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Safer Systems, Safer People, Safer Outcomes
Our Leadership Team
Stephen Powell, DHA, MSc
Stephen Powell is the CEO and founder of Synensys, a professional services company headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia, USA. Steve is a recognized leader in performance improvement having led programs in the U.S. Navy, the commercial airline industry, and the healthcare industry for more than 30 years.
His most recent experience includes patient safety, quality, and patient-centered care improvements, health systems strengthening, learning systems, high reliability, care coordination, value-based initiatives, and team training. Steve regularly provides assessments, training, consulting, and coaching services to senior leaders, managers, and teams in civilian, government, and military healthcare organizations worldwide.
He has authored numerous articles on human-centered design, reflective learning, teamwork, global health, safety, change management, communication, quality improvement, patient experience, and patient safety culture. His book, “The Patient Survival Handbook: Avoid Being the Next Victim of Medical Error,” is a call to action for deeper patient engagement and activation for patient safety, increased effectiveness, and quality improvement.
Steve earned a Doctorate in Health Administration from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science in Human Factors from Embry-Riddle University. Steve is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School in Safety and earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Steve is a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychologists, the Clinical Human Factors Group, and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He also serves as a Board member for the North Carolina Quality Center and the Armed Forces Mission.
Daniel Wyman, MD, MPH, FAsMA
Dr. Daniel Wyman serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Synensys. He has more than 30 years of specialized experience leading large-scale health operations across the care continuum, including strategic health transformation and strengthening initiatives.
Prior to joining Synensys, Daniel served as the Chief Medical Officer for Pruitt Health of Atlanta, with responsibilities for the clinical policies, procedures, and oversight of healthcare delivery within more than 100 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, assisted-living facilities, and home care and hospice agencies across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Prior to his role at Pruitt Health, Daniel served in numerous senior leadership positions in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) including Command Surgeon for USAF Air Combat Command, Assistant Air Force Surgeon General for the Medical Corps, Commander Keesler Medical Center, and Command Surgeon to USAF Headquarters Pacific Air Forces and USAF Special Forces Command. He retired from the Air Force as a Brigadier General.
Daniel completed a residency in family practice at David Grant USAF Medical Center, dual residencies in aerospace medicine and occupational medicine at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, and a Master’s in Public Health at the University of Texas. He is board certified in aerospace medicine and is licensed to practice medicine in the State of Georgia. Daniel previously served as the US Air Force Delegate to the American Medical Association and Past President of Society of U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeons. He is an advisor to the National Foundation for Integrative Medicine.
Tina Whitby, MA, PMP
Tina has more than 20 years of combined experienced in military healthcare, organizational development, and program management. She is an Air Force veteran with a strong history of developing leaders by providing opportunities for growth, cultivating innovative partnerships, and inspiring positive culture change.
Tina uses her experience as a Patient Safety Officer and Quality Improvement Professional to lead our Patient Safety Program, managing the Navy Medicine and Air Force Medical Service contracts.
Tina holds a Master of Arts in Human Services-Military Resilience from Liberty University, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Management from Regent University, and certification in Human Factors Analysis and Classification System from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Tina is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB), High Reliability Master Safety Certifier, and TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer. She is a member of Institute for Healthcare Improvement, ECRI Institute, Project Management Institute, American College of Healthcare Executives, and the American Society for Professionals in Patient Safety.
Mark H. Smithwick, MBA, CPPS
Mark is responsible for managing all aspects of our aviation safety management portfolio while also supporting our healthcare practice requirements. Mark holds a Master of Business Administration from Midwestern State University in Texas. Mark is a Certified Professional in Patient Safety, TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer, HRO 7 Leadership Methods Instructor, HRO 8 Master Safety Certifier, and a Licensed Commercial Pilot. As a member of the United States Navy in his final deployment to Afghanistan in 2010, he earned an Army Commendation Medal along with a Navy & Marine Corp Achievement Medal (third award).
He is commited to safety and quality improvement for all Synensys clients through his award-winning innovation, ingenuity, and exceptional contract performance reports.
Christine Tilson Alford, BA
Christine manages business development across our Aviation, Healthcare, and Nursing Education (StoryCare) practices. She successfully leads our marketing and business capture processes by developing strong relationships with current and potential clients.
Christine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Sales and Marketing from Florida State University and brings more than 20 years of experience in client development, customer relations, and innovative marketing strategies in the government and commercial contracting fields.
Synensys fuels her enthusiasm and passion for building partnerships and opening doors that will continue to promote and produce greater levels of safety and better outcomes that can truly make a difference not only in organizations, but also in people’s lives.
Todd Spain, MSc.
Todd serves as the Human Resources Leader and his duties include managing all HR-related functions, including recruiting, staffing, training, employee relations, maintaining compliance, and developing policies.
He has an extensive background with more than 15 years in human resources leadership roles across various industries, serving both large and small organizations. Todd received his Bachelor of Science, Psychology, from Kennesaw State University and a Master of Science, Information Technology, from Southern New Hampshire University.
Todd is passionate about helping Synensys reach its full potential through developing an inclusive, diverse, productive, and happy workforce.
Melissa Speice, CPA
Melissa is responsible for managing the delivery of financial services such as accounting, treasury, reporting, budgeting, and insurance management, in accordance with governmental requirements and organizational policies and strategies. She also coordinates all IT efforts, ensuring compliance with NIST/CMMC certification and other essential corporate compliance programs.
Melissa has more than 20 years of experience in providing professional accounting services including nearly 10 years working with Government contractors. Melissa earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Georgia State University. Her dedication to accurate reporting and managing the bottom line are invaluable to our continued financial success.