Our Team

Eddie Kovalik

Chief Technology Officer

Eddie Kovalik is a 5-year veteran of Privis Health, overseeing the engineering teams of software developers and QAs. Eddie has over 15 years of engineering experience, mostly using Microsoft technologies such as .NET and C#. He also has extensive cloud computing experience and has worked with Azure for over 5 years using various technologies such as Service Fabric, Databricks (Spark Analytics), Cognitive Services and CosmosDB.

Prior to Privis Health, Eddie spent several years working on a cloud EMR for home health and hospice, where he led a team of Engineers maintaining an application used daily by thousands of nurses to document in-home visits.

A native of Romania, Eddie moved to the U.S. in his teens, over 20 years ago. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!) and has resided in a few states until settling in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife and three girls. In his spare time,Eddie loves to swim, hike, watch TV, and listen to electronic dance music. He also loves to travel with his family, having been to 37 states and 15 foreign countries—with hopefully more to come…

Natalie Mahler

Chief Administrative Officer

Natalie believes in making a meaningful contribution through her work, whether that be through direct services or indirectly through a product. At Privis, she is able to meet these goals by providing support for a team of people who have created an exceptional product. Throughout her career, she has worn many hats–from sales and event planning to working with children in a hospital setting. These experiences have given Mahler a healthy perspective on the importance of effective collaboration and taught her how to work efficiently. In her spare time, Natalie can be found bonding with dirt on hiking trails or “om”ing on her yoga mat.

Melvin Ibarreta

Chief Information Security Officer

Mel joined Privis Health in late 2020 and has been working to make Privis’ development process compliant with 21 CFR Part 11, HITRUST as well as organizing and scaling product management and development.  As a certified Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt and agile practitioner, he has a strong background in process, operations and product management.  He has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, an MBA and is able to draw from his experience at top tier networking technology companies, management consulting and technology program management to help Privis develop the scale needed to serve its growing customer base.  

When not at Privis, Mel is also an Air Force reservist at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and at home can be found spending time with his family exploring the beaches, trails and mountains in North Carolina. 

John Findley, MD

Advisor

Quote: “Providing high quality healthcare is no longer a task of one. We help clinicians and health systems work together re-engineer the workflows necessary to create a sustainable, professionally rewarding and highly effective team-based healthcare delivery system.”

Bio: Dr. John Findley joined Caravan Health as Medical Director ACO Programs on May 7, 2018 and brings a wealth of industry knowledge, critical thinking and creativity to the team. He has enjoyed a diverse physician leadership journey and is passionate about patient experience, preventive medicine and health system redesign. He practiced Family Medicine in rural settings for fifteen years during which he developed a lifestyle medicine program and participated in several CMMI grants, additionally he has worked extensively in health plan design, oversight and data analytics and was a national spokesperson for Planetree, a patient centered care organization.  Most recently as Interim CEO, Chief Medical officer, and ACO Medical Director, he understands the cultural and operational challenges health systems face when investing and transitioning to value-based arrangements.  Experienced in working with physicians, front line staff, administrators and health system boards, he has a deep understanding of the complexities involved in integrating diverse interests across multiple care settings. He thrives in building consensus and driving changes from the boardroom to bedside that truly impact patient experience and outcomes.  Dr. Findley received his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine and trained in Family Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Swedish Hospital Family Medicine Residency in Denver, Colorado.

Matt Johnson, MD, MBA

Advisor

Dr. Matthew Johnson is a proven physician executive recognized for building and leading pioneering strategic programs to meet the challenges of the new healthcare environment and recognized for developing expertise in emerging value-based care redesign.  Currently, he serves as President of Raven Stone Consulting, a small boutique consulting firm helping payers and providers prepare for newer risk-based models of payment.  This includes expertise in network development, insurance operations, data and analytics, CMS risk-based models, utilization review, case management, and provider engagement.

Prior to this role, he served as Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer for Centra Health and as Chief Medical Officer of Centra’s wholly owned health plan, Piedmont Community Health Plan, in Lynchburg, Virginia.  In this role, Dr. Johnson was the system-level executive responsible for leading value-based care redesign to better manage two-sided risk models emerging in the payer market.  While in these roles, he also served as the Executive Medical Director for Archetype Health and the Centra Alliance—Centra’s Clinically Integrated Network and Track 1 Accountable Care Organization.

