Team
ThriveAP is a Nashville-based company dedicated to advancing the education of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) through employer-friendly, career-aligned curriculums. As a leader in continuing medical education for nurse practitioners and physician associates, we support APPs at every stage of their careers and across all care settings.
Leadership Team
ThriveAP’s experienced leadership team is dedicated to making the organization the go-to resource for NPs, PAs, and the organizations that support them. We aim to deliver the highest quality curriculums, instruction, and suite of solutions in order to provide excellence to our curriculum participants and their organizations.
Jim Creason is the President and Chief Executive Officer of ThriveAP, leading the company’s nationwide transition-to-practice solutions for Advanced Practice Providers and their employers. With over 35 years of experience in financial, real estate, and healthcare industries, he brings a strategic vision to advancing APP education and workforce development.
Before joining ThriveAP, Jim spent more than 16 years in executive leadership at Censis Technologies, Inc., a healthcare technology company, primarily serving as Chief Operating Officer. He previously co-founded and led multiple healthcare organizations, including Clinical Concepts, Inc., a healthcare staffing firm, and Progressive Holdings, Inc., a reimbursement, clinical, and purchasing services company. Early in his career, he worked at American HomePatient and in public accounting.
Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Economics from the University of Kentucky.
Veronica Hill, DNP, CRNP, serves as the Chief Operating Officer at ThriveAP, overseeing program development, curriculum strategy, and clinical education. Board-certified in family medicine, she has spent over 15 years practicing internal medicine in rural and underserved communities, bringing firsthand clinical expertise to her leadership role.
At ThriveAP, Veronica leads the programs and operations team, ensuring the ongoing development of high-quality transition-to-practice curriculums. She also contributes to the clinical education team, frequently speaking on internal medicine topics. A published author and national speaker, she is dedicated to equipping new NPs and PAs with the skills and confidence to succeed in their professions.
Veronica earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Auburn University.
Michele Erim, CPA, is the Vice President of Finance at ThriveAP, bringing over 25 years of financial leadership in the healthcare and real estate sectors. She specializes in financial planning, strategic analysis, and operational efficiency.
Prior to ThriveAP, Michele served as Controller and Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at Censis Technologies, a healthcare technology company. She previously held the role of Chief Financial Officer at Regents Health Resources, a healthcare strategic planning firm, and served as Director of Internal Audit at Wells Real Estate Funds, a REIT in Atlanta, GA. She began her career in public accounting with Arthur Andersen and maintains an active CPA license in Georgia.
Michele holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Wake Forest University and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Georgia.
Jonas Fridrichsen serves as the Vice President of Sales at ThriveAP, bringing over 15 years of experience in healthcare technology, sales leadership, and market strategy. He specializes in workforce development, credentialing, predictive analytics, and digital behavioral health solutions across provider and payer markets.
Before joining ThriveAP, Jonas founded a go-to-market advisory firm and held leadership roles at HealthStream, Medalogix, and Meru Health. His expertise in scaling healthcare solutions has positioned him as a key driver of business growth and strategic partnerships in the industry.
Jonas graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee. Outside of work, he enjoys live music, mountain biking, and road trips with his wife, three children, and two Labrador retrievers.
Education Team
ThriveAP’s expert Education Leadership team creates dynamic, real-world curricula tailored to the needs of organizations, nurse practitioners, and physician associates. As a trusted leader in live and online education, we prepare and upskill APPs to excel in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Cory Edgar, DMSc, PA-C, is a practicing hematology/oncology physician assistant with a strong commitment to APP education and mentorship. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) in Medical Education from the University of Lynchburg.
With a clinical background in malignant hematology, blood and marrow transplant, and cancer survivorship, Cory previously served as Lead APP at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute. He has held academic positions in PA education since 2015, rising to associate professor and academic director at AdventHealth University, where he led curriculum development, assessment, and delivery.
Cory’s research focuses on simulation-based learning, interprofessional education, APP utilization in oncology, and hematologic malignancies. A frequent speaker at national and regional conferences, he also serves as the oncology department editor for the Journal of the American Academy of PAs, is a board member of his specialty organization, and participates in various APP education and research committees. He joined ThriveAP in 2024 as Director of Education to further support APPs in their professional growth.
Lennie Chaisson, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC, is a pediatric nurse practitioner with a deep commitment to APP education and professional development. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Virginia and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Pennsylvania.
She began her career as a bedside nurse at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia before joining Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, as a pediatric gastroenterology NP. For over 14 years, she specialized in inflammatory bowel disease and served as the Team Lead for APPs in the GI division. More recently, she worked in transplant quality at Inova Health System, focusing on process improvement and regulatory compliance.
Lennie joined ThriveAP in 2024 as Assistant Director of Education to support new-to-practice APPs in building confidence and competence as they launch their careers. She lives in Falls Church, VA, with her family.
Clinical Faculty Information & Institutions
ThriveAP’s clinical faculty and adjunct faculty are more than educators—they’re mentors, leaders, and trusted guides. With over 150 collective years of real-world experience, they support participants from day one through curriculum completion, providing professional guidance, development, and practical insights. Whether sharing expertise or offering career support, our faculty are dedicated to helping Advanced Practice Providers thrive.
ThriveAP’s faculty educators speak from experience and can offer the latest and greatest evidence-based instruction and advice for professional development for clinicians. They hail from across the country with past and current experience with the following healthcare providers and academic institutions:
