Associates in the Spotlight

Behind every successful company there is a team of talented people that help make it all happen. ValueHealth’s blog series spotlights those associates who have been nominated by their peers and continuously go above and beyond, shine in their professional and personal development, and bring incredible energy to our organization. In addition, we get the opportunity to learn some “fun facts” about these exceptional individuals along the way.

 

We care.  We learn.  We engage.  We value results.

November 18, 2022 ­– Christina Ippolite, Business Office Director, has been with ValueHealth since June 2017.

Prior to joining ValueHealth, Christina attended Towson University in Maryland where she played field hockey and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. All throughout college, she worked in medical billing but took a short sabbatical to work at the original Golden Nugget Casino in Atlantic City where she was a supervisor in the Slot Marketing department. There, she attended special events during which she met and networked with many celebrities. Although the casino job was interesting, she was looking to step back into a positive, collaborative and hardworking field of work that aligned more with her goals and characteristics. This led her back to the healthcare industry, where she accepted another position in billing. She has never looked back.

To stay in the know about current healthcare advancements, Christina takes advantage of the people on her high-performing team, including the team’s strong, knowledgeable leader. She also enrolls in many Listserv notifications. If she could change one thing about our healthcare system, she says she would “keep it simple.”

Originally from Audubon, N.J., Christina now resides in Woolwich Township, N.J., with her husband Ron and their yellow lab Chloe. She has two adult children, Rachel and Ronnie, and is expecting her first grandchild.

Christina’s favorite quote is: ”It’s all about the climb.”

Previous Spotlights

October 17, 2022 ­– Sheila Knoepke, Vice President of Supply Chain, joined ValueHealth in April 2014. She credits her success to a mentor earlier in her career who taught her the importance of having a working knowledge of every aspect of supply chain. Experience in a variety of areas along with continued dedication and hard work have helped Sheila advance into the leader she is today. ValueHealth is thankful to have Sheila’s expertise and full understanding of supply chain to help navigate facility issues during the pandemic, such as challenges of raw material and labor shortages and higher costs.

Before joining ValueHealth, Sheila worked for several facilities where any level of improvement required a slow, rigorous evaluation of every step in a process before change was made. Over time, this traditional mindset felt restrictive and not as innovative. So, Sheila explored organizations that moved more quickly and truly had a pulse on how to revolutionize and transform the healthcare industry.

Sheila understands the importance of continued education and stays informed by subscribing to several healthcare publications, including Orthopedic Network News and Modern Healthcare. She is also a member of the Association for Healthcare Resource and Materials Management (AHRMM), which is a part of the American Hospital Association. If Sheila could change one thing about the current healthcare system, she wishes vendor representatives would not “be in the ear” of the physicians regarding business decisions.

Although she did not plan to work in healthcare, she has been in the industry since attending college. Sheila graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont. and earned a degree in business administration from Metro State University in Minneapolis, Minn.

Originally from Glasgow, Mont., Sheila now lives in Olathe, Kans. with her daughter, Katrina, and her grandchildren. Her son, Ed, still lives in Montana. Sheila’s mantra for more than 30 years has been “to be open and honest without judgement or blame.”

September 15, 2022 ­Erik Christiansen, Claims and Risk Manager, joined ValueHealth in March 2016 with more than 25 years of experience and a knack for problem-solving. Erik is always trying to improve processes for the future while seeking the best ways to solve problems.

Before joining ValueHealth, Erik worked summers mowing at a local hospital. He graduated from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., while working at the hospital, and was hired to manage an internal department before being recruited into the hospital’s risk management department. After more than 20 years with his original employer, he was recruited by a long-time friend and colleague to join ValueHealth and begin work in the risk management department.

Erik listens to national news, online education tools, seminars, and peer discussions in the field to stay updated about news in the constantly changing healthcare industry. He also connects with many attorneys who manage work comp claims across the country. If he could change anything about the healthcare system, it would be to make it more accessible for all and easier to navigate.

Originally from Blue Springs, Mo., Erik lives with Jennifer, and his Australian Cattle dog, Roo, along with two cats. In his free time, he works on his 1964 FJ-45 Short Wheelbase Removable Top Land Cruiser that he acquired in 2002.

