Our Team

Our Leadership Team

A medical company is only as good as the team it builds and at Versant Diagnostics, we’re assembling the best of the best in digital pathology. We’re led by seasoned professionals with decades of medical experience and we’re constantly adding to our team with pathologists working on the leading edge of medicine.

Physicians

  • Ven Aduana, M.D.
    Ven Aduana, M.D.
    Chairman, CMO

    Ven Aduana, M.D.

    Chairman, CMO
    Dr. Aduana is Chairman, Chief Medical Officer, and Co-Founder of Versant Diagnostics. Prior to Versant he was President and CEO at Alliance Pathology Consultants. Dr. Aduana is a medical leader within Amita (now Ascension) Health, and nationally recognized for adoption and implementation of Digital Pathology and Precision Medicine. He is an expert in Breast Pathology, Digital Pathology, Gastrointestinal Pathology, Precision Medicine, Surgical Oncologic Pathology, and Surgical Pathology. Dr. Aduana is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and holds a medical degree from the University of the East College of Medicine and fellowship and residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago.
  • Peter Bernhardt, M.D.
    Peter Bernhardt, M.D.
    Founding Member

    Peter Bernhardt, M.D.

    Founding Member

    Dr. Bernhardt is a Co-Founder of Versant Diagnostics. He is a pathologist in Elk Grove Village, Illinois and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Amita Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village and Amita Health Hoffman Estates. Dr. Bernhardt is an expert in Anatomic Pathology, Breast Pathology, Clinical Pathology, Flow Cytometry, Hematopathology, and Molecular Pathology. He is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and holds a medical degree from the Duke University
    School of Medicine.

  • Frederick Ng, M.D.
    Frederick Ng, M.D.
    Founding Member

    Frederick Ng, M.D.

    Founding Member

    Dr. Ng is a Co-Founder of Versant Diagnostics. He is a pathologist in Elk Grove Village, Illinois and is affiliated with Amita Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village. He is an expert in Cytopathology, Surgical Pathology, Breast Pathology and Gynecological Pathology. Dr. Ng is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and Cytopathology and holds a medical degree from the De La Salle University College of Medicine.

  • Anoja S. Attele, M.D.
    Anoja S. Attele, M.D.
    Physician

    Anoja S. Attele, M.D.

    Physician

    Dr. Attele is a pathologist in Chicago, Illinois and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Community First Medical Center and Amita Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Chicago. She is an expert in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology, and Cytopathology. Dr. Attele holds a medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago.

  • Archana Bargaje, M.D.
    Archana Bargaje, M.D.
    Physician

    Archana Bargaje, M.D.

    Physician

    Dr. Bargaje is a pathologist in Elk Grove Village, Illinois and is affiliated with Alexian Brothers Hospital. She is an expert in Hematopathology, Anatomic Pathology, and Clinical Pathology. Dr. Bargaje holds a medical degree from Government Medical College Nagpur.

  • Shaun Boyes, M.D.
    Shaun Boyes, M.D.
    Physician

    Shaun Boyes, M.D.

    Physician

    Dr. Boyes is a pathologist and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the Chicagoland area, including Midwest Medical Center and City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center-Chicago. He is an expert in General Pathology, Anatomic Pathology, and Clinical Pathology. Dr. Boyes received his medical degree from Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center.

  • Marlyn C. Ciesla, M.D.
    Marlyn C. Ciesla, M.D.
    Physician

    Marlyn C. Ciesla, M.D.

    Physician

    Dr. Ciesla is a pathologist in Hoffman Estates, Illinois and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Amita Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village and Amita Health Hoffman Estates. She is an expert in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology and Cytopathology. Dr. Ciesla holds a medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.

  • Maria C. Cleto-Quiaoit, M.D.
    Maria C. Cleto-Quiaoit, M.D.
    Physician

    Maria C. Cleto-Quiaoit, M.D.

