Darlene Ford
Financial Counselor Supervisor
Professional Overview
Darlene Ford is an experienced financial counselor supervisor with a strong background in healthcare administration. In her current role, she leverages her expertise in financial counseling and hospital operations to oversee a team of financial counselors at Children's Mercy Hospital.
Current Role
As the Financial Counselor Supervisor at Children's Mercy Hospital, Darlene is responsible for managing a team of financial counselors who assist patients and their families in navigating complex healthcare financial matters. Her key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic direction and operational oversight to the financial counseling department
- Developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure efficient and compliant financial counseling services
- Monitoring department performance and identifying areas for improvement
- Offering training and support to financial counselors to enhance their skills and knowledge
- Serving as a liaison between the financial counseling team and other hospital departments
Under Darlene's leadership, the financial counseling department has achieved significant improvements in patient satisfaction and reductions in unpaid medical bills, contributing to the overall financial well-being of the hospital.
Career Progression
Darlene Ford has dedicated her professional career to the healthcare industry, starting as a financial counselor at Children's Mercy Hospital in 1985. Over the past 35 years, she has steadily advanced her career, taking on roles with increasing responsibility and leveraging her expertise to drive positive change within the organization.
Academic Background
Darlene holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, with a focus on finance and accounting.
Areas of Expertise
- Healthcare financial counseling and patient assistance
- Hospital operations and administration
- Team management and leadership
- Policy development and implementation
- Financial analysis and reporting
Professional Impact
Throughout her tenure at Children's Mercy Hospital, Darlene has been instrumental in enhancing the financial counseling services provided to patients and their families. Under her leadership, the department has consistently exceeded its performance targets, leading to improved patient satisfaction and reduced bad debt for the hospital.
Darlene's commitment to continuous improvement and her ability to foster a collaborative and supportive team environment have earned her the respect of her colleagues and the trust of hospital leadership.
Conclusion
With over three decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Darlene Ford has established herself as a respected and influential financial counselor supervisor. Her deep understanding of hospital operations, coupled with her strong leadership skills and dedication to patient-centric care, make her a valuable asset to Children's Mercy Hospital.