Ali Hussam, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Dr. Ali Hussam co-founded Universal Research Solutions in 2010. Dr. Hussam directs a range of strategic and visionary initiatives to leverage the Company as the world market leader in outcomes data collection. His extensive experience in Healthcare IT has provided him with an in-depth appreciation and understanding of the need for user-centric evidence-based outcomes.
Prior to founding URS, Dr. Hussam worked for the University of Missouri for 21 years, focusing on innovation and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). His work included projects for the Smithsonian Institution and the National Geographic Society. This experience culminated in being appointed the Director of Strategic Technologies at the MU School of Medicine. While at the University of Missouri, he received numerous awards and honors, including having several reports and articles published. He also gave several presentations focusing on innovation, teaching, research, and emerging technologies.
The Company’s strategic leadership has been founded on Dr. Hussam’s technological accomplishments, including a Doctorate in Computer Science with an emphasis on Human Interaction in Information Technology. With eight full utility issued patents and another 20 pending, he has developed a system that through HCI, will make the next generation of user interfaces dramatically more useful, usable, and universal in the medical field.
Ali Hussam, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Otho Plummer, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist and Founder
Dr. Otho Plummer co-founded Universal Research Solutions in 2010 and currently serves as the Chief Scientist for the Company.
Dr. Plummer is the Company’s most experienced employee and the Designated Polymath. He attended the University of Texas, where he earned an M.S. in Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Mathematical Physics. Dr. Plummer has also held several notable academic positions throughout his career, including Assistant Professor – Physics at the University of Arkansas, Associate Professor – Applied Mathematics at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and Professor – Computer Science at the University of Missouri, where he retains the rank of Professor Emeritus.
Dr. Plummer served stints as Computer Science Department Chairman and Chief Information Officer for the University of Missouri. Under his leadership, Missouri became one of the first states to bring all state universities onto the internet, and the first state to have an internet presence for state government, every public school, and every public library. The University was a national leader in adaptive computing, and by building its own hardware, became the first campus to accomplish networking with single-mode fiber and LED-based repeaters. This project took place because both IBM and DEC considered its practicality to be some ten years in the future; it was completed in a year and a half.
A primary component of Dr. Plummer’s work has been the development of mathematical models that would permit unifying theory and hard data to enable practical applications. His present activities are driving this to a new level of sophistication, based on the vast amount of clinical data collected by OBERD. Fundamental principles of measurement, enabled by various techniques of machine learning, are being brought to bear on the validation of outcomes, reduction in questionnaire size, and cross-referencing of the many different scores currently in use. With these methods, the OBERD database also permits predictive modeling of clinical outcomes to the level of individual patients, risk analysis across arbitrary patient cohorts for ACOs, and novel research paradigms for the developing OBERD Registries.
Otho Plummer, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist and Founder
Richard H. Rothman, M.D., Ph.D.
Board of Management
Richard H. Rothman, M.D., Ph.D. is the founder of the Rothman Institute in Philadelphia, which is one of the country’s largest academic orthopaedic facilities, and serves as a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College.
Dr. Rothman’s business interests include founding and acting as past Chairman of the Board of Specialty Care Network, a company now known as HealthGrades. He has served as an advisor for the Carlyle Group and is now Senior Advisor to the Riverside Company.
Dr. Rothman is currently a Trustee of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College. He has also served on the Board of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and was a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania.
Richard H. Rothman, M.D., Ph.D.
Board of Management
Michael E. West, C.P.A, M.B.A.
Board of Management
Mr. West is CEO of the Rothman Institute, a private orthopaedic practice based in Philadelphia, PA that houses more than 100 physicians. He is responsible for strategic, financial, and operational oversight of the medical practice, as well as a number of the organization’s ownership interests in ambulatory surgery centers, specialty hospitals, real estate, and start-up technology companies. In addition, he oversees the Orthopaedic Clinical Research Department of the Rothman Institute and the Department of Orthopaedics at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital.
Mr. West has previously held positions as Senior Vice President at Specialty Care Network, Inc., an Orthopaedic Practice Management Company in Lakewood, CO, and as Director of Finance at Children’s Health System in Norfolk, VA.
Mr. West graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Management from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. He also holds an MBA and CPA certificate.
Michael E. West, C.P.A, M.B.A.
Board of Management
Andrea Wood, M.A.
Chief Client Officer
Andrea has been a part of Universal Research Solutions since its inception and has played a vital role in the Company from the very beginning. In the early days of URS, she was the primary point of contact and project lead across all clients, while also supporting all business development initiatives. Andrea currently oversees the Company’s Client Services Department, which is the team of Account Managers and Customer Support Specialists that are responsible for the implementation and general satisfaction of each individual and unique client based on their respective utilization of the OBERD platform.
Andrea graduated from Texas Tech University with an M.A. in Mass Communications, emphasis in Public Relations.
Andrea Wood, M.A.
Chief Client Officer
Nathan Bleigh, M.Sc.
Chief Technology Officer
Nathan joined URS in 2010 at its inception. He has been a core contributor and designer of the innovative products and features available in OBERD.
Prior to Nathan joining the Company, he worked as a senior 3-D artist, telling stories through video, making architectural plans and marketing materials come to life with realistic rendering and animation.
Nathan finds passion in the intersection of computer graphics and networking technology, and building tools to connect the now disparate worlds of clinical practice and research. He studied under Ali Hussam at the University of Missouri receiving a B.S. in Computer Engineering and Computer Science, before continuing on to receive a M.S. in Computer Science with an emphasis in graphics research.
Nathan Bleigh, M.Sc.
Chief Technology Officer
Matt Allen
Chief Information Officer
Matt joined URS at its inception in 2010 as one of the original employees. He played a major role in developing and constructing the majority of OBERD’s modules and services as they exist today.
