Team

Get to know the team leading the kidney care revolution.

We are leaders, operators, innovators, entrepreneurs, and clinicians who are putting our hearts and minds into transforming the kidney care industry.

Meet the Team

I founded Somatus to start a revolution. One that leads to wide scale preservation of kidney function, permanent renal replacement, and shifting of dialysis away from in-center hemo to the home when it is needed.

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Ikenna Okezie, MD

Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer

Technology has the power to unlock insights that can completely change the course of care for patients. I am excited to help Somatus accelerate the change.

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Satish Cheema

Chief Technology Officer

The opportunity to change the status quo in kidney care is one of the most exciting projects I’ve tackled in my career. I am passionate about building a world-class finance team that can support the strategy and execution required to make that quest a reality.

Jon Kunkle

Chief Financial Officer

Having a daughter with Type 1 Diabetes has given me a strong desire to work with an organization that makes a difference for its patients. I am proud to help Somatus change how these people experience care through the hard work of our team.

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Kenneth Sipe

SVP, Human Resources

Having been able to see firsthand the way we are changing people’s lives, I am excited to help share the stories of our patients that are fueling the kidney care revolution.

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Marissa Lawson

VP, Marketing and Communications

As a nephrologist, I have made it my life’s work to delay the progression of kidney disease and improve clinical outcomes. I believe the Somatus approach to personalized care using evidence based clinical practices will transform kidney care as we know and experience it today.

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Ramon Mendez, MD

VP, Medical Affairs

Given my experience as a health services operation leader, I am extremely passionate about implementing new innovations, processes, and workflows that improve patient care outcomes and reduce overall cost of care to provide optimal value to the patient and their families. Somatus is doing just that.

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Hasnain Photowala

VP, Operations

The work we are doing at Somatus is highly unique and incredibly specialized. I am excited to share the company’s story, our impact on patient lives that goes far beyond dialysis and medical cost, and the opportunity to partner around a profoundly differentiated kidney care model.

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Mike Stuart

VP, Business Development

My grandmother had ESRD and was on dialysis. She had difficulty navigating her medications, diet, appointments, and options. Through her journey, I saw the shortcomings of the status quo. I'm here to build care delivery models that provide our patients with the experience they deserve.

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