    Physician

    Dr. Cleto-Quiaoit is a pathologist in Elk Grove Village, Illinois and is affiliated with Amita Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village. She is an expert in Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology. Dr. Cleto-Quiaoit holds a medical degree from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine.

  • Laurie Eisengart, M.D
    Laurie Eisengart, M.D
    Physician

    Laurie Eisengart, M.D

    Physician

    Dr. Eisengart is a pathologist in Hoffman Estates, Illinois and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Amita Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village and Amita Health Hoffman Estates.  She is an expert in Molecular Pathology, Precision Medicine, and Surgical Pathology. Dr. Eisengart is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and holds a medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

  • Keith Kaplan, M.D.
    Keith Kaplan, M.D.
    Physician

    Keith Kaplan, M.D.

    Physician

    Dr. Kaplan is a pathologist in Hoffman Estates, Illinois and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Amita Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village and Amita Health Hoffman Estates.  He is an expert in Blood Banking & Transfusion Medicine, Cytopathology, Gastrointestinal & Hepatobiliary Pathology, and Surgical Pathology. Dr. Kaplan is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and holds a medical degree from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Kaplan has published the online blog tissuepathology.com since 2007.

  • Kiran Manjee, M.D.
    Kiran Manjee, M.D.
    Physician

    Kiran Manjee, M.D.

    Physician

    Manjee is a pathologist in Elk Grove Village, Illinois and is affiliated with Alexian Brothers and Saint Alexius Hospitals. She is an expert in General Pathology, Anatomic Pathology, and Clinical Pathology. Dr. Manjee is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and holds a medical degree from Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Sindh.

  • Maria McIntire, M.D.
    Maria McIntire, M.D.
    Physician

    Maria McIntire, M.D.

    Physician

    Dr. McIntire is a pathologist in Hoffman Estates, Illinois and is affiliated with Amita Health Hoffman Estates.  She is an expert in Surgical Pathology and Gastrointestinal Pathology. Dr. McIntire is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, holds a medical degree from the Rush University Rush Medical College and was chosen for a Fellowship in Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology at Harvard’s
    Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

  • Pepito P. Parayno, M.D.
    Pepito P. Parayno, M.D.
    Physician

    Pepito P. Parayno, M.D.

    Physician

    Dr. Parayno is a pathologist in Elk Grove Village, Illinois and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Amita Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village and Amita Health Hoffman Estates. He is an expert in Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology. Dr. Parayno holds a medical degree from the University of the East College of Medicine.

  • Natasha Pello, M.D.
    Natasha Pello, M.D.
    Physician

    Natasha Pello, M.D.

    Physician

    Dr. Pello is a pathologist in Elgin, Illinois and is affiliated with AMITA Health St. Joseph Hospital Elgin. She is an expert in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology, and Cytopathology. Dr. Pello holds a medical degree from the St. Petersburg State Medical Academy.

  • Omid Rouhi, M.D.
    Omid Rouhi, M.D.
    Physician

    Omid Rouhi, M.D.

    Physician

    Dr. Rouhi is a pathologist in Chicago and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Ascension Resurrection and Ascension St. Mary-Chicago. He is an expert in General Pathology, Molecular Genetics, Anatomic Pathology, and Clinical Pathology. Dr. Rouhi received his medical degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences School of Medicine.

Executive Team

  • Ven Aduana, M.D.
    Ven Aduana, M.D.
    Chairman, CMO

    Ven Aduana, M.D.

    Chairman, CMO

    Dr. Aduana is Chairman, Chief Medical Officer, and Co-Founder of Versant Diagnostics. Prior to Versant he was President and CEO at Alliance Pathology Consultants. Dr. Aduana is a medical leader within Amita (now Ascension) Health, and nationally recognized for adoption and implementation of Digital Pathology and Precision Medicine. He is an expert in Breast Pathology, Digital Pathology,
    Gastrointestinal Pathology, Precision Medicine, Surgical Oncologic Pathology, and Surgical Pathology. Dr. Aduana is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and holds a medical degree from the University of the East College of Medicine and fellowship and residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago.