Matt’s day-to-day role has since shifted from a straight development focus and ensuring that OBERD works seamlessly with as many other healthcare systems as possible, to developing the platform for the next generation of OBERD. He is also very involved with the company’s IT operations, ensuring that OBERD is running smoothly and efficiently.
Prior to working for the company, Matt worked for OBERD ‘s CEO, Ali Hussam, at the University of Missouri in the innovative arm of the School of Medicine, Strategic Technologies Group. There, Matt was involved in developing prototypes of applications to innovate the way that healthcare is taught to our countries’ future physicians. The knowledge he gained there has been essential to his ability to help grow OBERD to what it is today.
Matt Allen
Chief Information Officer
Sowjanya Paladugu, M.Sc.
Principal Software Architect
Sowjanya has been with URS since its inception in 2010. She has been a core contributor to numerous OBERD features involving collecting and displaying patient data, streamlining clinic flows, and sending patient reports to EMRs.
Prior to joining the company, Sowjanya worked as a Programmer-Specialist at the University of Missouri Medical School helping create realistic 3-D patient models to serve as practice platforms for virtual physical exams. While working as a Software Engineer at Cyient, she developed web applications for standardizing workflows in organizations. She also interned at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City redesigning the company website for easier access for health insurance members.
Sowjanya holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electronics and Communication from India.
Sowjanya Paladugu, M.Sc.
Principal Software Architect
Ben Griffith
Principal Software Architect
Ben has been with URS since its inception in 2010. He started his path in computer science at an early age, developing interactive media applications. This passion led him to crossing paths with Dr. Ali Hussam in college, and coming under his wing to further his education and creating applications under other genres of programming including web, database, and product design.
After receiving a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Missouri, Ben continued working for the University on data management projects, interactive visual exhibits, and educational applications.
Ben Griffith
Principal Software Architect
Ali Merayyan, Ph.D.
Director of Information Technology
Ali joined the Company in 2014, and he is responsible for all aspects of Information Technology (IT). He is responsible for managing the IT infrastructure, Integration and IT Teams. Previously, he worked for the University of Missouri for 22 years in different roles, including lead of development teams, a programmer, and a system administrator.
Ali graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a PhD in Computer Science in the field of Cyber Security.
Ali Merayyan, Ph.D.
Director of Information Technology
Brian McCuiston
Director of National Sales
Brian joined the Company as Director of National Sales in July 2015. With over 30 years of sales expertise, specifically in EMR sales, he brings a deep understanding of the market, a wealth of relevant contacts, and a history of proven sales success. As a member of the Senior Management Team, Brian leads the sales initiatives and manages a team of sales professionals across the nation. Brian is responsible for sales operations, growth initiatives, and strategic alliances for the Company.
Prior to his position at the URS, Brian’s executive leadership was at SRSsoft for 10 years, where he served as the Vice President of Enterprise Accounts and Vice President of Account Management. Brian’s background is focused heavily in Healthcare Information Technology Solutions, and he brings a wealth of experience building successful and energetic sales teams.
Brian’s extensive Healthcare IT sales experience includes Companion Technologies, WebMD, and Alteer Corporation. Brian graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science.
Brian McCuiston
Director of National Sales
Alexa Lott
Human Resources Director
Alexa joined URS in May of 2014 as the Human Resources Director, with over 15 years of human resources and payroll experience. Alexa leads the organization’s human capital strategy and human resources initiatives that support the organization’s strategic goals. This includes hiring the highest quality staff members, supporting employee professional growth, retaining talented staff, and providing consultation to management on strategic staffing plans and labor relations.
Alexa has extensive experience working in human resources roles, with large and small companies in a variety of industries including technology, pharmaceutical, and education. Prior to joining URS, Alexa held human resources and payroll positions for such companies as Dish Network, Idea Public Schools, National Instruments, PPD, and Forgent Networks. Experience has ranged from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups, high tech and professional services. Alexa is a member of Society for Human Resource Management and Human Resources Association of Central Missouri.
Alexa Lott
Human Resources Director
Tom Wolfe
Director of Finance
Tom Wolfe joined URS as Director of Finance in December 2015. He brings over 16 years of financial and management experience to the company. Tom oversees the business support and financial planning and analysis at URS. Tom ensures alignment between business operations and the financial plan, and works with department heads to increase efficiency, minimize waste, and create value for the company’s customers and employees.
Prior to URS, Tom served as the Controller for Socket Telecom, and has served as interim Controller and CFO for rapid growth companies for 8 years at the consulting firm, Basic Business Concepts. Tom has also served as the Director of Finance for Aris Corporation.
Tom holds a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in Finance and Accounting.
Tom Wolfe
Director of Finance
Andrew Clement, B.Sc., M.Sc., RN
Director of Operations
Andrew joined the Company as Director of Operations in September 2014. His primary areas of responsibility include business process improvement, marketing, finance and budget management, client and vendor contract management, operational risk management, and operational reporting. As a member of the Senior Management Team, Andrew has been leading the process of strategic planning and working to establish the robust operational infrastructure required to take the Company to the next level of success.
Andrew’s previous employer, Atlantis Healthcare, is a multi-national corporation in healthcare marketing and communications. As Global Director of Operations, he was responsible for the operational delivery of patient support programs in over 30 countries, with specific emphasis on high quality, efficient, and profitable operations.
Andrew is a former Registered Nurse. His previous careers have also included retail management and ownership, and operational management at the Virgin group of companies. His education includes a B.Sc. in Physics and an M.Sc. in Computing and Systems Analysis.
Andrew Clement, B.Sc., M.Sc., RN
Director of Operations
