Verite Consulting - Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Keith Hearle, President Shari L. Bailey, Vice President

Keith Hearle is the President of Verité Healthcare Consulting, LLC (Verité). Mr. Hearle has over 20 years of consulting, management, and research experience all focused on the healthcare field. Verité specializes in healthcare strategy development, financial analysis and decision support, and public policy analysis. Mr. Hearle’s experience includes:

Community Benefit and Tax Exemption

Developing and updating the first accounting and reporting framework for community benefits provided by healthcare organizations, incorporated into the Catholic Health Association's Social Accountability Budget published in 1989, on which key schedules of IRS Form 990, Schedule H are based.
Serving as primary author of the accounting chapter (and Accounting Worksheets) in CHA's Guide for Planning and Reporting Community Benefit, published in May 2006.
Serving as faculty for "Community Benefit 101" sponsored by the Catholic Health Association and for sessions offered by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), American Bar Association, American Health Lawyers Association, and other groups.
Participating in meetings with IRS regarding Instructions for 990 Schedule H (with national hospital associations CHA, NACH, AAMC, AHA, VHA, and HFMA).
At IRS request, drafting sections of Schedule H Instructions and updating Worksheets.
Serving as a panelist for the recent October 2007 Senate Finance Committee Roundtable which discussed federal legislative proposals regarding hospital tax-exemption.
Serving actively on the CHA "What Counts Task Force".
Developing community benefit reports and assessments for nine healthcare systems across the U.S.
Developing a long-range strategic financial plan for community benefit for one of the nation's largest tax-exempt healthcare organization.
Supporting NACH focus groups that are developing Children's Hospital-specific community benefit guidelines.
Assisting the NACH, CHA, and AAMC with the preparation of comments on the draft Form 990.
Serving as lead Project Consultant for HFMA's Patient Friendly Billing Project regarding updating charity care policies for uninsured and underinsured consumers.
Supporting a newly formed Coalition to help hospitals respond to 990H requirements.

Transaction and Public Health Impact Analysis

Performing three health impact studies for the California Attorney General regarding transactions involving tax-exempt healthcare assets.
Assessing the fairness of lease arrangements between public entities and multi-hospital health systems.
Developing public health impact assessments regarding the relocation of two hospitals in the Washington D.C. area.

Strategic and Financial Planning

Developing strategic plans for public and private healthcare organizations in California, New York, and other states.
Supporting Certificate of Need applications, including performing market studies and financial feasibility assessments.
Developing business and strategic plans for academic medical centers and two new medical schools.
Developing detailed financial feasibility and valuation studies for mergers, new program introductions, and other projects.
Conducting health care equity investment research as a “buy-side” analyst for a California-based investment firm.

Health Care Reform and Safety Net Systems of Care

Examining the future of public hospitals in California (San Mateo, Contra Costa, Yolo, Tuolumne, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles) and Louisiana (Alexandria, Baton Rouge, New Orleans).
Assisting AARP with an assessment of health reform proposals in Louisiana.
Analyzing the implications of a change in ownership at a large community hospital on county-operated health and public health programs (Marin).
Helping communities design effective safety-net systems of care.
Serving as Chief Financial Officer for the public health programs in the San Francisco Health Department.

Other Public Policy Studies

Evaluating the equity and accuracy of Medicaid reimbursement systems in several states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Illinois, Oregon).
Assessing the performance of hospitals in Connecticut and recommending State initiatives to address concerns regarding distressed facilities.

He began his career in the hospital finance consulting practice of KPMG Peat Marwick, then was Vice President at The Lewin Group until 1995. Prior to rejoining The Lewin Group in 1999, he was a Senior Research Analyst for a California-based investment company where he evaluated pharmaceutical, medical device, and healthcare services companies for equity investment. Between 1995 and 1997, he was the Chief Financial Officer for the Public Health Division in the San Francisco Department of Health. He founded Verité Healthcare Consulting in 2006. Mr. Hearle has an M.B.A. in finance from Vanderbilt University and an A.B. in economics from Davidson College.

Shari L. Bailey recently joined Verité as Vice President with the firm. Shari brings experience as Senior Director of Revenue Cycle for Mercy Health Partners of Southwest Ohio, based in Cincinnati. While in that role, she was responsible for access management, self-pay Accounts Receivable management, centralized scheduling, and insurance verification. Shari’s responsibilities and interests at Verité including helping clients design and implement best practices for financial assistance policies and practices and to enhance revenue cycle performance.

Shari also brings extensive clinical and financial operations management experience gained as Regional Director of a multi-site provider of urgent care and occupational medicine centers and as practice administrator of a multi-specialty physician practice.

