Rudine Smith, A.A.S., MPA
Biographical Profile

Rudine Smith has more than thirty years experience in the Health Care Industry, and extensive involvement in promoting and developing community projects.  She has successfully managed regional multi-site locations for organizations in both the private and public sectors. 

She was promoted as the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Neighborhood Health Services Corporation (NHSC) in June 2005; a $14 million multi-site Federally Qualified Health Center and the fifth largest health center in the State of New Jersey.  In her capacity as the President and CEO she is responsible for fiscal integrity of the annual budget, strategic planning, operations, legislative and government health policy regulations, board governance, marketing/fundraising, grant writing and policy development.  As the VP/COO of the organization, (2001 – 2005) she served as the Corporate Compliance Officer and supervised activities in the Departments of:  Human Resources, Risk Management, HIPAA Compliance, Contracts and Agreements and Disaster Preparedness. 

In November 2008 Ms. Smith became the radio talk show host of “Building a Healthier Tomorrow,” a weekly NHSC radio show.  The radio show provides information regarding the services that are offered and the organization’s mission of providing affordable quality healthcare services in a safe and accessible environment that is culturally diversified and linguistically appropriate.  Presented are highlights of professional providers, clients and those community partners who work within the healthcare industry to promote and educate organizations as well as individuals on the aspects of good health and wellness as a lifestyle. 
 
Ms. Smith was the Co-founder and Executive Vice President of Tiger Medical Systems, Inc. a $6 million healthcare software technology company that provided systems integration, product development, customer service, software training and a focus on future acquisition targets to physicians, hospitals and insurance providers.

She had a stellar career at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of New Jersey, a $3 billion dollar managed care and Health Insurance Company.  She rose from a manager of the Commercial Division in 1989 to Acting Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of a subsidiary Medix, Inc. in 1995.  She left in 1996 to pursue an entrepreneurial path with Tiger Medical Systems.

Ms. Smith’s career also includes a degree in Ophthalmic Science and this experience along with her expertise as a Medical Assistant allowed her to manage a physician’s Optometry practice, an Optician’s multi-site locations and the clinical operations of a neurological center. Additionally, as a Regional Home Health Agency Manager her territorial responsibilities increased from two counties in New Jersey (Essex/Bergen) to three large boroughs in New York (Manhattan/Bronx/Brooklyn.)

Ms. Smith’s community involvement includes leadership roles where she simultaneously chaired the East Orange Board of Health and the East Orange Committee on the Status of Women.  During two separate administrations, she was reappointed and continued to chair both committees.  She has also served on the East Orange Mental Health Committee and was the Vice President of the 2/3 Civic Block Association in the third ward. She is currently on the Board of Directors executive Committee of the New Jersey Primary Care Association, and serves as the Treasurer of the board; she is on the Board of Directors of Faheemah’s Child Care Center and was recently elected as a member of the National Register’s Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals 2003/2004. She was honored by the Girl Scouts of Rolling Hills receiving the 2005 Woman of Achievement Award.  in 2006 she received the Minority Achiever of the Year award from the East Orange YMCA; she received the Salute to Policy Makers Award, from the Executive Women of New Jersey on May 4, 2006 and was inducted into the membership that same year.  In 2007 she received the Union County Women of Excellence in Business award and recently received honors from Princeton Premier Business Leasers & Professionals.

Ms. Smith received a Masters in Public Administration from Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, a Bachelor of Science degree from Montclair State College, and an Associate in Applied Science (Major - Ophthalmic Science) from Essex County College. 
 

 
 
 

Derrick C. Williams, Acting Vice-President & Chief Operarations Officer
Biographical Profile

Derrick C. Williams is Acting Vice-President and Chief Operations Officer of the Neighborhood Health Services Corporation (NHSC).  Mr. Williams has been with NHSC since December 2001 and is responsible for the day to day operations of the organization including; Union negotiations and labor relations; development of the RFP process; contract agreements; grants management; risk management; HIPAA, JCAHO and corporate compliance; and operations of three satellite sites.   Prior to serving as Acting VP/COO, he served as the Director of Human Resources responsible for monitoring the management of 234 employees. 