In addition, his previous leadership roles included Vice President of Medical Affairs for Centra Health, Chief of Staff for Lynchburg General and Virginia Baptist Hospitals, Assistant Director for Patient Care at the Lynchburg Family Medicine Residency, and President of Central Virginia Family Physicians, a large multi-site primary care group in central Virginia.

Dr. Johnson completed his MBA degree, with Health Sector Management certification, from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in 2015.  He completed his clinical training in 2000 from the University of Virginia’s Lynchburg Family Medicine Residency and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine.  Finally, he completed his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland in 1989 and now suffers from an identity crisis of being both a Terrapin and a Blue Devil.  Dr. Johnson is a guest lecturer at the Fuqua School of Business on topics related to payer-provider strategies and healthcare system operations.  He and his wife, Suzanne, have two children, Jeremy, a junior at University of Lynchburg, and Erin, a junior at EC Glass High School and live in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Jason Rea

Software Engineer

Jason has worked at Privis Health for a little over two years now. He writes code for and helps maintain all aspects of the Privis application at some capacity, but has primarily been focused on back-end components like the APIs, databases, and services.

Throughout his career, Jason has tried not to shy away from the projects that move a company forward the most, even if those projects aren’t the most fun or the most glamorous to work on. Whether it was rapidly developing a desperately-needed mobile app from scratch for a start-up, helping revitalize a slow and unstable build/deployment infrastructure that was costing a company way too much money, or getting the convoluted patient risk adjustment algorithm working here at Privis, Jason’s peers have trusted him to face any difficult engineering challenges.

One of the reasons Jason chose software development as a career path (and has stuck with it) is that he really enjoys seeing the ways software can increase prosperity and reduce suffering in people’s lives. He much prefers working on software that has an altruistic purpose and that makes the world a better place over software that only exists to exploit some revenue opportunity in the market. Healthcare is an industry that, in Jason’s opinion, could improve dramatically by utilizing the latest software innovations. Working for a company that is operating on that forefront makes the work he does much more exciting.

Outside of his professional life, Jason tries to make the most out of every day he has. That primarily means being a husband to an awesome wife and a father to an awesome two-year-old son, but he has a variety of hobbies and interests as well. Jason tries to stay outside as much as possible in his free time, which involves playing golf, fishing, gardening, standing in line to order something from a food truck, or attending an NC State Wolfpack sporting event. When indoors, he enjoys working on making his home as “smart” as possible. He loves the reactions on guests’ faces when he asks his smart speaker to cut on a light, close the garage door, or adjust the thermostat.

James O’Brien

Senior Software Engineer

James is a senior software developer, working mostly on the user interface of the Privis application. He has worked in roles ranging from software development to technical support for a diverse collection of companies. Some of James’ roles have been customer facing and have allowed him to greatly develop his interpersonal skills. These skills allow him to communicate and understand what a customer or colleague needs and provide them with the best solution. James has a degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Limerick, Ireland. He believes that education is never ending and is constantly updating his skills through reading, online courses and night school. He believes you can never know too much!

James comes from a small city in Ireland called Limerick. It is in the south west of Ireland. He says growing up in Ireland was amazing but because it is such a small island, he developed wanderlust. He knew from a young age he was going to travel the world and have adventures. In his teens he travelled mostly in Europe. He even worked and trained as a chef in London for a year. As he got older, his travels brought me to the USA where he has been living and working since 2004. James’ passions include cooking, food, technology, gardening, travel and adventure.

Gary Hill

Senior Software Engineer

Gary was an early member of Privis, participating in the early stages of design and implementation of our care management platform, and has now been there for 5 years. He is a Senior Software Engineer responsible for front-end application development.

He started his software career as a consultant and also worked in the legal industry for many years. He is happy to be providing his skills as a software developer to a product and in an industry that is making a direct positive impact on people’s medical care and lives. Gary loves working with a tight knit group of talented and motivated people who are committed to a common goal makes working at Privis Health a satisfying experience.

