Worcester – With the merger between Reliant Medical Group and Southboro Medical Group having taken effect on January 1, a number of changes have come to Reliant’s Board of Trustees. Seema Naravane, M.D., has been appointed board chair, making her the first woman to hold this position in the organization’s history. Dr. Naravane, who has served on Reliant’s board in multiple capacities since 2011, replaces Leon Josephs, M.D., who is currently focusing his efforts on serving as Reliant’s acting CEO.
Additionally, several new board members from Southborough and other MetroWest communities have joined the Board of Trustees. Among the new members are five physicians and three community members: Stephen Buchanan, M.D.; Michael Cooper, M.D.; Christian Correia, M.D.; Mary Ellen Dugan, M.D.; Alan Lobovits, M.D.; Kathleen Gibney; Lisa Scopa; and Linda Shyavitz.
“In the same way that our merger strengthened clinical operations, welcoming these eight professionals to our board undoubtedly adds another layer of strength to our organization,” said Dr. Naravane. “On a personal note, I accept my new position as Board Chair with great enthusiasm and anticipation of future success.”
Dr. Stephen Buchanan received his degree from UMASS Medical School and then completed his residency at Boston University Family Medicine Program. He currently practices Family Medicine in Framingham.
Dr. Michael Cooper, who currently serves as vice chair of the board, received his degree from Tufts University Medical School and then completed an internship at Tulane-Affiliated Hospitals, in New Orleans and a residency at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He currently practices Family Medicine in Framingham.
Dr. Christian Correia graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York City, and then completed a residency at Boston Medical Center. He currently practices Family Medicine in Framingham.
Dr. Mary Ellen Dugan received her medical degree from UMASS School of Medicine and then completed an internship and residency at UMASS Medical Center. She is a pediatrician based in Southborough.
Dr. Alan Lobovits served as president of Southboro Medical Group until the merger with Reliant took effect at the beginning of the year. He attended medical school at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, N.Y., and then completed an internship at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City, a residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, and a Robert Wood Johnson General Pediatric Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. He currently practices as a pediatrician in Framingham.
Kathleen Gibney received her B.S. in accounting from Merrimack College and currently serves as a payroll tax manager at The TJX Companies in Framingham.
Lisa Scopa received her B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania and her M.B.A. from The Stern School of Business at New York University. She currently serves as vice president of high growth markets at Staples, Inc. in Framingham.
Linda Shyavitz earned a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Michigan and an M.S. in social work/community organization from Columbia University. She recently retired from her positions as president and CEO of Sturdy Memorial Hospital. Shyavitz also served as executive director of the Sturdy Memorial Foundation and Sturdy Memorial Associates.