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Heather Davis
ECS North is proud to introduce you to a very valuable member of our team…Heather Davis.
Heather joined the ECS team in December 2008. She is a Denial/AR Specialist where her primary responsibilities are working denials and outstanding balances on the AR for clients in Ohio and Kentucky. She is persistent and tenacious in her work on behalf of her Client’s and her main goal is claims payment.
Heather has one son and two grandchildren, who she adores. She also has a German shepherd named Zoey and a blue and gold macaw named Gus. In her spare time, she enjoys spending as much time as she can with her grandchildren. When she is not spending time with her grandchildren she enjoys reading. Her favorite family traditions include family dinners catching up on what is happening in everyone’s lives as well as playing cards, dominos, and board games. Heather stated that she draws inspiration from her grandchildren. Her goal is to set a good example by showing them her strong work ethic.
She stated that her favorite part of working at ECS North is the sense of family and belonging. She knows that the people of ECS North truly care about each other.
When asked what her favorite or most memorable moment at ECS North was, she said it is the Christmas parties throughout the years. It’s a time when everyone comes together, talking, laughing, playing games, and just having fun. One of her funniest memories from a past Christmas party was when ECS North’s, then Office Manager, dressed up as an elf and greeted everyone at the door.
Heather had this to say about why she loves working at ECS North: “The strong leadership team. Their management style and knowledge are so valuable to the people working at ECS North. Sarah is an extraordinary leader.”
Milissa Kummerer
ECS North is proud to introduce you to a very valuable member of our team…Milissa Kummerer.
Milissa joined the ECS team in October 2005. She is the Supervisor of the Medical Documentation Department where her primary responsibilities are managing, directing and monitoring her staff and the documentation required to meet the coverage requirements payers mandate for prior authorizations and claims payment.
Milissa has 4 children, 2 dogs and a cat. In her spare time, she enjoys spending as much time as she can with her children. When she isn’t with her kids she enjoys reading. Her favorite family tradition is one that takes place at the family dinner table. She and her family go around the table and everyone reviews their high and low points of their day. Milissa stated that she draws inspiration from her children. They drive her to be the best she can be to be their role model by showing them a strong work ethic and financially providing for her family.
She stated that her favorite part of working at ECS North is that it is her second family. Since she has worked for the company for 15 years, she truly cares about the people and they care about her.
When asked what her favorite or most memorable moment at ECS North was, she said it was “Kit Favre.” A while back a team member had pasted Kit Shellhouse’s (VP) face to a Brett Favre picture and then placed them all over the office. Another, which was the most recent, was the rotating “chips and salsa” bowl. This bowl would be hidden in various offices with goodies inside, but it ended when someone hid it so well it was not discovered for month’s in Katie Schmidt’s (Director of Accounts) office with the food a bit spoiled.
Milissa had this to say about working at ECS North: “I love working with the smart, strong women Sarah has chosen to put on her team. They truly are amazing role models.”
Courage to Change
Most everyone is familiar with the saying “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” To stop the insanity, how do we get different results? One word “CHANGE.” The problem with change is that it’s hard and it’s scary, but without it we can never realize our true potential.
In business, change invigorates and excites me. Admittedly, that wasn’t always the case, but as I have grown and (“ahem”…aged) I embrace the idea of change in business. However, in my personal life, I have to confess change scares the hell out of me. But in the midst of the fear, I have found the “courage to change.” Why is it that now is the time to take the leap of faith, move forth into the unknown and hope for the best? I wish I knew. That’s the thing with making important moves, you just need to do them and not ask too many questions about whether the time is right. If you wait for the “right time,” that time may never come.
One of my favorite quotes about fear and making the moves necessary to improve your business as well as your personal life comes from Joyce Meyer. She said that the thing about fear and taking the leap is that you just have to: ”do it scared.” Rarely does someone make major shifts or even small ones full of confidence; there is always some element of apprehension.
When change occurs there are always going to bumps along the road, but if you stay steadfast and true to the direction in which you want to go and even take a couple of detours along the way, the end result is well worth the journey. In my business, I always look for opportunities where we can improve. When you honestly evaluate your processes, staff, and philosophies there are so many wonderful opportunities for change. The key is to enter the world of transformation with a sense of excitement and anticipation; like a child waiting for Christmas to come with all its presents and wonder.
Yes, some changes don’t work out as one had hoped, but had you never taken those first steps, you would always be in a “what if” mindset in hindsight. Good, bad or indifferent; change is part of life’s wonderful prospects for a better life and/or better business. If you ask my staff, what one of my weaknesses is they would tell you that I change too quickly on certain occasions. That character trait I will blame on my father. The gene pool is strong there. J
But, in knowing this, I have to make a conscious effort to rein that side in to fully analyze where I want my company to go, listen to those who are doing the work day to day and engage my team in meaningful conversations. By doing this I can gather more data, gain different perspectives and then make the decision. I still move faster than the average person, but that’s why I’m an entrepreneur. I have that freedom to maneuver and be nimble while others are buried in a myriad of bureaucracy. God Bless America for giving me the ability to be an entrepreneur.
