PATRICIA M - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Our Revenue Cycle Expert Supports Practices With Billing Deficiencies and Staffing Challenges

Bridget Smith Our Revenue Cycle Expert supports practices with billing deficiencies and staffing challenges.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Joint Commission of Allied

Denise is a member of the Joint Commission of Allied Health Professionals in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) and Allied Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO).

Job Titles:

• Member of American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators

Elaine Heffernan, is a former Practice Administrator in the healthcare field. She specializes in all aspects of Practice Management, Profit and Loss, Marketing, Regulatory Compliance, Operational Analysis, Electronic Medical Records, Information Technology and Process Improvement and Implementation. She has been in healthcare for more than 30 years and held leadership roles with solo practices, multi-location practices and multi-specialty groups with emphasis in Ophthalmology for more than 13 years. She is extremely self motivated, results oriented individual who works well under pressure and enjoys sharing her knowledge with everyone she works with. Elaine received her undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University, continued her education at University of Alabama with an emphasis in healthcare for special needs children. Elaine holds certificates as a Certified Medical Practice Executive from the American College of Medical Practice Executives, Certified Professional Coder from the American Academy of Professional Coders, Certified Medical Scribe from the American College of Medical Scribe Specialists and Certified Thermographic Technician from the Southeastern Neuroscience Institute. Elaine is an active member of American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators, where she has actively participated in task forces, committees, mentoring and chair of the Administrative EyeCare publication. She is also an active member of her AAPC chapter where she previously held the position of Vice President. She is a member of MGMA.

Holly Van Auken, B.A is our resident communications professional, tasked with handling our clients' sales and marketing needs. Holly started her professional career in 1991, when she began writing and taking photographs for The Virginian-Pilot newspaper. Since then, she has been published more than 600 times in The Pilot and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - both Top 100 newspapers in the U.S. In 1997, she embarked on a 16-year sales career, landing territory manager, sales training and sales management positions at a handful of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers - including three Fortune 500 companies. For the past 11 years, Holly has worked exclusively in ophthalmology and optometry practices, allowing her to learn not only about the technical side of eye care, but the business side as well. She worked with practices on everything from recruiting staff and physicians to designing practice-specific patient education tools to implementing dry eye treatment centers. Holly is available to assist practices with the design and implementation of marketing plans, set up and maintenance of social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter), special event planning (referral events and open houses) and any writing and/or photography needs (brochures, fliers, letters, web copy, publications, etc.).

Patricia began her career in accounting and finance in 1983. She discovered her professional passion when she joined an ophthalmic practice in 1992. Patricia has served in leadership roles with solo practices, multi-location practices, multi-specialty groups, hospital based groups and high volume refractive centers. She is extremely self-motivated, assertive and qualified to inspire, coach, direct and manage. Her diplomatic approach cultivates relationships, inspires goodwill and encourages collaboration which achieves sustainable transformation in most settings. Patricia holds a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Health Service Administration from Adelphi University. Patricia became a Certified Ophthalmic Executive in 2004. In addition to her business degree Patricia has earned a certification in Process Improvement through Lean Thinking from The College of William & Mary, a certification in education from Thomas Nelson Community College as well as certifications in General Bible and Evangelism from Mason Kelly Washington Religious Institute. Patricia was recently accepted into Harvard University's TH Chan School of Public Health where she is currently pursuing an Executive certification in Public Health. Patricia is active in a number of professional organizations including the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators, and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives. She regularly leads business development and customer service related courses at ASOA Congress on Ophthalmic Practice Management and at American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meetings. Additionally, she was interviewed in the December 2005 issue of Eye World. Patricia is a missionary in good standing with Lighthouse for Christ Ophthalmic Clinic in Mombasa, Kenya. In 2007 Patricia was honored to be appointed to the Board of Directors for Lighthouse for Christ Mission of Tyler, Texas. She currently serves on their Executive Committee. Patricia enjoys travel, reading and spending time with her family and friends. She mentors a select few professionally and spiritually, but gleans wisdom and knowledge in business and in life from her beloved mentors. She draws her strength from the practical but invaluable lessons demonstrated by her late parents as well as the most arduous educator - life experience. Patricia lives by the "golden rule" and is inspired by many motivational verses. From her perspective the most inspiring is...

Shelley Tibbetts, B.A manages the social media strategy and community building for Excellence in Eye Care. She previously managed digital media efforts for GIRLS WHO ROCK, a benefit concert during Internet Week New York that was held in the past to fundraise for She's the First, a non-profit that sponsors girls' education in the developing world.