core part of her identity. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and a Master of Public Health from the University of South Florida. Her passion for giving people a hand up and commitment to building a future of healthy individuals and communities is evident in her work. This commitment extends beyond her professional life, as she participates in various charitable walks and volunteer activities.

When she's not working, Debbie enjoys traveling abroad and immersing herself in the cultures of the places she visits.

Jenny Adames Photo
Jenny Adames

Director of Centralized Operations | PHCA Administration, LLC

Operations Managers

Operations managers are responsible for project management, billing, increasing RCM efficiencies, and working directly with our senior leadership in such areas as technology advancement, process automation, customer service, patient experience, and digital transformation.
Vincent Szewczyk
Vincent Szewczyk

Operations Manager

Michelle Cross photo
Michelle Cross

Billing Services Manager

Site Managers

Site managers serve as leaders for their site personnel and manage the day-to-day operations of their clinical office. As part of our administrative team, site managers provide insight to our executive team, and act as liaison for their physicians and staff.