Experience

Siromed Physician Services

• 1 - 100 Employee

• General Counsel and Compliance Officer

  • Jul 2017 - Present

  Recruited for health care law and compliance expertise and brought in to administer legal and compliance functions initially for Ascent. Develop physician/CRNA contracts, hospital contracts for anesthesia services, and reviewed contracts for vendor and service providers. Draft NDAs (Non-disclosure Agreements) and allocated initial diligence request documentation. Devise and administer legal expense budget. Record minutes and generate reports for board meetings.* As organization’s first employee, established new office operations and negotiated low lease rate with landlord by not using realtor, saving Siromed $18,000.* Developed Ascent’s compliance program and implemented staff training.* Instrumental in recruitment and acquisition of physicians and CRNAs for Ascent’s newest hospital, Wellington Regional Medical Center. Assisted with contracting and credentialing of 35 anesthesia providers. * Reviewed and communicated with outside counsel during the A4 acquisition, including review of contracts and compliance related matters during the diligence phase. * Spearheaded design for Siromedhealth.com website, launched in November 2018.



Health First, Inc.

• Corporate Director of Claims

  • Aug 2015 - Present

  Administered and mitigated medical malpractice claims as well as general and property liability claims brought against health system; oversaw, evaluated and ensured performance of 4 direct reports including claims manager and subrogation specialists.Spearheaded litigation-related functions including discovery and retention of discoverable information, coordination of staff and physician interviews, and observation of depositions and trials; assisted risk management on resolution of PCEs (Potentially Compensable Events) to avoid lawsuits; provided corporate and defense counsel, physicians and risk management expertise and insight into litigation and potential litigation matters; responded to Department of Health (DOH) investigations of physicians, pharmacists and staff.



Genesis Health System

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Counsel (September 2012 – June 2013) | (January 2015 – August 2015)

  • Sep 2012 - Aug 2015

  Completed vice president of legal affairs and general counsel role and transitioned back to role as senior counsel with responsibility for major vendor transactions and management of risk management team; worked closely with 7 professionals including associate attorney, risk managers, paralegal and administrative assistant.Researched statutes and ensured transactions consistent with management strategies and decisions; regularly communicated with healthcare law attorneys, medical malpractice attorneys and general corporate attorneys.Brought in and contributed legal expertise and insight into physician transactions, vendor transactions, implementation of medical staff bylaws and contract review and negotiation.* Coordinated CMS response related to alleged EMTALA violation at flagship hospital, GMC Davenport East; assumed responsibility from acting general counsel and collaborated with outside counsel on development of strategy preventing reoccurrence in emergency room; avoided potential loss of Medicare certification.* Successfully negotiated Joint Venture Radiology Agreement (“under arrangements” agreement creating joint venture partnership with radiology group and GCM Silvis) and Physician Co-Management Agreements (new quality and performance metrics with various physician groups).* Member of group formed to determine feasibility of Joint Cancer Institute in “Quad Cities” area with competitor health system; included work with outside anti-trust counsel to ensure consistency with trade practices.* Worked with Medical Executive Committee concerning Fair Hearing of physician.* Coordinated CMS response related to alleged EMTALA violation at GMC Silvis- Response resulted in no findings against the hospital.

• Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel

  • Dec 2013 - Jan 2015

  Promoted from senior counsel after retirement of general counsel – Collaborated with and provided comprehensive legal and risk management support to system level senior management team (17 executives); managed $800,000 outside counsel legal budget; ensured performance of associate counsel, paralegal, risk coordinator and several risk specialists; reported directly to president and chief executive officer.* $121 Million Bond Transaction: Secured capital funds utilized to integrate east and west campuses of flagship hospital, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport; initiative adds seven (7) story tower, including twelve (12) new operating rooms as well as additional patient rooms. Collaborated with COO and CFO.* Compass/Morrison Outsourcing Agreement: Enabled $3 million annual savings via outsourcing of 450 environmental services, food services, patient transportation and facilities positions (i.e., salary and benefits). Collaborated with COO, CFO and VP Human Resources.* Reinsurance Program via Lloyds of London: Facilitated $150,000 in annual savings and elevated financial stability through entry into less cyclical international insurance market (versus US malpractice market). Collaborated with CEO and CMO.* Medical Staff Bylaws for all Genesis Health System Hospitals: Assisted with development of standardized medical staff bylaws for four (4) hospital located in Iowa and Illinois; worked in concert with CMO and four (4) medical staff presidents; facilitated completion of project in 9 months.* DaVita Inpatient and Outpatient Joint Venture: Contributed to negotiations with nationally recognized dialysis provider for complete acquisition of inpatient and outpatient joint venture for dialysis services; included sale of assets approximating $8.3 million. Collaborated with COO and CFO.