Erik’s favorite work-related quote is, “When in doubt, fill it out.” This is helpful for Erik and his team, so he references it often. His favorite personal quote is from The Sand Lot, “You’re killin’ me smalls.”

 August 15, 2022 ­Brandon Cusick, Director of Provider Solutions Strategy in Leawood, Kans., joined ValueHealth in August 2015 as a member of the Innovations team working on the early iterations of bundled payments and Muve. Brandon worked for Nueterra Capital 2017-2020 to build a service line company called Axiom Regenerative Therapies that focused on providing regenerative medicine and stem cell programs for orthopedic surgeons. After selling Axiom Regenerative Therapies to an Orlando-based medical device company, he returned to ValueHealth as the Director of Provider Solutions Strategy to help launch NovaCore and develop strategies across all our provider solutions, including Muve and Encardia.

Brandon’s seemingly endless energy is channeled best when impacting and innovating the healthcare surgical segment. When Brandon joined ValueHealth, he recognized the entrepreneurial spirit the company brings to transforming healthcare. He continues to be inspired to pick up the shield, fight for change, and make an impact on behalf of our provider partners, facilities, and patients. As healthcare shifts toward value-based payments for episodes of care, Brandon believes ValueHealth’s provider solutions programs will be at the forefront of that change.

His high-energy, innovative thinking, and creative solutions are essential qualities to help drive the company’s mission, vision, and purpose. If he could change one thing about our healthcare system, he would push toward more equitable access, cost visibility, and education for U.S. healthcare.

Because the industry continues to evolve, Brandon relies on traditional publications and resources such as Becker’s ASC Review, JAMA, and NEJM Catalyst for the latest news and trends. As an avid reader, he enjoys healthcare-related books and courses such as Regina Hertzlinger’s “Innovating in Healthcare,” built from her HarvardX course.  He also looks for inspiration in publications outside healthcare such as finance, technology, global economics, and philosophy.

Brandon graduated with a business law and finance degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Calif., before earning his master’s degree in business and biological sciences from the University of Iowa and Harvard University, respectively. After meeting his wife, Megan, in northern Italy, they moved to Boston before returning to Leawood, Kans., where they live today with their two boys, Jett (4) and Beau (2), and German Shepherd mix, Mochi.

Brandon’s favorite quote comes from the end of a poem attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson regarding ‘success’: “… to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to have succeeded.”

July 15, 2022 ­– Marsha Botts, Senior Project Manager in Leawood, Kans., joined ValueHealth in October 2014 with a passion for creating and improving processes that help communities gain access to high-quality surgical care. She is always up for a challenge and has an innate ability to look beyond step-by-step operations to identify risks, gaps, and areas for process improvements. Marsha’s contributions continue to positively affect change, and her dedication and willingness to learn from others makes her the ultimate teammate.

Prior to joining ValueHealth, Marsha worked at Clinical Solutions, where she identified design requirements, tested, deployed and trained medical decision support technology for the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Scotland, as well as the Canadian (Medicare) Healthcare System. It was an eye-opening experience that exposed her to other healthcare management approaches.

With the complexities impacting access to better care, Marsha understands the need to constantly conduct research and stay current on the varying U.S. regulations. She listens to webinars produced by the Joint Commission, reviews regulations on State Department of Health websites, and reads several industry journals. Marsha also leans on her teammates as “subject matter experts” and collaborates regularly to gain insight and additional information. She is inspired daily by her colleagues and their commitment to excellence.

As a young child, Marsha was always curious and wasn’t satisfied until she figured out “why” something came to be. Her critical thinking skills have proven to be beneficial in her current role, and it’s possible she knew problem solving and project management were in her future at such a young age. If Marsha could change one thing about our current healthcare system, she would improve the access consumers/patients have for more education, services, treatment options, and specialized providers.

Originally from Talent, Ore., Marsha graduated with her MBA from Northwest Missouri State and holds certifications in Project Management, Lean Methodology, and Six Sigma Black Belt. Today, she resides in St. Joseph, Mo., with her husband Neil. Family is important to Marsha, and she enjoys spending time with her three children (Mickey, Ben, and Braden), two grandchildren (Rennick and Drake), and two dogs (Eddie and Marley).

