Jamison “Jim” Ashby
President and CEO

Jim Ashby was appointed President and CEO of CareMeridian in 2006. With more than 15 years of healthcare experience in both the public and private sectors, Jim is responsible for overall strategic direction of the company.

Prior to CareMeridian, Jim served as Chief Operations Officer of a $100 million national Information Technology services company, where he was responsible for streamlining the company’s operations as well as the acquisition of the first overseas business. He also held the title of President and CEO of South Coast Rehabilitation Services prior to the company’s sale in to Sun Healthcare in 1997 and proved instrumental in growing the company from a private, regional provider into a nationally recognized company with $100 million in annualized revenue.

Jim currently serves on the boards of the YMCA of Orange County and the forum for Adaptive Business Leaders (ABL). In addition, he has served on various philanthropic boards, including Stoneybrooke Christian Schools, University of Redlands, Boys and Girls Club and as the Chairman of the YMCA of Orange County. He is a past board member of the National Association in Support of Long-Term Care (NASL), and a member of Vistage, an international group of CEOs.

Jim holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Spanish from the University of Redlands.

Dan Larson
Chief Development Officer

Dan Larson was appointed Chief Development Officer of CareMeridian in 2003. With more than 15 years of healthcare experience in both the public and private sectors, Dan is responsible for directing all development, sales and marketing efforts.

Prior to CareMeridian, Dan was CEO of Premier Care Orthopedics, a physician practice management company. During his tenure there, he founded Signature Health Services, a multi-specialty MSO. Dan previously served as Executive Vice President of Business Development for South Coast Rehabilitation Services until its sale to Regency Health Services in 1995, where he was responsible for leading strategy, development and sales and marketing initiatives. He played a pivotal role in growing the company from a private, regional provider into a nationally recognized company with $100 million in annualized revenue.

Dan currently serves on the board of Signature Health Foundation and is a member of the Civic Entrepreneur Organization.

Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Biology from the University of Houston and played professional baseball in the Seattle Mariners’ Organization.

Rita Pathmanaban
Vice President, Clinical Programs & Quality Assurance

Rita Pathmanaban was appointed Vice President, Clinical Programs & Quality Assurance for CareMeridian in 2010. With more than 35 years of healthcare experience, she is responsible for strategic direction, management and performance improvement of all clinical programs. She joined CareMeridian in 1993 as Administrator/Director of Nurses.

Prior to CareMeridian, Rita was Assistant Director of Nurses for Western Neuro Care Center (WNCC), a facility for the catastrophically ill or injured. Before joining WNCC, Rita was charge nurse on the medical/surgical unit at Santa Ana Medical Center. Prior to coming to the U.S., Rita was Manager of medical and geriatric rehabilitation units in Hertfordshire, UK.

As Vice President of the Rehabilitation Nurses Society, Rita is responsible for the educational program provided to its members. She is also a member of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses and the Case Management Society of America.

Rita graduated from West Herts Group School of Nursing in Hertfordshire, England and received her post graduate certification in Intensive Care Nursing at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, England. She is a board certified registered Rehabilitation Nurse.

Cindy Lubiarz, RN, BSN
Vice President,  Business Development

Cindy Lubiarz was appointed Vice President, Business Development for CareMeridian in 2010. With more than 15 years of healthcare and marketing experience within long-term acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings, her responsibilities include strategic direction and oversight of marketing and expansion initiatives. A native of Troy, Michigan, Cindy moved to Las Vegas in 1994, joining the CareMeridian team in 2006.

With extensive experience in multi-specialty practices, she has a diverse background with a strong focus on critical care. Prior to CareMeridian, Cindy designed and initiated start-up programs within acute care hospitals, stabilizing their financial success within many states. She also was a previous business owner of an outpatient healthcare clinic, providing overseas immunizations and education for patients traveling out of the country.

Cindy has served on the Committee for the Nevada Governor’s Award for Performance and Excellence, a state-level Malcolm Baldrige Award program. Also, for eight years, she has been a member of the Asian American Group, a politically active organization comprised of state leadership aimed at creating a better environment for Nevadans. In 2009, she was awarded the “Safe Communities Angel of the Year” Award by the Safe Community Partnership of Clark County, Nevada, for her enrichment of quality of life through her consistent efforts in helping children, and promoting injury prevention and legislative changes.

