Today we celebrate the administrative professionals that help keep Atchison Hospital & Clinics running smoothly every day. While each may have a different title and handle a variety of different things, we all rely on their organizational skills, their flexibility, and their ability to handle the unexpected. They are a vital part of our organization, and we appreciate all they do!
Shirley Eckert
Surgery Department Secretary
“Shirley Eckert is the first impression people get of our Surgery Department. Any caller to the department is always greeted by a warm, friendly voice saying, “Surgery, this is Shirley, how may I help you?” You know immediately that your call is important and the person who answered the phone is interested in assisting you. Shirley is a resource in so many ways in supporting the work of the Surgery Department. She has numerous responsibilities in a busy area where there are many distractions, but that never interferes with the quality customer service she provides. The Surgery Department is fortunate to have her as a part of the team, and we’re happy to celebrate her today.”
Leslie Blakley, Interim Director of Surgical Services
What do you do in your role?
“As the surgery department secretary, I answer phones, check in patients, schedule patients, prepare charges for procedures, order supplies, prepare monthly reports and do general secretarial duties. I also type up and do projects for the surgery manager. I try to help when needed in the department no matter what it is they might need.”
How do you feel you impact patient experience?
“I guess you might say that I am the “face” of Surgery. I try to make the first meeting with the patient/public a pleasant one and even try to ease patients that might be a little scared or antsy about what will be happening on their visit to the department.”
Karen Falk
Executive Administrative Assistant
“Karen is such a key part of keeping our organization running smoothly. She is someone we can all truly count on…to be there with a smile, to be organized, and to be a fantastic example of servant leadership. She does so much to support the administrative staff and leadership team—we couldn’t function without her.” Jeff Perry, CEO
What do you do in your role?
“I assist the Executive Team with the day-to-day activities in Administration as well as take the minutes at several different meetings including the monthly Board Meetings. I assist our Providers and Leadership team with scheduling meetings in the conference rooms and with the Executive Team. I also serve as the liaison for the Auxiliary volunteers. I absolutely love what I do every day and I am proud to be on this team!”
How do you feel you impact patient experience?
“Even though I do not work directly in-patient care, the day-to-day activities that take place in Administration are totally driven by what is best for the patient and their experience at Atchison Hospital & Clinics.”
Maddison Forbes Cox
Home Health & Hospice Office Coordinator
“Although Maddison has been with us for over a year, she has been in the office coordinator position just a short time. She has taken to the job so quickly, never hesitating to jump in and learn something new. Thank you for all that you do, Maddison!” Brandi Oom, Director of Home Health & Hospice
What do you do in your role?
“My responsibilities are to answer phones, redirect phone calls, collect patient demographics and insurance information, verify eligibility and benefits, obtain prior-authorization for Home Health Services (Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupation Therapy, Social Worker, Skilled Nursing and Home Health Aides), direct communication between staff members in the office, and maintain patient files and records with an effective filing system.”
How do you feel you impact patient experience?
“Whether it is a patient, their caregivers, doctor’s office, or hospitals that call the Home Health Office, I am the first person they talk to regarding patient care. My job is help coordinate communication between staff members in the office and those working in patients’ homes. I want to provide a professional interaction and first impression when answering phone calls.”
Carol Hager
Rehabilitation Services and Therapy Office Coordinator
“Carol is a true asset to our rehab care department. Carol has been a valued member of the team for many years and continues to bring that knowledge and experience to the table every day. She is always putting the patient and the needs of the team first to make every experience a good experience. We are blessed to have her!”
Margo Chartier, Director of Rehab Services
What do you do in your role?
“I am the receptionist for the Rehab Dept – PT/OT/Speech. I schedule appointments, check patients in/out, and answer the phone. I also maintain and scan patient charts daily. Another important aspect of my job is insurance. I make sure that patients are eligible for insurance as well as make sure they have therapy benefits for what they need for treatments. There are so many daily activities that are involved with being in Rehab, but these are just a few.”
How do you feel you impact patient experience?
“I am the first contact in our department with patients, doctors/providers, or insurance providers, including worker’s comp. I try to help callers or visitors to our department with getting their needs taken care of. I follow their treatments to make sure they are part of their therapy benefits with insurances. I am the first contact/impression that these visitors/callers have that reflect the Rehab Department. I want that impression to be the best it can possibly be for the hospital and my department.”
