Staff

Led by nationally recognized wellness expert Michael Samuelson, HWI’s staff is comprised of a diverse group of experienced healthcare professionals.  As staff levels rise to meet the market demands for prevention-based programs and services, every HWI employee maintains a dedication to reducing risk, improving health and enhancing productivity through the design and delivery of effective, innovative and comprehensive health management solutions.

From the very top of the organization throughout the entire company, HWI employees are also active participants and members in national and local organizations.

Michael H. Samuelson

President & CEO

Michael is the President & CEO for The Health & Wellness Institute (HWI).  He currently leads business development activities for HWI, conducts senior management seminars and delivers enterprise wellness briefings for worksite wellness clients. When he’s not on the road, Michael lends his 30 years of expertise to the product development process.  In addition to the management of HWI, Michael provides direct executive support to the health insurance industry.

For more than 25 years, Michael was the President and CEO of The National Center for Health Promotion, a health and productivity consulting organization he co-founded in 1977. Over the years NCHP earned a reputation as an international leader in the design and delivery of disease management, training, leadership and health promotion systems. As President and CEO, Michael led his marketing team in providing services to over 1,000 corporations and 800 medical centers. In addition, he directed a program of professional development and training for over 4,500 individuals throughout the US, Canada, and Japan. Michael is widely published and is a past and present director, consultant, and advisor to numerous prestigious boards and organizations including The Men’s Health Network, The Business Innovation Factory, The HERO Forum for Optimal Employee Health, The Lance Armstrong Foundation and The Department of Defense. In addition, he has written and contributed to corporate policies for several major US corporations. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a MA degree in Education, Michael has appeared on over 200 television and radio stations throughout North America and has been interviewed by numerous print publications including Newsweek, USA Today, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. His work in the area of behavior change, health economics and healthcare consumer advocacy has been featured on the ABC News program, 20/20, The CBS Morning Show, CNN, and MSNBC. Michael is a Viet Nam Era veteran of the US Air Force (1967 – 1971) and a recipient of the Commanders Coin of Excellence from the US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine. An avid fitness advocate and trekker, Michael has climbed mountain peaks in Asia, Africa, and Alaska, as well as the US lower 48.

"Michael…You are among a very select group of distinguished leaders, scientists, activists and public figures…"
—George H.W. Bush, Former President of The United States

“Michael: Thank you for helping our stakeholders turn on their radar.”
—Willie G. Davidson, Harley-Davidson Motor Company

"Your presentation was truly inspiring and made a significant contribution to the resounding success of the summit [Steps to a Healthier US – Keynote Address] by providing insights and valuable information to our audience."
—Richard H. Carmona, MD, US Surgeon General

"What a marvelous inspirational book you have put together -- it is so touching as one reads each story. However, I am not surprised after meeting you and hearing you speak..."
—Mrs. Betty Ford, Former US First Lady

NOTE: Upon request, additional national endorsements of Michael’s work are available from: Larry King, CNN; Ken Blanchard, author; Tom Ridge, Former Director, Homeland Security; D.W Edington, author/professor; James Prochaska, author/professor; Luke Seward, author/professor; The Lance Armstrong Foundation and others. Please contact Karen.Revill@hwinstitute.com for more information or to request Michael for a speaking engagement.

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Eileen K. Meehan

Chief Operating Officer

Eileen serves as the Chief Operating Officer for The Health & Wellness Institute (HWI). In this role, Eileen is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the day-to-day operations, including product pricing, operational and organizational management, financial management, and human resource management. Eileen also plays a critical role in defining and executing the strategic vision for the Company and ensuring that the Company's products and services are delivered on time and on budget, and with adherence to customer requirements and the highest quality standards.

Eileen has a decade of management consulting experience and financial planning that she brings with her to The Health & Wellness Institute. Prior to joining HWI, Eileen spent two years in Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island's (BCBSRI) Initiatives Management Office, overseeing the development, design, delivery and implementation of large scale initiatives for three major divisions.

