Logo
LEARN MORE
LEARN MORE

Aggregated Pass Through Purchasing

Our unique purchasing model ensures that you qualify for the highest discounts and receive the highest rebates in the industry, resulting in the highest net revenue not only for a single practice but also for a national group or GPO.

CHECK YOUR POTENTIAL SAVINGS

Optional Services Tailored to Your Practice Needs

  • INFUSION OPTIMIZATION
  • RCM/BILLING
  • FINANCIAL/P&L GUIDANCE
  • HR ADMINISTRATION
  • DATA INITIATIVES
  • COMPLIANCE & REGULATORY
  • RHEUMLOGIC AiT
  • CHRONIC CARE MANAGEMENT
  • MEDICALLY INTEGRATED DISPENSING
  • IN-HOUSE LABS
  • PBM REBATES
  • MARKETING & PR

Our Mission & Vision

The Leaders Rheum takes a new, unique approach to the field of rheumatology. Guided by unwavering trust and transparency as our core principles, we vow to enable rheumatology providers to achieve unprecedented levels of clinical and financial success, transforming the landscape of rheumatology practices.

We invest our time, helping practices grow rapidly and sustainably within their local markets, and nationally via group leverage unlike any other, all while they maintain autonomy and independence. 

We have structured key centralized services to maximize savings, expedite operational excellence and expand access to innovation, clinical research, and cutting-edge initiatives.

The Leaders NewsRheum

Your go-to source for the latest newsworthy breakthroughs in rheumatology. Stay well-informed and engaged with developments, trends, and insights.

    Announcing Strategic Partnership with Southeastern Rheumatology Alliance (SERA)

    We are both proud and humbled to officially announce that Southeastern Rheumatology Alliance (SERA) has entered into a strategic…
    CONTINUE READING Announcing Strategic Partnership with Southeastern Rheumatology Alliance (SERA)

    Fix Your Infusion Drug Debt

    CONTINUE READING Fix Your Infusion Drug Debt

    Effectively Banish Burnout

    Effectively Banish Burnout with RheumLogic AiT. The prevalence of burnout among rheumatologists cannot be overstated. Long hours, heavy documentation…
    CONTINUE READING Effectively Banish Burnout

    Meet The Team

    The Leaders Rheum leadership team is comprised of the best and brightest in the business of rheumatology reimagining the specialty with solutions that amplify the value and vision of respected practices to create healthier and happier communities. Every provider deserves access to world-class support, and every patient deserves access to world-class care.

    Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

    Ray Waldrup

    President & Co-Founder

    Mike Chavez

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Scott Gilomen

    CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER

    Victoria Giambattista

    Director, Revenue Cycle Management

    Leila Ballard

    Director, Human Resources

    Shardey Brackett

    Director of People & Process

    Eliot Appel

    Our Partners

    CONTACT US

    "*" indicates required fields

    Name*
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    TOP

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Ray Waldrup

    As a 30-year veteran in healthcare, Ray Waldrup has a broad knowledge of all aspects of medical practices. He credits his early years of owning a medical billing and consulting company for his unique understanding of where monies are made and lost. He has successfully expanded medical practices in anesthesia and critical care to multiple locations and cities while personally recruiting providers.

    In 2009, Ray joined a 4-doctor rheumatology practice with one location in Charleston, SC. After a few years, he formed what became the largest rheumatology practice in the country.

    Ray has also revolutionized infusion suites by aggregating purchase volume and negotiating differential contracts others could not. He has helped significantly reduce physician burnout through a 4-day work week, while still increasing practice revenue. He’s most proud of the many physician friends he has made and how they recognize him for improving their quality of life.

    In 2019, Ray led the formation of a rheumatology-specific GPO that quickly grew to over 300 members in 18 months. By 2021, he was leading a practice of 26 locations in 9 states with 65 physicians and over 300 employees. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, pickleball, and boating in Naples, Florida.

    President & Co-Founder

    Mike chavez

    Mike Chavez is a seasoned healthcare veteran and has played an integral role in the inception and development of national rheumatology provider networks, working with hundreds of care centers all over the United States.

    He brings a wealth of knowledge on the growth and successful development of medical offices while also working with industry and pharma to support clinical initiatives, and strategic partnerships. Additionally, he leads our CIO Board Clinical Initiatives & Outcomes working with both pharma and physicians to develop new treatments, diagnostic tools, and pathways to deliver improved patient outcomes.