As you close out 2017 and look to the clean slate that is 2018, what do you want to do? What scares, but excites you? What do you know whether intuitively or through data examination that has to be done, but will cause pain in the process? Think about it, do your research then….MAKE YOUR MOVE! Don’t sit still and watch others pass you. “Do it scared.” That way you can look back and know you gave it your all. Even if you fail, think of all the great lessons you learned so you won’t make them again the next time around.
And if you need a little extra courage, there’s always wine…
Till next time….Sarah
June, 15 2017
While speaking at the annual conference of the Atlantic Coast Medical Equipment Services Association (ACMESA), Sarah Hanna (center) had the honor of meeting two very special ladies. Madeline Delp (left), Ms. Wheelchair NC USA 2017 and Ms. Wheelchair America Runner-Up 2016 and Deja Barber (right), Ms. Wheelchair NC America 2017. These inspirational young women spoke to the group about their advocacy programs and their duties as winners of their titles.
June 5, 2017
Sarah Hanna, CEO, of ECS North was nominated by Katie Schmidt, Senior Account Manager for ECS North, and she won the Patriotic Employer Award. To make a nomination, an employee must serve in the National Guard or Reserve, or have a spouse who is a guard or reserve member. The award reflects the efforts made to support members through a wide-range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed. Award winners receive a certificate and accompanying lapel pin. Katie’s husband, Staff Sargent John Schmidt, was deployed for 6 months in Kuwait. Sarah stated: “It is an honor to receive the Patriotic Employer Award and very unexpected. Our men and women in the military sacrifice so much as well as those waiting for their return home. The entire team at ECS North wanted to make Katie and John’s experience better by doing little things to help the time pass more quickly and show our support while he was away.”
Passion and Purpose
Recently while talking with a friend/business advisor about expanding my business; we discussed some areas which I had ventured into in the last year. The topic of the conversation revolved around budget allocation for this expansion. I know what you are thinking…”YAWN.” During our conversation he asked me my thoughts on the marketplace in which I was making my move. I knew I could do what needed to be done to make it successful, but as we continued to talk about the costs and steps required to make it happen, I said “I know I can do it, but I’m just not passionate about it.” At that moment he said, “Stop right there. If you don’t have the passion, it’s not worth pursuing.”
He was right. You have to have passion to be successful. So, I took a step back and asked some important questions: what excites me in business, where can I find my passion in my expansion, what is holding me back and how can I overcome that?
I have to say…I still have passion when it comes to my current book of business in healthcare. At this point, you may be thinking I’m crazy, which I don’t blame you as it’s hard to imagine still having that enthusiasm with all the challenges we face in the current marketplace, but God help me… I’m still passionate about it. That being said, in order to stay relevant and grow you have to look at areas that ignite in you a hunger for more.
This conversation with my trusted friend was a pivotal moment for me. I had been feeling a burden about my thoughts on the expansion and when he pointed out what I knew but didn’t want to admit, I found my load lift and ideas flow. In these days of uncertainty about the healthcare arena many owners look desperately for a new way to increase revenues. Desperation can lead to miscalculations and lost profitability.
We forget that we are entrepreneurs who began many years ago with a passion and a purpose which led us to start our businesses. Overtime, some may lose that entrepreneurial spirit as work experiences, reimbursement cuts and maybe age takes its toll over time. Why should we not move forward with the same vigor and optimistic fortitude which got us into our businesses? The only thing stopping us is ourselves.
My son graduated from college recently and he is so enthusiastic about his future. He listens to podcasts, reads books and sits on lectures from some of the most successful and wealthy entrepreneurs. He found them so interesting that he told me about them. I began listening and reading the same authors, lecturers, speakers, etc. as he and I have to say, I found myself getting excited again. So when, my friend told me I needed to do something that gave me passion…it all hit me at once. Everything which I had been reading, listening and thinking about settled in and I knew that I could find my new passion in business and I am an entrepreneur. That spirit needs to feed our minds and ideas for new revenue streams, opportunities and increased potential for success.
People always say “hindsight is 20/20.” Guess what…as more experienced (not older ) entrepreneurs we do have the insight and experience that we didn’t have in our 20s and 30s. We can use that knowledge to spur on new ideas, experiences and yes, even new businesses. We can keep our current companies moving forward by reviving our sense of spirit and if we want, venture into new business expansions too.
You don’t have to be a millennial to find your revived entrepreneurial spirit and make the jump to increased success. You just have to have the passion to take the leap again. And if you need a little extra courage, there’s always wine…
Till next time….Sarah
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