Up-and-comers in health IT and revenue cycle management are stepping into key leadership roles, driving innovation in organizational strategy, financial performance and care delivery.
These forward-thinking leaders bring fresh ideas that are making a powerful impact across hospitals, health systems and healthcare companies. With a strong understanding of today’s healthcare landscape, they are helping to shape the future of healthcare and propel their organizations toward continued growth.
Note: Becker’s Healthcare developed this list based on nominations and editorial research. This list is not exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement of included leaders, organizations or associated healthcare providers. Leaders cannot pay for inclusion on this list. Leaders are presented in alphabetical order. We extend a special thanks to Rhoda Weiss for her contributions to this list.
Contact Anna Falvey at afalvey@beckershealthcare.com with questions or comments.
Amy Amick. CEO of Visante (St. Paul, Minn.). Ms. Amick was appointed CEO of Visante in July 2025, bringing over 30 years of leadership experience in healthcare technology and services to the organization. Known for driving growth and operational excellence, she has a proven track record of delivering client success across high-performing teams, particularly in hospital and health system partnerships. Most recently, she served as CEO for Atlanta-based Aspirion. She joins during Visante’s continued expansion, aligning with the company’s mission to transform healthcare through pharmacy innovation and managed services across hundreds of hospitals. Under her leadership, the company aims to strengthen its commitment to enabling operational and financial performance through specialized infusion and specialty pharmacy solutions. As CEO, she will continue to bolster the company’s executive team across legal, finance, HR, and sales to support scalable growth and deepen its strategic advisory capabilities.
David Angelone. Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer for MacroHealth (Kirkland, Wash.). Mr. Angelone, co-founder and chief commercial officer of MacroHealth, has over 25 years of experience in the health insurance and technology industries. He co-founded MacroHealth in 2017 with a mission to streamline healthcare by helping payers navigate a complex network of 2.4 million care sites and 11,000 provider networks. Under his leadership, the company’s platform has served over 3 million commercial members and facilitated $2.5 billion in healthcare transactions, achieving a 16% average reduction in healthcare spending for payers. Mr. Angelone has also ensured compliance with key regulations like the No Surprises Act and Transparency in Coverage rules, promoting greater transparency in healthcare pricing. Additionally, he has spearheaded efforts to modernize outdated DEI technology, enhancing efficiency and improving patient outcomes.
Miles Barr. Chief Technology Officer for RLDatix (Chicago). Mr. Barr leads global engineering for RLDatix, advancing the company’s mission of safer healthcare through strategic technology innovation. A former engineering leader at Google and WhatsApp, Mr. Barr brings a breadth of experience in wearables, app development and software as a service to his current role, where he drives the development of next-generation patient safety platforms. He has significantly scaled RLDatix’s international tech teams while maintaining a culture of collaboration and innovation. Under his leadership, RLDatix supports more than 6,000 customers in 22 countries, providing tools that drive clinical performance and operational resilience. Mr. Barr is known for taking ideas from concept to market with precision, ensuring that solutions improve both user experience and measurable health outcomes. As CTO, he aims to position RLDatix as a global leader in connected healthcare technology.
Mandi Benefield. Director of Central Billing Office Management Support for BayCare Health System (Clearwater, Fla.). Ms. Benefield, a key leader at BayCare Health System, oversees systems, training and data integrity for the patient financial solutions division and various clinical departments. She ensures the efficient execution of policy and procedure, system standardization and automation across hospitals, medical groups and ambulatory services. Under her leadership, BayCare has implemented several revenue cycle systems, streamlined training and improved patient billing processes, enhancing both financial operations and patient experience. Ms. Benefield’s efforts in automation have optimized workflows, reducing manual tasks and redeploying 52 team members to new roles. Her team of 80 has successfully trained over 2,400 employees, contributing to strong financial performance, including a 101.5% net revenue collection rate and maintaining an average of 38 days in accounts receivable. Ms. Benefield brings over 20 years of experience to the role.
Brandon Burnett. Vice President of Revenue Cycle for Community Health System (Fresno, Calif.). Mr. Burnett has led a dramatic financial transformation at Community Health System, where his leadership reduced accounts receivable days from 65 to 38 and generated over $85 million in new revenue in 2024 alone. With more than two decades of revenue cycle experience, ranging from frontline admissions to executive leadership, Mr. Burnett brings both strategic vision and practical insight to his role. His 2024 systemwide transformation emphasized sustainable, team-driven improvements that yielded long-term value and reduced avoidable adjustments by more than $26 million. He also serves as president-elect of Healthcare Financial Management Association of Northern California, where he contributes to industrywide advancement. Under his leadership, the system was recognized with Huron’s “Revenue Cycle Excellence Award” for 2025.
Laura Burrill. Director of Revenue Cycle Management for KVC Health Systems (Olathe, Kan.). Ms. Burrill leverages data-driven strategy to deliver results in revenue cycle management across KVC Health Systems’ behavioral healthcare network. She has improved accounts receivable, enhanced payer negotiations and optimized workflows by integrating cross-functional insights from the clinical, finance and operations teams. In addition to her healthcare leadership, Ms. Burrill is the founder and CEO of Pinnacle Performance Strategies, a nonprofit empowering individuals through coaching, public speaking and her bestselling book Unyielding. Her podcast, The Comeback Code, reaches thousands with evidence-based strategies for personal and professional resilience. Ms. Burrill’s unique ability to unify financial performance with mission-driven purpose has made her a trusted mentor, innovator and changemaker in both healthcare and community development.
William Chan. CEO and Co-Founder of Iodine Software (Austin, Texas). Mr. Chan has led Iodine Software to the forefront of healthcare AI by developing predictive and intelligent tools that dramatically enhance clinical documentation and revenue cycle outcomes. Under his leadership, the company achieved “unicorn status”, meaning the privately-owned company is valued at over $1 billion. The company now serves over 1,000 hospitals and health systems with tools that have improved denial review speed by 63% and delivered a reimbursement impact exceeding $2.3 billion in 2024 alone. Mr. Chan’s expertise in AI, natural language processing and clinical intelligence has driven solutions like “AwarePreBill” and “Appeals Management Workspace”, enabling providers to anticipate denials and safeguard revenue. His models, grounded in the Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists best practices, support 600,000 admissions monthly and have generated over 1.5 billion medical concepts and 93 million diagnoses. Mr. Chan previously co-founded Crimson, a data analytics and business intelligence software company, and held previous leadership roles at companies that specialize in enterprise healthcare technology.
Sandhya Chandrasekhar. Assistant Vice President of Enterprise Analytics and Data Engineering for Memorial Hermann Health System (Houston). Ms. Chandrasekhar is assistant vice president of enterprise analytics at Memorial Hermann Health System, where she oversees one of the nation’s most robust data modernization efforts. She led analytics for major EHR migrations and health system mergers, supporting over 100 care locations while promoting self-service data access and decision-making across the enterprise. Through her initiatives, over 50,000 employees have received analytics literacy training, fostering a culture of data fluency systemwide. Her work has been featured at national conferences, and she mentors globally through the Healthcare Data & Analytics Association and Women Who Code. Recognized as a “Global Data Power Woman” by CDO Magazine in 2023, Ms. Chandrasekhar pairs technical depth with strategic vision to create a smarter, faster and more responsive health system.