Marsha’s favorite quote is from George Bernard Shaw: “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

June 15, 2022 ­– Lisa Thacker, CPHRM, HRM, Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance Officer in Leawood, Kans., joined ValueHealth in March 2016. As the healthcare industry shifts to value-based care, Lisa’s skillset and years of experience in risk management and risk domains such as operational, clinical/patient safety, strategic, financial, human capital, legal/regulatory, and technology become increasingly important.

After spending 30 years working in a hospital setting, Lisa was excited about transferring into corporate risk management and compliance. She credits the recruitment efforts of ValueHealth’s human resources and leadership team for bringing her to the company. Her loyalty, passion, dependability, calm demeanor, investigative nature, and positive attitude are qualities ValueHealth seeks in new team members.

Lisa enjoys the variety her job provides and the expectation of her role to ask a lot of questions and collect information before making decisions or providing guidance. She consistently shares these important guidelines during every compliance training: “Choose right over wrong; choose ethics over convenience; and choose truth over popularity”.

Since the healthcare industry is ever changing, Lisa understands the importance of continued education and staying informed by reading journals, blogs, and attending national conferences. Lisa holds professional memberships in the American Society for Health Care Risk Management (ASHRM) and the Health Care Compliance Association (HCAA).

If Lisa could change one thing about the healthcare industry (and it was difficult for her to pick just one), it would be to eliminate or reduce the complexity associated with insurance, billing, and regulations so patients can receive the transparent communication and services they deserve.

Lisa earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in health care management from Capella University. In addition to her ASHRM certification, she completed a paralegal program at Johnson County Community College. Lisa grew up in Excelsior Springs, Mo., and moved to Overland Park, Kan., where she currently lives with her husband, Chuck, and Yorkie-Poo, Sophie. She also has one son named Jordan.

Lisa’s favorite quote: “If it weren’t for the doers, the critics would be out of business!” ~Author Unknown

May 16, 2022 ­– Kelly Schrock, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis in Leawood, Kans., joined ValueHealth in December 2017, with a fascination for healthcare economics and the impact those pressures have on our society. She believes everyone can affect change, and she recognizes that ValueHealth is a change agent in leading healthcare transformation to value-based care.

Kelly continues to be a strong leader within the organization and is committed to solving problems with a positive attitude. She lives by the motto “everything is figure-out-able,” which has served her well in her leadership roles at ValueHealth. She uses problems as an opportunity to learn by breaking down the steps and starting from the beginning. Kelly feels blessed to work with such amazing individuals and shares that the healthcare industry, size of the company, and office location are some of the reasons she came to work at ValueHealth.

As the industry evolves, she continues to stay informed by reading online journals—one of her favorite’s being Becker’s Healthcare. If Kelly could change one thing about our current healthcare system, she would change the way patients are billed.

Kelly received her bachelor’s degree in finance from Kansas State University, and an MBA from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. With a passion for knowledge, continued growth, and living a healthy lifestyle, Kelly also earned a bachelor’s degree in dietetics. She grew up in Parkville, Mo., and moved to Lenexa, Kans., where Kelly resides with her husband, Steve, three children (Jack, Tally, and Finn), two stepchildren (Benji and Bradley), and dog, Sharky.

Kelly has two favorite quotes:
“I know my life is better when I work from the assumption that everyone is doing the best they can.” ~ Brene Brown.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou.

Robert FowleApril 15, 2022 ­– Robert Fowle, Executive Director of Payor Strategies in Leawood, Kans., joined ValueHealth in November 2018 with a passion to transform the U.S. healthcare industry from fee-for-service to value-based care. He understands the need for change and is dedicated to connecting the pieces of the puzzle between the provider and payor to help patients understand and navigate their entire healthcare journey.

Robert describes himself as a “people person” and enjoys interacting with others. He has a keen ability to listen with purpose, knows how and when to show empathy, relates well to others, asks questions for clarity, and makes others feel comfortable when working collaboratively. If he could change one thing about the current healthcare system, he would educate everyone, starting at a young age, about the importance of taking responsibility for their own health.

