About

Polly E. Parsons, MD, MACP, FCCP, ATSF
AAIM@im.org

Dr. Parsons serves as AAIM President and CEO, a position she started in July 2022. She currently serves as Professor of Medicine Emerita at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and was Chair of Medicine from 2006-2022. Dr. Parsons earned her undergraduate degree at Radcliffe College and her MD at University of Arizona College of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine and her fellowship in pulmonary medicine at University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Talia D. Austin, MSM
taustin@im.org

Talia oversees membership operations, member engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy for the Alliance. Talia has a bachelor’s degree in economics from University of Pittsburgh, and a master’s degree in management with a concentration in nonprofits and associations from University of Maryland Global Campus.

Kristin Barnard 
kbarnard @ im.org

Kristin is an experienced association professional with 12 years of experience. In her most recent role as the Senior Member Services representative, Governance and Member Engagement at the America College of Radiology, Kristin provided staff support for multiple committees, worked with member volunteers, and managed the College’s online community. Kristin has her B.A. degree from Eastern Michigan University. 

Margaret A. Breida, MS
mbreida@im.org

Margie leads the team responsible for managing surveys and academic affairs, which includes accreditation, workforce, certification, match, and other education issues. Before she joined the staff in June 2011, she worked for AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs. Margie has a master’s degree in health physics from Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s degree in geography from University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Stephen Brock
sbrock@im.org

Stephen oversees membership operations, membership recruitment and retention, and benefit development for AAIM. Prior to joining staff in July 2019 he worked at the American Gastroenterological Association. Stephen has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University.

Tameka Brown
tbrown@im.org

Tameka manages member engagement for the Alliance and its several professional groups, as well as supports member volunteer relations and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Prior to joining the staff in January 2020, she worked for associations in national defense, consultant pharmacy, and physical therapy. Tameka has a bachelor's degree in communication from Bowie State University and a master's degree in counseling from Liberty University.

Sheila T. Costa
scosta@im.org

Sheila currently oversees four areas as special projects: communications and branding, governance, publications, and external support. Before joining the staff in June 1997, she worked for PortFolio Magazine and Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine. Sheila has a master’s degree in English from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in English from The College of William and Mary in Virginia. Sheila is a certified Project Management Professional.

Committee Responsibilities: AAIM Governance Committee

Jessica Darnell, MPA
jdarnell@im.org

Jessica provides support to the educational program planning committees, continuing medical education, and other issues related to educational content for Alliance meetings. Jessica joined the staff in October 2019 and has a bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration and a Masters in Public Administration from Eastern Kentucky University.

Nelia Dashiell
ndashiell@im.org

Nelia is responsible for writing email, website, and social media content in support of current and developing products and services of the Alliance. Prior to joining the staff in November 2021, she worked in the realm of biomedical nonprofit and internal communications for medical health systems. Nelia has a bachelor’s degree in English and Media Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Nancy Dernelle, MA
ndernelle@im.org

Nancy directs the human resource (HR) functions which includes recruitment, terminations, compensation program, employee benefits’ contracts, employee relations, talent management, professional development, performance evaluation process, and staff retention. Prior to joining the staff in April 2014, she worked for the American Pharmacists Association. Nancy has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Loyola University of Chicago and a master’s degree in human resources management from George Washington University.

Committee Responsibilities: AAIM Compensation Committee

Dionedra Dorsey
ddorsey@im.org

Dionedra provides administrative support for membership by updating member records and information. She also provides customer service to members. Prior to joining the staff in May 2018, she worked for ASIS International.

Curtis Gore
cgore@im.org

Curtis manages the program planning committees and other issues related to the educational content of AAIM meetings. Prior to joining the staff in February 2016, he worked for the American Telemedicine Association. Curtis has a bachelor’s degree in political science from The College of Wooster.

Committee Responsibilities: AIM Program Planning Committee, APDIM Program Planning Committee, APM Program Planning Committee, CDIM Program Planning Committee, APDIM PA Program Planning Committee, CDIM CA Program Planning Committee

James F. Helm, MBA
 jhelm@im.org

Jim manages accounts payable, accounts receivable, and provides additional support to the finance and administration team. Prior to joining the staff in November 2016, he worked for the International Parking Institute. Jim has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Virginia Tech and an MBA from Indiana University.

Machine-readable files are made available in response to the federal Transparency in Coverage Rule and includes negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and healthcare providers. The machine readable files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators, and application developers to more easily access and analyze data.

Bergitta E. Cotroneo, FACMPE
bcotroneo@im.org

Bergitta has overall responsibility for Alliance strategic planning, operations and
service lines that support its member groups and affiliates.  Prior to joining the staff in June 2008, she served as chief operating officer at the National Patient Safety Foundation. Bergitta has a bachelor’s degree in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a certificate in nonprofit leadership from Georgetown University Center for Nonprofit Leadership.. She is a life fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives.