Angela Confoey. Chief Revenue Officer and Senior Vice President of Revenue Cycle Operations at UMass Memorial Health (Worcester, Mass.). Ms. Confoey leads a team of more than 850 employees and oversees all aspects of the revenue cycle across UMass Memorial Health. Under her direction, the organization has achieved “Epic Gold Stars Level 10” for four consecutive years, thanks in part to patient-centered digital innovations like mobile payments, price estimates and self-service scheduling tools. She played a pivotal role in navigating the Change Healthcare cyberattack by launching a new clearinghouse platform in under four weeks, a task that typically takes a year, ensuring continuity of cash flow. She also championed the implementation of “Smarter DX”, an AI platform that scans 100% of inpatient charts to identify missed documentation opportunities, significantly improving coding accuracy and reimbursement. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she transitioned the entire revenue cycle workforce to remote status in just one week while enhancing productivity.
Catherine “Katie” Corl-Cox. Senior Director of Coding at Advantum Health (Louisville, Ky.). Ms. Corl-Cox directs coding operations at Advantum Health, where she has built a strong quality assurance framework that ensures regulatory compliance, coding accuracy, and revenue integrity. She has assembled a high-performing team and developed educational initiatives that improve documentation quality and provider engagement. Ms. Corl-Cox proactively leads clinical documentation improvement training and onsite education, strengthening client relationships and reducing denials. Her cross-functional collaboration supports strategic decision-making and operational efficiency. She serves on several internal leadership committees and plays a key role in system enhancements and policy development. Ms. Corl-Cox is known for her practical approach to complex coding standards and her lasting contributions to compliance and process excellence.
Melanie Cox. Assistant Director of RCM Operations for Advantum Health (Louisville, Ky.). As assistant director of RCM operations, Ms. Cox plays a crucial role in supporting her teams and ensuring the smooth operation of Advantum’s services. She manages three teams of 27 people, regularly holding client and team meetings, reviewing data to resolve revenue cycle issues, and monitoring processes to enhance efficiency. Additionally, she assists the vice president of operations in preparing for executive meetings and presentations. She also leads special projects, including Advantum’s Go Green committee, and helps develop future leaders within the company. Her leadership has driven significant improvements, including reducing one client’s accounts receivable by $3 million and resolving process issues for another, boosting their collections within two months.
Jill Cuckler. Director, Chargemaster and Managed Care Decision Support for BayCare Health System (Clearwater, Fla.). Ms. Cuckler has played a pivotal role in BayCare Health System’s financial and operational success since 2006. Her team of 30 handles chargemaster functions, revenue integrity, pricing transparency and contract modeling. She ensures revenue optimization through appropriate charge capture and works closely with leadership and IT teams during system implementations. She has been instrumental in leading projects such as the RevElate system implementation and systemwide registration upgrades.
Patrick R. Curtin. System Vice President of Revenue Cycle for North Country Healthcare (Whitefield, N.H.). Mr. Curtin is system vice president of revenue cycle, charged with optimizing revenue cycle operations across healthcare sites, including critical access hospitals and a Federally Qualified Health Center. He manages billing, collections and payment processes, while negotiating favorable contracts and Medicaid plans to maximize reimbursement. Overseeing teams in health information management, patient access and patient financial services, Mr. Curtin fosters a culture of teamwork and growth. His leadership was crucial during a cyberattack on North Country Healthcare, where he quickly established a new clearinghouse, enabling claims processing to resume within 16 days.
Christopher Dahl. Executive Director of Clinical and Revenue Cycle Applications for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Buffalo, N.Y.). Mr. Dahl’s vision, collaboration, technical expertise and leadership are instrumental for efficient operations, positive patient experiences and research innovation at the pioneering Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. His work to implement numerous patient access, scheduling, revenue cycle and full-suite clinical applications supports high-quality patient care and translational oncology research. Having first joined Roswell Park in 2014, his recent focuses include reimagining clinic standardization and helping to pilot enterprise AI-based speech recognition. Mr. Dahl has led the team that delivered integrations for an algorithm-based scheduling solution for infusion therapy clinics, and is currently collaborating with physician-researchers to deploy innovative medical technologies enabling non-excision dermatologic biopsies.
Abel Delgado. Director of Revenue Cycle Training and Quality Systems at Boston Medical Center. Mr. Delgado leads Boston Medical Center’s Epic education and training optimization efforts, managing onboarding, performance improvement and quality assurance programs across all revenue cycle departments. He has spearheaded the point of service collections program, embedding workflow coaching into onboarding. His regional educational laboratories and sexual orientation and gender identity training initiatives have reinforced the organization’s health equity mission and supported compliance with the MassHealth health equity incentive waiver. Mr. Delgado is currently leading the training integration for newly acquired hospitals, and has restructured his team to focus on technical training and process improvement. He introduced innovations such as AI voiceovers and ServiceNow-based tracking, improving the scale and effectiveness of education delivery. Mr. Delgado’s work has earned departmental and individual recognition, including the system’s “Be Exceptional” award.
Nicholas DeMaio. Vice President of Revenue Operations for Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare. Since joining Hartford HealthCare in 2024, Mr. DeMaio has rapidly emerged as a transformative leader in revenue cycle performance and innovation. He led the design and implementation of the “Revenue Cycle 2.0 Opportunity Summary”, an initiative projected to deliver substantial net new revenue over three years. His forward-thinking leadership catalyzed a divisionwide reorganization, the creation of a new innovation-focused director role, and the integration of automation technologies like robotic process automation bots and a clearinghouse overhaul. Mr. DeMaio also introduced a systemwide revenue cycle dashboard, harmonized job structures and ensured competitive compensation, creating a cohesive, metrics-driven culture. With a background in performance improvement at Huron Consulting, he brings both consulting acumen, operational savvy, and an ability to align people, process and technology.
Joe Farr, BSN, RN. Director of Information Systems at King’s Daughters Medical Center (Brookhaven, Miss.). Mr. Farr, recently promoted to director of information systems at King’s Daughters Medical Center in 2023, has over 20 years of experience in healthcare technology and clinical leadership. Previously, he served as physician systems coordinator, where he played a key role in EHR implementation. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr. Farr led the adoption of a mobile nursing solution, streamlining workflows and improving communication between nurses and physicians. His leadership resulted in significant time savings, with the nursing solution saving over 100 clinician hours in six months and increasing user satisfaction scores. A registered nurse by training, Mr. Farr’s deep clinical knowledge has been instrumental in advancing the medical center’s use of technology, enhancing both patient care and staff efficiency.
Joseph Favata. Global Chief Marketing Officer of ADEC Innovations (Conklin, N.Y.). At ADEC Innovations, Mr. Favata has redefined how healthcare operations are positioned, shifting the company’s healthcare arm from a transactional vendor to a strategic partner focused on resilience and outcomes. He brings operational fluency to marketing leadership, translating the complexities of healthcare, sustainability and digital transformation into clear narratives that resonate with audiences. His deep knowledge of the revenue cycle, from provider enrollment to account receivable strategy, allows him to create messaging that is both strategic and grounded in operational reality. As the incoming 2025-26 president of Healthcare Financial Management Association Empire New York, and with multiple national awards under his belt, he contributes greatly to the industry overall.
Carel Fernandez. Account Manager at Advantum Health (Louisville, Ky.). Ms. Fernandez leads one of the largest accounts at Advantum Health, a large orthopedic practice in the southeastern U.S., focusing on driving revenue growth, ensuring provider satisfaction and meeting key performance indicators. She oversees a team of 30 associates, ensuring they deliver on client objectives while collaborating with various departments to meet client needs. Notably, she implemented metrics that boosted second quarter 2024 collections, directly improving Advantum’s revenue. Her efforts in addressing provider concerns and reducing accounts receivable have significantly reduced complaints and enhanced overall client satisfaction.
