Happenings
Division 54 Honors Q3 Top-Performing Associates
Associate of the Month – July 2024
Nina Lester
Nina Lester is the Division 54 July Associate of the Month because of her exceptional support and dedication to her team as an accountant I in Accounts Receivable. She is approachable, always willing to help and works hard to find accurate solutions. Nina’s meticulous work in quality control significantly reduces potential audit risks. If she discovers an error when reviewing a form, she doesn’t just return them to the processor to correct them. Nina offers details of her findings as a teaching tool, reducing the chance for repeated errors. Her proactive approach and strong network of relationships make her a valued member of her team.
Associate of the Month – August 2024
John Thaler
John Thaler, an accountant I in Medicare Government Cost Reporting, is the August Associate of the Month because of his dedication, attention to detail and ability to exceed expectations. He consistently ensures that internal customers' questions are answered accurately and promptly. His attention to detail prevents errors and ensures smooth operations. Moreover, John is always ready to assist his colleagues. When the budget staff was shorthanded, he quickly learned new tasks and helped his team meet deadlines, demonstrating his commitment and adaptability. His proactive approach and eagerness to learn have led him to take on additional responsibilities, such as implementing process improvements and assisting with complex tasks. John's proactive nature, willingness to help, and ability to handle responsibilities efficiently make him a highly valued member of the team.
Associate of the Month – September 2024
Sonya Martin
Sonya Martin, an accountant III in Medicare Finance Administration, was named Associate of the Month for September 2024. She is highly regarded for her teamwork, positive attitude and willingness to help others. Over the years, Sonya has played a crucial role in various financial reconciliations and transitions. Her knowledge comes from experience, but she also pursues training beyond her area of responsibility, so she has a better understanding of the entire process. She always asks questions to ensure all contracts remain consistent and all reconciliations are reported accurately. Her dedication to accuracy and continuous learning has made her an invaluable asset, ensuring the integrity of financial processes and positive audit results. Sonya's exceptional knowledge and commitment to her work have earned her this well-deserved recognition.
Coach of the Quarter
Harper Shull
The Coach of the Quarter is Harper Shull, an accounting supervisor in Medicare Government Cost Reporting. Despite being relatively new to his role, Harper has shown exceptional dedication to his team's development and efficiency. He attends training sessions with his employees to ensure they understand their duties and assigns tasks based on their skills and areas for improvement. This approach has helped his team members grow significantly with all of them winning Associate of the Month awards.
Harper’s leadership style emphasizes communication, responsibility and continuous learning. He organizes training sessions to enhance departmental efficiency, encourages his team to share their expertise and fosters a supportive and cohesive work environment. He is known for being approachable, willing to help and committed to superior customer service. Harper's efforts have not only improved team performance but also contributed to cost savings for the company through process improvements.
Team of the Quarter
Medicare Secondary Payer Hospital Audit Team
Team members: Jennille Carroll, Freyda Sherard, Linda Williams, Kisha Wilson
The Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Hospital Audit Team plays a crucial role in auditing hospitals within states where Palmetto GBA processes Medicare claims, ensuring compliance with MSP laws and regulations. Over the past eight years, the team has consistently achieved flawless results in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) quality audits, demonstrating their meticulous adherence to standards and quality assurance processes.
In addition to their auditing excellence, the Hospital Audit Team excels at internal customer service. They support the Provider Outreach and Education Department by reviewing training materials, addressing frequently asked questions, and providing expert guidance. Their innovative use of file-encryption software for document submission has significantly reduced costs and improved efficiency. For more than five years, the team has met all CMS measures at 100 percent. Their comprehensive and meticulous quality assurance process sets a high standard for the department and the entire organization. The Hospital Audit Team's unwavering commitment to quality, compliance and exceptional customer service has earned them high praise from the provider community and the Team of the Quarter award.
Process Improvement of the Quarter
Presorting of Flats
Team members: Jamey Dillard, Gary Hooker
In early 2024, Jamey Dillard and Gary Hooker began exploring the potential savings of presorting mail flats to reduce United States Postal Service mailing costs. Flats are large (11 inches by 17 inches) envelopes that contain more than 15 sheets of paper making them thick and heavy. Prior to this initiative, the flats had been mailed at an undiscounted rate. Corporate Mail Services does not have the resources to presort flats, so Dillard and Hooker identified an outside mail-sorting vendor that could handle the heavy volume. From late February to the end of July, the vendor presorted nearly 125,000 flats and reduced the mailing costs. Because of the significant cost savings and efficiency gains, the Presorting of Flats initiative was chosen as the Process Improvement of the Quarter.