Growing up as a child in a military family, Robert moved around a lot when he was young — changing schools 18 times in 12 years — finally declaring Leavenworth, Kans., as his hometown. Today he resides in Kansas City, Mo., with his three children, Kelsey, Zachary, and Nicholas. Before joining ValueHealth, Robert’s most interesting job was coaching baseball in Yangon, Myanmar, and he continues to share the love for the sport with his children.

As a graduate of The University of Kansas, it is no surprise one of his favorite quotes is “Rock Chalk” – especially after the men’s basketball team won the 2022 National Championship. But it was his experiences as a young child that taught him to “Improvise, adapt, and overcome” throughout his life’s journey.

Nelson ChengMarch 15, 2022 ­– Nelson Cheng, Site Director of Gramercy Surgery Center ­– Queens based in Flushing, N.Y., joined ValueHealth through a partnership with Gramercy Surgery Center in January. Prior to his role as Site Director, he was Director of Operations and worked in the purchasing and business development departments at Gramercy Surgery Center for more than 12 years.

When Nelson joined ValueHealth, he recognized the opportunity to advance clinical protocols to provide a safe, efficient, and high-quality care facility that meets the needs of the physicians and patients in the community. Nelson is a strategic leader who works well with others, adapts to the everchanging medical advances, and serves as a reliable asset to the day-to-day operations at Gramercy Surgery Center. For example, the clinical team reaches out to Nelson often for his expertise about their equipment to help troubleshoot, rather than requesting a service call and waiting for a vendor representative to arrive on-site.

As the healthcare industry evolves, Nelson continues to seek knowledge and understanding through publications and organizations such as the Board of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Becker’s ASC Review, Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), and New York State Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers. His eagerness to learn and build experience through working in multiple administrative and clinical departments has provided a natural pathway to his role as Site Director.

 Nelson earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Programming and Information Systems from Farmingdale State College before completing the Healthcare Operations Management Certification Program at eCornell. He earned his Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC) from the Board of Ambulatory Surgery Certification. Nelson grew up in Merrick, N.Y., and currently resides in Long Island City, N.Y., with his wife, Ashley, and his dog, Cue.

 Nelson’s favorite quote reflects his view of life: “We are not victims of our situation. We are the architects of it.” ~ Simon Sinek

Kristin Thompson February 16, 2022 – Kristin Thompson, Clinical Director based in Glen Mills, Pa., has held various positions with ValueHealth since joining the company in 2010. She started as the Director of Nursing at Riddle Surgical Center in Media, Pa., moved into the Director of Nursing role at the Orthopaedic Surgery Center at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and finally transitioned into her current position as Clinical Director for the IDIS (Innovate Design Implement Support) team in October 2019.

When Kristin worked in the facilities, she was impressed by ValueHealth’s commitment to centers of excellence and worked diligently to help increase employee engagement, implement best practices, and achieve high patient and physician satisfaction. While serving in these leadership roles, she focused on mentoring, managing up, and being a resource for the regional clinical teams. As Kristin’s responsibilities grew within the organization, she was honored to move into her current role and use her 20+ years of experience to assist with the projected growth in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Kristin decided at a young age to become a nurse and dedicated her time to researching solutions in the healthcare industry following the sudden loss of her mother and sister. She connects her “why” for working at ValueHealth to her passion for caring for others and providing excellent care to support them on their healthcare journey.  Kristin’s innate abilities to connect, engage, and inspire others to become passionate, optimistic leaders demonstrates her dedication to excellence.

As the healthcare industry evolves, she continues to conduct extensive research so she can stay informed and educate her teams on ever-changing regulations, infection practices, and other healthcare advancements. If Kristin could change one thing about our current healthcare system, she would change the enormous cost that families endure during surgery.

Before starting her career, Kristin earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Widener University and Registered Nurse First Assistant from Delaware County Community College. One of Kristin’s most interesting jobs came during high school when she worked as a waitress at Chuck E. Cheese and dressed up in full costume as the iconic Chuck E. Cheese himself. Who knew she had so many hidden talents? Growing up an avid sports player, she now enjoys coaching her daughter in softball and supporting her son as he pursues an accounting degree at West Chester University.

When asked about her favorite quote, she said: “Heavy is the crown and yet she wears it as if it were a feather. There is strength in her heart, determination in her eyes, and the will to survive resides within her soul. She is you. A warrior, a champion, a fighter, a queen.” ~ R.H. Smith.