Mea Ford. System Vice President of Revenue Cycle at Renown Health (Reno, Nev.). Bringing an extensive background in public administration and public policy to her role as system vice president of revenue cycle, Ms. Ford and her team work to improve the patient customer journey, from registration and billing to claims management and collections. Partnering to educate physicians on coding and records changes, her team has enhanced clinical documentation and accuracy, streamlined billing processes and reduced claim denials to recover millions in denied revenue. By improving charge capture and ensuring timely payments through strategic payer partnerships, she has helped improve organizational financial performance. An early adopter of health IT, AI and data analytics for charge capture, she has driven operational improvements and boosted Renown’s solid balance sheet metrics. Thanks in part to Ms. Ford’s work, the system’s overall business performance has rebounded significantly over the past year, with approximately two-thirds of all patients in the northern Nevada community seeking care at Renown.
Donna Fortson. Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at WellSpan Health (York, Pa.). Ms. Fortson, senior vice president and chief revenue officer at WellSpan Health, oversees the financial management of patient care services, encompassing the entire revenue cycle process. Her role includes coding, revenue integrity, customer service, analytics, and managing billing and collections. By collaborating closely with physician advisors and case management, Ms. Fortson ensures that financial operations align with the organization’s mission of high-quality patient care while adhering to regulatory standards. Prior to her current position, she was WellSpan Health’s vice president of revenue cycle. Before that, she led revenue cycle efforts at several notable organizations, including Ellicott City, Md.-based Lorein Health Services and Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health Care.
Ashley Foster. Executive Director of Revenue Cycle Applications at MemorialCare (Fountain Valley, Calif.). Leading teams across 10 applications, Ms. Foster is responsible for implementing strategic and operational programs to optimize and advance revenue integrity, patient access, and managed care applications and workflows. Initially hired to help implement managed care workflows onto the EHR, she is now working to increase automation, reduce waste and align system workflows with long-term, maintainable and scalable goals. She oversees various programs aimed at increasing MemorialCare’s application maturity, efficiency and strategic goals. As a key implementation leader, she has worked closely with information systems health system teams, vendors, users and executives to facilitate enterprisewide transitions to advanced platforms. With a goal of increasing revenue opportunities, she has helped establish several revenue cycle-specific savings programs with significant results. Recently, she was appointed application and administrative oversight of the “Community Connect” program, which links community physicians and clinics to MemorialCare for a shared EHR, support and infrastructure experience. Throughout her 11 years at MemorialCare, she has continued to advance revenue cycle applications, has been recognized internally for five consecutive years as an engaged leader, and presents her work at national conferences.
Keith Fulmer. Chief Technology Information Officer for Brundage Group (St. Petersburg, Fla.). Mr. Fulmer, chief technology information officer of Brundage Group, leverages over two decades of healthcare and technology expertise to enhance patient outcomes and support hospital clients. His role focuses on developing innovative strategies that streamline service delivery, allowing hospitals to thrive in their communities. In an era of rapid technological advancement, particularly with AI, he emphasizes “skill stacking” to foster creativity and innovation among his teams. His key objectives include providing world-class technology to clients, continuously innovating through client feedback and nurturing talent within the organization. Under his leadership, Brundage Group has experienced significant growth, named the No. 1 “Best Place to Work in Tampa Bay” for the second time in 2024. By integrating cutting-edge tools like AI into healthcare operations, Mr. Fulmer is committed to helping hospitals navigate challenges while maintaining high-quality service delivery.
Michael Gao, MD. CEO and Co-Founder for SmarterDx (New York City). Dr. Gao, CEO and co-founder of SmarterDx, and co-founder Joshua Geleris, MD, created clinical AI that reviews 100% of patient charts, ensuring accuracy and helping hospitals recover millions in revenue while improving quality of care scores. Leveraging his background as a hospitalist and medical director for transformation at New York City-based NewYork-Presbyterian, he helped develop AI algorithms to replicate clinical reasoning, addressing the challenges of dense data and complex care that overwhelm traditional chart reviews. Since its inception in 2020, SmarterDx has expanded its services to over 50 health systems, with clients reporting an average of $2.5 million in realized net new revenue per 10,000 patient discharges. Recognized with numerous industry awards and outstanding client reviews by KLAS Research, SmarterDx hospital partners achieve a 5:1 return on investment starting day one. In addition to his role at SmarterDx, Dr. Gao continues to practice as a hospitalist, dedicating time each month to patient care.
Julie Gervais. Vice President of Product and Solutions Management for Lumeris (St. Louis and Cambridge, Mass.). Ms. Gervais leads the strategy behind Lumeris’ “Tom” platform, building AI-powered solutions that support primary care providers and patients through decision support and patient engagement. She has a talent for translating complex healthcare challenges into simple, user-focused products that drive measurable outcomes. With a background in software as a service and health IT, Ms. Gervais has developed EHR-integrated applications, application programming interfaces and AI agents that enhance care quality and operational efficiency. She is lauded for her ability to build high-performing teams and mentor emerging talent while also delivering results that consistently elevate patient care. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to innovation, value-based care and scalable, impactful technology.
Breanda Goralski. Vice President of Applications at BayCare Health System (Clearwater, Fla.). Ms. Goralski leads the strategic oversight of over 350 clinical, financial and administrative software applications at BayCare Health System, managing large-scale technology initiatives aligned with organizational priorities. She is responsible for application performance, security and integration, spearheading innovations that improve care delivery, operational efficiency and the patient experience. Ms. Goralski has guided the consolidation of enterprise registration and scheduling systems and managed a $110 million IT operational budget. A 22-year veteran of the health system, she has risen through the ranks due to her ability to lead diverse cross-functional teams and align technology with strategic goals.
Lynda Gorken. Vice President of Patient Financial Services at BayCare Health System (Clearwater, Fla.). Ms. Gorken leads BayCare Health System’s patient financial services division, overseeing billing, collections, financial counseling and customer service operations across hospitals, outpatient centers and physician practices. She has implemented advanced revenue cycle technologies that improved billing accuracy, reduced denials and enhanced patient satisfaction. Her team has expanded financial assistance programs and improved billing transparency, promoting access to care and equity. Ms. Gorken’s leadership has been especially impactful during times of regulatory change and public health crises. She collaborates with clinical and administrative teams to align financial strategies with the system’s mission of high-quality, compassionate care. Under her guidance, BayCare has earned national recognition for financial stewardship, workplace excellence and patient experience.
William A. Gress, RN, BSN. Director of Revenue Cycle Operations for Cottage Health (Santa Barbara, Calif.). Mr. Gress has transformed revenue cycle performance at Cottage Health by aligning clinical, financial and operational strategy through data, innovation and leadership. He redesigned the system’s utilization review program using MCG AI tools, resulting in a 94.4% improvement in Data Center Infrastructure Management compliance and a 59% drop in Code 44 volume. Under his leadership, denial rates decreased from over 22% to as low as 6%, while inpatient revenue grew by 5% due to enhanced charge capture processes. Mr. Gress also implemented technology-driven policies across billing and access teams, driving efficiency and compliance throughout the organization. As a board member for the Southern California Healthcare Financial Management Association chapter and a finalist for multiple national performance awards, his impact reaches beyond system walls. Mr. Gress also leverages clinical roots in ICU nursing.
Joseph Hafner. Vice President of Risk Adjustment for Upperline Health (Nashville, Tenn.). Mr. Hafner is the vice president of risk adjustment at Upperline Health, where he oversees the Medicare risk adjustment program to ensure accurate and efficient coding practices. His responsibilities include managing the coding team, optimizing processes and ensuring compliance with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regulations. Mr. Hafner collaborates with various departments to integrate innovative solutions like AI, which has significantly enhanced accuracy and efficiency in risk adjustment workflows. With over a decade of experience in healthcare and eight years focused on risk adjustment, he has developed comprehensive training programs to facilitate the transition to the CMS hierarchical condition category version 28 model. His leadership has led to a 40% increase in identified conditions, improving risk scores and reducing administrative burdens. Prior to joining Upperline Health, he served as director of risk adjustment at Fort Myers, Fla.-based Millennium Physician Group, where he implemented strategies that enhanced coding efficiency and accuracy.
Jenna Hagan. Vice President of Product Marketing at NextGen Healthcare (Fredericksburg, Va.). Ms. Hagan bridges healthcare operations and marketing strategy, bringing frontline clinical experience into product marketing leadership at NextGen Healthcare. She has advanced from senior specialist to vice president in under three years and has directly influenced $36 million in bookings through her product storytelling. Ms. Hagan led the NextGen “closed loop patient and provider experience” initiative and was pivotal to several key partnerships. Her efforts helped NextGen secure top Black Book and KLAS rankings, while her empathetic messaging has driven adoption across specialty and enterprise clients. A three-time President’s Club honoree and “Chad Walls Award of Distinction” recipient, Ms. Hagan also mentors rising talent and leads strategic enablement across the organization.
Nikki Harper. Division Chair of Revenue Cycle Analytics, Automation and Diversified Revenue for Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.). Ms. Harper leads a high-impact portfolio at Mayo Clinic, where she directs analytics, automation and diversified revenue operations with a focus on cost reduction and improved experiences for both patients and employees. She has spearheaded initiatives that leverage AI to streamline revenue cycle operations and enhance operational efficiency systemwide. Her leadership is deeply rooted in innovation, strategic transformation and industrywide collaboration, including her roles on the Healthcare Financial Management Association national board and as chair of the HFMA regional executive council. Over the past two years, Ms. Harper has built and refined automation and analytics teams to improve performance metrics while fostering readiness for technological change. She specializes in mentoring rising leaders and championing future-forward solutions.
Tammy Hawes. Founder and CEO of Virsys12 (Brentwood, Tenn.). Ms. Hawes, CEO and founder of Virsys12, has successfully led the company since its inception in 2011, driving significant growth and innovation in healthcare technology. In 2023, Virsys12 was recognized as one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies. The company’s flagship applications, V12 Network and V12 Provider Data Engine, streamline provider lifecycle and network management, addressing inefficiencies in onboarding, credentialing and contracting processes. Under Ms. Hawes’ leadership, the company has adeptly navigated complex initiatives like the No Surprises act and pricing transparency, while ensuring strong returns on investment for clients. With strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, he has led Virsys12 in transforming provider data management.
Erin Hodson. Vice President of Revenue Cycle for Inova (Fairfax, Va.). In just one year as vice president of revenue cycle at Inova Health, Ms. Hodson has led sweeping change across five hospitals and Inova’s medical group, building alignment among previously siloed departments. Despite being new to the revenue cycle field, she orchestrated a high-impact collaboration with healthcare management consulting company Impact Advisors, driving approximately $100 million in net revenue gains through denial management, accounts receivable reduction and hierarchical condition category recapture. She has championed data-driven improvements in coding, billing and patient access. Her keen interest in workflow optimization and exploration of AI and Epic-based solutions has allowed her to streamline processes and elevate productivity across the board.
Kenneth Hogue. Chief Revenue Officer for United Health Services (Binghamton, N.Y.). As chief revenue officer at United Health Services, Mr. Hogue leads a comprehensive strategy for optimizing every stage of the revenue cycle, from hospital access to patient engagement, billing and compliance. His leadership has helped elevate UHS’s performance, supported by a strong ethical foundation and a pursuit of operational excellence. Beyond his day-to-day responsibilities, he serves as national chair of RCM Innovators and a board member of Healthcare Financial Management Association, influencing the conversation surrounding revenue cycle management at the national level. His experience spans top organizations including Pittsburgh-based UPMC and McKesson RCM, where he consistently demonstrated a talent for transforming revenue cycle systems.
Rose Howard. Director of Business Development at Advantum Health (Louisville, Ky.). Ms. Howard leads business development across all of Advantum’s service lines, managing a national pipeline of healthcare organizations and championing a sales culture grounded in trust and long-term partnerships. She is known for simplifying complex conversations and translating operational needs into tailored solutions that resonate with diverse stakeholders. Ms. Howard has played a key role in expanding the company’s presence across verticals such as urology, gastroenterology, behavioral health and orthopedics. Internally, she strengthens business development operations through onboarding tools, structured sales processes, and close collaboration with operations and implementation teams. Her follow-through extends beyond acquisition, ensuring smooth transitions and high client satisfaction. Ms. Howard’s leadership has sharpened Advantum’s go-to-market strategy and enhanced its reputation for quality, responsiveness and transparency.
Trish Jones. System Director of Information Technology Revenue Cycle Applications for Saint Francis Health System (Tulsa, Okla.). Ms. Jones oversees critical support and applications for business and registration functions at Saint Francis Health System, managing 21 Epic analysts in the process. She is responsible for several key systems, including Epic for billing, Cadence for scheduling, and Prelude for registration. Notably, she played a crucial role in the successful integration of multiple facilities into the Epic system, including Oklahoma State University Medical Center in 2018 and Tulsa Bone and Joint in 2024. She has also been instrumental in launching new initiatives such as the Lifestyle Medicine Clinic and the VA Health Exchange, improving patient medication management in collaboration with Laureate Psychiatric Clinic. Under her leadership, the health system recently implemented digital registration via MyChart and expanded open scheduling, significantly enhancing patient experience. Ms. Jones has been with Saint Francis since 1996, steadily advancing in roles of increasing responsibility.
Thomas Kelly, MD. CEO and Co-Founder of Heidi Health (Melbourne, Australia). Dr. Kelly, a former vascular surgeon turned health tech innovator, founded Heidi Health to alleviate the administrative burden that once limited his own clinical practice. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a fast-scaling startup, supporting over 1.8 million patient interactions weekly across 50 countries and 200 specialties. The company’s AI scribe technology generates high-quality clinical notes, referral letters and patient assessments, freeing clinicians to focus more on care and less on paperwork. In a recent U.S. pilot, 76% of 1,000 providers adopted the technology within six months, with 84% reporting reduced documentation time. Dr. Kelly has raised $26 million in funding and continues to expand internationally, positioning the company as a global leader in clinician-first AI solutions.
Steve Kos. Senior Director of Revenue Cycle Application Support and EHR Access for Baptist Health (Jacksonville, Fla.). Mr. Kos serves as the senior director of revenue cycle application support and EHR access for Baptist Health, leading a technical team that manages critical functions such as patient flow, scheduling and revenue integrity across six hospitals and numerous patient access points. Since joining in May 2022, he has been instrumental in the successful enterprisewide implementation of the EHR system and has overseen multiple upgrades, stabilizing front-end and back-end revenue cycle operations within months. Mr. Kos has enhanced charge capture and improved payment variance, while also reducing staffing needs through the implementation of prior authorization optimization. His leadership has resulted in project implementations aimed at improving patient experience and operational efficiency, earning Baptist Health recognition as a top quartile performing revenue cycle support team within the Epic community. He has earned accolades for automation initiatives that save hundreds of hours weekly.
Howard Kung. Senior Director of Revenue Integrity for Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.). Mr. Kung has elevated the role of revenue integrity at Mayo Clinic from a compliance checkpoint to a strategic, value-generating function deeply embedded in clinical operations. By integrating predictive analytics and automation tools into mid-cycle processes, he proactively addresses revenue leakage, documentation gaps and compliance risks, thus improving accuracy and financial outcomes. He has restructured the revenue integrity model to include real-time collaboration with clinical service lines, embedding finance professionals directly within care teams. Under his guidance, Mayo Clinic has not only improved charge capture accuracy but also strengthened clinician engagement and patient satisfaction. His leadership extends nationally as a fellow of both the Healthcare Financial Management Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives, a board member for key industry organizations and a mentor to rising healthcare professionals.
Kito Lord, MD. Senior Medical Director and Physician Advisor at Regional One Health (Memphis, Tenn.). Dr. Lord leads revenue cycle optimization, EHR governance and clinical documentation at Regional One Health, blending clinical expertise with strategic informatics. He recovered over $35 million by revamping peer-to-peer reviews and boosted coding and documentation accuracy across departments. His work on the 2023 evaluation and management changes resulted in a 21% revenue increase for hospitalists and 34% for trauma surgeons. Dr. Lord co-founded the hospital’s physician advisory group, aligning IT workflows with frontline needs and reducing alert fatigue. As an educator and principal investigator, he champions innovation in precision medicine, leading one of the largest adult genomic biorepositories in the region.
Roxana Lupu, MD. Chief Medical Information Officer at Sanford Health (Sioux Falls, S.D). Dr. Lupu, a hospitalist and executive in clinical informatics at the nation’s largest rural health system, is board certified in internal medicine. She leads a team of five physician informaticists from multiple different specialties, whose work enhances the clinician experience through decision support tools, team-based care, clinician education and the optimization of workflows. She has overseen the successful integration of several AI tools, which serve to improve efficiencies in the EHR and standardize procedures that reduce extraneous work for clinical staff. Under her leadership, Sanford Health launched an AI pilot to categorize patient-initiated messages that may be related to prescription refills, scheduling or form completion. The new tool will help reduce inbox workload for clinicians and allow them to better focus on clinical and urgent messages that require their expertise and immediate attention.
Jeannine Mages. Vice President of Clinical Revenue Cycle for Kaleida Health (Buffalo, N.Y.). At Kaleida Health, Ms. Mages leads with data, innovation and clinical alignment, bringing significant value to the health system’s revenue cycle operations. She introduced AI-powered tools that uncovered $4.17 million in potential savings through improved inpatient vs. observation status decisions in just two months. Ms. Mages is widely recognized as an industry thought leader, having shared her strategies at forums such as the MCG Client Forum and HealthLeaders’ revenue cycle webinar series. Her responsibilities span health information management, clinical documentation, diagnosis related group denials, utilization review and physician advisor oversight, positioning her as a key conduit between clinical care and financial performance. Her leadership fosters insight-driven collaboration between payers and providers through proprietary dashboards and real-time analytics.
Ashish Mandavia, MD. Co-founder & CEO of Sohar Health (New York City). Dr. Mandavia, a trained psychiatrist turned healthcare entrepreneur, is revolutionizing front-end revenue cycle management through AI-powered automation at Sohar Health. Under his leadership, the software company developed an application programming interface-based eligibility system that delivers sub-30-second insurance verification with 99% accuracy, slashing processing time and increasing patient conversion rates. Having previously participated in the Y Combinator accelerator program, Dr. Mandavia launched “Discovery,” a tool that identifies insurance data using just four data points, improving claims accuracy and reducing verification costs by 90%. His work bridges behavioral health and technology, serving major clients like Talkiatry and BetterHelp while scaling sustainable digital front doors for care. He leverages a background spanning strategy consulting at Simon-Kucher and executive leadership at virtual clinic Pelago.
Todd Manion. Chair of Medical Records Coding, Revenue Integrity, Provider Education and Outpatient Clinical Documentation Improvement for Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.). At Mayo Clinic, Mr. Manion oversees coding, revenue integrity, provider education and outpatient documentation. He has spearheaded the integration of AI into Mayo Clinic’s mid-revenue cycle operations, introducing intelligent coding tools and predictive analytics to enhance compliance, accuracy and billing timeliness. Under his guidance, cross-functional collaboration between clinical and administrative teams has improved evaluation and management leveling and reduced documentation-related delays. He actively involves frontline teams in shaping systems and fosters shared ownership in continuous improvement. His leadership has been pivotal in driving national recognition for Mayo’s revenue cycle excellence while aligning technology with the organization’s core values. He brings deep experience from his time at Deloitte and wields strong strategic influence through committee roles.
Robynn Market. Revenue Cycle Analytics Manager for Ochsner Health (New Orleans). Ms. Market oversees denial analytics at Ochsner, focusing on underpayment recovery, commercial recovery audit contractor facilitation, and payer policy review. Her role involves not just reporting denials, but also collaborating with payers to resolve system issues in the claims process. By leading process improvement initiatives and connecting payer policies with denials, she works closely with hospital administrators and department managers to enhance financial outcomes and minimize future denials. With expertise in data mining and business intelligence tools, Ms. Market transforms raw data into actionable insights, promoting a data-driven culture throughout the organization. She emphasizes predictive analytics to anticipate payer trends and operational challenges, ensuring Ochsner remains proactive in its strategies. Under her leadership, the analytics team focuses on storytelling with data, all while maintaining high employee engagement scores.
Tim McDonald, MD, JD. Chief Patient Safety and Risk Officer for RLDatix (Chicago). Dr. McDonald is a nationally renowned physician-attorney whose dual expertise in medicine and law has redefined how healthcare systems approach safety, risk and transparency. As chief patient safety and risk officer at RLDatix, he has helped over 800 hospitals implement the “CANDOR” toolkit, a groundbreaking framework for resolving patient harm events. Dr. McDonald’s leadership has resulted in measurable improvements in safety scores, staff morale and culture of accountability across countless organizations. His influence has shaped RLDatix’s software offerings, enabling hospitals to embed empathy, equity and learning into their operations. A TEDx speaker and recipient of multiple awards, he also teaches law at Loyola University and advises national programs on peer support and harm response.
Jeff Mincher. Senior Vice President of Revenue Cycle at Texas Health Resources (Arlington, Texas). At the helm of revenue cycle for Texas Health Resources, Mr. Mincher oversees a massive, multi-hospital ecosystem while delivering standout performance on key performance indicators, cash collection, accounts receivable and cost-to-collect metrics. He spearheaded financial platform implementations for urgent care and hospital at home programs, and is actively integrating hospital and physician billing to create a seamless revenue cycle. His leadership philosophy centers on compassion and ethics, with a focus on halting medical debt reporting to credit agencies and preventing legal action for unpaid balances. His work with AI and predictive modeling has propelled Texas Health Resources to national acclaim, earning top spots on Fortune, Newsweek and Forbes lists for top workplaces. Mr. Mincher also serves on national Healthcare Financial Management Association committees.
Dushyant Mishra. Founder and CEO of RapidClaims (New York City). In just two years, Mr. Mishra has built RapidClaims into one of the fastest-growing AI-powered healthcare RCM platforms in the country, with multi-million-dollar annual recurring revenue and clients across eleven states. His team’s innovations include real-time large language models for denial detection, dynamic payer rules engines and human-in-the-loop oversight. These have cut denial rates by up to 42% and shortened accounts receivable by 18 days. Mr. Mishra’s approach blends technical fluency, clinical empathy and business savvy, steering the company through rapid growth while maintaining a lean, high-performing team. He leads everything from investor relations and product design to cultural development and AI governance, making him a rare, full-spectrum leader in digital health. He has earned industry recognition from Frost & Sullivan, Black Book and Forbes for his transformative influence in RCM technology and for reimagining denial prevention as a live, collaborative experience.
Meghan Mouser. Vice President of Product Management and Revenue Cycle for Kipu Health (Coral Gables, Fla.). Ms. Mouser is a healthcare policy expert focused on creating technology solutions that help providers comply with state and federal regulations while simultaneously enhancing patient care experiences. In her current role as vice president of product management, revenue cycle for Kipu Health, Ms. Mouser oversees revenue cycle product development and implementation specifically for behavioral health services. She is committed to bridging the gap between regulatory compliance and effective service delivery. Her background as a school counselor lends her unique insight into the needs of behavioral health providers.