Steven M. Humphrey
shumphrey@im.org

Steven leads the team responsible for Alliance meetings, conferences, and other member education efforts as well as drives AAIM’s IT strategy, influencing strategy for all departments, analyzing user needs, planning and strategizing on future IT programs, researching and recommending new technology, and creating and recommending technical solutions. Before joining the staff in October 2002, he worked for Washington Lists and Land's End Inlet. Steve has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from State University of New York College at Brockport, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Committee Responsibilities: AAIM Educational Program Planning Committee

Michael R. Kisielewski, MA
mkisielewski@im.org

Michael manages survey, data analysis, and reporting functions for the Alliance. Prior to joining the staff in October 2016, he worked for the American Sociological Association. Michael has a bachelor’s degree in political science from George Washington University and master’s degree in political science from University of Massachusetts.

Committee Responsibilities: APDIM Survey Committee, APDIM PA Survey and Scholarship Committee, CDIM Survey and Scholarship Committee

Sarah Lawler
slawler@im.org

Sarah is responsible for developing and implementing branding, marketing, and communication strategy and tactics for the Alliance. She has worked previously for associations in the higher education, affordable housing, and credit counseling sectors. Sarah has a master’s degree in public communication from American University and a bachelor’s degree in art history and communications from Simmons University.

Brian Lyons
 blyons@im.org

Brian is responsible for managing the financial operations, including accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and overseeing external financial audits. Prior to joining the staff in October 2016, he worked with nonprofits and CPA firms. Brian has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Duquesne University.

Karen M. Majcher, MBA
kmajcher@im.org

Karen oversees business operations, which includes finance, administration, and human resources, for the Alliance. Before joining the staff in September 2017, she worked for Universal Service Administrative Company. Karen has an MBA from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s of science in finance from Virginia Tech.

Committee Responsibilities: AAIM Finance and Audit Committee, AAIM Compliance Committee

Emily McCarthy
emccarthy@im.org

Emily provides administrative and professional support for internal office operations. Emily originally joined the staff in July 2014. She has worked previously for Starwood Hotels. Emily has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Mary Washington College and a master's degree in international hotel and tourism management from Schiller International University.

Savita Misra
smisra@im.org

Savita manages Alliance Survey and Research Center operations. She has over eight years of experience in medical education, having previously worked for the American Osteopathic Association. Savita holds a master's degree in Training and Development and a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Roosevelt University and is a doctoral candidate in Organization Development with Benedictine University. She joined the staff in September 2022.

Valerie O
 vo@im.org

Valerie serves as staff liaison, working in partnership with task forces, councils, and external stakeholders. She facilitates the work of cross-council and cross-committee initiatives, to include Alliance position statements and recommendations. She is the primary on cross-team collaborations and the lead in AAIM’s Project ECHO PDPQ. Prior to joining the Alliance, she worked for ASIS International. Valerie has a bachelor's degree in English from Marymount University.

Committee Responsibilities: AAIM Innovation Grants Committee, AAIM Medical Education Research Committee, AAIM Research Committee

Lydia Redway 
lredway@im.org

Lydia contributes to the successful execution of annual and periodic survey committee-driven data collection, and developing timely products and services (e.g., survey summary reports and data visualizations, scholarly works, and online resources and new content derived from Alliance research surveys). Prior to joining the staff in June 2023, she served as the Senior Research Analyst at Edge Research. Lydia has her bachelor's degree in psychology from Franklin & Marshall College.

Jewel Saunders 
jsaunders@im.org

Jewel provides administrative management and professional support to ensure the effective and efficient management of AAIM executive office’s internal functions, including serving as a liaison to staff team leaders, oversight, and coordination of the AAIM Deputy CEO & EVP and the President & CEO’s appointment and travel schedules, and as a key contact for both executives when coordinating meetings and events with AAIM’s external stakeholders. In addition, she provides administrative support related to the management of the AAIM Board of Directors and AAIM Executive Committee. Jewel is a non-profit professional with over 15 years of experience. Jewel has her bachelor's degree in business management from University of the District of Columbia. 

Pamela Sharo, MA, CMP
psharo@im.org

Pam provides administrative support to the Conferences and Meetings Team as it facilitates the AAIM conferences. She also supports the Alliance's small meetings. Pam joined the staff in February 2018 and has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from West Virginia University and a master’s degree in public relations from Quinnipiac University.

Ardie Stephens 
astephens@im.org

Ardie provides administrative management and professional support to ensure the effective and efficient management of the education and research team (ERT). She provides administrative support related to the management of ERT committees, task forces, and work groups. Ardie serves as a key contact for coordinating meetings and events with AAIM’s external stakeholders. Ardie has her bachelor's degree in business management (computer information systems) from Georgia State University. 

Christine Tambini, CMP
ctambini@im.org

Christine manages logistics and planning of AAIM meetings. Prior to joining the staff in August 2018, she worked for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Christine has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management from Virginia Tech.