Leadership

Jean Polster, RN, MS President and Chief Executive Officer Jean Polster has more than thirty years of senior management experience in health and human services in both Ohio and California. She joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2003 as President and CEO. Under her leadership, NFP opened five new health centers and expanded services. Jean earned bachelor of science in nursing from the UNC - Chapel Hill and a master of science in health policy and management from the Harvard University School of Public Health. She received a certificate from the Weatherhead School of Management Professional Fellows Program at Case Western Reserve University.

Jean Polster, RN, MS
President and Chief Executive Officer

Jean Polster has more than thirty years of senior management experience in health and human services in both Ohio and California. She joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2003 as President and CEO. Under her leadership, NFP opened five new health centers and expanded services.
Jean earned bachelor of science in nursing from the UNC - Chapel Hill and a master of science in health policy and management from the Harvard University School of Public Health. She received a certificate from the Weatherhead School of Management Professional Fellows Program at Case Western Reserve University.

Erick Kauffman, MD, MPH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kauffman earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997. He did his training in family practice at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He came to Neighborhood Family Practice in 2000 to fulfill his service commitment with the National Health Service Corps and has made NFP his career. He enjoys seeing patients of all ages, including prenatal care. He also speaks Spanish. Dr. Kauffman is married, has three children and enjoys family and outdoor activities.

Erick Kauffman, MD, MPH
Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Kauffman earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997. He did his training in family practice at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He came to Neighborhood Family Practice in 2000 to fulfill his service commitment with the National Health Service Corps and has made NFP his career. He enjoys seeing patients of all ages, including prenatal care. He also speaks Spanish. Dr. Kauffman is married, has three children and enjoys family and outdoor activities.

Ann Reichsman, MD Senior Medical Advisor Dr. Reichsman is recognized as leader in the delivery of high quality community health care. She earned her medical degree from the State University of New York: Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York in 1977. Dr. Reichsman did her residency in Family Medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center. Dr. Reichsman is Board Certified in Family Medicine. She is assistant clinical professor at the School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University. In 1996 Dr. Reichsman was recognized as the Family Physician of the Year by the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. In 2008 Dr. Reichsman was named the Physician Health Care Hero by Crain's Cleveland Business Magazine.

Ann Reichsman, MD
Senior Medical Advisor

Dr. Reichsman is recognized as leader in the delivery of high quality community health care. She earned her medical degree from the State University of New York: Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York in 1977. Dr. Reichsman did her residency in Family Medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center. Dr. Reichsman is Board Certified in Family Medicine. She is assistant clinical professor at the School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University. In 1996 Dr. Reichsman was recognized as the Family Physician of the Year by the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. In 2008 Dr. Reichsman was named the Physician Health Care Hero by Crain's Cleveland Business Magazine.

Peggy Keating, LISW-S Vice President of Behavioral Health and Care Integration Peggy Keating earned a master’s degrees in psychology and social work from Cleveland State University. She has been a practicing clinical social worker in Ohio for many years. She has had extensive training and experience working with issues related to trauma, sexual and physical abuse, addiction to alcohol and other drugs, disabilities, anxiety and depression. Her specialty areas include LGBT, women’s issues, and substance abuse/dependence. She sees patients of all ages.

Peggy Keating, LISW-S
Vice President of Behavioral Health and Care Integration

Peggy Keating earned a master’s degrees in psychology and social work from Cleveland State University. She has been a practicing clinical social worker in Ohio for many years. She has had extensive training and experience working with issues related to trauma, sexual and physical abuse, addiction to alcohol and other drugs, disabilities, anxiety and depression. Her specialty areas include LGBT, women’s issues, and substance abuse/dependence. She sees patients of all ages.

Audra Kessler Bennett Vice President of Marketing and Development Audra Kessler Bennett earned a bachelor of science in journalism from Ohio University. She is a senior marketing and communications executive with more than 20 years of industry proficiencies in health care, insurance, retail, vision services, nonprofits, digital agency, government procurement and trade publishing. Audra joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2014. In her current role she is responsible for organizational strategy and policy relating to marketing and fund development initiatives.

Audra Kessler Bennett
Vice President of Marketing and Development

Audra Kessler Bennett earned a bachelor of science in journalism from Ohio University. She is a senior marketing and communications executive with more than 20 years of industry proficiencies in health care, insurance, retail, vision services, nonprofits, digital agency, government procurement and trade publishing. Audra joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2014. In her current role she is responsible for organizational strategy and policy relating to marketing and fund development initiatives.