Before BCBSRI, Eileen served as a Management Consultant for Towers Perrin, where she played a lead role in assisting several Fortune 500 companies with mergers and acquisitions work, with particular emphasis on post-merger organizational integration and effectiveness. Eileen was the only non-partner to serve on Towers Perrin’s Mergers and Acquisitions Leadership Team, and won Towers Perrin’s “Jeffie Award” for Outstanding Client Relationship Management. Eileen also served as a Senior Consultant for Quantifacts, Inc. and as a financial analyst for the Mergers & Acquisitions Department of Kidder, Peabody, & Co., an investment banking firm.

Eileen received her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, and her Bachelor in Science degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton. She currently lives in Barrington, RI with her husband and three children.

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Joanne Bilotta

Assistant Vice President, Client Services & Strategic Operations

Joanne serves as the Assistant Vice President of Client Services and Strategic Operations for The Health & Wellness Institute (HWI). In this role, she is responsible for all aspects of client service activities, including regional and national account management and health education delivery, and the daily operations of HWI’s Rhode Island and Iowa campus locations.

Joanne brings more than fifteen years of experience in the health insurance industry to HWI. As the Assistant Vice President of Marketing for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), she was responsible for overseeing market research initiatives and the development and implementation of market strategies, launch of new products, and ongoing product management activities for the commercial and individual under 65 markets.

Joanne was instrumental in the establishment and growth of the Marketing Department at BCBSRI. Under her leadership, the Market Research Team expanded their services to include the establishment of Member Advisory Committees, online panels, and the coordination of conjoint research studies. The Custom Implementation Team was formed to provide exceptional custom benefit implementation services to large key accounts. The New Product Innovation and Market Strategy Team was established to address future market needs.

She assured the successful launches of BCBSRI’s consumer driven product line, dental product suite, and national PPO product, which won the JD Powers & Associates “Outstanding Member Experience” designation in 1996.

In addition, Joanne served as BCBSRI’s representative for the America’s Health Insurance Plan’s Individual and Small Group Committees and the Wellness Health Plan Committee of the Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner. She also represented BCBSRI on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s (BCBSA) Blue HealthCare Bank Development team and was a key player in the development and launch of the Blue Healthcare Bank. She assisted BCBSA in the development of their Blue 365 affinity discount program.

Prior to her work with BCBSRI, Joanne served as Customer Service Manager for Graybar Electric Company, a national electrical distributor, where she successfully led the telemarketing and customer service team.

Joanne is a graduate of Bentley College where she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing Management and her Associate’s of Science in Accountancy. She earned the designation of Health Insurance Associate (HIA) from the Health Insurance Association of America. Never content to operate solely on her years of institutional knowledge, Joanne has completed coursework in Managing Marketing ROI from the Center for Marketing Excellence and the Association of National Advertisers and from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management's Institute for Business Strategy Development. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her husband and son.

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William C. Dukes

Chief Innovation Officer

Bill is responsible for the design and development of all products and services for The Health & Wellness Institute (HWI). His main responsibility is to lead the development process of HWI's health management programs, infusing cutting-edge technology components and a consumer-focused appeal to empower participants to take action toward positive lifestyle changes and motivate them to maintain healthy habits.

A marketing communications specialist with more than a decade of artistic design and commercial development experience, Bill has been instrumental in the creation of unique personalization methodologies that blend art, science and technology to achieve measurable communication objectives.

Bill is first and foremost a communicator, who is comfortable utilizing cutting-edge technologies and the appropriate mediums to foster interactive relationships. He is currently leading the development of the H.I.T.S. Health Incentive Tracking System for gathering participation data and rewarding employees who participate in health and wellness programs. He is also overseeing the development of a new online wellness portal and overseeing ongoing maintenance of the Company's next generation Personal Health Assessment.

Prior to joining HWI, Bill served for seven years as VP, Chief Creative Officer for MicroMass Communications, Inc. During that time he was responsible for the design of award-winning tailored Customer Relationship Management products utilizing MicroMass’ proprietary personalization technologies. Bill has extensive experience in the implementation and management of large-scale interactive programs and campaigns. Throughout his career, he has worked with multiple channels including print, web, television and radio and produced for various industries, including entertainment, automotive, financial services and healthcare/pharmaceutical. His client list includes: GlaxoSmithKline, Roche Laboratories, Pfizer, Novartis, American Heart Association, Arthritis Foundation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Volvo Motors and Jim Henson Productions.

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William P. Springer, Jr.

Director, Research & Analysis

As the Director of Research & Analysis for The Health & Wellness Institute (HWI), Bill manages the evaluation of the quantitative and qualitative impact of our health management solutions for client organizations and individual participants. Specifically, Bill develops and refines our methodology for assessing the return on investment (ROI) as tracked through participant health risk reduction, productivity metrics, absenteeism, and claims for healthcare, workers compensation, long-term and short-term disability. Bill's work for HWI will draw heavily upon his training and work experience in the fields of accounting, finance, and risk management.

Prior to joining HWI, Bill worked in several capacities, ranging from reporting and analysis to finance and contract management, with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI). Most recently, Bill coordinated benchmark reporting of plan performance against comparable BCBS and non-BCBS plans between 2002 and late 2006. Before that, Bill managed a network of more than 70 skilled nursing facility contracts as SNF/PHO/Hospital Contract Administrator, improving access for Medicare HMO members and achieving $1 million in annual savings through the restructuring of BCBSRI's stop-loss program.

Bill was instrumental in a number of development initiatives for BCBSRI. In his role as Director of Finance for BlueCHiP, Coordinated Health Partners (formerly a separate BCBSRI subsidiary), Bill helped to increase the capabilities and staffing of the Finance department and implement a new managed care software package. He worked as a Senior Consultant in the formation of BCBSRI's Business & Technology Office (1994-1995), coordinating the information technology aspects of several major corporate initiatives, reengineering the Systems and Medicare Operations divisions, and helping to establish the data warehousing/information infrastructure.

Bill earned his M.B.A. from the University Of Chicago Graduate School Of Business with a specialization in Accounting, and his B.S. in Management with an Economics concentration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Since 2001 Bill has worked as a part-time undergraduate instructor at the University of Rhode Island, teaching courses in health care economics, finance, and administration. He is a Fellow in the Academy for Healthcare Management and was designated a Managed Healthcare Professional by the Health Insurance Association of America in 1997.

Bill is an active member of the community, giving his time to coach softball and T-ball teams for the East Greenwich Little League and the Kent County YMCA. He served as a Girl Scouts of Rhode Island Board member from 1993 to 1995, chaired the BCBSRI employee wellness committee, and has lead several United Way company campaigns. Bill lives in East Greenwich, RI with his wife and 3 children.

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Cindy Moser

Director, Product Development

As Director of Product Development, Cindy oversees the project management of The Health & Wellness Institute’s (HWI) product development process. Having over a decade of experience in project and proposal management, Cindy works in collaboration with a cross-functional team of subject matter experts in wellness services, IT, product development, and social marketing to help move concepts to the consumer-focused health management solutions that make up HWI’s suite of programs and services.

Prior to joining HWI, Cindy served as Program Director in the Corporate Project Office at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. In this position, Cindy showcased her exemplary project management and strategic planning abilities as she initiated projects and program investments based on the organization’s strategic plan and available resources, analyzed proposed projects relative to the organization's strategic direction, established project management policies, and provided centralized services to the organization's portfolio of projects, such as guidelines, planning, scheduling, estimating, costing, and risk assessment.

Before entering the health insurance arena, Cindy enjoyed an extensive career with GTECH, a leading provider of online lottery systems, network, and software. During that time she managed numerous multi-million dollar projects, including supporting the launch of South Africa’s National Lottery. She gained international management experience as she successfully led cross-functional, multi-vendor teams of sales, manufacturing, software, marketing, field engineering, operations, and customer service personnel to project completion.

