People on the Move: Nov. 10

People on the Move is a rundown of recent hirings, promotions, appointments and other notable movements by professionals in the state. If you’re interested in submitting an entry, please contact news@delawarebusinesstimes.com.

The Delaware Healthcare Association (DHA) awarded State Senator Nicole Poore the 2023 Legislator of the Year award. According to DHA, Senator Poore has led several priority issues that are improving the healthcare continuum in Delaware.

Nicole Poore | PHOTO COURTESY OF DHA

“Senator Poore is a champion for Delaware hospitals as well as their patients and communities,” Brian Frazee, president and chief executive officer of the Delaware Healthcare Association, said.  “On behalf of Delaware’s hospitals and health systems, we are pleased to recognize Senator Poore’s leadership and partnership in pursuit of our shared goal of enabling every Delawarean to reach optimal health.”

In 2023, Senator Poore sponsored DHA priority bills that helped the Non-Acute Long-Stay Patient Task Force create a task force to address the barriers that prevent non-acute long-stay patients from being discharged from the hospital. She supported a bill to improve the Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program that builds on Delaware’s existing loan repayment program, incentivizing new primary care providers to practice in Delaware. The bill increases the timeframe that providers may apply for the program after graduation and expands eligibility to include behavioral health providers and dentists. Poore also sponsored pharmacists to engage in “collaborative pharmacy practice” with one or more practitioners authorized to prescribe drugs during professional practice.

City of Rehoboth Beach commissioners appointed Alexander Burns as the new city solicitor. Burns is an associate attorney with the law firm Baird Mandalas Brockstedt and Federico, LLC.

Alex Burns | PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF REHOBOTH BEACH

Burns replaces Glenn Mandalas, managing partner with the same firm, who had served as city solicitor since 2006. At an earlier commissioner workshop session, Mandalas read a letter to commissioners in which he “strongly recommended” that the city transition to utilizing Alex Burns as city solicitor as Mandalas’ responsibilities as his firm’s managing partner have increased significantly.

Burns is licensed to practice law in Delaware and Pennsylvania; his focus areas include administrative and government law, land use and real estate law, and civil litigation. His previous experience includes serving as judicial law clerk to the Hon. Mark H. Conner of the Superior Court of the State of Delaware as well as a clerkship at the Delaware Office of Defense Services, an internship with the City of Philadelphia legal department, a part-time clerkship with the Hon. Karen Simmons of the Municipal Court of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, and a legal internship in the Office of Governor John Carney.

A native Delawarean and Lewes resident, Burns has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania, a master of public administration degree from the University of Delaware, and a law degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law.

“Alex has worked on city issues for some time now,” Mayor Stan Mills said. “We felt that having legal continuity and a historical knowledge base with our legal firm was important at this time. Alex has demonstrated good legal acumen and attention to detail.”

The Philadelphia 76ers named Jameer Nelson the Delaware Blue Coats general manager, the team’s NBA G League affiliate.

Nelson previously served as Blue Coats assistant general manager/76ers scout since November 2020, a tenure that included three-straight trips to the G League Finals, a 2021 Winter Showcase Cup Title, and culminated with the 2022-23 NBA G League Championship.

“Jameer has approached his front office and scouting roles with the same tenacity that he approached the game during his playing career. He is a great talent evaluator who is well-respected by players, agents, coaches and executives alike, suiting him for success as the next General Manager of the Blue Coats,” Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey said.

A 14-year NBA veteran, Nelson was named an All-Star in 2009 as a member of the Orlando Magic. Nelson was a first-round pick (No. 20 overall) of the Denver Nuggets in 2004 and averaged over 11 points, five assists and three rebounds across a career with Orlando, Dallas, Boston, Denver, New Orleans and Detroit. Collegiately, the Chester, Pennsylvania native starred at St. Joseph’s University, guiding the Hawks to the Elite Eight in 2004 and was named National Player of the Year, a first-team All-American selection and Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.

The Blue Coats also announced the team’s coaching staff for the 2023-24 season. Under first-year head coach Mike Longabardi, newcomer Ryan Ayers completes the Blue Coats’ bench, joining returning assistant coaches JP Clark and God Shammgod Jr. 

Ayers joins the Blue Coats after most recently serving as assistant coach for the U.S. Virgin Islands Men’s National Team. Prior to his time with FIBA, Ayers was an as assistant coach for Division I Notre Dame. A Fighting Irish alumnus himself, Ayers graduated ranked third in program history in three-point field goals made and eighth all-time in three-point field goal percentage. After a five-year professional career in Finland, France and the then-NBA D League (Fort Wayne, 2009-10 and Austin Toros, 2013), Ayers broke into the coaching ranks with his high school alma mater Germantown Academy and later was an assistant coach for Bucknell University.

Clark was named assistant coach in September 2021. Prior to joining the Blue Coats, Clark spent seven seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers and one season with the Boston Celtics organization. Prior to joining the NBA ranks, he held roles at Colgate University and the University of Central Florida. Clark played Division II basketball at Flagler College and later earned a master’s degree from UCF.

Shammgod, Jr. was named assistant coach in October 2021. He previously served as assistant coach for Indiana University of Pennsylvania for two seasons and one season each at Fairmont State University and Youngstown State University. Shammgod, Jr. starred at Division II Fairmont State, leading the Falcons to three NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2017 National Championship game. He graduated as the school’s all-time assists leader.

Beebe Healthcare announced allergy and immunology specialist Amulya Amirneni, MD, has joined its medical staff.

She sees patients of all ages at Beebe Allergy, a new practice on the Rehoboth Health Campus in the Medical Arts Building.

Dr. Amirneni Amulya | PHOTO COURTESY OF BEEBE

Dr. Amirneni diagnoses and treats patients who suffer from a wide range of allergic and immunologic conditions including allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergies, hives, eczema, drug allergies, and immunodeficiencies. She works in unison with the other specialty departments at Beebe, with a shared vision to expand allergy care and resources across Sussex County.

“I am deeply committed to improving patients’ quality of life with particular focus on preventive and long-term care,” Dr. Amirneni said. “I feel tremendous pride when patients tell me that they feel better than ever because of the care they received.”

Prior to joining Beebe Healthcare, Dr. Amirneni worked in private practice. She earned her medical degree at the NRI Academy of Sciences in India. Following graduation from medical School, Dr. Amirneni went on to pursue residency training and chief residency in internal medicine at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, during which time she served as an academic junior faculty member and an academic primary care physician in the resident clinic.

She was also active in various clinical research projects focused on advancements in care for allergy and immunology patients. Dr. Amirneni’s training concluded with an allergy and immunology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a member of both the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (AAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI).

When she is not working, Dr. Amirneni values spending time with her husband (an endocrinologist who also practices at Beebe) and their daughter. The family enjoys cooking, exploring various cuisines, traveling, and watching movies. She is fluent in the Indian language of Telugu.