History of NHDS
What Does NHDS Bring Leadership Team

Leadership Team

Lee Passell, President
President and owner of all of the NorthCoast companies, Lee brings over 25 years of home health, managed care and network management experience. Lee was formerly President and owner of NorthCoast HealthCare Group, Inc, a large home healthcare and staffing organization in Northeast Ohio. In 1995 he started NorthCoast HealthCare Management Services (MSO), an independent management services organization for home health, hospice, and home infusion. The MSO network currently has over 200 providers. The network serves the state of Ohio and counties of contiguous states via its credentialed and contracted network of providers. Lee has also owned and operated a home infusion company, as well as our infusion network. Lee received his Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Ohio State University.

Aloise Weiker Gref RN, BSN, Vice President
Vice President and Director of NorthCoast, Aloise brings over 25 years of home health and network management experience. She is responsible for daily operations, contract relationships and network development including outcome measurement and disease management programs for the MSO. Her leadership and experience have been invaluable in the development of NHDS. Aloise received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing, cum laude, from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and completed postgraduate courses in Community Health Education at Kent State University. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Center for Community Based Care, the research arm of the Ohio Council for Home Care.

Kenneth R. Speidel RPh, Pharm D., Vice President, Director of Pharmacy Services
Vice President and Director of Pharmacy, Ken has over 20 years of home infusion experience and is considered a national expert in his field, speaking frequently at a variety of national forums. Ken is a past, multiterm President of the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) and has served on the Board since 1998. In addition to his continued involvement with NHIA, Ken is an advisor and standards task force member for the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (National Association Boards of Pharmacy) and a member of the JCAHO Home Care Advisory Panel. Ken received both his Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy from Ohio Northern University.

Brenda R. Lance RN, MSN, Director of Program Development
Brenda brings industry experience and expertise to her leadership role at NorthCoast. Having a varied background in healthcare, she has focused on home infusion for over the past 10 years. She has been instrumental in the development and day to day operations of NorthCoast Infusion Network and National Health Data Solutions, Ltd.. Brenda received a diploma in nursing from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Lubbock, Texas. She also has earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Masters of Science in Nursing from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. As a member of National Home Infusion Association, she serves on the Standards Committee. Brenda is also a Senior Editor for two medication reference books, Drug Information Handbook for Nursing and Drug Information Handbook for Advanced Practice Nursing.

Cathy M. Ching-Jones, Reimbursement Manager
As Reimbursement Manager, Cathy oversees the reimbursement department for all divisions of NorthCoast. She has lengthy experience in reimbursement and is a long time employee of NorthCoast. She joined Interim HealthCare, previously Medical Personnel Pool in 1985 as an Account Representative (billing and collection). She was promoted to Claims Manager in 1991 and continues to oversee a team of account representatives who are responsible for all claims activities. Prior to joining NorthCoast, Cathy served in various order entry, computer, sales and accounting positions at CACSO. She earned an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Lakeland Community College. She is a member of the National Notary Association and has been very active in school organizations such as the local school board, Music Boosters, and PTA as well as committees for her local community.

John M. Allen, Systems Analyst\ Manager of Information Systems
John has over 25 years of computer experience including previous service with the Energy Department in 1986-88(D.C Energy Office) and Marymount Hospital (1989-96). He has spent over 20 years in health care informatics working in all areas from the “help” desk to systems analyst. John has been with NorthCoast for over 13 years and oversees the multiple information systems of NorthCoast. John is instrumental in the data collection and reporting processes for NHDS. John earned a BS in Psychology in 1983 from the University of Dayton.

The leadership team at National Health Data Solutions, Ltd. brings many years of healthcare, network management, infusion industry, and information systems knowledge and experience to the leadership of the data network. Meet our leadership team!

Lee Passell, President
Ken Speidel, RPh, PharmD, Vice President of Pharmacy
Aloise Weiker Gref, RN, BSN Vice President of Operations
Brenda Lance, RN, MSN Director of Program Development
John Allen, Manager of Information Management
Cathy Jones, Manager of Reimbursement