Originally from the great northwest, Gary spent much of his youth in Florida and later relocated to San Francisco. He feels that living in such different parts of the country has given him valuable perspective into the different ways of life here in the USA. He has family and friends from coast to coast. When he isn’t working, he is often pursuing one of his many passions. Some of his favorites include foreign languages, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and travelling. Gary is currently learning Portuguese, is a jiu jitsu black belt with nine years of experience, and has explored 55 countries.

Fun fact from Gary: “I met Ric Flair twice in my life…both times entirely coincidental! Woo! (Google it!)”

Elizabeth Reece

Quality Assurance Manager

Elizabeth is the QA Manager at Privis responsible for testing. Over the course of her time with Privis Health, she has performed several roles including Implementation and Training lead, HIPAA, and Information Security Compliance, and anything that requires detailed research and analysis. She is always flexible with her role and believes flexibility is key!

Prior to Privis, Elizabeth led multiple projects to success. Some of these include winning a contract for a new 911 implementation for NYPD (recipient of Compaq Treasurer’s Award for Outstanding Achievement), managing 1st-of-a-kind eCommerce projects for clients including Avon and Gillette (recipient of Personal Achievement Award from CEO), and working in QA & Analysis for over 15 years on projects for prestigious clients including GE, NY State of Health & Merrill Lynch. Elizabeth also has over 20 years of operational experience working in organizational structures ranging in size from Fortune 200 to start-ups.

Elizabeth has a drive to succeed and a strong belief that no detail is too small. For her, rigorous and creative testing is critical to the success of any application or project. She takes great personal satisfaction every time she finds a way to make the product better. She strives for perfection while at the same time balancing true business necessities.

Here at Privis, we have a strong team spirit that leverages and respects each of our different contributions while driving to excellence (all hail the Developers!). Elizabeth looks forward each day to perfecting our product and working with our team to ensure successful implementations.

Originally from England, Elizabeth has lived in the US for over 30 years. Following 15 years in NYC, she has made her home for the last 15–100 miles due north in the incredibly beautiful Hudson Valley just outside of Woodstock, in scenic Saugerties, NY. She considers herself a true New Yorker! In addition to the US and England, she lived in Scotland, Spain, Israel and Greece.

After years of desk work and the inevitable weight gain . . . in the last 3 years I have lost 70 lbs and feel at least 20 years younger as a result! Addressing my weight and physical health was the best decision I have ever made for myself. Every morning I take my dogs down to a beautiful stretch of the Hudson River and work out with a trainer 3 times a week.

I volunteer for our local Cable Access TV station, recording Town and Village Board meetings. I am also an early, early morning coffee shop habitué which is a great way to get to know my local community – from retired police officers to local filmmakers!

Fun Fact from Elizabeth: “I have been working on a novel off and on for a good number of years. My goal is to finish it by the end of 2020. Ask me how I’m doing come 2021!”

I went to an Outward Bound school, Gordonstoun in the wilds of Scotland. The school moto is “Plus est en vous” – “More is in you”. The survival skills I learnt there – the power of will and determination – have been one of the mainstays of my life.

Carrie Tyler, RN CHPN, HNB-BC, C-IAYT

Director of Project Management

Carrie Tyler, BA, BSN, CHPN, HNB-BC. Director of Project Management. Carrie has over 20 years’ experience in leadership, community building, and curriculum development for the healthcare and wellness industries. She has served on a variety of committees for healthcare institutions and presented at many national wellness conferences on a wide range of holistic topics from meditation and yoga to grief, stress, and chronic pain management.

Carrie’s personal interests in healthcare are focused on team innovation, communication, and authentic leadership. She is a Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt and holds additional certifications/trainings in agile leadership, motivational interviewing, design thinking, holistic nursing, and hospice and palliative care nursing. In her spare time, she makes simple floral arrangements, meditates, and walks her exuberant sheepadoodle Mercy around the treelined streets of Raleigh with her husband Nate.

April Paye, OS

Care Manager

April Paye is the Outreach and Registration Specialist for Privis Health. She has a 20-year history in the home health and hospice field where she served in many different roles, the most recent being the IT Support Supervisor. April was very involved with the management team in home health. She leads the agency as Project Manager throughout the transition of EMR systems. She also attended several EMR conferences and participated in a home health presentation at an event in Washington DC.  

