Eventa's leadership: driving innovation and improved outcomes
We help our clients stay current with the most cutting-edge techniques and technology while maintaining an appreciation for the history of the field, the tried-and-true.
Gene Gantt, RRT, FAARC
Cofounder, President, CEO
Gene has practiced respiratory care exclusively in the post-acute care arena since 1984. Along with brother, Scott, he has cofounded two successful companies which were acquired by international health care firms.
In 2004 he was recognized as the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) Long Term Care Practitioner of the year. From 2008 to 2011, and again from 2014 to 2018, Gene was selected by his peers to chair the AARC Long Term Care specialty section. From 2009 to 2014, he was appointed by the Governor to the Tennessee Board for Respiratory Care, which he chaired from 2013 to 2014. In 2014, he served on the Industry Advisory Council of the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care (NAMDRC). He was inducted as a fellow in the AARC in 2016.
In 2006, Gene introduced and successfully codified a set of core standards of care which were adopted in Tennessee as operational rules for skilled nursing facilities. Compliance with these standards is now required for participation in the TennCare Enhanced Respiratory Care program.
In 2010 these standards were adopted and published as a national recommendation by the AARC: “Delivery of Respiratory Therapy Services in Skilled Nursing Facilities Providing Ventilator and/or High Acuity Respiratory Care.” These standards remain the primary guide for states to formulate long term ventilator rules.
In 2013 Gene co-founded the Eventa Group to consult with government and private health plans as well as international manufactures. He is an advocate of patient safety in the post-acute arena and has presented nationally and internationally on the subject. Gene has represented the AARC at various conferences addressing the need for patient monitoring and promoting clinical awareness of early recognition of respiratory compromise.
Scott Gantt
Cofounder, Vice-President
Scott Gantt has practiced and innovated in the post-acute care arena since 1987. During that time, he cofounded two successful companies which were acquired by international health care firms.
In 2006, Scott, along with his brother, Gene, introduced and successfully codified a set of core standards of care which were adopted in Tennessee as operational rules for skilled nursing facilities. Compliance with these standards is now required for participation in the TennCare Enhanced Respiratory Care program.
In 2010 these standards were adopted and published as a national recommendation by the AARC: “Delivery of Respiratory Therapy Services in Skilled Nursing Facilities Providing Ventilator and/or High Acuity Respiratory Care.” These standards remain the primary guide for states to formulate long term ventilator rules.
After his company was acquired by Linde, in 2008 Scott served as Linde Clinical Manager, where he was responsible for technical training on Respiratory care devices to all Lifegas locations, as well as development of regional clinical support for their operations.
In 2013 Scott co-founded the Eventa Group to consult with government and private health plans as well as international manufactures. At Eventa, Scott consults with hospitals and industry leaders to develop strategies for enhancing market share with specialty long term ventilation, and population health, programs, and innovative products and techniques.
Kendra Mato, RRT-NPS
COO
Kendra Mato, RRT-NPS, has practiced as a Respiratory Therapist since 1992 with a focused passion in post-acute care for more than two decades. In 2002 Kendra joined the Gantts and brought with her a decade of experience in Level One Trauma and Level 4 NICU bedside practice; her transition to post-acute care quickly evolved into a lifelong professional passion.
Throughout her tenure with Gene and Scott Gantt, Kendra collaborated to develop the standards of care for respiratory patients beyond the acute care setting in the state of Tennessee, helping draft the standards that are now required for Enhanced Respiratory Care Programs in that state.
As Clinical Operations Director for North America, Kendra helped develop and implement enhanced respiratory programs throughout the country, including an all-pediatric ventilator program in New York. Her work received the Global Healthcare Recognition Award and in 2013 she was recognized as AARC Practitioner of the Year in Long Term Care.
In 2016 Kendra relocated to Florida to continue her work in post-acute care, adding Inpatient Rehabilitation Manager of Respiratory Services to her resume. Using many of the techniques developed for ERC and applying state of the art technology for biometric feedback, Kendra collaborated with a team of specialists in developing the only formalized Diaphragmatic Pacer weaning program in the country. The team’s work has been published and presented throughout the acute rehabilitation community.
Kendra re-joined the Eventa team in 2023 as Chief Operating Officer; applying her knowledge in both the clinical and business acumen of post-acute care to help grow and define all Eventa programs. She is excited to once again be part of a progressive company whose passion for exceptional patient care and unparalleled outcomes across the continuum of care is a priority.
Samantha Davis
Chief Financial Officer
Samantha began her career in healthcare as a hospital based Certified Pharmacy Tech (CPHT). She later joined a Women’s Health Service practice as a part of the billing team. Samantha was recruited by Respiratory Support Services and played a key roll in the operations during the companies growth. She gained an in-depth knowledge of the day to day operations of this specialized long term care company, including Ventilator Units, Rebound Programs and billing challenges associated with the business model.
