The Commission is composed of fifteen members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of four years. A short biography of each Commission member follows:
Randolph S. Sergent, Esq, Chairman, is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, where he has been employed since 2010. Prior to joining CareFirst, Mr. Sergent was a partner at Venable, LLP. Mr. Sergent also has served in the Maryland Attorney General’s Office as Deputy Counsel to the Maryland Insurance Commissioner and as Assistant Attorney General in Civil Litigation Division. Mr. Sergent is a member of the Ethics Committee of the Maryland State Bar Association and has served as Chair of the MSBA’s Health Law Section. Mr. Sergent holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia. Mr. Sergent resides in Howard County. (Term Expires 9/30/2024)
Arun Bhandari, MD, is a practicing Oncologist and Hematologist at Chesapeake Oncology Hematology Associates, PA (COHA), Annapolis, MD since 2007(an Oncology - Hematology private practice serving citizens of Maryland since 1990). He is on staff at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), Baltimore Washington Medical Center (BWMC) and John Hopkins Medicine at Howard County General Hospital (HCGH). Dr. Bhandari is an Executive Board Member of The Maryland and District of Columbia Society Of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (MDCSCO) which plays a significant role to improve the quality and delivery of cancer care in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Bhandari was appointed by Governor Hogan as a Council on the Maryland State Council on Cancer Control, where he has a role to educate and advise government officials, public and private organizations, and the general public on comprehensive State policies and programs necessary to reduce and control cancer incidence, mortality, and morbidity among Marylanders. Dr. Bhandari served as a member of the Maryland Board of Physicians from 2016 to 2020. He served as Chairman of Panel A of the Board from May 2016 until April 2020, where he was responsible to assure quality health care in Maryland through the efficient licensure and effective discipline of healthcare providers under its jurisdiction by protecting and educating clients, customers, and stakeholders, and enforcing the Maryland Medical Practice Act.
Dr. Bhandari completed a fellowship in Hematology-Oncology from Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC with bone marrow transplant rotation at the National Institute of Health (NIH- NHLBI), Bethesda, MD. He served as a Chief Fellow in Hematology & Oncology from 2004-2005. He was a fellow in Hematology & Oncology at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, and NCCN Member Institution. (Term Expires 9/30/2025)
Cassandra Boyer, BA, works at the US. Army Communications Electronics Command (CECOM) at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. She currently serves as the point person coordinating the Software Engineering Center’s Human Capital Program. Past roles have included Executive Officer, Corporate Communications, and the CECOM Commander’s Initiatives Group. Prior to her employment with the US Army, Ms. Tomarchio held several positions in public affairs including as Director of Communications for Coventry Health Care of Delaware and Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association. Ms. Tomarchio lives in Havre de Grace, MD, and serves her community as a member of the Havre de Grace City Council. She is a graduate of Ursinus College with additional study at Johns Hopkins University and the College of Notre Dame. (Term Expires 9/30/2023)
Marcia L. Boyle, MS, is the founder of the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF), the national non-profit patient organization dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life of persons with primary immunodeficiency diseases through advocacy, education, and research (www.primaryimmune.org.) She served as president and CEO until her retirement in August 2017. She grew IDF from 5 volunteers in 1980 to an organization with approximately $10 million a year in revenue in 2017 and a full-time staff of 37. She was a co-founder of the International Patient Organization for Primary Immunodeficiencies (IPOPI), which currently includes the representation of patient organizations from 60 countries around the world. She also served on the Board of Directors of the National Health Council from 2015 to 2017. She was honored as a White House Champion of Change in Precision Medicine in 2015. (Term Expires 9/30/2022)
Trupti Brahmbhatt, PhD, is a Senior Policy Researcher at Rand. Trupti has earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology (with Botany and Chemistry Minor) and a Master in Microbiology; a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Emerging Infectious Diseases; a Master of Arts degree in Diplomacy (terrorism track) an Executive Master of Business Administration (defense acquisition); and a Master in Science and Technology Intelligence (cyber security and data analytics). Trupti is an American Society of Clinical Pathology board-certified technologist in Microbiology and Immunology; International Acquisition level III trained, and Science and Technology Manager level III certified at National Acquisition University and a Black Belt, Lean Six Sigma. Trupti enlisted in the United States Navy in 1990 She retired from the Navy in 2018 after 28 years of active duty service. Trupti holds an appointment as an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Maryland. Dr. Brahmbhatt's professional interests and expertise include healthcare policy, science and technology, strategic planning, intelligence, defense acquisition, infectious diseases, microbiology, and biodefense. (Term Expires 9/30/2023)
Ken Buczynski, MD, Dr. Buczynski is the founder and owner of Wellspring Family Medicine, a practice that provides outpatient, inpatient, and surgical obstetrical care to residents of Western Maryland. Dr. Buczynski founded Wellspring Family Medicine in 2004 and has grown the practice to three sites staffed by four physicians, five physician assistants, and one nurse practitioner.
Dr. Buczynski holds leadership positions with organizations dedicated to providing care to residents of Western Maryland. He is the Chairman of the Dept of Medicine at Garrett Regional Medical Center and serves as Secretary on the medical staff Executive Committee. He serves as adjunct faculty for the University of Maryland in the Western Maryland Area Health Education Center’s (AHEC) rural rotations program for medical students. Dr. Buczynski also currently works part-time in the Emergency Department at Garrett Regional Medical Center where serves at the Base Station Medical Director. Dr. Buczynski formerly served as an attending physician and Medical Director of Oakland Nursing and Rehab Center as well as Owner and Medical Director of Garrett Medical Transport, an interfacility ambulance transport company.
Dr. Buczynski received his medical education at Penn State College of Medicine and his undergraduate education at University of Virginia, where he graduated with high distinction and was a two year letterman in varsity football. He completed his family medicine residency at Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita Kansas. Dr. Buczynski is a staunch advocate for advanced primary care. Wellspring Family Medicine is the only primary care practice in Garrett County that participates in the MDPCP and he serves on the MDPCP Advisory Council, a group convened by MHCC to make recommendations to the Secretary of Health on changes to the MDPCP. (Term Expires 9/30/2024)
Tinisha Cheatham, MD, is a Physician in Chief (PIC) of the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group (MAPMG) for the Baltimore service area. She is responsible for the clinical care that MAPMG delivers to over 134,000 members at Kaiser Permanente’s integrated outpatient medical centers, contracted hospitals, and affiliated skilled nursing facilities across the Baltimore metropolitan area. Dr. Cheatham is a board-certified Family Medicine Physician who currently practices throughout the Baltimore Service Area. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Biology from North Carolina State University and her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, Ohio. She completed her Family Medicine training at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Cheatham has been recognized by her peers as a top doctor and was acknowledged by the National Committee for Quality Assurance Diabetes Recognition Program from 2011 to 2014. (Term Expires 9/30/2024)
Mark Jensen, Esq, is a senior partner and the founder of Bowie & Jensen, a law firm based in Baltimore Maryland. Mr. Jensen heads the Mergers & Acquisitions practice and oversees the firm’s work with major clients including counseling established private companies on decisions and transactions which advance critical corporate objectives. Mark serves as outside general counsel for several private companies, helping them to identify and triage a range of legal and business issues, including governance, mergers & acquisitions, corporate issues,intellectual property, real estate, and employment matters. Mr. Jensen has been active in the community and public service throughout his career. He has provided pro bono assistance to numerous non-profit organizations, including the Intrepid Foundation and the Bates/Vincent Foundation.
Mr. Jensen has been engaged with the Maryland health care system for over two decades. He served on, and ultimately Chaired, the Board of MedStar Union Memorial Hospital and later on the MedStar Health System Board from 2011-2019, where he Chaired the Patient Safety and Quality Committee. He held leadership positions with the Maryland Hospital Association including Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Search Committee for the new MHA President and CEO, and a member of the Clinical and Quality Issues Committee. Mr. Jensen earned his J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. (Term Expires 9/30/2025)
Jeffrey Metz, MBA, LNHA, is President and Administrator of Egle Nursing and Rehab Center located in Lonaconing, Maryland. He is also a founding partner in Foundation, Rehab, an affiliate of Egle that provides long term care rehabilitation services., Mr. Metz previously served as Vice-Chair for the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators. A graduate of Frostburg State University, he has a Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting and also a Master's Degree in Business Administration. Mr. Metz resides in Allegany County. (Term Expires 9/30/2022)
Gerard S. O'Connor, MD, is a surgeon in private practice in Chestertown Maryland. In addition to his private practice, Dr. O'Connor has served as Chief of the Medical Staff and Chief of Surgery at Chester River Hospital Center now the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown. Dr. O'Connor received his undergraduate medical education at Georgetown University and completed a residency in general surgery at George Washington University. Dr. O'Connor will bring to the Commission the perspective of a physician that serves a rural Maryland community. (Term Expires 9/30/2023)
Michael J. O'Grady, Ph.D a Principal of O'Grady Health Policy LLC, a private health consulting firm, and a Senior Fellow at NORC at the University of Chicago. His current research is concentrated on the interaction between scientific development and health economics, with a particular concentration on diabetes and obesity.
From 2003 to 2005, he was the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) at HHS. Dr. O'Grady worked directly with the Secretary on such critical policy issues as implementing the new Medicare drug benefit. Prior to his Senate confirmation as the Assistant Secretary, he served as a senior health advisor to the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and a senior health economist at the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress. Dr. O'Grady also held senior staff positions with the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and the Congressional Research Service (CRS) at the Library of Congress.
Dr. O'Grady also serves on a number of Commissions and Boards including the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) and the Board of Directors of the Patient Access Network and Academy Health. He received his PhD. in political science from the University of Rochester. Commissioner O'Grady resides in Montgomery County. (Term Expires 9/30/2023)
Awawu Ojikutu, CRNP is a nurse practitioner specializing in addiction medicine, and she operates a private practice, AIM Behavioral Health Services. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Howard University and a Master of Science in Nursing degree from George Washington University. Currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Family specialty at University of Maryland School of Nursing. She is a proud member of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc., a volunteer with the American Red Cross, and a member of the Board of Directors for Lynn’s Gift Inc., a national nonprofit that supports families from low-income background. (Term Expires 9/30/22)
Marcus L. Wang, Esq. is a Harvard-educated CEO and New York-licensed attorney with proven experience both in building startups to profitability and in expanding public companies globally. He has powered companies to success in diverse sectors ranging from biotech and genomics to retail and e-commerce, in both the U.S. and China.
Mr. Wang serves as Co-Founder, President, and General Manager of ZytoGen Global Genetics Institute, which utilizes Next Generation Sequencing to drive successful pregnancy outcomes for patients worldwide through its proprietary Preimplantation Genetic Screening platform. Mr. Wang’s international business and legal experience cover both the U.S., where he practiced corporate law at the Manhattan office of DLA Piper, as well as China, where he spearheaded the development, execution, and launch of Under Armour’s China market entry in 2011. Mr. Wang continues to advise U.S. businesses concerning China's market entry and partnerships, providing guidance on go-to-market strategy, regulatory issues, brand development, and product localization.
Mr. Wang also serves as the Chair of the Baltimore County Economic Development Advisory Board. Formed in 2020 by Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, the Board is tasked with advising the administration on strategies for attraction and retention of businesses, best practices for public-private partnerships, and the creation of a long-term economic development strategy.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Mr. Wang is a graduate of Gilman School with an A.B. cum laude from Harvard University and a J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Mr. Wang also holds a Certificate in International and Comparative Business Law from the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing, and a Certificate in Genetics and Genomics from Stanford University. Mr. Wang is licensed and admitted to practice as an attorney in the State of New York. (Term Expires 9/30/24)
Karrie Wood., Executive Vice President, Director of Business Development. Karrie Wood is the Director of Business Development for Community Bank of the Chesapeake. Karrie has been with the Bank for twenty years and has extensive experience and expertise working with large commercial clients, municipalities and school systems. Karrie is a graduate of Maryland Banking School and Karrie has also attended the College of Southern Maryland and is a graduate of the Leadership of Southern Maryland Executive program. Karrie serves her community as the current Treasurer and Membership Chair for the Charlotte Hall Rotary Club and board member for The Calverton School. Karrie is past President of the Charlotte Hall Rotary Club, past board member of the Community Foundation of Southern Maryland and past board member of the Calvert Health Foundation. (Term Expires 9/30/25)