Cindy received her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Virginia and her Bachelor’s of Arts in History from Brown University. She lives in Cumberland, Rhode Island with her husband.

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Steve Cook

Technical Director

Steve currently oversees all The Health & Wellness Institute's (HWI) online and electronic communication processes. With fifteen years of experience in communication systems, business administration, and computer technology, Steve's expertise and influence is helping to optimize HWI products, services and systems to most efficiently and effectively support our clients.

As the Technical Director at HWI, Steve creates Web-based applications, databases and report generation tools that improve our assessment and evaluation processes for HWI clients and enhance the delivery of products and services. He is also responsible for managing the Teleform data capture center, a system quickly and accurately process information from clients, evaluates their health and wellness needs, and the impact of HWI programs. Currently, Steve is working to transition all of HWI to a new technology vendor to reduce down time and improve technical support.

While working for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), Steve played a significant role in building BCBSRI.com - BCBSRI's corporate web site. He implemented a Web site lifecycle management methodology that included provisions for quality assurance, client approval and release management. He also introduced an award-winning enterprise content management solution using Interwoven tools, designed automated content management work-flow procedures, and developed an interactive Consumer Directed Health Plan (CDHP) tool.

Prior to joining the HWI team, Steve was the Corporate Information Systems Manager for RetailExchange.com where he oversaw a team of quality assurance, database, helpdesk, network and analyst specialists and negotiated Internet service provider (ISP) and other vendor contracts. He was also responsible for managing $1 million in capital assets. Prior to this position, he was an Information Systems Manager for the Hay Group and designed a Web and facsimile data collection system which improved labor cost efficiency for his team over 60% in six months. Steve is also a world traveler and educator and has taught high school science in Southern Africa through the Peace Corps.

Steve received his High-Tech MBA from NorthEastern University. When he's not at work, Steve can be found coaching his daughter's softball team or renovating his home. He currently lives with his wife and children in Medfield, MA.

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Ellen Conway

Senior Consultant

As Senior Consultant for The Health & Wellness Institute™ (HWI), Ellen leads the national deployment and management of all strategic consulting services for HWI. Ellen and her team support client engagements such as facilitating executive sessions and defining and implementing the marketing and sales strategy, to supporting the wellness offerings and managing overall project rollouts.

As a result of her external consulting work and unique background, Ellen brings an important perspective to the multi-disciplinary teams at HWI that create new products and services. Ellen’s focus in the product development process is target audience application and creating new consulting models for advising corporate clients on meeting their wellness and business goals. With her experience in product marketing, she also assists in creating wellness solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into new products.

Prior to her consulting role, Ellen was Manager of Client Services and oversaw the team of health management consultants who offer strategic council to worksite wellness clients and coordinate the delivery of prevention and behavior change-related programs and services to employees in retail, manufacturing, financial and other professional services, healthcare, unions, and municipal environments.

Before joining HWI, Ellen served as the project manager for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island's consumer-driven health plan initiative and was responsible for the development of the HSA and HRA plans, as well as the selection of Wells Fargo as its financial services partner. Ellen’s work experience also includes leading a product development team and managing a $1.6 million budget at GTECH, a worldwide transaction processing and gaming company, to create a Web-enabled decision support and reporting solution. During her eight years at GTECH, Ellen also managed all aspects of product strategy and day-to-day marketing for key enterprise solutions, and led several procurement teams in new business development and retention sales initiatives.

She worked for several years in the Corporate Communication office of a New Hampshire-based affiliate of ING Group, a global financial services firm. Ellen also worked as a healthcare practitioner and in the public affairs office at Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington, MA. She studied nursing and holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Communications/Media.

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Melissa Harrison

Director, Health Management

As Director of Health Management for The Health & Wellness Institute (HWI), Melissa oversees the delivery of health management programs regionally and nationally. She is responsible for HWI’s Center of Excellence corporate training program, Quality Assurance initiative, Wellness Coaching, Biometric Lab Screening Services, Inventory and Fulfillment Management, and Community Outreach and Prevention. Melissa and her team are integral to the success of HWI in the marketplace. Through her leadership, Health Management ensures that each HWI program exceeds client expectations while improving their employees’ health, morale, and productivity.

With over a decade of experience in health education, Melissa leads her team of health educators in the evaluation of all programs and services for clinical accuracy and effectiveness. With data gathered from the Quality Assurance process and other sources, Melissa and her team serve as an invaluable resource to the Product Development team in the ongoing refinement of HWI program and services.

Prior to her current position with HWI, Melissa applied her customer service and health promotion skills in the role of Senior Account Manager in the Health & Wellness Division of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI). In this position, she assessed her clients’ health risks and tailored programs to meet their specific health needs. Coupling this with her experience as a Health Promotions Coordinator, in which she delivered health management solutions to more than 50 high-profile BCBSRI accounts, Melissa is able to create the link between meeting employers risk management needs and designing educational programs that empowers members to make positive lifestyle changes. Prior to her work with HWI, Melissa applied her customer service and health education skills as Senior Account Manager in the Health & Wellness Division of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI). In this position, she assessed her clients’ health risks and developed tailored programs to address them. She also served as Health Promotions Coordinator; delivering health management solutions to more than 50 high-profile BCBSRI accounts.

Before joining BCBSRI, Melissa was the Wellness Program Coordinator at UnitedHealthcare of New England. She was responsible for all worksite wellness programs for both employees and employer groups. Additional work experience includes the Public Health Office of the Saratoga County Public Nursing Service in New York state where she developed educational materials on topics such as osteoporosis, diabetes, smoking, nutrition, and exercise.

Melissa is certified as an HIV Test Counselor and an American Cancer Society Breast Self-Exam Instructor, and she is also certified by the American Red Cross in CPR, AED, and First Aid. She is an active member of the National Wellness Institute, the American Association for Health Education, and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Melissa has Bachelor’s of Science in Health Education and a minor in Wellness Management from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. She lives in Attleboro, MA with her husband and two children.

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Suzanne Brodney Folse, PhD, RD

Manager, Research & Evaluation

Suzanne manages funded research projects and leads grant development for The Health & Wellness Institute (HWI). She is also responsible for the design and implementation of all measurement tools for evaluating the effectiveness of the health management solutions offered through HWI. Her team of research professionals works with academic and private institutions to expand our knowledge of the benefits of worksite health promotion programs.

From 2001-2005 Suzanne was a faculty member in the Department of Community Health at Brown University Medical School in Providence, RI where she served as Project Director for a seven-year contract awarded by the National Eye Institute to increase the US contribution to the Cochrane Collaboration’s Eyes and Vision Group. She was also Associate Director of the US Cochrane Center in Providence. She played a key role in developing the US Cochrane Center training materials and served as faculty in several systematic review and peer review workshops.

Suzanne is currently involved with school wellness initiatives in Rhode Island and chairs the health & wellness committee at a Providence school. Her professional interests include weight gain prevention in adults and children, critical appraisal of behavioral medicine research and translation to practice; and systematic reviews of nutrition and physical activity topics that address prevention of chronic disease.

Suzanne earned a doctorate degree in Epidemiology with minors in Biometry and Behavioral Science from the University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in the Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine. In addition, she is a registered dietitian and serves as an Evidence Analyst for the American Dietetic Association. She is also certified in adult weight management from the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

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Luisa Valencia, BSW

Manager, Community Health & Prevention

As the Manager of Community Health & Prevention for The Health & Wellness Institute (HWI) and account manager for HWI's largest account, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), Luisa manages key projects and oversees health educators who develop and deliver prevention-oriented programs and services to BCBSRI members and the Rhode Island community. She is responsible for identifying opportunities to meet the needs of underserved populations and creating community relationships with the goal of improving the health of all Rhode Islanders. This includes effectively utilizing the Health & Wellness Van to deliver community wellness and educational programs throughout Rhode Island. Luisa works closely with Institute program managers in researching, developing, implementing and evaluating a variety of disease management and prevention programs with an emphasis on addressing health disparities, and delivering culturally sensitive programs.