April grew up on the shoreline of Connecticut. As an adult, she spent some time in Northern Maine before settling in the mountains of Vermont where she married. She has two grown daughters and an adorable freckled, red-headed grandson. She enjoys biking, camping, traveling, and crafting. April sits on the board of an organization that raises money for families who have children who suffer from life-threatening illnesses or injuries in New Hampshire and Vermont.

April has a positive and enthusiastic attitude toward Privis Health goals. “I love speaking directly to the people of our country to proactively keep them healthy at home where they feel safe, happy, and comfortable.” 

Carol Roy, RNC, CHHCM

Care Manager

Carol Ann Roy, RNC, CHHCM is a 32-year veteran nurse who has specialized in women’s health and rural community-based medicine. Carol believes in treating all patients will dignity and respect by creating plans of care that encompass the whole being, not just a disease process. Carol is able to use decades worth of nursing knowledge and education to provide comprehensive nursing care that spans from birth to death. Carol’s patients not only think of her as an amazing nurse but also a trusted friend.

Carol believes that providing empathy and compassion to people at life’s most vulnerable points are her most important contributions to the medical community.

When she is not wearing her nursing cap, Carol loves spending time at her lakeside cottage with her husband of 31 years and her beautiful daughters that she adopted from China when they were under a year old. Carol also has grown stepchildren and grandchildren that she adores. Carol is a fun-loving person and her light-hearted spirit can put even the most anxious person at ease. Carol feels truly proud to be part of the Privis family.

Jennifer Maclver, LPN

Care Manager

Jennifer MacIver is a Licensed Practical Nurse who is finding her niche as a Chronic Care Nurse Manager with Privis Health Care. Jennifer presently resides in “Ole Little Town of “Bethlehem”, NH with her 2 children. She loves to spend time outdoors walking in the woods, working on her house, or putzing in her garage upcycling old furniture.

Before devoting her work to the Chronic Care Management Team with Privis Healthcare, Jennifer was working as an EMR Systems Administrator at a Critical Care Access Hospital where she was able to try her hat in the world of Nursing Informatics and IT. She has 20+ years of experience in hands-on nursing in multiple disciplines from Geriatric, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, and Chronic Care. Through the years, Jenn has developed strong evaluation and treatment-planning skills and feels an overwhelming thankfulness that she has been blessed to have had opportunities to collaborate on multidisciplinary teams.  

Jenn notes although learning and working in the Nursing IT world was wonderful, she missed her one-on-one time with her patients and the joy she received from talking with them and helping manage their care. Chronic care management now allows her to work with clients, their families and/or loved ones to provide information, advice, and support, promote rights, and take part in their wellness.

Jennifer MacKay, RN

Care Manager

Jennifer MacKay RN is a Chronic Care Manager at Privis Health. She has been a Registered Nurse for 11 years. Jennifer decided later in life to become a nurse. She went to nursing school while taking care of her two children as a single mother. Jennifer began her career in Long Term Care where she spent 7 years before moving on to Home Health and Hospice. Jennifer believes every patient is different and deserves treatment tailored to their individual needs. Jennifer is able to use her nursing knowledge to provide individualized care plans for each of her patients.

When not providing care to her patients Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband of 6 years and her three fur babies. Jennifer also likes cooking, reading, and watching movies. Jennifer is proud to be part of the Privis family.

Noelle Flynn, LPN

Care Manager

Noelle Flynn LPN, is a Chronic Care Nurse Manager for Privis Health. She has 18 years of nursing experience that includes long-term nursing care, Skilled nursing care, Hospice, Orthopedics, Home Health, and is also an EMT. Noelle served her community for many years as a volunteer hospice nurse providing these services to anyone that reached out, including her own family and friends.

Noelle has been a nurse since the age of 21 and there is no other profession she would rather be in! Patient advocacy, honesty, and integrity are very important to her and this is what Noelle believes embodies Nursing. 

Noelle is from a small New Hampshire town and after living in other states and cities as well as a short time in Ireland, she has moved back to her hometown. She has three rescue kitties (that often sound like a small head of cattle while running and chasing each other) and is a huge animal lover. Her dream is to one day purchase a large piece of land for any and all animals that need a home and love.