Meet the Staff
ROB SIMMONS, CTS
Founder and President
An ambitious 19-year-old, Rob Simmons began his staffing career at Procare USA in 1999 and quickly became the company’s top recruiter. After three years of industry recognition, he transitioned to ATC Healthcare Staffing Services, a public company as Director of the firm’s new travel division, which he rebranded as ATC Travelers. Simmons quickly grew the division to a $20 million producer, making it the second largest office within the ATC network. In 2005, Simmons left ATC to launch Strategic Nurse Staffing, which quickly became a rising leader in the travel healthcare staffing industry. Today, due to Simmons’s expansion of the firm into the allied healthcare staffing field, the firm is known as Strategic Healthcare Staffing. Strategic Healthcare Staffing is a Joint Commission certified firm, and is ranked one of the fastest growing companies in America by INC. 500. Simmons is both a Certified Staffing Professional and a Certified Temporary Staffing Professional. He is a member of the American Staffing Association, the NY Staffing Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, NAPS, the REX Foundation and the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Born and raised in Connecticut, Simmons now lives in New York.
AJ CARO
Executive Vice President
By the age of 23, AJ Caro purchased a struggling security firm, which he grew from 50 to 450 employees through marketing and acquisitions. In 2007, Caro purchased New York’s first companion services firm, which has since experienced 300 percent growth and continues to successfully provide companionship to the elderly and disabled. His interest in the burgeoning healthcare industry thoroughly piqued by his companion firm’s work with the elderly and disabled, Caro bought into Strategic Healthcare Staffing in June 2009. Caro holds a private investigator’s license, a real estate broker’s license and licenses for property, casualty, life and health insurance. He is a member of the Suffolk County Workforce Investment Board and the Greater Long Island Clean Cities Coalition. Born and raised in West Islip, New York, Caro resides with his wife and four children in Smithtown, New York.
DANIEL R. FERRARA DO, FACEP
Executive Vice President
Board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, Dr. Ferrara is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Island Medical Physicians. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at SUNY Stony Brook and has served as Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at South Nassau Communities Hospital, as Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at New Island Hospital and as a National Medical Officer for National Emergency Services. Dr. Ferrara earned his D.O. from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1986 after completing his premedical education at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and his post-graduate training at Lincoln Hospital/New York Medical College in the Bronx and at The Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Emergency Physicians, both the national and New York chapters.
MARK A. GATIEN
Chief Operating Officer
Mark A. Gatien is the Chief Operating Officer of Community Care Companions the home healthcare staffing division of Strategic Healthcare Staffing. Community Care Companions is a professionally managed private organization providing companionship and a wide variety of practical non-medical and licensed home care services. Primary purpose is to enhance the quality of life of homebound elder adults and the physically challenged, providing time off, support and practical help to family caregivers. The agency services Nassau, Suffolk and the Five Burroughs of New York. Mark has been a resident of Long Island for 42 years. He maintains many professional and community affiliations, is a board member of for-profit and non-profit organizations, and has led numerous civic development activities. He is currently serving as a member of the Gerontology Professionals of Long Island and is a member of the Senior Umbrella Network of Suffolk County as well as a Board Member of the National Care Planning Council.
NICK KATOS
Controller
Nick has a BBA in Accounting from Pace University in NYC. He has 27 years of accounting and finance experience in many industries. He has worked for Global companies like Sony Music, The Disney Corporation, The Nautica Company and The Hearst Corporation. At Strategic Healthcare Staffing, Nick oversees the payroll, billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable and finance departments.
BARBARA L. O'BRIEN, RN, MSN, Cert.
Director of Nursing
Barbara is the President and owner of Magnetic HealthCare Strategies, LLC. Strategic Healthcare Staffing has retained Barbara and her company as Director of Nursing for Strategic Healthcare Staffing, with a special focus on managing the Joint Commission certification. Barbara works directly with Strategic Healthcare Staffing’s Quality Assurance Specialist. In addition to overseeing the Joint Commission certification, Barbara reviews all Strategic Healthcare Staffing employees end of assignment evaluations.
