Core Team Members

Dr. Brent Gibson is the Principal of Avocet Health Partners and one of the nation’s foremost experts in correctional healthcare. 

A board-certified physician executive with decades of experience, Dr. Gibson has optimized healthcare delivery in correctional settings across the country. He has consulted for state departments of corrections, local detention operations, and private health systems, bringing unparalleled expertise to each engagement.

Dr. Gibson completed his AB with distinction from Cornell University and earned a graduate degree in Public Health from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. With over a decade of experience in clinical care and quality improvement for incarcerated populations, he has served as Clinical Director for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a Certified Association Executive for the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and Chief Population Health Officer for a major correctional services corporation.

As a Certified Correctional Health Professional, Dr. Gibson founded Avocet Health Partners, a Chicago-based firm providing expert technical consulting to clients nationwide. His deep commitment to advancing correctional healthcare has made him a trusted leader and advisor in the field.

Dr. Angela Larson is a practicing board-certified family medicine physician and healthcare consultant with a passion for underserved populations. 

With over 10 years of primary care and leadership experience from Federally Qualified Health Centers and rural healthcare settings, Dr. Larson is passionate about bringing high-value care to underserved populations, including those in correctional facilities. She uses intentional data, effective strategy, and stakeholder collaboration to drive meaningful change. Dr. Larson holds a medical doctorate from Oregon Health & Science University and is pursuing a Master of Science in Health Care Transformation from the University of Texas at Austin.

Her interests include improving clinical workflows, designing and implementing value-based care models, and reducing administrative burdens on clinicians—critical needs within correctional facilities. Her experience in optimizing primary care panel management, implementing team-based Medicare Wellness Visits, and leading opioid prescription compliance projects positions her to develop innovative solutions tailored to the correctional health system. Dr. Larson is committed to creating systems that maximize patient health outcomes while ensuring the sustainability of healthcare in correctional environments.

Michelle Liggitt is an experienced editor and proofreader with over 15 years of expertise in refining critical business communications, from hospital appraisals to software user manuals. 

She is proficient in technical writing and editing and has also held various information technology roles, including programmer, website designer, and system administrator.

Her experience in a medical laboratory and with the American Red Cross has given her a solid understanding of healthcare terminology and processes. Additionally, her skills in curriculum development and presentation, honed during her time as a software trainer at PricewaterhouseCoopers, make her well-equipped to support healthcare communications within the correctional environment.

Jared Lormand is a seasoned healthcare executive consultant specializing in organizational transformation and operational excellence, whose extensive experience is now being applied to the correctional healthcare environment through Avocet Health Partners. 

With over 30 years of leadership in both public and private healthcare sectors, including roles as Chief Transformation Officer and Chief Information Officer at Opelousas General Health System in Louisiana, Jared has a proven track record of driving significant improvements in healthcare delivery.

At Opelousas General, Jared managed a 200-bed hospital and 15 ambulatory clinics, where his strategic planning and systems implementation expertise led to enhanced operational efficiencies, cost reductions, and marked improvements in patient care services. While his primary experience lies outside of correctional healthcare, these skills are being strategically applied by Avocet to address the unique challenges of healthcare in correctional settings.

Through Avocet, Jared provides executive management and strategic planning services tailored to the needs of correctional facilities. His focus on process improvement, team building, and technology integration is essential for delivering high-quality care in resource-constrained correctional environments. With a strong background in EMR software implementations and healthcare operational assessments, Jared is well-positioned to guide correctional healthcare facilities toward innovative and sustainable improvements.

Jared holds a BS in Computer Science from Southern Technical College and is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information Management Systems (CPHIMS). His ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders and his deep understanding of healthcare business dynamics make him a valuable asset as Avocet applies his expertise to the correctional healthcare sector.

Tony MacLellan is a distinguished public procurement professional who is deeply committed to advancing equity and innovation in correctional healthcare. 

As a key force behind Avocet Health Partners, Tony brings decades of experience navigating the complexities of government healthcare systems in challenging environments like jails, prisons, and rural communities.

Tony is known for delivering high-impact, cost-effective solutions and serves as a trusted advisor to government leaders across the United States. His expertise ranges from procurement best practices to population health management, all with a focus on ethical and equitable healthcare services.