Luisa has nearly 20 years of health care experience in a variety of settings and in developing and implementing programs to diverse, high-risk populations. A dynamic and focused individual, she has held a variety of positions at BCBSRI since 1994, with increasing management responsibilities, and working directly with senior management.

Because of her contacts in the state and her ability to get things done, Luisa is often tapped to lead event-specific special projects in Rhode Island. Prior to coming to HWI, Luisa was responsible for negotiating and managing BCBSRI’s RIte Care contract with the Department of Human Services. (RIte Care is the State of Rhode Island’s managed Medicaid program). This contract generated annual revenue of over $20 million dollars, and required extensive coordination with all operational areas to execute strategies to enhance operational performance, and improved health outcomes for RIte Care members.

Luisa represents HWI on several boards and committees including the Department of Health’s Office of Women’s Health Advisory Committee, Department of Health Diabetes Multicultural Coalition, Broad Street Path to Health Coalition, and Dorcas Place Community Advisory Committee.

Luisa is currently taking project management classes at Bryant College and has completed the Women’s Leadership Training at Bryant College. Additionally, Luisa has completed company-sponsored training such as Managing for Extraordinary Results, Facilitating for Results, and the Cleaver People Development System (Human Behavior and Job Success). Luisa is fluent in Spanish & English.

Luisa lives in North Providence with her husband, two sons Matthew (7) and Lucas (4). She enjoys traveling, learning about new cultures, and volunteering her time. Luisa is a familiar face at community events and has participated in numerous blood drives, walkathons and volunteers at the Rhode Island Food Bank.

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Philip N. Swayze

Manager, Communications

Philip leads all public relations and marketing communication activities for The Health & Wellness Institute (HWI) and assists in the branding and development of health management solutions as well as the design and implementation of social marketing programs for clients nationwide. As part of these responsibilities, he oversees the Content Services team of writers and designers to meet the needs of internal and external clients.

With more than a decade of experience in healthcare communications, Philip's creativity and communication skills are instrumental in ensuring HWI's message is reaching a diverse population of clients, members, and the surrounding community. He recently helped to launch the HWI web site and before this completed a redesign of the Health & Lifestyles section of BCBSRI.com - the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island member web site - enhancing the health promotion value and user experience by integrating available health content and interactive online tools into Stages of Change concepts. Philip and his team are currently supporting the development of employer and employee-focused promotional and educational materials for BCBSRI's new MuniBlue service that will provide health and wellness programs and services to more than 40 Rhode Island municipal groups.

Prior to joining HWI, Philip oversaw communications for the Quality Management Operations Group at BCBSRI. Before coming to Rhode Island, Philip worked at Ketchum and Manning, Selvage & Lee, conducting drug launches and providing strategic public relations council and tactical support to manufacturers in the advanced medical technology field (biotechnology, diagnostics, and medical device) as well as eHealth and preventive medicine companies. Philip has been a board member of the Public Relations Society of America's Health Academy since 2000, where he is a frequent presenter and currently Immediate Past Chair. He is also an Assembly Delegate to the national PRSA organization and the Co-Chair of the Section Council. Locally, Philip is a contributing member of the Southeastern New England Chapter of PRSA, New England Coalition on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NECON), and the Rhode Island Public Health Association.

Philip has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with a minor in English, from the University of Vermont, and a Master of Science degree in Public Relations and Public Affairs from Golden Gate University. He is a cyclist and runner, and has completed several marathons. He currently lives in Barrington, RI with his wife and two children.

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