ValueHealth Teammate Matt Wilkinson August 18, 2021 – Matt Wilkinson, Business Intelligence Strategic Analyst in the Leawood, Kans., office, is a relative newcomer to ValueHealth with one year at the company. Matt originally joined ValueHealth as an intern supporting the Partner Performance team before taking on his current full-time role.

Matt has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Central Missouri (UCM). He plans to seek an MBA with an emphasis in healthcare administration in the future. Matt’s original college major was history because of his fascination with world history. He specifically was intrigued with World War I and read many books on the topic. His favorite book on the subject is “All Quiet on the Western Front.”

During college, Matt spent summers managing a small gas station in Warrensburg, Mo., which required various duties, and “was never boring.”

Matt is originally from Overland Park, Kans. He enjoys playing basketball, an activity he has continued after playing collegiate basketball for four years at UCM. While in college, he set various records in three-point baskets and free throws. He also was selected to compete on the USA D-2 select team—a group of elite basketball athletes selected to represent the United States in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, each year. He currently coaches seventh-grade boys for the MOKAN league and participates in adult leagues in the Kansas City area.

If you hear Matt say, “You’re killin’ me Smalls,” you will instantly know his favorite movie is “The Sandlot.” His favorite quote is from “Tuesdays with Morrie,” “The way you get meaning in your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” Coming from the Kansas City area, there are lots of barbecue choices, and Matt’s absolute favorite is Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que.

As a self-described loyal, approachable, enthusiastic person, Matt quickly felt at home at ValueHealth. He values the people who make him feel respected and appreciated. He has met friends and developed mentors who genuinely want him to succeed. In fact, he’s grateful that it’s “easy to come to work excited every day when I get to be around the people I work with.”

Karen HoweJune 30, 2021 – Rhonda Brown, Vice President, Risk & Insurance, in the Leawood, Kans., corporate office, has been in her current role since joining ValueHealth in late 2015.

Rhonda is originally from St. Louis, Mo., and has a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Columbia College and a master’s degree in legal studies from Webster University.

Rhonda’s first job was at a concession stand at the St. Louis Zoo making “a whopping $3.15 an hour.” Early in Rhonda’s professional career, she discovered not all job-related activities are created equal. Developing personal relationships with clients was a big part of her job at a small insurance broker firm. She used her keen skills when an older couple stopped by to have her mediate a disagreement about the wife changing her hair color. The couple had been married longer than Rhonda had been alive at that point. Rhonda played it safe by adding well-placed head nods and chuckles, but no commentary–“because a wise woman knows, speak only when you feel that your words are better than your silence.”

Rhonda describes herself as independent, influential, and resilient. She appreciates the challenges ValueHealth provides because they stretch her skills, which contributes to new professional accomplishments. She is grateful to work with her supportive, professional, innovative ValueHealth team members. Rhonda believes the team’s open communication creates an environment where best practices are the standard that allow team members to think creatively when it comes to improving all aspects of their work.

When not working, Rhonda enjoys reading, hosting dinner parties, dancing and attending live music venues. She also loves traveling to beach destinations, with Santorini, Greece, at the top of her dream vacation list.

Rhonda’s favorite quote is: “What is for me won’t miss me.”

June 8, 2020 – Ashton Scott, Receptionist/Administrative Assistant, ValueHealth, in the Leawood corporate office is our current featured employee in the spotlight and joined the ValueHealth team in January 2019.

She was born and raised in Olathe, Kansas, and she currently resides in Independence, Missouri with her fiancé, Christopher, and two fur babies, Char (beagle/shar pei mix) and Coal (Labrador/ pointer mix).

Three words that best describe Ashton are outgoing, adaptable, and enthusiastic. According to Ashton, the thing she likes most about working at ValueHealth is developing all the relationships with her colleagues.

There are few things many do not know about Ashton. Her favorite line from a movie is, “anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great,” Chef Auguste Gusteau from Ratatouille. Ashton enjoys playing beach volleyball, going to the lake, visiting her “happy place” – Disney World (where she got engaged last year), BBQ competitions and smoked beef tenderloin with smashed potatoes hits the top of her favorite food list. When reflecting on her all-time favorite quote, we weren’t surprised she selected one from the famous, Walter Elias Disney, himself. “That’s the real trouble with the world. Too many people grow up.”

