I am a Registered Dietitian with extensive experience in all areas of community and clinical healthcare serving every age group from children to the gracefully aging population. Some of the areas include nursing homes, mental retardation facilities, personal care homes, hospitals, sub-acute care, home health, hospice, dialysis, government programs, health fairs, etc... I have 20 years of experience as a Clinical Registered Dietitian and over 10 years of experience as a Certified Health Facility Surveyor by CMS successfully passing examinations in nursing, pharmaceuticals, social work and therapy. In this role, I served as an integral team member in assessing and evaluating both patients and facilities through regular surveys, as well as complaint investigations, while working closely and communicating with nursing, social workers, therapists and other members of the interdisciplinary medical staff.

As a former State Surveyor from Mississippi, I have keen insights into the requirements and vagaries of the regulatory process. I have helped many facilities assure compliance to both regulatory and survey protocol expectations. I assist organizations by conducting mock surveys and advise the facility how to best respond to the survey process. With the tags F325 and F317 interpretive guideline changes, effective September 1, 2008, surveyors are equipped with a more detailed guidance/investigatory protocol, strengthening the ability to identify deficient practices in various facility settings.

I have seen the consequences and results of the disease management process rather than utilizing preventative healthcare for all age groups. I have advocated the use of preventative healthcare services for years now, however without the support and payment reimbursements from Medicaid/Medicare and private insurance most providers won't offer them. I am very excited to be in a position to offer individuals assistance, help and guidance before they suffer heart attack/disease, stroke, kidney loss, etc...especially with the new study findings that 1 of 3 US children are overweight and many obese young children have the arteries of a 45 year old.

I have held responsible positions as a Healthcare Compliance Consultant, Clinical Documentation Specialist, Medical Record Review Auditor, Hospital/Medical Interpreter, Medical Legal Expert and Registered Dietitian. I am continuously seeking growth potential, career development opportunities, and challenges.

My Skills Include ~
* demonstrated abilities as a Certified Health Facility Surveyor and Registered Dietitian with experience in nursing homes, mental retardation facilities, personal care homes, hospitals, swing bed units, home health, hospice, dialysis clinics and government programs
* successful management / supervisory experience
* excellent background in making assessments and evaluations in compliance with state and federal regulations/guidelines through observations, interviews and review of medical records
* extensive experience in communicating and working closely with patients, physicians, nursing staff, social workers, therapists, etc…
* proficiency in time management and organization
* ability to work well independently or as a decisive and contributing team member
* highly self-motivated; career-oriented