  • Jim Billington
    Jim Billington
    CEO

    Jim Billington

    CEO

    Mr. Billington is CEO and Co-Founder at Versant Diagnostics. Previously he was Co-Founder, Board of Directors, and Chief Operating Officer at American Esoteric Laboratories. Prior, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Chief Operating Officer, and Board of Directors (ex officio) at AmeriPath. He was Co-Founder, President, and Chief Operating Officer at Inform DX that merged with PATH. He was Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for the Western Division of LabCorp. Mr. Billington served as an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Bradley University between 2013 and 2018 and began his career as a Certified Public Accountant for Coopers & Lybrand.

  • Rob Albert
    Rob Albert
    Development

    Rob Albert

    Development

    Mr. Albert is Chief Development Officer at Versant Diagnostics. Prior to Versant, he was the Vice President and General Manager for the Northwest Region of LabCorp. Mr. Albert has extensive experience in previous roles as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in acquisition and efficiency creation for Dynacare Clinical Labs, Pathology, Inc., LabCorp, and Accumen, (formerly aLabs). He was Laboratory Acquisition Consultant for Goldtschmidtstr in Hamburg, Germany and Executive Management Consultant for Inform Diagnostics in Irving, Texas.

  • Gerry Hayden
    Gerry Hayden
    CFO

    Gerry Hayden

    CFO
  • John Horton
    John Horton
    Sales & Marketing

    John Horton

    Sales & Marketing

    Mr. Horton is Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Versant Diagnostics. Before joining Versant, he was Chief Commercial Officer at Baylor Genetics Intelligence Platform. Prior, he was the Senior Area Director for the Western Region of Progenity, Inc. which specialized in prentatal genetics. He has held sales leadership roles at QIAGEN and Digene, Inc. Mr. Horton began his career in the lab industry at AmeriPath and Olympus America, Inc. and has expertise in oncology, genetics, and personalized medicine.

  • Alex Stefanowicz
    Alex Stefanowicz
    Human Resources

    Alex Stefanowicz

    Human Resources

    Mr. Stefanowicz is Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Corporate Services at Versant Diagnostics. Previously, he was Chief Human Resources Officer and Compliance Officer at TREND Healthcare. His experience also includes Co-Founder and Vice President of Operations and Human Resources at Integrated Lab Solutions, Vice President of Human Resources at USMD Health System, Director of Human Resources and Corporate Compliance at American Esoteric Laboratories, and Director of Human Resources at AmeriPath. Mr. Stefanowicz is Co-Inventor of U.S. Patent 9,999,888 for a medical specimen container integral in automated laboratory toxicology testing. His diverse background extends beyond healthcare to include technology and manufacturing organizations as well as hospitality at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

Board of Directors

  • Ven Aduana, M.D.
    Ven Aduana, M.D.
    Chairman, CMO

    Ven Aduana, M.D.

    Chairman, CMO

    Dr. Aduana is Chairman, Chief Medical Officer, and Co-Founder of Versant Diagnostics. Prior to Versant he was President and CEO at Alliance Pathology Consultants. Dr. Aduana is a medical leader within Amita (now Ascension) Health, and nationally recognized for adoption and implementation of Digital Pathology and Precision Medicine. He is an expert in Breast Pathology, Digital Pathology,
    Gastrointestinal Pathology, Precision Medicine, Surgical Oncologic Pathology, and Surgical Pathology. Dr. Aduana is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and holds a medical degree from the University of the East College of Medicine and fellowship and residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago.

  • Jim Billington
    Jim Billington
    CEO

    Jim Billington

    CEO

    Mr. Billington is CEO and Co-Founder at Versant Diagnostics. Previously he was Co-Founder, Board of Directors, and Chief Operating Officer at American Esoteric Laboratories. Prior, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Chief Operating Officer, and Board of Directors (ex officio) at AmeriPath. He was Co-Founder, President, and Chief Operating Officer at Inform DX that merged with PATH. He was Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for the Western Division of LabCorp. Mr. Billington served as an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Bradley University between 2013 and 2018 and began his career as a Certified Public Accountant for Coopers & Lybrand.