KEN CURRERI
Hospital Account Manager-East
Ken has over 20 of recruitment industry experience, the last 5 within healthcare staffing. He received his Bachelor Degree from SUNY-Binghamton and worked as branch manager for 2 NYC staffing agencies. Ken has hands-on experience in all facets of the employment cycle-recruitment, account management and business development in permanent, temporary and contract hiring. At Strategic Healthcare Staffing Ken works directly with the president and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of all departments including work flow delegation, troubleshooting intervention and training of new staff.
JOSH MOSKOVIZ
Hospital Account Manager-West
Josh has a B.A in Music Business/Management and has 5 years of staffing & recruitment experience across several industries. He spent the better part of his early 20’s on the road performing with his band, The Goodwill, who released 2 independent label albums. He is no stranger to travel. At Strategic Healthcare Staffing Josh builds and maintains relationships with our hospital clients nationwide.
MOLLY VALAN
Assistant Hospital Account Manager
Molly is the Assistant Hospital Account Manager for Strategic Healthcare Staffing. She is a graduate of SUNY Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Her background is in customer service and data management. She has been working in the healthcare industry since 2005.
NATASHA C. VIOLA
Quality Assurance Specialist
Natasha has a B.A. in English and Communications from Adelphi University. With a background of over 5 years experience in Human Resources, she has worked for numerous companies including J.P. Morgan Chase, Lloyd Staffing, Slomin’s, New York Community Bank and Moet Hennessy U.S.A. At Strategic Healthcare Staffing Natasha oversees the Credentialing Department as well as the Joint Commission Standards.
JASON CATALANOTTO
Healthcare Recruiter
Jason comes to Strategic Healthcare Staffing after 2+ years with a nationwide healthcare company, Maxim Healthcare Services. While recruiting nurses and other allied health professionals, he also worked closely with doctors, hospital discharge planners, and healthcare providers. He received his Bachelors Degree from Cabrini College in Philadelphia. Catalanotto, cousin of New York Mets’ Frank Catalanotto, enjoys any chance to head to the ball park for a baseball game.
CARLA PARISI
Healthcare Recruiter
Born a people-person, Carla is right at home building and maintaining relationships with professionals in the healthcare arena. Carla graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a double major in Communications and Public Relations. She’s organized and executes several fundraising functions for non-profit organizations . In her free time, Carla enjoys New York City and Long Island's Hamptons. Born and raised in Iowa, Carla resides in New York.
STACY MARIE YODICE
Healthcare Recruiter
Stacy feels right at home working at Strategic Healthcare Staffing where she can put into action her natural ability to connect with people in various situations, think outside of the box to find solutions, and exudes positivity which keep those near her smiling. Excelling in customer service over the past 16 years, Stacy continues here at Strategic Healthcare Staffing to build trusting relationships with the healthcare professionals all over the country. Her determination to succeed in past careers and volunteering annually as captain for non-profit organization proves that Stacy is as dedicated as they come! When not bouncing around the office, Stacy can be found anywhere on Long Island and beyond with a camera in her hand, loving days where she can get sand between her toes, and good times all around.
SHERYL YATES
Senior Healthcare Recruiter
Sheryl has over 10 years of recruiting and staffing experience within the healthcare industry. Prior to the healthcare industry Sheryl worked 5 years as a Human Resources Generalist for one of New York’s top Fortune 500 companies where she was placed immediately upon graduation from the Katharine Gibbs School of Business. Sheryl has hands-on experience in account management, new business development and face to face client representation throughout the country. Currently she’s better know as the “hardest working staffer” in healthcare travel as she continues her commitment of being reachable 24/7 to all her Healthcare Professionals! In her free time Sheryl can be found directing a church choir or singing in concert. She can also be heard on the album, 'Just As I Am' by the Vision to Victory Choir. A New York native, Sheryl resides on Long Island with her husband and son.
Strategic Healthcare has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval