Health systems across the U.S. continue to navigate mounting financial pressures, shifting reimbursement models and growing administrative complexity — placing revenue cycle leadership at the center of operational success. Each week, Becker’s is highlighting five revenue cycle leaders to know, recognizing executives who are driving performance, improving patient financial experiences and advancing innovative strategies to strengthen their organizations’ financial health.
Becker’s is accepting nominations for revenue cycle leaders to be featured in this weekly series and for the “Becker’s CFO and Revenue Cycle Podcast.” We are also recruiting speakers for the Becker’s IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, Sept. 14-17, 2026, at the Hilton Chicago. Reach out to Andrew Cass (acass@beckershealthcare.com) or Alan Condon (acondon@beckershealthcare.com).
Five revenue cycle leaders to know:
Dawson Ballard Jr. Manager of Provider Coding Education at Rush University Medical Center (Chicago): Mr. Ballard specializes in provider education, revenue cycle performance, coding compliance, and clinical documentation improvement. Throughout his career, he has partnered with physicians, advanced practice providers, operational leaders, and compliance teams to bridge the gap between regulatory requirements and real-world clinical practice, driving both provider satisfaction and financial stewardship. His ability to translate evolving regulatory guidance into practical strategies has helped providers improve documentation accuracy, reduce compliance risk, and strengthen revenue integrity. Recognized as a collaborative and influential leader, he is known for building strong stakeholder relationships and creating educational programs that deliver measurable operational results across healthcare organizations.
Sarah Clark. Vice President of Patient Access Services at Corewell Health (Southfield, Mich.): At Corewell Health, Ms. Clark has spearheaded enterprise-wide patient access strategies, operational transformation and digital modernization initiatives that have significantly enhanced organizational performance. Her proven cross-functional leadership has united operational, digital, analytic, and revenue cycle teams, driving high-impact projects to improve patient access and system outcomes. Under her guidance, the Access division achieved the National Association of Healthcare Access Management Large System Best in Keys award in 2025. Known for her forward-thinking approach, she continues to champion innovation, foster collaboration and set new standards for performance improvement in healthcare access.
Kenneth Hogue. Chief Revenue Cycle Officer at United Health Services (Binghamton, N.Y.): Mr. Hogue has served as United Health Services’ chief revenue cycle officer since April 2024, overseeing the system’s full revenue cycle including billing, coding, provider enrollment and, notably, managed care contracting, value-based payments and payer strategy. He specializes in optimization and organizational transformation, playing a key role in implementation of Epic EHR at United Health Services. Mr. Hogue is a dedicated servant leader mentoring dozens of rising-star executives from United Health Services and the industry at large through his leadership roles at the Healthcare Financial Management Association and other organizations.
Carol Ingram, System Director of Health Information Management and Coding Services at Baptist Memorial Health Care (Memphis, Tenn.): Ms. Ingram leads enterprise HIM, Coding, payer correspondence and RAC/TPE government audit functions across Baptist Memorial Health Care. In her 35 years of experience, she has excelled in creating operations efficiencies, leveraging automation, advancing code accuracy and education, and forging partnerships between reimbursement and national quality benchmarks. She connects communication strategies with holistic integration and collaboration to drive outcomes. A past affiliation with another health system included two HFMA MAP Awards for high performance.
Miguel “Mike” Vigo IV. Chief Revenue Cycle Officer at UC San Diego Health: Before beginning his career in healthcare, Mr. Vigo served as an airborne infantryman in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2007. He began his healthcare career in 2009, working at various hospital systems in the Greater Chicago area, as well as helping lead a nationwide consulting practice. He has served UC San Diego Health’s chief revenue officer since 2022. In this past fiscal year (fiscal 2026), the system’s revenue cycle team exceeded key performance targets, as the team achieved +104% of the organization’s global cash goal, accomplished a +7-day reduction in AR Days (best among all academic medical centers in California Peer Group), a 1.6-day reduction to average CFB, and initiated +$48 million in cash adjusted controllable loss/denials reduction through strategic operational initiatives. Additionally, the team achieved an Epic diamond trophy designation for AR Day performance and gold trophy designations for Aged +90 AR% and Net Collection Rate. Other project successes included enhanced vendor engagement protocols leading to a +$3 million reduction in purchased services and the establishment of a revenue cycle center of excellence to better drive successful technology integration tactics.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.