About

About ELM-MSO

At ELM Management Services, we empower physicians with the best of both worlds: the independence of private practice and the advantages of large group partnerships. As a physician-owned organization, we’re dedicated to simplifying practice management with tailored support, allowing healthcare professionals to run efficient, compliant, and profitable practices. Our comprehensive services are designed to handle the complexities of operations, so you can focus on what truly matters—delivering exceptional patient care.

At ELM MSO, we believe your practice can thrive—efficiently and profitably—without compromising your independence. Whether you need support with daily operations or strategies for long-term growth, our expert team is here to help.

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Discover how we can streamline and elevate your practice. Contact us today!

Our Team

Said Elshihabi, MD, FAANS

Founder/Owner

Said Elshihabi MD, FAANS, neurosurgeon and founder of ELM Management Services is a board-certified neurosurgeon with an emphasis in the management of surgical and non-surgical spinal disorders, as well as brain trauma and tumors. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center and pursued a neurosurgery residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He has been practicing in Georgia since 2007, and is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, as well as the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners. Dr. Elshihabi has a passion for supporting independent medical providers whose sole wish is to serve the communities they practice in, and do it independent of any large health systems. This is why he created a physician focused, physician run, and physician owned management service organization in the form of ELM.

Walter Fletcher

Chief Operating Officer

Walter Fletcher is an accomplished healthcare executive with over 28 years of experience driving growth and innovation within private group practices. As the Chief Operating Officer of ELM Management Services, LLC, Walter oversees all operational functions, including human resources, finance, marketing, and IT. He excels in navigating complex challenges, leveraging collaboration to find effective solutions, and implementing processes that propel business growth.

Always striving for progress, Walter is committed to exploring creative, innovative strategies to foster business expansion. Working closely with the Executive Management team, he develops elegant solutions that align with the organization’s mission and goals, while delivering exceptional support services to healthcare clients.

Based in the metro Atlanta area, Walter earned his MBA from the Stetson-Hatcher School of Business at Mercer University. Outside of work, he enjoys quality time with his wife and two dogs.

Walter’s guiding philosophy is rooted in simplicity: focus on what matters, take care of your people, prioritize clients, and success will follow.

Vanessa Irving

Director of HR, ELM Management Services

Empowering people and organizations to thrive through innovative HR strategies, legal expertise, and a passion for fostering growth in both talent and business.
With over 25 years of experience in healthcare, Vanessa Irving is a distinguished leader in Human Resources (People Operations), currently serving as the Head of HR at ELM Management Services. Known for her ability to guide organizations through periods of significant growth, Vanessa has consistently demonstrated her expertise in fostering strong teams and creating HR strategies that align with both business objectives and employee needs.

Vanessa’s background in business administration, coupled with a Master of Jurisprudence degree in Labor and Employment Law from Tulane Law School, provides her with a strong foundation in both strategic leadership and legal expertise. As a SHRM-CP certified professional, she has built a reputation for delivering thoughtful, forward-thinking solutions to complex HR challenges.

Throughout her career, Vanessa has cultivated a strong track record of leadership, driving workforce optimization and creating positive organizational cultures in dynamic, fast-paced environments. At ELM Management Services, she continues to leverage her deep industry knowledge and strategic insight to support business growth and enhance the employee experience.

Vanessa lives in Atlanta with her husband and pets. Outside of HR, she enjoys gardening and spending time as a home chef, entertaining friends, and family.

Sean D’Loughy

IT Director

Sean D’Loughy is an accomplished IT professional with 16 years of experience, specializing in managing IT operations for small businesses.  As the IT Director for ELM Management Services since 2021, Sean has grown the technology services division to new heights.  Holding numerous industry recognized certifications from CompTIA, Sean has a strong foundation in network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and IT management. His expertise includes deploying and maintaining secure systems, optimizing network performance, and implementing cost-effective technology solutions to support business growth. With a proven track record of streamlining IT processes, enhancing security postures, and providing strategic guidance, he is dedicated to leveraging technology to drive operational efficiency and safeguard business assets.

Sean resides outside of Atlanta, GA with his wife, two children and labrador retriever.