About EliteER
The EliteER team brings over 20 years of experience in Emergency Medicine and has extensive expertise in patient care, education, quality improvements, hospital management, hyperbaric & wound care, process improvement, practice management and customer service.
Executive Staff
Ronald Charles, MD
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Ronald Charles is, a native Texan who is, is a residency trained, board certified emergency physician with over 20 years of clinical, academic, administrative and leadership experience. He is a strong advocate for emergency medicine, emergency physicians and the optimal care for all emergency patients. He believes that ER patients and those who care for them deserve better. He feels that it is time for ER doctors and their patients to demand to demand efficient and effective care, enhanced communication and elite customer service.
After graduating from Princeton University, Dr. Charles received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed his medical training as Chief Resident in emergency medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Charles is also certified in wound care and hyperbaric medicine.
Dr. Charles began his professional career in Dallas where Dr. Charles was when he was the first resident hired by UT Southwestern Medical School to assist with the start help build of the emergency medicine residency program at Parkland Hospital. Following After growing successes in teaching, training and research, he transferred to Houston to manage direct the LBJ Emergency Department for the UT Houston Medical Center. At LBJ, his innovative initiatives and positive leadership skills lead to revitalize an ED with minimal wait times, better trained residents, improved clinical outcomes and higher patient satisfaction. As his business interests intensified, he left the county system to work for some of the larger ER companies where his leadership titles ranged from medical director, regional area director to director of physician services. His diverse experience along with the varied lessons learned and skills developed during this time have continued to serve him well as he develops his corporation, EliteER PLLC.
Following his passion for change and, his belief that a better way exists, Dr. Charles developed and has been awarded three patents for concierge emergency medicine. Working in academic world and for large ER staffing companies reinforced his beliefs that change was needed and that something much better could be achieved. His vision and entrepreneurism have lead to the creation of EliteER, a better ER model and approach to patient care. Since it’s inception, he has surrounded himself with a leadership team that has allowed the company to grow and succeed. Every employee understands the company’s mission and the value of the individual doctor, each hospital and every patient.
Dr. Charles is married to Ilana Druker, PharmD and they have a beautiful daughter Mila. He is very involved in the community and enjoys sports, music, theater and travel.
Edward Downs
Chief Operating Office
As the COO of EliteER, Edward is responsible for all operational aspects of our company. He is an accomplished healthcare executive and brings over 30 years of experience to our team. He has strong operational and managerial skills, combined with his outstanding knowledge of the healthcare market. Edward has initiated and completed numerous platform and developmental acquisitions and sales. He has experience with new start ups including Bayshore Surgery Center in Pasadena, TX. He is skilled at startups and known for his expertise in hospital turnarounds while balancing delivery of quality care with revenue growth and financial efficiencies.
Edward has held CEO and COO positions at several hospital and healthcare entities, including corporate COO of Nexus Health Systems, Inc. in Houston, TX; CEO of South Hampton Hospital of in Dallas, TX.
Edward holds a Bachelor of Science degree in health care administration from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and Masters of Business Administration from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX. In addition, Downs has a background in nursing, having been a licensed nurse since 1980. His nursing career was focused primarily in Trauma, Critical Care, Flight Nursing, and numerous clinical administrative roles.
Jessica Curran, RT(R), RDMS
Executive Vice President
Jessica Curran joins EliteER as Executive Vice President of Operations and Business Development. With over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry applying a strong expertise in new Business Development, Marketing, EMR and Clinical Integration. Jessica is a strategic thinker who has a history of being a creative problem solver with a track record for developing effective business and technical solutions.
Prior to joining EliteER, Jessica was Director of Sales and Marketing for an EMR company (Certified Resellers for Allscripts Enterprise) where she led business development and established new client relations. She was involved in every aspect of converting and implementing clinics from paper to electronic.
From 2001 through 2010, Jessica was an International Clinical Consultant for a number of different healthcare clients including Syneron Inc., and The Vein Treatment Center. She specialized in advising physicians and clinic administrators on making appropriate business decisions when purchasing equipment, developing marketing strategies, budgeting and setting achievable goals. Jessica has worked in hospitals and clinics as Clinic Administrator, Sonographer (RDMS) and Radiographer RT(R).
Melissa Karren
Office Manager
Melissa is a native Houstonian who brings multiple talents to the EliteER team. She has been working with Dr. Charles for 2 years and has assisted in the coordination and organization of growing the company in the start-up phase. As well as being Exe. Assistant she also serves as office manager for the EliteER team.
Mrs. Karren, prior to working with EliteER worked as logistics coordinator for Schlumberger, she handled classifying goods that were imported and exported. She owned her own company “Perfect Printer” which is a national company that produces personalized stationery. She has great design and secretarial abilities which includes having an eye for detail.
She lives in Houston with her husband and children.
Kelli Caskey
Director of Physician Services
Kelli has over 20 years of experience in recruiting, networking, and customer care and leadership development. Kelli has traveled across the globe working with different cultures teaching leadership development and helping others learn the art of networking relationships. Kelli was the first female graduate of a leadership development program called “Leaders Edge”.
Prior to joining the EliteER team, Kelli Co-Founded Crossroads, a 501c3, non-profit organization and a Medical Staffing Branch in Houston, Texas.
From 2004 through 2011, Kelli was a physician recruiter and client manager for a locum tenens firm in Houston, Texas. Kelli is a problem solver and enjoys the challenge of recruiting and scheduling for many hospitals throughout Texas.