ValueHealth is grateful for people like Ashton who enjoy doing something a little bit different every day and sharing a positive attitude with the people she works around. Thank you, Ashton, for sharing a bit of your story with us and bringing your talents to work every day at ValueHealth.

April 2, 2020 – Victor Marshall, Research & Development Analyst, ValueHealth, in the Leawood corporate office is our current featured employee in the spotlight. Victor originally joined the ValueHealth team in 2009 as an Intern. Then, he moved into a fulltime role from 2011 – 2013. Prior to his return to ValueHealth in March 2019, Victor appreciated the opportunity to work as an Independent Consultant and spend time working in Washington D.C. as well.

While in Washington D.C., Victor worked as a Policy Analyst for a patient-centered care advocacy organization. He represented healthcare providers in Congress on issues relating to patient access to the services and treatments they need, improving the value of medical intervention for all stakeholders and cultivating a health system that fosters better physician-patient relationships in order to deliver truly patient-centered care. When we asked Victor, why did you move back to Kansas City? He said, “I moved back, because the cost-of-living was astronomical and the traffic was horrible.”

Victor grew up in Great Bend, Kansas with his two brothers and one sister. He married his wife, Christina, in October 2019, and the happy couple currently resides in Overland Park, Kansas. The meal of choice for this true Kansas Citian is a plate of ribs with a side of burnt ends. When time allows, Victor enjoys river float trips, scuba diving and playing board games. However, we wonder if he secretly has a green thumb, because his first job (ever) was in landscaping.

Before starting his career, Victor earned his undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Kansas, followed by an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. When reflecting on what he likes most about working at ValueHealth, he states twice he’s come to this company after working on the east coast, and both times he has been shocked at how co-workers genuinely care for each other. It always feels like family here.

ValueHealth is grateful for people like Victor who come back to our family, share positive energy and spread happiness to others. Thank you, Victor, for sharing a bit of your story with us and bringing your talents to work every day.

 

January 31, 2020 – Megan Copeland, Manager Network Services, ValueHealth, in the Leawood Corporate office is our current featured employee in the spotlight. Megan joined the ValueHealth team four years ago as a Healthcare Integration Consultant in the Innovations Department before moving into her current role.

Megan grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where her parents still reside and operate a dental practice. Megan has one brother who is in his second year of medical school at Creighton in Nebraska. Megan and her husband Trethan currently reside in Overland Park, however they met back in Iowa in the Spring of 2012 while playing on the same soccer team. They married two years ago in September and are proud parents of an adorable, high energy cat named Tom “Kitty” Cruise.

Before starting her career, Megan attended Saint Louis University where she pursued an undergraduate degree in Biology and Business Marketing, and earning her MHA in Health Administration. As a student Megan played soccer and was brought to Saint Louis University on an athletic soccer scholarship for her four-year undergraduate career. During her freshman year she was fortunate enough to play in the NCAA division Sweet 16 game where her team went on to win the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Megan shares her favorite movie is “Home Alone” and she can be caught watching it at least a half dozen times during the holiday season. Chicken Alfredo hits the top of her favorite food list, although not too often as it tends to not trend with her health-conscious lifestyle. When reflecting on what she likes most about the organization, Megan likes the opportunity she is provided to learn and grow with the organization while working with successful and driven people every day.

ValueHealth is grateful for people like Megan who enjoy doing something a little bit different every day and sharing a positive attitude with the people she works around. Thank you, Megan, for sharing a bit of your story with us and bringing your talents to work every day.

August 2, 2019 – Lee Harper, ValueHealth Clinical Director, is our current featured employee in the spotlight. Lee joined the ValueHealth team in 2005.

Lee has over 30 years of experience as a registered nurse in the perioperative and ambulatory surgical setting. Lee experienced first-hand the “trial-by-fire” environment many ASCs face when they do not work with a management company. After this first-hand experience, Lee was excited to come work for a management company that provides expertise to its facilities. She knew what it was like in the trenches and has brought that expertise to her role at ValueHealth.

