Board of Directors & Executive Leadership

board of directors

GBMS board members are active citizens of the community who are committed to ensuring access to quality healthcare. Through its board membership, GBMS exemplifies a commitment to serving its community as board members are comprised of at least one user of GBMS services from each clinic. Other board members possess areas of expertise which help ensure the financial and operational viability of the system.

• Mary Ann Friis
• Chairman
• Mary Ann Friis has been a resident of Prince George's County since 1972. She is a registered nurse who has been in the field of Public Health her entire career. She worked in the Prince George's County Health Department in a variety of nursing supervisory positions, and most recently served as the Director of Adult and Geriatric Health. She joined the board in 2010.

• Dale Speake
• Vice Chairman
• Dale Speake is the former Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee for Greater Baden Medical Services. A lifelong resident of Charles County, Dale has served on several boards and committees for various organizations throughout his career including Physicians Memorial Hospital (now Civista Hospital), the Maryland Hospital Association, and Melwood Horticultural Training Center. Dale is active as a member in a wide array of civic associations and community groups. Dale currently works as a commercial real estate agent for Baldus Real Estate. He resides in Welcome, MD

• Wendell Lee
• Treasurer

• Pat Lusk
• secretary
• Patricia Lusk has a background in healthcare as registered nurse and nurse administrator. She is also the retired Director of Adult and Geriatric Health at the Prince George’s County Health department overseeing a variety of programs serving the health needs of the aged population. In her role as Vice President of the Board she is responsible for assisting the president in appointment of members to the standing and special committees, and will fill in for the president in any absences.

Board Members

• Marshall Spurlock
• Marshall J. Spurlock is Senior Principal of Marko & Associates (HealthCare Consultants), Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Formerly he served as the President/Chief Executive Officer of a health systems planning agency, a hospital, and a federally qualified health center. His educational attainments include master degrees from Queens College and Long Island University in the state of New York. In addition, he has completed executive leadership programs at Harvard University, Yale University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Current and former community and volunteer activities in Prince George's County include: the NAACP Health Committee, Health Action Forum, Advisory Council on HIVAIDS and Faith-Based Organizations, and the Health Care Transition Team of County Executive Rushern L. Baker

• Christopher Allen
• Chris Allen is the President/CEO of Sayin’ It Loud. Sayin’ It Loud is a mobile media advertising company based in Charles County, MD. He charts the strategic direction of the company and oversees day-to-day operations. Chris brings to the company executive level managerial experience with more than 15 years in professional sports management. Chris has overseen budgets of several million dollars and managed staffs of more than 100 employees. Chris is a Virginia native, a graduate of Liberty University and a father of three. Along with running his company Chris serves as the Vice Chair on the Charles County Tourism Advisory board. When not working, Chris can be found either with his family or on the golf course. Chris and his wife Elisa reside in Waldorf, MD

• Bob Eaton

• Joan Hepburn

• Christine Likoko-McCrimmon

• Colenthia Malloy

• Rev. Anthony Moore

• Emma Barron Ochoa

Executive Leadership
Listed in Alphabetical Order

• Debbie Apperson, CRNP
• Clinical Quality coordinator
• The Quality Coordinator is responsible for providing leadership and oversight of the system's performance improvement initiatives. Such tasks include assessing clinical performance and facilitating development of improvement goals. The coordinator plays an integral role in overseeing the agency's compliance with Joint Commission accreditation standards.

• Samuel Croff, Jr., MD
• chief medical officer
• The Chief Medical Officer provides clinical leadership to ensure that cost effective, high quality primary care services are rendered to the community. The director also provides clinical insight to the Board of Directors; including service provision, quality assurance and strategies to retain and recruit provider staff.

• Richard E. Davis, Jr.
• chief financial officer
• The Chief Financial Officer oversees payroll, accounts payable, billing, accounts receivable, general ledger maintenance and financial statement preparation. The officer meets with the Board of Director’s Finance Committee on a monthly basis to provide a detailed analysis of the organization’s financial position.

• Melony G. Griffith, MSW
• Vice President Government & External Affairs
• The Vice President of Government and External Affairs is the primary liaison for fostering relationships with outside agencies, organizations and leaders in the communities served. Vital activities performed include developing and implementing a public relations strategy, including communicating with stakeholders and shareholders, forging alliances, mobilizing key influencers, and securing media attention.

• Sarah Leonhard, MD, JD
• chief executive officer
• The Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the board of directors and is responsible for overall management of the organization. As the system’s official spokesperson, the Executive Director works to preserve the the organization's mission through planning, political representation, and maintaining relationships with the county, state and federal government.

• Pam McCarthy
• vice president operations
• The Vice President of Operations is responsible for regulatory oversight of clinic processes, including: supervision, facilities management, equipment, information systems and clinical laboratory functions. The director plays an integral role to ensure agency compliance with Joint Commission accreditation standards. Oversight of human resources, including the development and implementation of policies and programs related to employment, employee relations, benefits and other employee services are also responsibilities of the director.

• Rachel E. Smith, MSc
• vice president development
• The Vice President of Development oversees special programs sponsored by the agency. Assessing contract performance, data analysis, grant development and marketing/outreach fall under the purview of the VP of Development. The director also seeks opportunities to increase and/or improve services to meet community health needs through public health program planning, development and evaluation.