Adena Health System

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 300 - 400 Employee

• General Counsel, Member, Senior Executive Team

  • Feb 2009 - Mar 2012

  Provided comprehensive legal advice supporting and protecting decisions of Adena’s board of trustees, executive team, clinical operations team, medical staff and administrative staff; rendered legal opinions and delivered legal research relative to strategic goals and growth initiatives.Scope of responsibilities comprised health system contract review/management, insurance program and claims management; oversight of risk management program and self-insured trust; management and coordination of outside legal counsel; guidance through negotiation of contracts and legal documents; liability assessment; research and recommendation of business forms and structure for new business ventures. Supervised two attorneys, risk manager and administrative assistant.* Formulated Eight New Corporations: Adena Medical Group, LLC (Integrated Physician Group); Adena Home Health, LLC; Adena Hospice, LLC; Adena Home Infusion, LLC; DME & Respiratory, LLC; Adena Pharmacy, LLC (Pharmacy); Adena Care, Inc. (Health Plan), and Adena MSO, LLC.* Implementation of Self-Insured Medical Malpractice Trust: Initiated implementation of trust that saved Adena 2.2 million dollars annually in malpractice insurance premiums. * Adena-DaVita Outpatient Dialysis Joint Venture: Partnered with DaVita to establish Adena’s first outpatient dialysis center. Revenues anticipated to be $1.7 million, in 2nd year of operations.* Physician Contracts and Practice Acquisitions: Assisted Adena Medical Group with providing letters of intent, physician contracts, and recruitment agreements. Ensured that all physician and medical director agreements met fair market value and commercial reasonableness.

• Corporate Compliance Officer

  • Jun 2008 - Feb 2009

  Administered all facets of compliance initiatives, ensuring board of trustees, senior management, and operations team functioned within legal parameters. Coordinated and communicated compliance program and activities through, the Compliance Committee, new employee orientation, web-based learning modules, yearly compliance testing. Utilized Office of Inspector General (OIG) yearly work plan, and risk assessments, to plan, implement and monitor compliance program. Investigated and responded to compliance issues reported via hotline calls and employees. Conducted audits, investigations, evaluations, and initiated plans of correction. Monitored changes to ensure continued compliance. Reported various findings to the Audit Committee of the Board. • Investigations – Initiated the investigation of allegations related to inappropriate behavior of Board Members. Provided education to the members regarding conflict of interest and the board’s fiduciary duties.• Certified Professional Coders – Recognized need to educate and increase the number of coders in Adena’s physician practices. Added 16 certified professional coders to improve coding accuracy and documentation for medical diagnoses and necessity. Coders and physicians worked together to improve processes. Coders reported directly to the Compliance Officer. • Concurrent Coding Project – Partnered with coding and utilization review departments to develop concurrent coding program. This improved physician documentation to support medical diagnoses and medical necessity. This initiative increased hospital revenues.• Physician Audits – Worked with the coders on developing parameters for sampling of physician charts for coding accuracy, documentation, and medical necessity. Conducted independent audits on certain high-risk areas. Monitored compliance levels after physician education.



University of Detroit Mercy

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• ADJUNCT PROFESSOR

  • Jan 2007 - May 2008

  Instructed undergradute students enrolled in the School of Healthcare Professions on various facets of Healthcare Law. Instructed undergradute students enrolled in the School of Healthcare Professions on various facets of Healthcare Law.



Hall Render

• United States
• Law Practice
• 200 - 300 Employee

• COMPLIANCE OFFICER

  • May 2004 - May 2008



Timothy P. Philipp, P.C. | Burroughs, Hepler, Broom, Macdonald, and Hebrank LLP

• Attorney

  • Oct 2002 - May 2004



Missouri State Public Defender

• United States
• Legal Services
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Assistant Public Defender IV | District Defender/Area 34 | Assistant Public Defender III/Area 35

  • Apr 1994 - Sep 2002

  Assistant Public Defender IV – (St. Louis County) – St. Louis, MissouriDistrict Defender/Area 34 – Caruthersville, Missouri (May 1998 – August 2001)Assistant Public Defender III/Area 35 – Kennett, Missouri (April 1994 – May 1998) Assistant Public Defender IV – (St. Louis County) – St. Louis, MissouriDistrict Defender/Area 34 – Caruthersville, Missouri (May 1998 – August 2001)Assistant Public Defender III/Area 35 – Kennett, Missouri (April 1994 – May 1998)