In 2013 Samantha joined The Eventa Group assuming the role of Chief Financial Officer as well as taking the lead in the HITRUST compliance certification project. In her capacity of supporting the management and clinical staff she’s able to utilize her diverse skills to benefit Eventa’s complex business model.
Donna Gantt
Chief Revenue Officer
Donna is a highly experienced communicator and leader combining her background and knowledge to keep Eventa’s unique accounts and receivables current. She has a successful career that began in the general insurance industry in 1993. She then moved to home medical equipment claims processing with a regional Durable Medical Equipment company 1994. With an enduring love for animals, she accepted a position in a busy regional veterinary practice in 1998 where she remained for 21 years rising to become the clinics office manager.
Donna joined Eventa in 2019 reentering the health care arena and was named the companies Chief Revenue Officer, overseeing claims processing, communicating with Managed Care Insurance clients, and finding creative solutions to issues that may arise.
Donna’s vast experience is extremely beneficial for our fast-paced growing Population Outcomes Management and Complex care segments.
Dr. Asa Clyde Heflin, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Heflin is a pioneer in Pulmonary Medicine who brings a wealth of experience in to Eventa. We have had the privileged of working with Dr. Heflin in some capacity for over 35 years.
Dr. Heflin attended Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. His distinguished career includes a stint in the Navy where he served as Senior Medical Officer at Cutler Dispensary,Portsmouth Naval Regional Medical Clinic Cutler, Maine. Later Dr. Heflin was the Parker B. Francis, Fellow in Pulmonary Research Vanderbilt University Hospital Nashville, Tennessee.
Morgan Gantt-Smith, MSN, FNC-P
Clinical Consultant
Morgan earned a BA in communication from Tennessee Technological University, her BS in Nursing from Western Carolina University and her FNP from Middle Tennessee State University. Her practice has ranged from the Urgent Care arena to her current position with the Critical Care Pulmonology Group at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
Whitney Henry-RRT
Clinical Quality and Compliance Director
Whitney obtained an AAS degree and CRT license in 2008 and RRT in 2009. She has a diverse clinical background which includes long-term care, adult critical care, outpatient pulmonology, and pediatric acute care. She joined Eventa in February 2018 as our West TN Clinical Liaison and was later promoted to Director of Enhanced Respiratory Services. She now serves as our Director of Clinical Operations in Tennessee. Whitney currently resides in Memphis, TN.
Brett Smith
CISO, Compliance Officer, Systems Administrator
Brett comes to Eventa with an extensive background of 15 plus years in Information Technology. He brings to Eventa a strength in systems administration with an emphasis on security and compliance for the last 7 years. Brett has experience with most major healthcare compliance frameworks such as HIPAA, HITRUST, NIST, and ISO27002. Brett Has been with Eventa since 2016 when he was brought on board to assist with the HITRUST accreditation program.
Katie Kirk-RRT
Heather Carter
Office Manager
Leah Roberts-RRT
Natalie Estabrook - RRT, RRT-NPS
HCBS Manager
I chose to be a Respiratory Therapist because of the vast scope of opportunities our skills can bring us. Our expertise allows us to be an integral part of the healthcare team in so many platforms. I have been able to work everywhere from the Cath lab, Pulmonary lab, to the trauma bay, to the ICU, to an aircraft transporting a critically ill patient to safety. We have the opportunity to directly effect the quality of life and outcomes of every patient we treat.
Natalie Estabrook, RRT, RRT-NPS
ERC Clinical Liaison
I chose to become a Respiratory Therapist due to what I experienced in my own personal life. My daughter was born premature, following a placenta abruption. I witnessed her struggle to breath and being placed on a ventilator and later CPAP. It had such a major and lasting impact as a mother; I felt compelled to help other families that have faced the same fear and uncertainty I felt in that moment. Its almost like it was a calling. There’s no better feeling than knowing you helped make an impact by improving someone’s quality of life.
Brandi Ruffin, RRT
POM Clinical Liaison
Breathing is one of the most basic functions our bodies perform every second of every day, and no one really gives it a second thought until they can’t do it with ease. My son had RSV as a baby and that is when I began to explore the world of respiratory. I now get to work each and every day helping others improve their overall quality of life by offering guidance in navigating their respiratory diagnoses. There are very few moments more rewarding than hearing someone you’ve helped talk about how they are now able to plant their garden again or play in the yard with their children. I do what I do because I enjoy seeing peoples* lives changed and I am thankful for a career that allows me to do that.
Leah Roberts, RRT
POM Clinical Liaison