Get to Know Our Leadership

Ross Friedman MSW, LSW
Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Friedman has an extensive 20 year career working in the behavioral health field. He has held numerous roles in psychiatric hospitals leading both clinical and operational departments to successful outcomes. Mr. Friedman has worked at all levels within hospitals including maintenance staff, MHA, social worker, unit manager, and as a director of multiple departments.

For the last few years, Ross has served as the CEO of Summit Oaks Hospital in New Jersey leading their team to award winning stature as noted by the State of NJ and various payers with outstanding regulatory outcomes. This was achieved through his determination to develop a culture based on teamwork, transparency, and partnering with stakeholders in his management approach. He leads by example with involvement from all levels of the organization.

Through use of the Service Excellence Committee, he utilizes a model of team building that incorporates the 6 pillars of a Healthy Working Environment which enhances careers of the staff with a large impact on staff turnover rate.

Throughout his career, Mr. Friedman has had the privilege to provide leadership, and impact quality care by supporting families and patients in mental health services and is thrilled to be doing so at Friends Hospital.

Maureen Coulter
Director of Business Development 

Maureen Coulter joined Friends Hospital in 2021 with over six years’ experience working for behavioral healthcare organizations. In her prior positions, she spearheaded successful initiatives to increase brand awareness, referral volume and marketing efforts for inpatient and outpatient mental health services.

Prior to entering the behavioral healthcare industry, she worked as a nonprofit fundraiser. Immediately after graduating college, Maureen served as an AmeriCorps member for two years in San Jose, California, which laid the foundation for her mission-driven career.

In her role as Director of Business Development, Maureen leads the coordination and implementation of Friends Hospital’s strategic marketing plan. She drives the execution of a comprehensive organic growth strategy. As a senior leader, she is responsible for increased revenue through census development, identifying potential referral sources, cultivating relationships, and expanding existing customer opportunities. Maureen serves as the primary contact or spokesperson for the hospital related to media and public relations, and community outreach. She has a proven track record of maintaining effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. Maureen manages of team of individuals who work closely with other providers ensuring proper and efficient access to care and education of services offered.

Donna Toro
Director of Clinical Services

Donna L. Toro, PsyD brings to Friends Hospital a wealth of behavioral healthcare experience spanning more than 30 years as a leader, instructor, researcher and direct-care provider. Prior to joining Friends as Director of Clinical Services, Dr. Toro served as Director of Clinical Services and then Director of Psychological Services, Research and Clinical Training at Foundations Behavioral Health, another UHS facility, from 2015 to 2022. While there, she conducted assessments and provided training and supervision for staff and interns, and oversaw the collection of outcome data and directed performance improvement initiatives. From 2012-2015, Dr. Toro was a primary supervisor supporting the hospital’s APA-accredited doctoral psychology internship. She is passionate about serving the underserved and furthering the careers of clinicians who share this passion.

In her role at Friends Hospital, Dr. Toro is responsible for supervising the clinical services departments, including social work, psychology, expressive art therapy, peer support services and spiritual care. She works with the staff and students of these departments, alongside the medical and nursing departments, to implement interventions which are individualized, evidence-based, and recovery-focused.

Dr. Toro received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Gwynedd Mercy College, her Master of Science in Clinical Neuropsychology from Drexel University and her Doctor of Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Tanya Bond
Director of Human Resources

Tanya Bond joined Friends Hospital as Director of Human Resources in January 2022 with more than 20 years’ experience providing HR support for healthcare organizations and other large corporations. She has worked in various areas of human resource management including union relations, high-volume, full-cycle recruitment, and training and development, among others. Prior to joining Friends, Tanya spent several years as Labor Relations Manager for AVI Foodsystems at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Tanya holds a B.S. from Drexel University and an M.S. in Human Resource Management from Holy Family University.

Emily Kawski-Allard, MSS
Performance Improvement Director

Emily Kawski is a seasoned healthcare executive who has held leadership positions in multiple organizations serving behavioral health consumers and providers. She served in multiple roles at the Livengrin Foundation including the Director of Quality Assurance and the Vice President of Patient Experience. In this capacity, she oversaw strategic quality and compliance initiatives for a large, multisite system which provides residential and outpatient care to people living with substance use throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. While working at FSSolutions, Ms. Kawski worked with providers across the United States to implement high-fidelity monitoring of state-sponsored impaired professional programs. At Friends Hospital, she collaborates closely with the CEO and the other members of the senior leadership team to ensure compliance with state, Joint Commission, CMS, and payer standards while managing the ongoing performance monitoring and improvement activities for all departments. Outside of Friends Hospital, Ms. Kawski serves on the Advisory Committee at La Salle University, where she holds a faculty appointment. She holds a bachelor’s degree from La Salle University, and a Master of Social Service from Bryn Mawr College.

Vance Barto
Director of Plant Operations

Vance has been employed at Friends Hospital since January 2017.  Prior to Friends, he served as the Director of Plant Operations at Fairmount Behavioral Health System from 1997-2011.  In 2011, Vance was promoted and served as the Regional Director of Plant Operations, overseeing the physical plant and construction operations at both Friends Hospital and Fairmount Behavioral Health System.  Vance also served as the hospital safety officer at both facilities to ensure the safety of all patients and employees. He has completed 10 successful JCAHO inspections.

Throughout his tenure, he has overseen the departments of maintenance, housekeeping, dietary, security, grounds, communications and transportation.

During all major and minor construction projects, Vance manages and serves as the liaison between architects, civil engineers, mechanical engineers and general contractors on all projects assuring buildings meet codes (AIA, NFPA, etc.) and company guidelines/regulations. Vance has been a member of the NFPA for over 20 years.

Prior to Fairmount, Vance was employed by ServiceMaster Management Services where he was awarded the ServiceMaster PRT Award in recognition of outstanding operational achievement. Vance’s engineering background stems from his training in the U.S. Navy as a machinist mate aboard a nuclear submarine. In this capacity he acquired several Naval Engineering Certificates and four Letters of Commendation for his tireless dedication while onboard the USS Sunfish.

Catherine Saltz
Chief Financial Officer

Hai Tsao
Chief Medical Officer