Jenna Hall
Medical Staff Coordinator
“Jenna’s work with our providers is such a critical role in our organization. She not only ensures our medical staff are properly credentialed to do their job, she goes beyond and builds rapport with the providers that helps them feel plugged into our culture from day one. She has a positive energy that puts people at ease and is a much-appreciated part of our team.”
Jeff Perry, CEO
What do you do in your role?
“I assist in the coordination of recruitment of new providers and handle the credentialing process for our providers. Additionally, I assist the medical staff with their administrative needs.”
How do you feel you impact patient experience?
“I feel I can help ensure that we have great providers working at Atchison Hospital & Clinics. Strong administrative support of our providers allows for them to focus on their patient care.”
Autumn Kramer
Advanced Health Services Office Assistant
“Autumn is the newest member of the Advanced Health Services team. She is just learning the process that we use and how to use our systems. However, her enthusiasm and drive to deliver great customer service to everyone she meets is going to take her far. We are so excited she joined our team.”
Jennifer Brockhoff, Director of Advanced Health Services
What do you do in your role?
“As the office assistant at Advanced Health Services, I Schedule patients, answer phones, help with billing, assist with HIMS program, and work with accounts receivable.”
How do you feel you impact patient experience?
“I help form patients’ opinions about our clinic by being the first point of contact, answering any of their questions.”
Christie Krick
Home Health Office Manager
“Christie is the glue that holds us all together. Whenever someone needs help, or is unsure of how to do something, she is the go-to gal. We don’t know what we would do without her! Thank you, Christie!”
Brandi Oom, Director of Home Health & Hospice
What do you do in your role?
“I mainly answer phones and handle billing, helping patients with their insurance claims. I’m also the go-to person for the Home Health & Hospice nurses and help them anyway I can.”
How do you feel you impact patient experience?
“I am the first person that our Home Health and Hospice patients come in contact with when they call or stop by. I always communicate with them in a polite and professional manner. I do my best to help patients with their insurance claims. I also try to help remove any roadblocks that our nurses have that would prevent them from providing the best possible patient care.”
Jennifer Ostertag
Advanced Health Services Office Coordinator
“Jennifer does an excellent job of providing customer service to all of the patients in our clinic. She greets everyone with a smile and makes them feel welcome in our clinic. She routinely goes above and beyond to help out a patient, whether it is hooking them up with another clinic, helping them obtain their records from another location or taking the time to answer all of their questions—she does what it takes to satisfy the patients’ needs. Jennifer also keeps the clinic flowing and helps to streamline the care for the patient by organizing the workflow of the tech. She fills many roles in our department and does a great job with all of them.”
Jennifer Brockhoff, Director of Advanced Health Services
What do you do in your role?
“I do accounts receivable, invoicing, collections, scheduling, check patients in and out, answer phones and triage patients, drug screens, breath alcohol testing, and assist in facilitating the HIMS program. I also work directly with companies to meet their needs and admit patients for Lab and Radiology.”
How do you feel you impact patient experience?
“I am the first person in our office who typically interacts with the patient when they call to schedule an appointment. I believe this is when the patient’s perception of our office begins to form. By answering their questions and making them feel confident about the capabilities of our doctor and office staff, we can help the patient feel safe and create a willingness for them to receive care from our team. Oftentimes, our patients are coming to see us because they are in pain, and so anything I can do to help make their experience flow more smoothly by getting the necessary information prior to their appointment so that we can plan ahead for any testing that may be needed will help result in a great experience with our office. By creating a good relationship with companies and working diligently to meet their needs, company representatives are more confident in the care that we are providing to their employees.”
Sherry Snider
Office Assistant for Advanced Health Services and Wilkinson Orthopedics–Leavenworth Office
“Sherry just joined our team in the past several months to fill our receptionist role in the Leavenworth location. She is doing a great job of learning all the different provider needs and with keeping the Leavenworth clinic flowing. She makes all of our patients feel welcome, and we are glad she joined our team.”
What do you do in your role?
“I check patients in and out for Advanced Health Services and Wilkinson Orthopedics. I collect payments, schedule appointments. answer phones, and screen patients.”
How do you feel you impact patient experience?
“I am the first person that the patients see when they come into the office. I make the check-in and check-out process go smoothly, accommodating the patient anyway I can.”
Jennifer Brockhoff, Director of Advanced Health Services