Lee grew up in Wyandotte County, Kansas. She has been married to her husband, James, for 32 years. Lee’s parents and James’s parents were fishing buddies and they thought Lee and James should meet. So when Lee was home for her sister’s wedding, she met James and it was love at first sight. They talked every day and married six months later. Thirty-two years later, they have two grown children and one granddaughter named Harper who is their pride and joy!

The first job Lee held was as a night-shift mobile phone operator. Not the mobile phone you think of today, but a headset where she connected calls for clients. Back in the day, Lee was a top ten finalist in the Miss Kansas Pageant. She also received an award for a discussion topic that was held in front of a group of panelists.

If Lee were to play the lottery and win, she would definitely buy a beach home. She loves to golf on vacation and take in the beautiful sites while sipping cocktails from her golf cart. A dream vacation for her would be to go to Greece. Unfortunately, according to Lee, she has no hidden talent, but we see her talents every day at work.

ValueHealth is grateful for people like Lee who are continual learners and evolve with their roles to keep pace with the rapidly progressing ASC market. Thank you, Lee, for sharing a bit of your story with us and bringing your talents to work every day.

 

March 8, 2019 – Allison (Ally) Fields, Accounting Coordinator, Corporate Finance, is our current featured employee in the spotlight. Ally works with the ValueHealth AP/AR system and the Corporate Credit Card system. Ally joined the ValueHealth team in 2010 in her current role, but she has had oversight responsibilities for a variety of ValueHealth’s affiliate companies.

Ally grew up in Toledo, Ohio and Traverse City, Michigan. The Kansas City Art Institute is what brought her to Kansas City on a freshman scholarship. She later went on to attend Penn Valley Community College where she studied accounting.

The first neighbor she met when moving to Kansas City was Curt. They hit it off so well that they became husband and wife. This year, Ally and Curt will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and Ally’s landmark birthday on an Alaskan cruise with their family.

Outside of the office, you’ll find Ally spending time at local animal rescues helping dogs find their Fur-ever homes. Ally is a true dog lover and has often been referred to as the Crazy Dog Lady; likely due to the fact that she has had as many as 12 dogs living at her house at one time. “Strays seem to be drawn to us”, she says. Recently, Ally lost two of her fur babies, but she still enjoys the energy of her two mutt’s, Rufus and Finn.

One of the benefits of living on a lot of land is having space for a She Shed. Ally enjoys repurposing and re- upholstering furniture, and her She Shed is the perfect place for doing those activities. She received a scroll saw for Christmas this year that will allow for endless, creative possibilities.

Being surrounded by a group of highly driven and successful people who genuinely care about those they work with and the community in which we work are the things that Ally likes most about the ValueHealth organization. Thank you, Ally, for sharing a bit of your story with us and bringing your talents to work every day.

April 23, 2019 – Yvonne Woodley, Executive Assistant, is our current featured employee in the spotlight. Yvonne joined the ValueHealth team in 2001 as the very first executive assistant for the company. At that time, there were approximately 20 employees. In the last 18 years the company and Yvonne have seen many changes as well as growth and development of the parent and platform companies. Throughout this time, Yvonne has remained a constant for the team in her role as the Executive Assistant to the Sales and Business Development Team.

Yvonne grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and was educated in the Kansas City Catholic School System. She still resides in Kansas City in the Lee’s Summit surrounding area with her husband of 40 years, Norman. She and Norman have three grown daughters and 4 grandchildren together as well as several other extended family grandchildren. After high school, Yvonne graduated from the DeVry Institute with a background in computer programming.

Outside of the office, you’ll find Yvonne spending time with family and friends. Her favorite past time is to be with her “little people” as she so lovingly calls her grandkids, doing silly things and making life-long memories. She enjoys being around water, even though she can’t swim, because it is so beautiful. She, Norman and friends can be found traveling by car, plane, train or cruise ship, as long as they are together on an adventure.

Volunteering is a gift that Yvonne gives back often. This is a trait she has instilled in her family and they are often found together at community events giving back to those less fortunate. One of the things she loves about NueHealth outside of her “family” of co-workers is the fact that the organization supports volunteer efforts for employees to give back to those less fortunate.