    In 2020, Mike was nominated and awarded by the International Forum for Advancements in Healthcare as one of the “Top 100 Leaders in Healthcare” and the “Who’s Who Top Executives in America”.

    In his free time, Mike enjoys mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, and spending time with his Frenchie, Nutella.

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    SCOTT GILOMEN

    Scott Gilomen brings over 25 years of executive management experience in the healthcare industry with a heavy focus on rheumatology and oncology. His primary areas of expertise include financial analysis, pharmaceutical and supply contracting, implementation of new ancillary services, direct management of revenue cycle, medical real estate acquisitions and oversight, physician and advanced practice provider hiring, and management of facilities and staff.

    In 1996, Scott joined an oncology practice in Gastonia, NC as the Executive Director. That’s where he developed expansion plans and opened new clinics in multiple locations. He implemented patient care initiatives including chronic care management (CCM) and physician dispensing, technology initiatives including electronic health record (EHR) and patient self check-in.

    Scott’s multi-faceted experience as a leader drew the attention of ION Solutions GPO Advisory Panel and was invited to serve in 2008. He collaborated with other panel members to review and advise pharmaceutical companies on current and proposed GPO contracts, patient assistance/access programs, and product launches.

    Scott moved from oncology to rheumatology as CEO for a 15-provider group in 2019. Five months in, and despite great obstacles and unprecedented variables with COVID, Scott quickly pivoted to implementing telehealth in less than a week. The infusion suite never closed and patient care was maintained with little to no delay. Other implementations included patient self check-in, CCM, physician dispensing, new insurance verification and prior authorization systems, and clinical trials.

    Outside of work Scott enjoys walking, swimming, gardening, golfing, and spending time with his family and pets.

    Chief Creative Officer

    Victoria Giambattista

    Vicky brings 15 years of marketing, branding and creative services to the healthcare space, beginning her career with agency experience and moving to medical device, surgical accreditation, and SaaS software organizations.

    She has a proven track record of standing up marketing departments and building sustainable growth models within creative teams. She is well-versed in sales enablement, operations, client engagement and retention programs, along with tech stack development and optimization. Vicky’s efficient and effective strategies and tactics create workflows that save time and help streamline and shorten the sales cycle.

    Outside of work, she enjoys watching historical documentaries, wine tasting and interior design.

    Director, Revenue Cycle Management

    Leila Ballard

    Leila Ballard is a seasoned healthcare business professional with over 30 years in roles ranging from Certified Medical Assistant to Practice Manager.

    She has a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration along with multiple certifications under her belt. Leila has worked as a consultant for the last two years in software system management within multiple specialties.

    One of her most significant contributions to the rheumatology space is when she helped grow a single doctor practice to one of the largest rheumatology groups in the country. Leila is excited to shift her focus to achieving our clients’ practice and financial goals.

    Leila lives in the low country of South Carolina with her husband and teenage son. She is a foodie and loves to travel.

    Director, Human Resources

    Shardey Brackett

    Shardey Brackett is an accomplished Human Resources professional with nearly a decade of experience in the healthcare industry. Throughout her career, Shardey has demonstrated a commitment to education and innovation in various HR roles. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Business Administration in Management from Charleston Southern University, along with a Professional in Human Resources certification.

    A proud Charleston, SC native, Shardey is known for her vibrant and bubbly approach to everything she does. She is passionate about fitness and leads an active lifestyle. She is also a certified and licensed esthetician. Outside of work, Shardey enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter, making memories through family adventures.

    Director of People & Process

    Eliot Appel

    Eliot brings over 35 years of experience in all aspects of physician practice management, growth, and sustainability.

    Having worked with some of the most successful rheumatology practices all over the country, he has played an integral role working directly with partnering practices to provide guidance on financial performance, human resources, EMR systems, the billing cycle, purchasing, compliance, practice expansion, succession planning, ancillary services, etc.

    Eliot’s previous work experience and accomplishments include managing the growth and development of a national rheumatology practice in nearly 30 states. He was also the Executive Director of Gastro Health, P.L., a 40+ provider Gastroenterology practice based in South Miami and was instrumental in its start-up.

    Prior to Gastro Health, Eliot was the Executive Director of South Florida ENT Associates, a 35+ provider group practice in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He has worked in the multi-specialty group setting as the Chief Financial Officer for the Florida Institute of Health and in his early career he gained CPA experience from Grant Thornton, a large, international C.P.A. firm.  Eliot earned his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Florida.