Meet Our Care Team
Dr. Walid Michelin, Chief Medical Officer, oversees all clinical operations at Alegria Health and Wellness. With over 30 years’ experience in medical management, Dr. Walid Michelen is the Senior Vice President for Clinical Planning and Innovation and Chief Medical Officer for ArchCare. He has been a key proponent of many initiatives such as value-based payment, clinical integration methods, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine monitoring. His efforts have led to a significant decrease in hospitalizations and emergency room visits, while improving patient satisfaction and medication adherence.
Prior to his tenure at ArchCare Dr. Michelen was the founder, CEO, and CMO of Gotham Health, NYC Health + Hospitals, a federally qualified health center, comprised of over 65 clinics throughout the city’s five boroughs. He has published a number of articles focused on health disparities, population health and use of physician‘s time, among other topics.
Dr. Apolinario B. Mateo, Jr. is Director of Alegria’s internal medicine team. He will help oversee patient care for both acute and chronic illnesses. Dr. Mateo has over 30 years serving the Bronx as an internist at North Central Bronx Hospital.
Dr. Hanny Hernandez will diagnose and treat our patient’s various podiatric conditions, including those issues related to diabetes and arthritis.
Heather Mitchell is a Nurse Practitioner with many years of experience in women’s health and gynecology.
Meet Our Management Team
Kevin Askari, Our President and CEO, began his career as a clinical pharmacist in 1988, Kevin has been providing life-saving medications to patients for 35 years. As the owner of several specialized community pharmacies, and the President, Managing Partner, and Supervising Pharmacist for OncoMed Pharmaceutical Services, Kevin has dedicated his career to the creation and delivery of infusion medications, bio-oncology and adjunctive care pharmaceuticals. Kevin saw a need for high-quality medical care in the South Bronx community, and channeled his resources and experience to bring this beautiful facility to life.
Ellen Scharaga is our Executive Director. Ellen assists Alegria in developing and delivering new innovative specialty medications to manage chronic conditions such as HIV, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, organ transplants, chronic pain, growth disorders and infertility. Alegria’s goal is to ensure that all stakeholders, patients, physicians, managed care providers and manufacturers, have a platform to battle these conditions and ensure better patient outcomes.
Ellen was previously Senior Vice President of Operations at OncoMed Pharmaceutical Services. She oversaw the oncology pharmacy's services and operations. OncoMed, founded in 2003, serves oncology and hematology physicians, patients, drug manufacturers, and managed care organizations. Her knowledge and implementation of best practices enabled Ellen Scharaga to lead the company to great success.
In addition to overseeing the company’s call center and dispensing operation, Ellen Scharaga recruited hired, and trained all personnel. She also managed inventory and developed and implemented policies and procedures. Under Ellen Scharaga's direction, the company reduced prescription turnaround time by 30 percent, received Joint Commission Accreditation for all branches in 2010, and increased staff by 50 percent.
Before her career with OncoMed, Ellen Scharaga led the New York branches of several national pharmaceutical corporations. Her work included serving as General Manager for National Medical Care, District Infusion Manager for Homedco Infusion, and General Manager for Health Infusion.
Ellen Scharaga attended St John's University in Jamaica, New York, where she received her Bachelor's degree in Pharmacology in 1982. A member of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, the Hematology Oncology Pharmacy Association, and the Pharmaceutical Society of New York, she holds certification as a registered pharmacist in the state of New York.