Joseph Nedbal. Director of Customer Experience, Payment Journey for Baylor Scott & White Health (Dallas). Mr. Nedbal is upgrading the healthcare payment experience at Baylor Scott & White by blending customer-centered design with digital innovation and enterprise strategy. He has led the development of intuitive payment pathways, including two-way pay-by-text functionality and enhanced billing navigation tools that improve patient understanding and increase engagement. By uniting IT, revenue cycle and service teams, Mr. Nedbal has created a seamless, data-informed financial journey that simplifies complex processes and increases transparency. His approach to bill pay redesign has established new benchmarks for patient satisfaction and digital adoption in healthcare finance. Previously a senior leader at Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic, he now mentors future healthcare leaders as an adjunct professor at UT Dallas, further extending his influence.
Lisa Nelson. Fractional Chief Technical Officer at DirectTrust (Washington, D.C.). Ms. Nelson drives technical strategy for DirectTrust, with a focus on evolving standards for secure messaging, Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources and digital health trust frameworks. With over 25 years of experience, she has led SMART on FHIR integrations, developed registries and co-authored national standards for digital records. A pioneer in patient-authored data, she is a founding member of Health Level Seven’s clinical document architecture management group and currently serves as its co-chair. Ms. Nelson has championed patient health literacy and served in executive roles across health IT organizations. Her work has earned her the HL7 “Volunteer of the Year” award.
Charles R. Novinskie. Assistant Vice President of Technology Infrastructure at Intermountain Health (Salt Lake City). Mr. Novinskie serves as the assistant vice president of infrastructure technology at Intermountain Health. He leads the team responsible for maintaining all critical technologies within the health system. With nearly 20 years of experience at the health system, he has developed a deep understanding of its technological needs. He stepped into his current role in January 2023, where he focuses on ensuring the reliability and efficiency of technology systems that support healthcare operations.
Nick Perry. CEO and Co-Founder of Candid Health (New York City). Mr. Perry is reengineering revenue cycle management from the ground up, bringing the discipline of systems engineering and a “data-first, AI-second” philosophy to Candid Health. As CEO and co-founder, he has scaled the RCM company to serve over 200 provider organizations while maintaining touchless claim rates above 95% and 250% year-over-year growth. Mr. Perry previously led healthcare at software company Palantir Technologies, where he learned the critical importance of robust data architecture in solving complex problems. In his current role, he applies that insight to reduce administrative waste and build resilient, scalable solutions that actually work in the real world. With nearly $100 million in venture funding and recognition from MedTech Breakthrough as a “best RCM solution” in 2025, Mr. Perry aims to return time, trust and financial sustainability to providers.
Katelin Popma. Director of the Project Management Office at Advantum Health (Louisville, Ky.). Ms. Popma leads all client onboarding and service implementation initiatives at Advantum Health, designing structured programs that drive consistency, alignment and results across the organization. Her accomplishments include reducing client onboarding to an average of 32 days, achieving 60-day Epic implementation timelines and streamlining prior authorization workflows to a 17-day turnaround. Ms. Popma collaborated with developers to integrate AI-powered processes into medical record management, setting a new standard for operational efficiency. She also serves on multiple leadership committees within the company, where she contributes to strategic planning and process innovation.
Katherine Preska. Director of Technical Product Management at Optum Insight (Minneapolis). Ms. Preska serves as director of technical product management at Optum Insight, where she plays a strategic role in shaping enterprise-scale digital health platforms. Ms. Preska brings a sharp understanding of healthcare’s evolving technological landscape, guiding the development of scalable, secure solutions that meet user and business needs. She is known for aligning technical execution with long-term strategic objectives, fostering agility while maintaining rigorous standards. Prior to her current role, she was a senior consultant in digital transformation and has earned Google Cloud certifications in AI and large language models.
Adam Priestle. Senior Vice President of Revenue Cycle for BrightView (Cincinnati). Mr. Priestle serves as the senior vice president of revenue cycle management at BrightView, where he leads a team of financial experts to ensure the organization is reimbursed for high-quality patient care. His responsibilities encompass overseeing insurance relations, process improvement, compliance, audits and overall financial management. These functions are vital for the operation of BrightView’s 90-plus centers, which provide addiction treatment nationwide. With more than 20 years of revenue cycle experience, Mr. Priestle has been instrumental in streamlining billing and coding processes, managing claims, and fostering sustainable growth. He has been with BrightView for six years.
David Price. Executive Director of Patient Access and Financial Services at City of Hope (Duarte, Calif.). Mr. Price leads enterprisewide access and financial services for City of Hope, steering operations across four states and a $4.2 billion cancer care network. He launched and operationalized pivotal initiatives like the ambulatory care model redesign and an inpatient transfer center, improving patient flow and cutting Epic inbasket volume by over 25%. His digital front door strategy streamlined scheduling and intake, while a new copay assistance program tackled cost barriers for specialty cancer medications. Under his leadership, preventable denial rates have stayed under 2% of gross charges, supported by real-time analytics and cross-functional governance. Mr. Price also played a critical role in integrating newly acquired Boca Raton, Fla.-based Cancer Treatment Centers of America and in launching major capital projects such as outpatient care center Hope Plaza and the Orange County (Calif.) Hospital.
Srdjan Prodanovich, MD. Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer for EZDERM (Naples, Fla.). Dr. Prodanovich, a practicing dermatologist, is the founder and chief medical officer of EZDERM, a dermatology-specific EHR system. His mission is to improve the experiences of dermatologists by creating user-friendly EHR and practice management systems that enhance healthcare delivery for patients. Central to the company is the development of 3D anatomical maps of the skin, integrated into the treatment workflow, which allow for more precise diagnoses and better patient outcomes. Recognizing the importance of financial health in dermatology, Dr. Prodanovich also led the development of a robust practice management and revenue cycle management system. His contributions have significantly transformed the EHR landscape, making it more intuitive for dermatologists. Last year, he was honored with the American Academy of Dermatology’s presidential citation for his work with EZDERM.
Heidi Raines. Founder and CEO of Performance Health Partners (New Orleans). Ms. Raines has revolutionized the healthcare safety landscape through her leadership at Performance Health Partners, the “Best in KLAS” safety and compliance platform three years running. Drawing from her early experience in rural health and hospital administration, she built the company to empower both patients and care teams with health IT tools that proactively prevent harm. Under her leadership, the company achieved a 97% client retention rate and consistent double-digit annual growth, fueled by its advanced rounding and event management tools. Ms. Raines’ bestselling book, Shared Voices, amplifies the need for inclusive safety cultures and has positioned her as a national thought leader on healthcare workforce empowerment. She also created a “YouthForce” internship program to mentor underserved students in health IT and ensures that 89% of the company’s staff are women.
Danielle Reese. Vice President of Patient Access and Pre-Services for Revenue Cycle at Hackensack Meridian Health (Edison, N.J.). Ms. Reese is a revenue cycle executive who brings over two decades of leadership to her role at Hackensack Meridian Health. She oversees patient access functions across the system, including scheduling, registration, insurance verification and financial clearance, creating a seamless and compassionate front-end experience for patients. Under Ms. Reese’s guidance, the system is harmonizing operations across the network and driving innovation through automation, Epic alignment and cross-departmental collaboration. She chairs the access advisory governance committee and co-leads initiatives such as MyChart adoption and front-end denial reduction, with measurable results in patient satisfaction and financial performance. Ms. Reese began her healthcare journey at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine and has since become a widely respected leader and mentor.
