Our experts

125+ years of combined post-acute experience

Licensed nursing home administrators, registered nurses, MDS specialists, and regulatory counsel who have operated buildings and led them through survey.

Leadership & consultants

Dr. Demetrius Kirk

DNP, MBA, MSN, RN, LNHA, QCP-MT, LSSGB, PAC-NE, FACHCA

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

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Dr. Kirk has worked in post-acute care since 2007, beginning as a CNA and team leader and progressing through bedside nursing, nursing home administration, regional leadership, and executive roles, including Chief Administrative Officer of Wahiawa General Hospital. He founded SMK Medical and SurveyGuard, holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice, and is an AAPACN QAPI Certified Professional Master Trainer. His doctoral project reduced falls by 86.6% using the Morse Fall Scale. He is a keynote speaker, a California Board of Registered Nursing approved continuing education provider, and Co-Chair of the Governance Committee for DNPs of Color.

James Pack

M.Ed

Senior Vice President

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James guides SMK Medical’s overall direction and growth and applies his background in education and organizational development to how the firm designs and delivers its consulting and training.

Shelia Sachariason

BSN, RN

Chief Clinical Officer

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Shelia brings more than 15 years of post-acute leadership as a Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Nursing, and Regional Nurse Consultant. She oversees clinical compliance and development across SMK Medical engagements.

Glenda Beasley

RN, RAC-CTA

Senior Vice President of Clinical Revenue Operations

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With more than 30 years in healthcare and a background in both nursing and accounting, Glenda has led reimbursement for 50+ skilled nursing facilities, managed IDR and Medicare claims reviews, and trains nurses nationally on MDS and PDPM.

Jeremy Blanks

PhD

Senior Vice President of Risk Management & Operational Excellence

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Dr. Blanks applies Six Sigma methodology (Master Black Belt) and risk management frameworks to post-acute operations. He is a combat Marine Corps veteran.

Cassandra Fuller

BA, LNHA

Director of Post-Acute Operations & Compliance

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A Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with more than 25 years in long-term care leadership, Cassandra leads survey readiness, operational oversight, census growth, and leadership development. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

Dr. Yvonne Burston

DNP, MSN, RN

Director of Education & Training

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Dr. Burston leads clinical education, compliance training, and staff development. Her background includes Quality Improvement Advisor for CMS-related initiatives, Director of Corporate Compliance, and MDS Coordinator.

Leigh Anne Thomas

RN, RAC-CT

Senior MDS Consultant

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Leigh Anne has 28 years of nursing experience, 24 of them in long-term care, as a Regional Reimbursement Consultant, Director of Nursing, and Regional Care Management Director. She received a 2023 DAISY Award.

Ezedube Eze

LNHA, CDP, RCAL, QCP

Senior Project Manager & Career Coach

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Ezedube holds an MPH in Population Health Systems Management and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, QAPI Certified Professional, and Certified Dementia Practitioner.

Alan C. Horowitz

RN, JD

Regulatory Counsel Affiliate

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Alan provides legal insight in CMS enforcement actions, Medicare terminations, and civil money penalty appeals through his independent firm. He is a former Assistant Regional Counsel in the HHS Office of General Counsel and former Partner at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP.

Amy Oti-Ogbonna

Administrative Strategist

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Amy keeps engagements moving, coordinating clients, scheduling, and systems across SMK Medical projects.

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