Ms. Bailey has demonstrated success in Operations/Financial Management as detailed:

Specialized knowledge of IT systems applications used in revenue cycle management, with emphasis on self –pay accounts receivable management. Tactics include identification of third party sources of payment, verification of patient insurance benefits to improve point of service collections, and financial assistance/charity care processes.
Strategic process redesign of revenue cycle to front-end account receivable financial responsibility, identifying and completing human resources tasks, and improved efficiency of back-end accounts receivable management.
Analytical experience necessary to ensure positive results with centralization of outpatient scheduling, and evaluation of patient and physician demand for services.

Shari has achieved the SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) certification in 2006. As a graduate of coaching for performance, lean training, and project management, she is able to facilitate change in process, including the human resources component. She is 2005 winner of Mercy Health Partners Fire-Starter Award for her work in improving patient and employee satisfaction. Shari conducted a HFMA web-inar in September 2007, entitled “Managing the Mission”, where she described how to balance financial challenges with mission goals. Ms. Bailey earned a B.S. in Medical Technology from Miami University, Oxford, OH.

Christina M. Griffin

Research Analyst

As a Research Analyst at Verité Healthcare Consulting, Christina is involved in all aspects of the firm’s work. Her responsibilities include developing project work plans, performing qualitative research and quantitative data analysis, and preparing and presenting client deliverables.

Christina’s experience includes working in healthcare revenue cycle management, assessing components of the Medicare payment system, and analyzing other federal health policy matters. Prior to joining Verité Healthcare Consulting, she was a Research Assistant for a health care advocacy firm in Washington, DC. Christina also worked in the corporate finance department of the West Penn Allegheny Health System in Pittsburgh.

Christina received a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Global Policy Studies from Chatham University.

Natalie E. Lawson

Research Analyst

Natalie Lawson joined Verité Healthcare Consulting in 2008. At the firm, she focuses on quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis, modeling, and client report development.

Natalie has prior experience in several health-related organizations. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Research Associate at a Washington, DC consulting firm that specialized in guiding medical device companies through the FDA regulatory process. Natalie has also worked as a Research Assistant at the Health and Psychophysiology Lab at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA and as a Staff Assistant in the emergency department of Boston Medical Center in Boston, MA.

Natalie received a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Psychology from Harvard University.