Ben Scharfe. Executive Vice President of AI Initiatives for Altera Digital Health (Niagara Falls, N.Y.). Mr. Scharfe is redefining AI leadership in healthcare through his role at Altera Digital Health, where he leads AI initiatives across 10 business units and bridges infrastructure, compliance and cloud partnerships. His work has driven AI adoption in clinical documentation, including ambient listening technologies that enhance provider-patient interactions. He brings more than a decade of experience leading EHR innovation, having guided the modernization of the “TouchWorks compliance while training internal and client teams to scale AI impact. His leadership also impacts workplace culture, as he empowers organizations to confidently adopt AI in ways that enhance care delivery. Mr. Scharfe was named a 2025 “Emerging Leader” by Managed Healthcare Executive in recognition of his leadership in the digital health space.
Kristin Schwartz, RN. Director of Health Informatics at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Buffalo, N.Y.). With a deep understanding of clinical workflows, content, data, information technology solutions enablement and clinical informatics at one of the largest employers in Western New York, Ms. Schwartz oversees the strategic planning and operational delivery of the freestanding cancer center’s EHR and associated clinical integrations. She leads initiatives to standardize and optimize processes while enhancing usability, expanding interoperability adoption and assuring quality and patient safety. Ms. Schwartz spearheaded the formation of a high-performing clinical informatics and workforce training team, and collaborates closely with care providers and executive leaders to align technologies with Roswell Park’s clinical mission, patient care goals, regulatory concerns and daily needs. With over 25 years of experience in healthcare and more than eight years at Roswell Park, she is a key contributor to the culture of continual improvement and high reliability at the 127-year-old cancer center, the first facility dedicated to cancer care and research.
Lorri Sides. Vice President of Capability and Revenue Cycle Management for Optum Insight (Minneapolis). Ms. Sides is driving breakthrough advancements in autonomous medical coding as vice president of capability and RCM at Optum Insight. With clinical roots as an emergency department director and deep product management expertise, she’s uniquely positioned to align technology with operational demands. Ms. Sides is transforming how health systems manage documentation and billing, automating traditionally manual workflows to reduce errors and accelerate reimbursement. Her work bridges the gap between technical innovation and clinical usability, ensuring scalable solutions that benefit both providers and patients. Her focus is on building smarter, more resilient coding infrastructure.
Robin Sievert. Vice President of Operations for WebPT (Phoenix). Ms. Sievert is the vice president of revenue cycle management operations at WebPT, overseeing a team of 600 as well as five direct reports. Her primary focus is the implementation of efficiencies and proactive strategies, drawn from her extensive experience at Atlanta-based NextGen Healthcare, to optimize revenue collections for WebPT’s members. Her leadership has led to significant improvements in operational processes, including a reduction in claim denials and an improvement in collection times, bolstering client satisfaction and retention rates. A certified coder, she leverages her deep understanding of revenue cycle nuances to enhance workflow and reduce manual tasks through innovative technology. Additionally, she is committed to mentorship, preparing her team for future leadership roles while fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.
Lennie Sliwinski. Co-Founder and CEO of Works and Trusted Health (San Francisco). Mr. Sliwinski, co-founder and CEO of Works and Trusted Health, is leader in the field of clinical staffing. Launched in 2021, Works aims to centralize staffing operations for health systems, streamlining processes and reducing reliance on costly contingent labor. Under Sliwinski’s leadership, Trusted Health has significantly expanded, creating over half a million nurse profiles and connecting healthcare employers across all 50 states. The platform has seen remarkable growth, with Works increasing its revenue 2.5 times year-over-year by delivering flexible staffing solutions to major U.S. health systems. Mr. Sliwinski has also implemented a comprehensive, data-driven system that integrates various labor pools, improving supply-demand efficiencies in staffing management. He also automated the entire worker lifecycle on the Trusted Health platform, ultimately simplifying staffing operations and enhancing patient care.
Fernando Small, PhD. Associate Vice President, Academic Administrations for Systems, Analytics, Finance and Core Operations at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston). Dr. Small stepped into his current role in the summer of 2025. He previously served the cancer center as executive director of clinical and business solutions. He has been with the cancer center for almost 15 years in total. In his new role, he aims to bolster the information systems, analytics, finances and core administrative operations of the cancer center, its faculty and its academic community.
Patricia Smith. Director of Revenue Cycle Consulting for Synergen Health (Dallas). As director of revenue cycle consulting for Synergen Health, Ms. Smith enhances revenue cycle management for healthcare organizations, particularly ambulatory surgery centers. With over 25 years of experience in healthcare RCM and ASC operations, she provides strategic guidance to help organizations meet their revenue goals by addressing billing and coding complexities that impact denials and collections. Her background as a former CEO of a multi-specialty ASC and executive director at an ASC management company helps her leverage technology for improved operational efficiencies. Her focus on process optimization and collaboration across teams has led to notable achievements, including a 15% increase in net revenue and a 20% reduction in accounts receivable days. Additionally, her efforts have enhanced patient experience scores by 25%.
Taylor Smith. Vice President of Business Development for Brundage Group (Pinellas Park, Fla.). Mr. Smith brings clarity and strategic insight to the healthcare revenue cycle through his work as vice president of business development at Brundage Group. Working for the revenue cycle solutions and physician advisory services provider, Mr. Smith builds collaborative partnerships that improve clinical documentation, utilization management and revenue integrity outcomes across hospitals. He played a central role in launching “Certus Horizon” and “Certus Navigator”, proprietary platforms that increase transparency and optimize decision-making for healthcare leaders. He excels at translating operational challenges into actionable solutions, reducing denials and aligning clinical and financial teams for long-term impact. Internally, he’s a champion of innovation and mentorship, modeling Brundage Group’s core values of integrity, accountability and professional courage. He has helped guide a major system transformation, mentored peers and driven measurable performance gains.
Fabian A. Stone. Vice President of Revenue Cycle Operations at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Mr. Stone oversees a team of 436 full-time employees, manages a $54 million operating budget and is responsible for the hospital’s revenue cycle strategy to support $3.8 billion in net revenue. He leads initiatives aimed at optimizing CHOP’s revenue cycle, streamlining operations, and enhancing financial outcomes. Under his leadership, CHOP improved billing efficiency by 35% and worked to reduce significant insurance contract payment variances. Mr. Stone implemented 180 work queues saving the hospital 19,500 hours in combined enterprise-wide staff labor productivity. His initiatives also successfully reduced CHOP’s overall insurance denial rate by 2.1%, and improved patients’ covered hospital stays by 15%. Mr. Stone’s leadership at CHOP has led to substantial improvements in revenue cycle operations and financial outcomes, demonstrating his commitment to automation operational efficiency and financial stewardship.
Ashley Teeters. Vice President of Revenue Cycle at TMC Health (Tucson, Ariz.). Ms. Teeters has delivered measurable improvements to TMC Health’s revenue performance since joining in July 2024, including a 13-day reduction in accounts receivable and a $117 million decrease in open inventory. She has deployed AI-powered tools to streamline coding and prior authorization, helping staff focus on high-value tasks. Ms. Teeters ensures that operations scale with clinical growth as the system expands, keeping patient billing efficient and transparent. Her leadership has improved billing turnaround times, minimized administrative delays and increased patient satisfaction. She also plays an active role in national and state-level healthcare finance policy through committees with the Healthcare Financial Management Association, the National Association of Healthcare Access Management and the American Hospital Association.