Janet Schneider, MLRHR Vice President of Human Resources Janet Schneider joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2014 after working 19 years in the non-profit sector in various leadership capacities. In her current role, Janet is responsible for overseeing the strategic HR initiatives for the organization such as recruitment, professional development, retention, and succession planning. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Akron and a master's degree in labor relations and human resources from Cleveland State University.

Janet Schneider, MLRHR
Vice President of Human Resources

Janet Schneider joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2014 after working 19 years in the non-profit sector in various leadership capacities. In her current role, Janet is responsible for overseeing the strategic HR initiatives for the organization such as recruitment, professional development, retention, and succession planning. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Akron and a master's degree in labor relations and human resources from Cleveland State University.

Ron Lloyd, RN, MBA Vice President of Performance Improvement Ron Lloyd earned his master of business administration from Baldwin Wallace College and a degree in nursing from San Antonio College. Ron has worked in the healthcare industry since 2005 with extensive experience in clinical and administrative roles. Ron joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2017. In this role, Ron oversees all performance improvement and risk management functions for clinical and non-clinical operations to assure risk management and quality function supports the achievement of the organization’s strategy and objectives.

Ron Lloyd, RN, MBA
Vice President of Performance Improvement

Ron Lloyd earned his master of business administration from Baldwin Wallace College and a degree in nursing from San Antonio College. Ron has worked in the healthcare industry since 2005 with extensive experience in clinical and administrative roles. Ron joined Neighborhood Family Practice in 2017. In this role, Ron oversees all performance improvement and risk management functions for clinical and non-clinical operations to assure risk management and quality function supports the achievement of the organization’s strategy and objectives.

Terrance (Terry) Byrne Vice President of Health Center Operations Terry plays a key role in facilities management and new operational initiatives. Terry, who began his career as a respiratory therapist, holds master’s degrees in health law from Loyola University and health care administration from Cleveland State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in applied health from Baldwin Wallace. Before coming to NFP, Terry was the chief operating office at a community health center focused on the homeless and those living in public housing. Prior to that, he served in an administrative capacity at University Hospitals Parma Medical Center and Southwest General Health Center with a focus on health information, compliance and risk management.

Terrance (Terry) Byrne
Vice President of Health Center Operations

Terry plays a key role in facilities management and new operational initiatives. Terry, who began his career as a respiratory therapist, holds master’s degrees in health law from Loyola University and health care administration from Cleveland State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in applied health from Baldwin Wallace. Before coming to NFP, Terry was the chief operating office at a community health center focused on the homeless and those living in public housing. Prior to that, he served in an administrative capacity at University Hospitals Parma Medical Center and Southwest General Health Center with a focus on health information, compliance and risk management.

Gina Gavlak Vice President of Business Development and President of North Coast Health Foundation Gina Gavlak earned a bachelor of science in nursing from Capital University. Gina joined NFP in January 2019 as vice president of business development and president of the North Coast Health Foundation. In her role, she leads the development of new programs and services, promotes community partnerships, works to develop business strategy and strategic priorities. Gina brings 27 years of experience in administration and leadership, program and fund development, advocacy and direct patient care. Prior to joining NFP, Gina served as president and CEO of North Coast Health, a faith-based charitable clinic, and led efforts which brought about the strategic affiliation of NCH and Neighborhood Family Practice. As president of the North Coast Health Foundation, Gina works to advance fund development and advocacy efforts to connect and mobilize community support for NFP’s six community health centers.

Gina Gavlak
Vice President of Business Development and President of North Coast Health Foundation

Gina Gavlak earned a bachelor of science in nursing from Capital University. Gina joined NFP in January 2019 as vice president of business development and president of the North Coast Health Foundation. In her role, she leads the development of new programs and services, promotes community partnerships, works to develop business strategy and strategic priorities. Gina brings 27 years of experience in administration and leadership, program and fund development, advocacy and direct patient care. Prior to joining NFP, Gina served as president and CEO of North Coast Health, a faith-based charitable clinic, and led efforts which brought about the strategic affiliation of NCH and Neighborhood Family Practice. As president of the North Coast Health Foundation, Gina works to advance fund development and advocacy efforts to connect and mobilize community support for NFP’s six community health centers.