Cindy holds a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Oakland University in Troy, Michigan.

Mohammed Khalifa
Regional Vice President, Operations – Northern and Central California, Nevada

Mohammed Khalifa was appointed Regional Vice President, Operations for CareMeridian in 2010. With more than ten years of healthcare experience, Mohammed is responsible for the overall direction and leadership of CareMeridian’s northern and central California facilities, including Sacramento (Granite Bay and Elk Grove), Marin, Gilroy, Fresno (Mark’s and Weber), Oxnard California; as well as our Las Vegas, Nevada, facility. As senior leader, Mohammed promotes a culture of leadership, teamwork, problem solving, creativity and commitment, resulting in continuous delivery of excellent quality health care to our patients and compassion to their families. Mohammed began working with CareMeridian as a consultant in 2002 as an occupational therapist.

Prior to CareMeridian, Mohammed served as a clinician for Head Injury Rehab Services, which provided home and community based treatment for traumatic brain injury and complex orthopedic injuries. He was owner and operator of Progressive Steps, providing rehabilitation services occupational, physical and speech therapists to various health care facilities.

Mohammed donates his time to the Christmas in April Foundation, providing contractors with home design concepts for disabled persons. In addition, he serves on committees for the California Board of Occupational Therapy (Disaster Preparedness Committee), Dominican University of California (Community Advisory Committee), California Occupational Therapy Association (Fiscal Advisory Committee), and the California Federation of Occupational Therapy (Research Advisory Committee). He is an active member of the National Board of Occupational Therapy and the World Federation of Occupational Therapy, as well as a lifetime member of the National Honor Society of Psychology. Mohammed also is an active member in the community lecturing at various universities and serves in an advisory capacity as clinical instructor to occupational therapy students at the Dominican University of California.

Mohammed holds a clinical doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy with an emphasis on evidence based practice from Rocky Mountain University, Provo, Utah, and a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Dominican University of California. He is a board certified and licensed Occupational Therapist.

Bruce W. Kuluris, PT
Regional Vice President, Operations – Southern California and Arizona

Bruce Kuluris was appointed Regional Vice President, Operations for CareMeridian in 2010. With more than 25 years of healthcare experience, Bruce is responsible for direction and oversight of regional facilities to ensure quality and financial viability, improving and sustaining superior performance for each facility, coordinating with the sales and marketing team, and ensuring appropriate placement of all viable patients. His facilities include: Artesia, LaHabra Heights, Cowan Heights, Santiago Canyon, Garden Grove, Tustin and Escondido, California; as well as Phoenix, Arizona. Bruce began working with CareMeridian in 1993 as a consultant for rehabilitation services through his own company Kuluris Rehab Services and subsequently joined CareMeridian in 2003 as Director of Rehabilitation.

Prior to CareMeridian, Bruce began his career at the Rehabilitation Institute of Orange, providing physical therapy to adult and pediatric neurologically impaired patients. He also was Chief Physical Therapist for an acute hospital including ICU and subacute care and later was Clinical Director/Partner for a Home and Community program for catastrophically injured and ill, which eventually progressed to his own consulting company.

Bruce serves on the Membership Committee of the Nuerodevelopmental Treatment Association (NDTA) and is involved in the Children’s and Missions Ministry at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.

Bruce holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from California State University at Long Beach, is a registered Physical Therapist and Nuerodevelopmental Treatment certified.

Shawn Habibi
Vice President, Managed Care

Shawn Habibi was appointed Vice President, Managed Care for CareMeridian in 2010. With nearly 15 years of healthcare experience, Shawn’s responsibilities include negotiating and managing insurance payer contracts and financial terms, as well as single case private pay agreements. In addition, he is involved in business development efforts and corporate expansion strategy.

Beginning his career in 1997, Shawn was involved in insurance payer contracting for a home healthcare agency and later, as Senior Contract Manager for Blue Cross of California, he provided contract management and network development, including commercial, workers compensation, and state-funded lines of business.

Shawn holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University Northridge.