LCDs

Published 09/26/2023

Answer: 

Shane R. Mull, M.D., MHA, FAAFP, CPC is Palmetto GBA’s Senior Medical Director accountable for all coverage policy activities at Palmetto GBA. Dr. Mull graduated from the College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C., with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a B.A. in Chemistry. He then attended the University of South Carolina School of Medicine to earn his M.D. and completed a Family Medicine Residency in Greenwood, S.C. Prior to joining Palmetto GBA he practiced in various capacities including rural health, emergency departments, urgent care and previously served as the Chief of Primary Care for a U.S. Army Hospital. He has earned an MHA from the Medical University of South Carolina and is a certified professional coder.

Gabriel Alejandro Bien-Willner, M.D., Ph.D., is the Medical Director of the MolDX program at Palmetto GBA, which seeks to understand the molecular testing landscape to implement payer controls and coverage, and to set policy. He is a leader in the Precision Medicine space and practices as a board-certified Anatomic Pathologist and Molecular Genetic Pathologist. Dr. Bien-Willner received his M.D. and Ph.D. from Baylor College of Medicine, with a doctorate in Human Molecular Genetics. His clinical training and academic tenure were at Washington University in St. Louis. Throughout his career, he has been active in research, development and advancement of molecular diagnostic services, specifically next-generation sequencing. His experience spans both academia and industry. He has worked closely with clinicians to develop clear clinical diagnostic and treatment pathways directing Precision Medicine programs for community cancer centers.

Miguel A. Brito, Jr., MD, FCAP, FASCP, Chief Medical Officer and Contract Medical Director, Palmetto GBA. Dr. Brito is Medical Director of the National Railroad Retirement Board and is part of the physician team for Medicare jurisdictions JJ and JM. Due to his expertise in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine he is also part of the MolDx program. He is a graduate of the University of Miami and received his MD degree from the University of Florida. He completed his residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the Medical College of Virginia. After residency he was in the active private practice of Pathology for 33 years in several roles finalizing with being a partner and owner of his own group for 15 years. He has been involved in numerous Hospital leadership roles from Chief of Pathology and Laboratory, Chief of Surgery and President of the Medical Staff. He was a member and Chairman of multiple hospital committees including Credentials, Infection control, Blood utilization and Medical Staff Executive Committee. He is a member and former Vice President and Executive committee member of the Florida Society of Pathologists, member and former state issues representative and current House of Delegates representative of the College of American Pathologists, member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and a Clinical Affiliate Assistant Professor of the Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine. He is a graduate of the Physician Leadership Academy of South Florida. He is certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and is Board certified by the American Board of Pathology in the specialties of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. He is a Fellow of the College of American Pathologists and Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

Judith K Volkar, M.D., MBA, FACOG, CNMP serves as a Contractor Medical Director. Dr Volkar graduated from Washington and Jefferson College with a bachelor’s in biology. After attending medical school at Drexel University in Pennsylvania, she completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Abington Memorial Hospital. Dr Volkar worked for the National Health Service Corps in West Virginia for four years and then spent 20 years in private practice in Johnstown, Pa., serving as Vice Chair of the Department of OB/GYN. Transitioning to academic practice, she was the quality director for Specialized Women’s Health at the Cleveland Clinic for four years and then the Quality Director for the department of OB/GYN at Magee Women’s Hospital Pittsburgh for five years. She is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and also serves as the ACOG advisor to the AMA CPT editorial board. 

Jason D. Stroud, M.D., M.S. After graduation from Clemson University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Bioengineering, Dr. Stroud attended the Medical University of South Carolina and completed a residency in Family Medicine with the Trident/MUSC Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Stroud has experience practicing medicine in a variety of settings including emergency room, urgent care, and private practice. Prior to joining Palmetto GBA, Dr. Stroud was in private practice in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. He currently serves as a Contractor Medical Director for A/B MAC Jurisdictions J and M. He is board-certified in Family Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Angella Charnot-Katsikas, M.D., is a Medical Director for the MolDX program at Palmetto GBA. She is a board-certified Clinical Pathologist with subspecialty training in Clinical Microbiology, Molecular Genomic Pathology and Clinical Medical Ethics. Dr. Charnot-Katsikas received her M.D. degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago, and then completed her residency and fellowship training at the University of Chicago where she served as an Associate Professor of Pathology. She has also worked as a Medical Director of multiple laboratories, and has been involved in numerous research, education, quality and diagnostic stewardship initiatives throughout her career.

Last Reviewed: 09/26/2023


Was this article helpful?