  • Peter Bernhardt, M.D.
    Peter Bernhardt, M.D.
    Founding Member

    Peter Bernhardt, M.D.

    Founding Member

    Dr. Bernhardt is a Co-Founder of Versant Diagnostics. He is a pathologist in Elk Grove Village, Illinois and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Amita Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village and Amita Health Hoffman Estates. Dr. Bernhardt is an expert in Anatomic Pathology, Breast Pathology, Clinical Pathology, Flow Cytometry, Hematopathology, and Molecular Pathology. He is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and holds a medical degree from the Duke University
    School of Medicine.

  • Brian Carr
    Brian Carr
    Board Director

    Brian Carr

    Board Director

    Mr. Carr is a Board Director and Co-Founder of Versant Diagnostics. He serves on multiple boards, including Igenomix, Protypia, and SBA Communications Corp. Mr. Carr was Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Regional Diagnostic Laboratories; Co-Founder and CEO of OralDNA Labs; and Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of American Esoteric Laboratories. Mr. Carr was President and a member of the
    Board of Directors at AmeriPath.

  • Jasmine Chen
    Jasmine Chen
    Board Director

    Jasmine Chen

    Board Director

    Jasmine (or Ms. Chen) joined Iron Path in July 2021. Most recently, she founded and led LIFE Intelligence, a digital health startup providing behavioral health education to consumers and companies. Prior to founding LIFE, Jasmine was a public equities investor at hedge fund Marcato Capital. Prior to Marcato she worked at The Carlyle Group where she evaluated and executed buyout opportunities in aerospace, defense, and government services. Jasmine began her career in the mergers & acquisitions group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Jasmine holds a B.A. degree from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

  • Scott Mraz
    Scott Mraz
    Board Director

    Scott Mraz

    Board Director

    Scott (or Mr. Mraz) co-founded Iron Path Capital in 2021, co-leads the firm’s private equity execution and leads Iron Path’s “Full Immersion” program. Prior to founding Iron Path, he was an executive at NuSil Technology, a global leader in specialty materials for healthcare and aerospace. During his tenure as President of NuSil, Scott led the team that diversified the company into new segments including electronics, personal care and drug-delivery. Before NuSil, Scott was an investment professional at Quad-C and Apax Partners, and previously held investment banking roles at Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. Scott holds a B.S. degree in Finance and Accounting from Ithaca College.

  • Mitch Olan
    Mitch Olan
    Board Director

    Mitch Olan

    Board Director

    Mitch (or Mr. Olan) has dedicated the past 28 years to building Dental Care Alliance. DCA is recognized as one of the largest DSO’s in the country with over 375 locations in 22 states.  At Dental Care Alliance, Mitch served for 18 years as chief operating officer, chief executive officer for six years, and executive chairman for the past four years. Prior to joining DCA Mitch was Senior Vice President of Optioncare Inc. He began his career at ORMCO Corporation holding various roles in sales and management over a ten-year period. Mitch holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, obtained from Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business.

  • Rob Reistetter
    Rob Reistetter
    Board Director

    Rob Reistetter

    Board Director

    Rob (or Mr. Reistetter) co-founded Iron Path Capital in 2021, co-leads the firm’s private equity execution and leads Iron Path’s internal operations. Prior to founding Iron Path, he was a Principal with Quad-C and was one of two senior professionals that established the healthcare vertical at Quad-C. Prior to joining Quad-C, he worked at JLL Partners where he evaluated and executed private equity investments in various industries.  Prior to JLL Partners, Rob was with J.P. Morgan Chase in the Leveraged Finance Group. Rob holds a B.S. degree in Finance & Accounting from Ithaca College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.