Meet the Directors
Guiding Quality Care
Commence’s board brings deep clinical, policy, and operational insight to its quality improvement work—guiding efforts to improve care, reduce readmissions, and ensure every Medicare beneficiary feels heard, supported, and protected.*
Quality Improvement Organization
Board of Directors
Harry M. Feder
ChairmanElizabeth L. Chung
Consumer RepresentativeHoward B. Apple
Consumer RepresentativeKaren Shields
Consumer RepresentativeLisa Maxwell, M.D., MHCDS
Provider RepresentativeLorenza Cooper
Consumer RepresentativeNeil Jasani, M.D., MBA, FACEP
Provider RepresentativeSteven H. Adler
Consumer Representative*There is a cap of six (6) consecutive years of service for each individual governing body member. All non-staff governing body members are compensated at a rate of $500.00 per meeting.

Guiding the Nation’s Largest QIO Program
Commence’s QIO Board of Directors ensures our program delivers measurable improvements in patient outcomes and program performance across all Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regions we serve. Their insight drives high-stakes decisions on beneficiary protection, clinical quality, and equitable access. Backed by our platform and 500+ licensed clinicians, their oversight helps us serve 60% of the Medicare population with compassion and accountability.
We support CMS goals by:
- Answering 150,000+ beneficiary calls with monthly with <20s response time
- Ensuring clinical reviews meet national standards across 27 states
Pleasant Land
Commence is proud to be a part of the Pleasant Land portfolio. Pleasant Land is a mission-driven private equity firm committed to long-term value and societal good. With a deep belief in the power of purposeful investment, Pleasant Land supports our vision to transform healthcare through human-centered technology, data, and clinical expertise. Together, we’re scaling impact—patiently, intentionally, and with the people we serve at the heart of every decision.