Rooted in the belief that high-quality healthcare is a fundamental right, Tony uses data-driven analysis to craft evidence-based solutions that redefine standards in correctional healthcare. In addition to service to Avocet, he founded Illuminary, LLC, where he helps state and municipal governments enhance their correctional healthcare procurement processes.

Tony holds certifications as a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and Certified Public Procurement Officer (NIGP-CPP). Based in West Allis, WI, his unwavering dedication makes him a key asset to any project in the correctional healthcare field.

This version maintains the key points of Tony’s original bio while making it more concise and focused on his role in correctional healthcare.

Dr. Alix M. McLearen is a licensed clinical psychologist and retired federal law enforcement officer with extensive experience in corrections and executive leadership. 

Appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022, she led the National Institute of Corrections, enhancing public safety through innovative correctional policies impacting over 750,000 professionals nationwide.

Beginning her federal career in 2002 with the Bureau of Prisons, Dr. McLearen advanced through various roles, including Chief Psychologist at the Federal Correctional Institution in Memphis and the first National Administrator of the Women and Special Populations Branch. Her work has focused on improving conditions for women, juveniles, and special populations within the correctional system.

Dr. McLearen has been instrumental in implementing significant initiatives such as the First Step Act and developing programs that promote treatment access and normalcy for incarcerated individuals. She has also led national efforts in trauma-informed care and workforce development for justice-involved persons.

A recognized expert and speaker, Dr. McLearen has testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and represented the U.S. at international forums. She holds a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University, a Master of Science from Missouri State University, and a Doctorate from the University of Alabama. Numerous publications and awards have acknowledged her contributions to the field, including the Myrl E. Alexander Award for correctional innovation.

Roshan Shah brings extensive experience in management consulting within the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, with over ten years of expertise now ready to be applied to the correctional healthcare environment. 

Well respected for his strategic thinking and execution skills, Roshan has worked with top health systems across the country, and he is now focused on adapting these skills to meet the unique challenges of healthcare delivery in correctional facilities. His expertise includes revenue cycle management, supply chain optimization, facility design, and cost-saving strategies—critical components for improving efficiency and care quality in resource-limited settings like correctional institutions.

Roshan is well-versed in technology integration, specialty pharmacy initiatives, and the management of payer relationships, all of which are crucial for navigating the complexities of correctional healthcare. His strong ability to facilitate mergers and acquisitions further equips him to support correctional facilities in achieving operational and financial improvements.

Holding an MBA from Palm Beach Atlantic University and a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the University of South Florida, Roshan is committed to enhancing the efficiency and impact of healthcare systems, including those within correctional environments. His approach is grounded in data analysis, leveraging his skills to create tailored solutions that improve operations within correctional healthcare. 

Roshan’s qualifications include certifications in data analytics, 340B program management, and project management, complemented by his proficiency in Split Billing software, Agile methodology, and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. This comprehensive skill set positions him as a capable consultant, ready to address the complex challenges of correctional healthcare and drive significant operational and financial improvements within these systems.

Gina Stout is an executive coach with a rich background in healthcare, uniquely positioned to support leaders within the correctional healthcare environment, where caring for vulnerable populations intersects with managing significant resource limitations. 

With over 25 years of experience in emergency and trauma settings, Gina’s expertise extends to guiding healthcare leaders and correctional facility administrators through the intricacies of high-pressure, resource-constrained environments. An ICF credentialed coach and Certified Trauma Support Specialist, she focuses on strategies to alleviate overwhelm, enhance strategic thinking, and foster systemic improvements tailored to the unique challenges of correctional health settings.

At Avocet Health Partners, Gina applies her deep understanding of the strains on staff and patients in correctional facilities to create meaningful and impactful change. Her work emphasizes building resilience among healthcare teams, cultivating psychological safety in environments where it is often most needed, and promoting inclusion within the correctional healthcare system. Gina believes in empowering leaders to navigate the complexities of their roles with confidence and compassion, leveraging evidence-based practices to support healthy organizational cultures in correctional settings. Her commitment to driving positive outcomes in challenging situations is rooted in her conviction that effective leadership and organizational health are key to better serving the incarcerated population.