JOAN
L. USHER, BS, RHIA, COS-C, ACE, President, is a nationally recognized
expert in the field of health information management. Joan has a
degree in Health Record Administration and has been consulting for
over 18 years. Joan is Past President
of
Massachusetts Health Information Management Association
a component state organization of
American Health Information
Management Association.
Under her leadership, MA received four
national awards from AHIMA in Continuing Education Programs,
Support for Accredited HIM Education, Legislative Advocacy and Electronic Communications. She is also Director of
Clinical Information Services at Franciscan Hospital for Children,
Boston. Joan is an active member of the Home and Health Care
Association of Massachusetts and is a regular lecturer.
She is also a Board of Director of Hospice & Palliative Care
Federation of MA.
She has taught ICD-9 coding for over 11 years and has educated over
7,500
people nationwide. She has also lectured at
Northeastern University in the Health Information Management
Programs. Her other accomplishments include presentations: Release
of Information, Electronic Records, and JCAHO Preparation; published
articles, "The Importance of Medical Records in the Home Health
Field", and “The
Importance of Medical Records in the Home Health Field”,
Caring Magazine, contributing Author for Eli OASIS
Alert and Eli Home Care Compliance Alert, Massachusetts Medicolegal Guide for MHIMA and
e-Channel Magazine for MHIMA. Joan
also authored "ICD-9 Coding for Home Health - A Comprehensive
Coder's Guide, published by HCPro.
ALISON
BASMAJIAN, RN, MSN, CS, Associate, has 19 years expertise
in program development and clinical management as well as 9 years
experience as a community health nurse, including discharge planning.
Alison has directed the staff development in a $55 million
institution. Her expertise includes JCAHO preparation, infection
control, OASIS documentation management, and performance improvement.
She is a clinical specialist in community health nursing. She has been
an educator at Boston University School of Nursing.
DOROTHY DRISCOLL, RN, ACE, Associate, has over
40 years
experience in the field of nursing, including Mental Health. Her
experience also includes work in Pediatrics and was responsible for
compliance with OSHA and state regulations. Dot has additional
expertise in coding and reimbursement audits as well as individual
clinical training.
VALERIE
GILL, LPN, COS-C, ACE, Associate, has over 26 years of nursing
experience in the field of home health care, hospitals, and skilled
nursing facilities, and 5 years as Quality Improvement Supervisor for
a home health care agency with several branch offices. Val also has
over six years experience as a community health nurse. She has been
consulting for JLU clients for over 9 years. Her expertise includes
OASIS and MDS documentation, quality improvement, billing and
electronic claim submission, ICD-9 coding, JCAHO preparation, and
computerization.
ETHELYN POWELL, RN, BSN, Associate, has over 26 years
experience in the field of nursing and home health care, most recently
as Director of Ambulatory Services at a large children’s hospital and
rehabilitation center. Her experience also includes work in pediatrics
and urgent care clinics. Her expertise includes JCAHO preparation and
facilitation.
JUDITH KELLY, BS, RHIA, CPHQ,
Associate has over 15 years experience in quality
improvement, and is a certified Professional in Healthcare Quality.
Her proven track record in QI allows her to develop best practice
for reporting and statistical analysis. She is experienced in third
party reimbursement and JCAHO preparation and facilitation. She has
been a Clinical Coordinator for Fisher College and has instructed
medical record students in multiple courses related to the Health
Information Technology program.
ELLEN KIMBALL,
Associate,
has worked on billing and home health 7 hospice for over 27 years. She
is responsible for the supervision of 11 employees in medical billing,
collections, and patient accounts. Ellen
is a recipient of
APartners
in Excellence@
and
APPS
Recognition@
awards for excellence in job performance. She is proficient in many
financial and office computer systems. Ellen has experience in coding
and has a certificate in Medical Technology Coding from Laboure
College.
_____________________________________________________________________________
MARILYN HANNUS, RN,
Associate, is a
Certified Hospice Executive and has
over 37 years in the healthcare industry including 25 years of
hospice experience where she held positions of Clinical Team
Manager, Director, COO, and CEO of one of Massachusetts largest
hospice programs. Marilyn directed the construction and
operation of a 10 bed hospice residence and directed a CHHA.
She served on Board of Directors and as President of the Hospice and
Palliative Care Federation of Massachusetts. Marilyn has
consulted in areas of Regulatory Compliance, Program Development,
Board Governance, and Clinical Management Development.
