Ovatient Enhances Leadership Structure for Strategic Growth in Virtual Healthcare Partnerships
Ovatient, a pioneering non-profit virtual-first healthcare delivery organization co-founded by The MetroHealth System in Ohio and MUSC Health in South Carolina, has recently announced significant changes to its leadership structure. These strategic appointments aim to enhance operational efficiency and meet the growing demands for virtual healthcare services in 2026.
Among the most notable appointments is Amy Lukowski, Psy.D., who has been promoted to Vice President of Operations and Integration. In this role, she will lead Ovatient's operational strategy, ensuring effective execution and collaboration across various teams. Dr. Lukowski was previously the Director of Integrated Behavioral Health, and before joining Ovatient, she held senior leadership positions at established organizations like National Jewish Health and Teladoc.
In addition, Sapna Shah, M.D., has joined Ovatient as the Senior Medical Director and Head of Integrated Care. Dr. Shah, who also serves as Vice Chair for Virtual Care at The MetroHealth System, will oversee clinical operations across multiple service areas including virtual urgent and primary care as well as integrated behavioral health. Her experience includes senior leadership roles in virtual care, most notably as Chief Medical Officer at Beam Healthcare.
Furthermore, Likhitha Musunuru, M.D., who served as Interim Medical Director, has been confirmed in this role permanently. Dr. Musunuru joined Ovatient as a virtual primary care provider and is recognized for her contributions to promoting coordinated, whole-person care.
Meghan Eberle, Psy.D., has also joined Ovatient as the Director of Integrated Behavioral Health, bringing with her over two decades of expertise in clinical psychology and service delivery. Previously, she was the VP of Clinical Services at Carelon Behavioral Health, further enhancing Ovatient's behavioral health care offerings.
Yasir Tarabichi, M.D., previously the Chief Medical Informatics Officer, has transitioned to the role of Head of Digital. He will focus on product strategy and the development of technologies that support clinical quality measurement. Dr. Tarabichi, who is a key part of the founding leadership team, has been instrumental in shaping Ovatient's integrated virtual care strategy.
Jamie Carracher has been elevated to Head of Growth and Brand, mirroring the evolution of Ovatient's branding and market approach. His previous experiences include a significant role at AHIP, the national trade association for health insurance providers.
Finally, Kortney Orueta has joined as the Head of People, Finance, and Business Operations, a newly created position that aims to bolster operational readiness as the company scales. Ms. Orueta's prior experience includes Chief of Staff roles at two other digital health companies, underscoring her leadership acumen.
Ovatient’s CEO, Michael Dalton, emphasized that these leadership changes are crucial for advancing the company’s mission of improving access to healthcare while maintaining the quality and continuity of patient experiences. He noted the importance of developing a robust partnership with health systems, enabling an integrated approach to virtual-first healthcare that enhances patient connectivity with trusted healthcare providers in their communities.
As virtual-first care becomes increasingly vital, Ovatient's leadership evolution signifies its preparedness to handle future challenges in the healthcare landscape. The organization aims to streamline processes, ensuring that clinicians and patients alike experience minimal friction in their interactions with the healthcare system.
In light of recent initiatives like the Rural Health Transformation Program, Ovatient is positioned to support extensive investments in virtual care. Collaborations with states and health systems are set to improve accessibility to crucial healthcare services, including virtual primary and behavioral health care, further enabled by the integration of technologies like Epic and MyChart.
About Ovatient: Founded in October 2022, Ovatient embodies a mission to center healthcare delivery around individuals rather than merely treating patients. Its dedicated team of virtual healthcare providers closely collaborates with partner health systems to ensure patients receive coordinated and convenient care tailored to their needs. The integration of hospital systems and patient medical records allows for a more personalized patient experience, ultimately empowering care teams with accessible and real-time data.