If Yvonne were an animal she would be a bird so she could fly freely without any boundaries. Her favorite food is lobster or any seafood. Another reason she loves the water. No surprise that after 18-years her favorite thing about ValueHealth is the people. Some of them she has worked with all 18 years and she truly considers them family. The Business Development team has affectionately nicknamed her “Mama” because she always thinks of her team first. We are grateful for Yvonne and her positive attitude and camaraderie she brings with her every day to work. Thank you for sharing a bit of your story with us.

 

March 1, 2019 – Barbara Proffitt, Regulatory Compliance Director, Clinical Team, is our current featured employee in the spotlight. Barbara joined the team in 2012 part-time and moved into a full-time role in 2014.

Barbara grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and now resides in Overland Park, Kansas with her husband and best friend of 29 years Mike. She and Mike have three children, Ben who is a freshman in college, and two grown children, Alex and Lindsey, who live close by. Sophie, a 14 year old miniature schnauzer who thinks she still a puppy, completes their family. Before moving to Kansas, they lived in five different states (KY, TN, OH, CO, TX) while Mike served in the military. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with minors in Computer Science and Business Administration from Western Kentucky University.

Outside of the office, you’ll find Barbara spending time with family and friends. She loves to run, participate and lead Bible study and reading. Loving to run is the right phrase because Barbara has run multiple half marathons and two full marathons. She recruited her daughter this last year to run a half marathon in October and now they will run together again in May at the Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon, which coincidentally was Barbara’s first half marathon 20 years ago.

The first job Barbara held was at Delaney’s, an ice cream shop in the mall in Louisville, KY. She was the shift manager opening and closing the store. Her favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz (even before she moved to Kansas). She watched it every year on The Wonderful World of Disney. She loves the line “there’s no place like home.” If Barbara were to play the lottery and win, it’s no surprise that she would want to secure the best care and equipment for her Dad who is in a nursing home. But she wouldn’t just take care of dear Dad, she would do something amazing for all of his care-givers too, because she is so grateful for the wonderful care they give her Dad.

ValueHealth is grateful for people like Barbara who enjoy doing something a little bit different every day and sharing a positive attitude with the people she works around. Thank you, Barbara, for sharing a bit of your story with us and bringing your talents to work every day.

January 16, 2019 – Andi Keller, Special Projects Coordinator, is our current featured employee in the spotlight. Andi joined the ValueHealth team in 2005 and has a 13-year tenure that has consisted of a variety of positions. The one that has the greatest influence on Andi is the day when she and five others managed all aspects of nine “Cash” surgery centers. This gave her the foundation of knowing the importance of cash flow and how the Accounts Payable world can influence their success.

Andi lives in the Kansas City area with Ellie Mae, her Jack Russell Terrier, which by the way is her 23rd foster dog that she adopted herself because she couldn’t let her go and has for the last 4 years. Prior to 1997, she resided in Litchfield, Minnesota where she was born and raised. Her family still lives in her hometown. Andi received her education back in Minnesota at St. Could Technical College where she graduated as a Certified and Registered Dental Assistant. While working in a variety of dental specialties, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery with Facial Plastic Surgery was her favorite. There are many days that she misses assisting in surgery and in the operating rooms.

Outside of the office, you’ll likely find Andi traveling or on a cruise somewhere. She has cruised Alaska, Hawaii, Mediterranean, Caribbean and New Zealand with a week in Australia. Her cruising bucket list consists of Coast to Coast through the Panama Canal, Russia, Scandinavia and Iceland. Her land bucket list consists of an African Safari, Fiji, Greece and Iceland.

A few fun facts about Andi; her favorite pastime is reading, her favorite food is HuHot Mongolian Grill or Taco Bell and she doesn’t really look like a celebrity, but she gets “you look like someone I know” quite often. If she were to win the lottery, she would NOT quit working. She might reduce her hours, but she really enjoys her work and the NueHealth organization’s core value. “We work well together, putting patients first and having a little fun in the process.” She would however put the money away for a while until she has a solid financial plan. That’s what you learn from all of the years of managing the cash and developing centers.

Thank you, Andi, for sharing a bit of your story with us and bringing your talents to work every day at ValueHealth.