Meet Our Team

    John O’Connell

    Employee Benefits Advisor
    Photo of John O’Connell

    John O’Connell, CEBS, CLU, CPBS is an employee benefits advisor who specializes in the hospital and health care sector. With over 40 years of experience, John brings a strategic perspective and unique expertise to the Healthcare Liability Team. John is also a founding partner of Alera Group.

    Dean Schink, CIC, LIC

    Senior Vice President
    Photo of Dean Schink, CIC, LIC

    Specialization: Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Physician Groups, Other Professionals

    Dean has dedicated his career in the area of professional liability and business insurance for physicians, dentists and attorneys since 1989. Dean manages the team in our MI office and regularly consults on medical professional liability insurance for several local healthcare systems and physician organizations.

    Sapan Shah, MD, JD

    Partner
    Photo of Sapan Shah, MD, JD

    Specialization: Physician Groups, Private Equity Firms, Collaborative Organizations

    Sapan is a physician, attorney and insurance expert. Sapan’s medical and legal backgrounds give him unique insight into the legal issues facing healthcare practices. Based in Chicago, he provides expert, trustworthy representation and advocacy for hundreds of clients around the country. For private equity clients focused on healthcare firms, Sapan implements innovative programs that dramatically increase accretive value and coverage without sacrificing the service that the portfolio companies need.

    Jason Shah, MD

    Managing Partner
    Photo of Jason Shah, MD

    Specialization: Hospitals/Health Systems, Physician Groups

    As head of Alera Group's Healthcare Liability team, Jason has helped develop the company's healthcare practice into a national leader. With a background in medicine, information technology and business development, Jason utilizes his physician experience and insurance expertise to develop risk management and insurance programs for hospitals, health systems, physician groups and other healthcare practices around the country.

    EXPERT EDUCATION

    Events and Webinars

    Employee Benefits

    Q4 Compliance Update

    Alera Group's quarterly employee benefits compliance roundup will help you stay current on the latest national regulatory developments impacting employers.

    December 3, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    Webinar - Legal Graphic

    Employee Benefits

    Setting Your Strategy for the New Year: Alera Group's 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook

    Our experts will highlight key results from Alera Group’s 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook Report and explain how these trends can impact your benefits program this year.

    January 16, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    Webinar graphic - Alera Engage

    Wealth Services

    State of the Markets

    Join us as we unveil the factors that drive the nation's financial pulse and how they may impact your personal finances.

    January 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    State of the Markets

    THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

    Insights

    Employee Benefits

    Webinar Preview: ‘When Captive Insurance Makes Sense’

    As healthcare costs — including those for pharmacy — have continued to skyrocket, the urgency to control healthcare and pharmacy spend has elevated as well, and Captives have surged in popularity. Alera Group's webinar on Captive Insurance will help you determine whether forming or joining a Captive is right for you.

    November 7, 2024

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    Property and Casualty

    5 P&C Insurance Tips for Public Sector Entities

    Public sector entities — including counties, cities, town villages, local law enforcement and special service districts — offer vital services to our communities. They also face growing challenges, some from the constituencies they serve, as they navigate heightened public scrutiny, shrinking budgets and inflation. In this challenging environment, having a comprehensive property and casualty (P&C) insurance program, supported by a strong risk management strategy, is more crucial than ever.

    October 8, 2024

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    Property and Casualty

    What To Do About the High Cost of Insurance for Transportation and Logistics Companies

    Here’s a close look at three major insurance challenges for transportation and logistics companies, along with practical steps you can take to address them.

    September 26, 2024

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    Property and Casualty

    Umbrella Insurance for Businesses: Peace of Mind in an Increasingly Unpredictable World

    Whereas a skilled agent can help provide businesses with adequate insurance against property losses by following a predictable formula, the unpredictability of liability claims underscores how important it is for businesses to buy as much Umbrella/Excess Liability coverage as they can afford.

    September 18, 2024

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