Mr. Williams brings 20 years of experience in operations as well as supervising and training large groups of staff into productive business teams in order to meet productivity goals and customer service measures including claims processing.  He was the lead trainer for a major claims processing systems conversion and achieved 99% pass rate with the staff successfully completing the courses.  He supervised and developed competency evaluations for Model Office training simulations.  He developed course curriculum for Professional and Institutional claims processing. 

He has been successful in development of the workforce through updating the organizations Recruitment & Retention plan, negotiation of Benefits & Compensation packages with vendors, Call Center Management, Process mapping, Quality Assurance, Database management, Information Technology Systems support, COBRA Administration and Group Sales.

Mr. Williams has served as a presenter in several healthcare forums representing Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and was responsible for managing group client reimbursements totaling $20 million annually.  Mr. Williams has also received several community awards within New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

 
 

Sobande F. Afolabi Esq., Cheif of Staff/ General Counsel
Biographical Profile

Sobande F. Afolabi, Esq. is Chief of Staff and General Counsel of Neighborhood Health Services Corporation (NHSC).  Ms. Afolabi joined NHSC in August 2010.  As Chief of Staff and General Counsel, Ms. Afolabi serves as the legal advisor to the President/Chief Executive Officer and ensures that the corporation’s daily priorities are reflected in the allocation of time for operational effectiveness.  She provides a high level of assistance on special projects, ensures clear and consistent communication from the President/CEO’s office, and exercises considerable discretion and judgment on an ongoing basis.  Ms. Afolabi is also responsible for drafting, negotiating and reviewing contracts and company policies and procedures.  She manages NHSC’s state and federal litigation matters and ensures that the company adheres to corporate compliance guidelines as set forth by federal and state agencies.  Ms. Afolabi works closely with the VP/Chief Operating Officer to address and resolve risk management and human resources issues.

Prior to joining NHSC, Ms. Afolabi was a Deputy Attorney General (DAG) for the State of New Jersey, assigned to the Professional Boards Prosecution Section, where she civilly prosecuted disciplinary matters against licensed professionals for violations of statutes, regulations and standards governing the practice of professions in New Jersey.  As a DAG, Ms. Afolabi conducted hearings, depositions and trials before licensed professional boards and the Office of Administrative Law.
From September 2008 to January 2010, Ms. Afolabi served as the Assistant Counsel to New Jersey’s Governor Jon S. Corzine.  She analyzed, drafted and monitored proposed legislation and provided legal advice to the Governor on legislative matters relating to education, higher education, transportation, health and agriculture.  Prior to this position, Ms. Afolabi spent four years as a Commercial Litigation Associate at Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland and Perretti, LLP in Morristown, New Jersey.  Her substantive areas of practice included health care and construction law, contract disputes, securities litigation, and general commercial litigation.   
Ms. Afolabi received her Juris Doctor in 2004 from Rutgers University—School of Law in Newark, N.J. and her Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

 
 

 

 
     

Alfred Eugene Baucum, Vice-President & Buisiness Development Officer
Biographical Profile

Alfred. Eugene Baucum, Jr., Neighborhood Health Services Corporation’s (NHSC) Vice President and Business Development Officer, has been associated with the NHSC since approximately 1984. He has served in various capacities as board member, facilities consultant, and employee.  He has been very active during his career at NHSC and served on as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors; Owner’s Representative Contract and staff positions such as Director of Facility Management & Business Development, and Director of Governmental Liaison & Community Affairs.  He also served as Site Administrator at the Elizabeth Port Community Health Center (now known as Neighborhood Heath Center Elizabeth a satellite site of NHSC).  Mr. Baucum brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in management, business development, governmental relations, and executive leadership to NHSC.                           
In addition, Mr. Baucum served as a Management Consultant, and Owner’s Representative, for several firms, and as a Training Manager for the NJ Department of Labor’s Professional Services Group.  Mr. Baucum is experienced in Facility Management, Security Management, OSHA Regulations, JCAHO Environment of Care, Disaster Preparedness, Incident Command, and HIPAA Compliance.  He has been involved with numerous professional organizations. 
He has served as a member of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals, Healthcare Marketing and Planning Society of NJ, NJ Primary Care Association Marketing Committee, NJPCA HIPAA Compliance Task Force, NJ Business and Industry Association, Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, and Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.   
Mr. Baucum studied Mathematics at Hampton University, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at Thomas Edison State College. 

 
 

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