Leadership

BG John Cho, MC USA (Ret)

Executive Director and CEO

John M. Cho, MD is a retired US Army Brigadier General, currently serving as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of AMSUS, The Society of Federal Health Professionals, since January 2018. He has over 20 years of senior executive experience in healthcare operations, management, and administration and in leading the planning and direction of six Army health management organizations — from clinics to large healthcare systems— as Commander (CEO). Dr. Cho has a proven record of leading change, achieving value for large organizations through creative, strategic problem-solving, and effective coaching and mentoring leading to former subordinates serving as the CEO of medical centers and hospitals.

Dr. Cho is a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) of the American Association for Physician Leadership since 2011, Board Certified in Cardiothoracic and General Surgery, American Board of Surgery, in 1998 and 1995 respectively, a Fellow American College of Surgeons (FACS) since 2000, and Fellow, American Association for Physician Leadership (FAAPL) since 2020.

BG (Retired) Cho’s military awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy (BS), the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (MD), and the United States Army War College (MS).

COL Ken Canestrini, MS USA (Ret)

Deputy Executive Director and COO/CFO

 

Ken Canestrini is a retired Army Colonel (Medical Service Corps) with over 40 years of service in the United States Army and as a Federal Employee.  He has experience in leading combat medical units, military installation healthcare systems, and as a senior leader on the Army Surgeon General’s Staff.  Prior to coming to AMSUS, he was the Acting Director for DoD’s TRICARE Program at the Defense Health Agency.  He oversaw the policy and execution of the TRICARE Health Plan totaling $22B and serving over 9 million beneficiaries worldwide. He has a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Baylor University and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Air War College.

 

 

 

COL Bill Moran, AN USA (Ret)

Executive Officer

 

Bill Moran is a retired Army Colonel (Army Nurse Corps) and Change Agent with over 35 years of domestic and international expertise leading/managing complex, integrated healthcare organizations.  He has a passion for improving patient safety, quality, and access to care and has Commanded two Army MTFs.  His final assignment on Active Duty was serving as the Army Surgeon General’s Liaison to the newly stood-up Defense Health Agency.  He has vast experience and knowledge in the Federal Contracting arena and is a Director with Koniag Government Services.

Bill is a Fellow of the American College of HealthCare Executives (ACHE) and has a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Baylor University and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.  He is married and resides in Fairfax, VA with his wife (Sarah) and daughter (Abigail).

Susan Bachenheimer

Membership Director

Susan joined the AMSUS team in 2009, bringing with her over two decades of membership, marketing, graphic design, and association management experience in the military and medical industry.  With MWR, she marketed West Point’s Hotel Thayer and opened & designed the logo for Walter Reed’s Malogne House. Susan has worked at associations representing industries including Food & Drug Law, fireworks, concrete, and more. At AMSUS, she manages membership needs, services, programs, and the AMSUS store. Susan also recruits members at various meetings and exhibits.

When not happily assisting AMSUS members, Susan can be found hiking in Turkey, visiting a coal mine in Wales, or visiting a fireworks factory in Rio!

Kathleen Kelley

Director of Meetings

Kathleen brings to AMSUS over twenty years of event leadership experience in both the association and corporate arenas, including recent experience in the healthcare space working for clinical research organizations (CROs). Kathleen’s expertise will contribute to managing the AMSUS Annual Meeting and other organizational events. She is Healthcare Meeting Certified (HMCC), in the process of earning her Certified Meeting Management certification (CMM), and she received a Master’s degree in Adult Education from Marymount University.

Kathleen enjoys travel and has been fortunate through both work and leisure travel to have had the opportunity to spend time in 42 states and 24 countries across 5 continents. Born and raised in the DC metro area, Kathleen currently resides in Raleigh, NC, and spends her free time supporting her children’s collegiate sports activities, enjoying new restaurants, and walking her dog. She hopes to get back to traveling again soon!

Lori Lawrence Branch

Director of Education and Professional Development

Lori joined AMSUS in 2013 as the Manager of Continuing Education Programs. She is involved with the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of AMSUS educational offerings related to sessions at the Annual Continuing Education Meeting, webinars, and CE/CME articles for the Journal of Military Medicine. Her tasks include reviewing abstract and manuscript submissions for compliance with up to sixteen medical accreditation providers. Lori’s background includes adult professional education management and primary educational instruction.

Stacie McArdle

Director of Development

Stacie joined the AMSUS team in March 2014, managing exhibits and sponsorship opportunities at the Annual Meeting.  In 2018, her sponsorship responsibilities expanded to include the development of corporate support for AMSUS including the Executive Advisory Board, Mission Partners, and Annual Meeting and Regional Seminar Exhibits & Sponsorship.

Stacie graduated from Salisbury University and brings over 12 years of experience within the event industry to AMSUS. Stacie enjoys the beach, running, and spending time with her husband and two young daughters.

Martha Silver

Director of Marketing & Communications

Martha joined the team in 2018 to ensure federal health professionals everywhere are aware of the benefits and opportunities available to them at AMSUS. With more than 20 years of experience managing association marketing and communications, public affairs, and print publications, she is responsible for AMSUS’ integrated marketing and communications efforts. Martha has her M.A. in Journalism and has won awards for her campaign and publications work.