Experience

Cherokee Nation

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Special Projects, Program Director, Health Admin. Tribal Liaison to State & Federal Agencies,

  • Apr 2013 - Present

  Cherokee Nation (CN) | Tahlequah, Oklahoma Special Projects Officer, Grant Writer & Awardee, Director | 2013 – Present Cherokee Nation operates the largest Tribal HealthCare System in the United States and has remained a leader for tribal enrollment on the Federal Exchange/Marketplace among 39 federally recognized Oklahoma tribes. As the ACA Lead, and as part of MACRA/CHIP Grant Leadership, our Department of Health Services team successfully works toward assisting our tribal citizens/families and their non-native household with low or no-cost insurance coverage. Oklahoma Tribal sovereign nations are currently funded at only 39% for level of need care (2019) with their health systems offering free but limited, rationed care. I oversee the strategic outreach and education on ‘why’ having coverage is important by increasing tribal families’ access to specialty and emergent care. I collaborate with tribal, state and federal committees on Health Care Reform and its effect on Tribal health care delivery as a successful grant writer and project director. Key Lasting Success: >> 2015 Employee of the Year (out of 2,500). >> 2017 Executive Directors Award for Growth. >> 2016-2019 Grant Coordinator for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). >> 2019 Grant Writer, Grant Project Director, and Awardee of the 2020-2023 Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) CHIP Coverage for Kids Grant. >> Participant in Oklahoma HealthCare Authority’s (OHCA) Tribal Consultation Group, BCBSOK Tribal Roundtable & CoverOK Coalition committee member. >> By the 2016 Grant, tasked to enroll 4,000 children into the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) ~ Oklahoma’s SoonerCare program, we successfully enrolled 6,000! Show less



P.A.C.E. (Program for All Inclusive Care of the Elderly)

• Clinical Supervisor > High Risk Case Manager

  • Jan 2008 - Feb 2013

  Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (P.A.C.E.) | Tahlequah, Oklahoma Registered Nurse Clinical Supervisor / High-Risk Case Manager | 2008 – 2013 I was a member of the initial program development team for Oklahoma’s 1st P.A.C.E. program sponsored by the Cherokee Nation. I supervised Clinical Department operations (environment, stocking and equipment set-up) and developed the inaugural, patient-centric High-Risk Case Management role. I delivered health standard of care consultation on diverse subject matter, researching and developing insights on medical program eligibility and Transitional Care (any physical or environmental change). See the National PACE Association website, www.npaonline.org for the Program's Inception, history and locations throughout the United States. Show less



Northeast Health Systems

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Registered Nurse, Outpatient Surgery > Education Department

  • Feb 2004 - Jan 2008

  Northeast Health System | Tahlequah, Oklahoma Outpatient Surgery / Education Department | 2004 – 2008 I led the conception and development of Northeast Health System’s Hospital Outpatient Surgery, Anesthesia Screening, and Patient Education Department. My impetus was to ‘Empower Patients’ through knowledge and understanding of their specific procedures, expectations for recovery, recognizing signs of complications, and more covering pre- and post-operative procedures. As a result of the department’s success, among many cost-saving process implementations, we reduced last-minute procedure cancellations and improved the efficiency of operations for outpatient, operating room, scheduling, and employee staffing. I left Northeast Health Systems after being offered by Sponsor, Cherokee Nation, the opportunity to assist opening and developing the clinical setting for Oklahoma's first Federal P.A.C.E. Program. Show less



Woolsey, Fisher, Whiteaker and McDonald

• Legal Nurse Consultant > Nurse Paralegal

  • Feb 1992 - Mar 1997

  Woolsey, Fisher, Whiteaker & McDonald | Springfield, MO Legal Nurse Consultant / Nurse Paralegal | 1992 – 1997 As a liaison for medical experts, families, lawyers, and clients, I had endless opportunities to learn and apply new skills at this firm. I reviewed and counseled lawyers on both plaintiff and defense cases for diverse areas of law to include workers compensation, personal injury, vaccine injury, environmental exposure, education law, insurance law, malpractice defense, social security, disability, product liability, employment, entertainment law, federally appointed class action suits (Dow Chemical). Show less



Schering-Plough Key Pharmaceuticals

• Pharmaceutical Speciality Representative

  • Jan 1991 - Feb 1992

  Schering-Plough Key Pharmaceuticals | Springfield, MO Pharmaceutical Sales Rep | 1991 – 1992 After training at HQ in New Jersey, I detailed four specialty pharmaceutical medications in a 50-mile radius from Springfield, MO. Schering-Plough Key Pharmaceuticals | Springfield, MO Pharmaceutical Sales Rep | 1991 – 1992 After training at HQ in New Jersey, I detailed four specialty pharmaceutical medications in a 50-mile radius from Springfield, MO.