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QUALIFICATIONS Keith Hearle, President Shari L. Bailey, Vice President Keith Hearle is the President of Verité Healthcare Consulting, LLC (Verité). Mr. Hearle has over 20 years of consulting, management, and research experience all focused on the healthcare field. Verité specializes in healthcare strategy development, financial analysis and decision support, and public policy analysis. Mr. Hearle’s experience includes: Community Benefit and Tax Exemption Developing and updating the first accounting and reporting framework for community benefits provided by healthcare organizations, incorporated into the Catholic Health Association's Social Accountability Budget published in 1989, on which key schedules of IRS Form 990, Schedule H are based. Serving as primary author of the accounting chapter (and Accounting Worksheets) in CHA's Guide for Planning and Reporting Community Benefit, published in May 2006. Serving as faculty for "Community Benefit 101" sponsored by the Catholic Health Association and for sessions offered by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), American Bar Association, American Health Lawyers Association, and other groups. Participating in meetings with IRS regarding Instructions for 990 Schedule H (with national hospital associations CHA, NACH, AAMC, AHA, VHA, and HFMA). At IRS request, drafting sections of Schedule H Instructions and updating Worksheets. Serving as a panelist for the recent October 2007 Senate Finance Committee Roundtable which discussed federal legislative proposals regarding hospital tax-exemption. Serving actively on the CHA "What Counts Task Force". Developing community benefit reports and assessments for nine healthcare systems across the U.S. Developing a long-range strategic financial plan for community benefit for one of the nation's largest tax-exempt healthcare organization. Supporting NACH focus groups that are developing Children's Hospital-specific community benefit guidelines. Assisting the NACH, CHA, and AAMC with the preparation of comments on the draft Form 990. Serving as lead Project Consultant for HFMA's Patient Friendly Billing Project regarding updating charity care policies for uninsured and underinsured consumers. Supporting a newly formed Coalition to help hospitals respond to 990H requirements. Transaction and Public Health Impact Analysis Performing three health impact studies for the California Attorney General regarding transactions involving tax-exempt healthcare assets. Assessing the fairness of lease arrangements between public entities and multi-hospital health systems. Developing public health impact assessments regarding the relocation of two hospitals in the Washington D.C. area. Strategic and Financial Planning Developing strategic plans for public and private healthcare organizations in California, New York, and other states. Supporting Certificate of Need applications, including performing market studies and financial feasibility assessments. Developing business and strategic plans for academic medical centers and two new medical schools. Developing detailed financial feasibility and valuation studies for mergers, new program introductions, and other projects. Conducting health care equity investment research as a “buy-side” analyst for a California-based investment firm. Health Care Reform and Safety Net Systems of Care Examining the future of public hospitals in California (San Mateo, Contra Costa, Yolo, Tuolumne, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles) and Louisiana (Alexandria, Baton Rouge, New Orleans). Assisting AARP with an assessment of health reform proposals in Louisiana. Analyzing the implications of a change in ownership at a large community hospital on county-operated health and public health programs (Marin). Helping communities design effective safety-net systems of care. Serving as Chief Financial Officer for the public health programs in the San Francisco Health Department. Other Public Policy Studies Evaluating the equity and accuracy of Medicaid reimbursement systems in several states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Illinois, Oregon). Assessing the performance of hospitals in Connecticut and recommending State initiatives to address concerns regarding distressed facilities. He began his career in the hospital finance consulting practice of KPMG Peat Marwick, then was Vice President at The Lewin Group until 1995. Prior to rejoining The Lewin Group in 1999, he was a Senior Research Analyst for a California-based investment company where he evaluated pharmaceutical, medical device, and healthcare services companies for equity investment. Between 1995 and 1997, he was the Chief Financial Officer for the Public Health Division in the San Francisco Department of Health. He founded Verité Healthcare Consulting in 2006. Mr. Hearle has an M.B.A. in finance from Vanderbilt University and an A.B. in economics from Davidson College. Shari L. Bailey recently joined Verité as Vice President with the firm. Shari brings experience as Senior Director of Revenue Cycle for Mercy Health Partners of Southwest Ohio, based in Cincinnati. While in that role, she was responsible for access management, self-pay Accounts Receivable management, centralized scheduling, and insurance verification. Shari’s responsibilities and interests at Verité including helping clients design and implement best practices for financial assistance policies and practices and to enhance revenue cycle performance. Shari also brings extensive clinical and financial operations management experience gained as Regional Director of a multi-site provider of urgent care and occupational medicine centers and as practice administrator of a multi-specialty physician practice. Ms. Bailey has demonstrated success in Operations/Financial Management as detailed: Specialized knowledge of IT systems applications used in revenue cycle management, with emphasis on self –pay accounts receivable management. Tactics include identification of third party sources of payment, verification of patient insurance benefits to improve point of service collections, and financial assistance/charity care processes. Strategic process redesign of revenue cycle to front-end account receivable financial responsibility, identifying and completing human resources tasks, and improved efficiency of back-end accounts receivable management. Analytical experience necessary to ensure positive results with centralization of outpatient scheduling, and evaluation of patient and physician demand for services. Shari has achieved the SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) certification in 2006. As a graduate of coaching for performance, lean training, and project management, she is able to facilitate change in process, including the human resources component. She is 2005 winner of Mercy Health Partners Fire-Starter Award for her work in improving patient and employee satisfaction. Shari conducted a HFMA web-inar in September 2007, entitled “Managing the Mission”, where she described how to balance financial challenges with mission goals. Ms. Bailey earned a B.S. in Medical Technology from Miami University, Oxford, OH. Christina M. Griffin Research Analyst As a Research Analyst at Verité Healthcare Consulting, Christina is involved in all aspects of the firm’s work. Her responsibilities include developing project work plans, performing qualitative research and quantitative data analysis, and preparing and presenting client deliverables. Christina’s experience includes working in healthcare revenue cycle management, assessing components of the Medicare payment system, and analyzing other federal health policy matters. Prior to joining Verité Healthcare Consulting, she was a Research Assistant for a health care advocacy firm in Washington, DC. Christina also worked in the corporate finance department of the West Penn Allegheny Health System in Pittsburgh. Christina received a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Global Policy Studies from Chatham University. Natalie E. Lawson Research Analyst Natalie Lawson joined Verité Healthcare Consulting in 2008. At the firm, she focuses on quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis, modeling, and client report development. Natalie has prior experience in several health-related organizations. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Research Associate at a Washington, DC consulting firm that specialized in guiding medical device companies through the FDA regulatory process. Natalie has also worked as a Research Assistant at the Health and Psychophysiology Lab at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA and as a Staff Assistant in the emergency department of Boston Medical Center in Boston, MA. Natalie received a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Psychology from Harvard University.