Alison Temple. CEO and CFO at Texas Medical Billing Association (Fort Worth, Texas). Ms. Temple leads the Texas Medical Billing Association, where she oversees comprehensive medical billing operations for healthcare providers statewide, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely reimbursements. She manages coordination between medical offices, payers and regulatory bodies to optimize revenue cycle efficiency while maintaining adherence to HIPAA and evolving industry standards. Ms. Temple has implemented technology upgrades, enhanced staff training and minimized claim denials. In addition to her operational leadership, she serves as a patient advocate with Greater National Advocates and owns multiple businesses focused on billing, training and CPR certification. Her leadership is marked by reduced reimbursement cycles, increased client satisfaction and a deep understanding of complex payer regulations. Ms. Temple also contributes to the broader healthcare community as board treasurer of the American Academy of Professional Coders Fort Worth chapter and through national tele-advocacy efforts.
Ryan Thompson. Chief Revenue Cycle Officer at Providence (Renton, Wash.). Mr. Thompson leads people, performance and partnerships for revenue cycle throughout Providence, which spans 51 hospitals in seven states. Mr. Thompson is currently completing the transition of nearly 2,000 caregivers into the care of Providence’s strategic partner for revenue cycle services. Since joining Providence in 2022, his primary focus has been facilitating this strategic partnership, which will deliver efficiencies and state-of-the-art technologies to improve patients’ financial journeys. He provides executive leadership for the revenue cycle management team and, by extension, the 2,100 caregivers providing the retained revenue cycle services at Providence. Revenue cycle partnerships of this magnitude are unusual, and Mr. Thompson aims to leverage and maintain this arrangement to serve the Providence mission.
Mike Valli. Chief Commercial Officer at symplr (Houston). As chief commercial officer at symplr, Mr. Valli leads all revenue-driving operations, including sales, marketing and customer success, with a laser focus on helping health systems simplify and connect their operations. He has been instrumental in scaling the company’s operations platform across major healthcare organizations, streamlining administrative functions to give time back to caregivers. His leadership has directly improved customer outcomes, reducing administrative burden and elevating the value of health IT in operational performance. Prior to joining symplr, he led enterprise strategy at Optum, where he managed relationships with over 650 provider organizations and drove multi-billion-dollar deals. He has developed a strategic partnership with Cooperstown, N.Y.-based Bassett Healthcare Network and was recognized in the top 1% of leadership at Optum during his time there. He was also recognized by Business Insider in 2022 as one of 30 impactful healthcare industry leaders under 40.
Pooja P. Vyas, DO. System Vice President of Care Coordination Liaison and Physician Advisement for SSM Health (St. Louis). Dr. Vyas merges clinical credibility with operational mastery to lead care coordination, utilization management and physician advisement for multi-state SSM Health. Her health IT initiatives have reduced unnecessary hospitalizations, improved care transitions and enhanced documentation accuracy, translating directly into better patient outcomes and stronger financial performance. With a background as a hospitalist and expertise in clinical documentation improvement and denials management, Dr. Vyas brings firsthand insight into the clinical realities behind system-level decisions. She has successfully aligned physician engagement with operational targets, leading to measurable gains in Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems scores and appropriate level-of-care determinations. She is also on the board of Women in Healthcare and has earned numerous awards for her work.
Brittainy Wagner. CEO of Tidemark VA Services (Denison, Texas). Ms. Wagner leads a full-service revenue cycle management company specializing in mental health billing, with a focus on advanced treatment services. She has distinguished herself by holding payers accountable to mental health parity, Employee Retirement Income Security Act and Affordable Care Act laws, often recovering upwards of $100,000 per clinic through skillful appeals and contract negotiations. A former clinic owner and provider, Ms. Wagner leverages her dual expertise to design business models that enable sustainable growth and scalable exits for other healthcare entrepreneurs. She also serves as CEO of Mental Health Managed, a concierge service that matches patients with the most qualified mental health professionals.
Davia Ward. CEO of Healthcare Partners Consulting and Billing (Atlanta). Ms. Ward is a seasoned executive with over 37 years of experience in medical billing, leading a national firm that supports medical and mental health providers across the country. She is known for blending traditional billing expertise with modern innovations such as AI claims tools and hybrid training models. Under her leadership, the company has scaled into a multi-state operation. Ms. Ward champions second-chance hiring and leadership development, particularly for women reentering the workforce, and leads the “women thriving” initiative to cultivate internal talent. She has shared her insights on the Leaders in Medical Billing and Lessons in Leadership podcasts, emphasizing the human impact of revenue cycle work.
Taylor Webster. Head of Coding Quality for Fathom (San Francisco). As head of coding quality at Fathom, an autonomous medical coding company, Ms. Webster leads a team of expert certified coders to ensure accuracy and compliance across the company’s 50 million-plus coded encounters per year. Her multifaceted role includes partnering with client teams during onboarding, implementing continuous process improvements, managing dashboards and reporting, and overseeing routine audit programs. Ms. Webster’s expertise in improving feedback loops among coders, providers and AI systems has been instrumental in aligning departments and strengthening overall revenue cycle outcomes. Under her leadership, Fathom has partnered with dozens of health systems, physician groups and health plans to raise efficiency, accuracy and compliance standards. Her commitment to excellence in coding quality has established her as a thought leader in AI, coding and revenue cycle management.
Kathryn Ayers Wickenhauser. Chief Strategy Officer at DirectTrust (Washington, D.C.). Ms. Wickenhauser leads strategic partnerships, communications and community engagement at DirectTrust, shaping national interoperability efforts and healthcare standards. She has helped triple DirectTrust’s membership, guided its American National Standards Institute standards accreditation, and led successful integrations of SAFE Identity and Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission. Ms. Wickenhauser also launched inclusive initiatives like advisory roundtables and the “Interop Hero” campaign, broadening industry engagement. Her leadership has positioned DirectTrust as a key collaborator with federal agencies and peer organizations in advancing secure data exchange. She is also a frequent speaker, organizer and advocate for accessible, inclusive interoperability education.
Rachel Wilkes. Director of Marketing for Meditech (Canton, Mass.). Ms. Wilkes serves as the director of marketing at Meditech, overseeing corporate communications, branding, digital marketing, events and market research. She is also the executive sponsor of the company’s generative AI initiatives, ensuring these efforts support effective care delivery. With 18 years of experience in the health IT sector, Ms. Wilkes has become a strong advocate for data analytics and population health management, focusing on educating customers and developing relevant software solutions. As Meditech’s first product manager, she played a crucial role in transitioning the organization to a product-led mindset, creating strategic roadmaps that align customer needs with future market demands. Her extensive knowledge of the company’s portfolio has allowed her to craft a vision for harmonizing software features to enhance user workflows and patient experiences. Throughout her career at the company, she has shaped strategies for analytics, patient engagement, revenue cycle and financial solutions.
Solomon Wilson. Cybersecurity Program Manager at Indian Health Service (Rockville, Md.). Mr. Wilson is the architect behind the Indian Health Service’s first-ever 24/7/365 cybersecurity operations center, which he launched in under a year to protect over 2.5 million patients across more than 170 sites. He has implemented zero trust principles and machine learning-driven threat analytics to detect and neutralize threats in real time. His culturally sensitive security governance model honors tribal sovereignty while fulfilling federal mandates. Mr. Wilson also mentors a new generation of cyber professionals, championing inclusion in the federal IT space. He received the 2024 CyberScoop 50 “Visionary Award” and 2025 “Fed100 Award” from GovExec and Nextgov for his transformative work.
Jennifer Worthy. Executive Vice President of Revenue Optimization at Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (Phoenix). Ms. Worthy assumed her current role in January 2025, after serving as senior vice president of revenue cycle management at Bolingbrook, Ill.-based Therapy Partners Group for nearly a year. While there, she successfully rolled out an RCM improvement plan that enhanced credentialing, claim management, denials and vendor performance. She has also held previous revenue cycle management roles at WebPT and at hospitals and health systems. Now, at Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company, she aims to optimize revenue to drive value-based care.
