Professional Summary

Professional Overview

Kara Kaefring is an experienced healthcare leader with a strong background in patient access, communication center operations, and financial counseling. As the Director of Patient Access, Communication Center and Financial Counseling at Sky Lakes Medical Center, she oversees critical patient-facing functions and works to enhance the overall patient experience.

Experience Summary

Current Role

In her current role as Director of Patient Access, Communication Center and Financial Counseling, Kara is responsible for managing a team of over 30 employees and ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of patient access, communication center, and financial counseling services. Under her leadership, the department has consistently maintained high patient satisfaction scores and achieved operational efficiency targets. Kara's strategic initiatives have resulted in reduced patient wait times, improved financial counseling outcomes, and enhanced communication with patients and their families.

Career Progression

Prior to her current role, Kara held supervisory positions in patient access and emergency department registration at Sky Lakes Medical Center, where she demonstrated her ability to optimize workflow, implement process improvements, and foster a collaborative team environment. Earlier in her career, Kara gained valuable experience as a pricing clerk at Midwest Beverage Company and as a corps member with AmeriCorps *NCCC, where she developed strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

Academic Background

Kara holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Administration from the University of Oregon, where she graduated with honors and was recognized for her academic excellence.

Areas of Expertise

• Patient access and registration management

• Communication center operations and customer service

• Financial counseling and revenue cycle management

• Process improvement and workflow optimization

• Team leadership and employee development

• Healthcare industry regulations and compliance

Professional Impact

Throughout her career, Kara has played a key role in improving patient satisfaction and operational efficiency at Sky Lakes Medical Center. Her innovative approaches to process improvement have led to significant reductions in patient wait times and enhanced the overall patient experience. Additionally, Kara's expertise in financial counseling has helped patients access the resources they need to manage their healthcare costs, contributing to the hospital's financial stability.

Conclusion

Kara Kaefring is a seasoned healthcare professional with a proven track record of success in patient access, communication center management, and financial counseling. Her strategic leadership, problem-solving skills, and commitment to delivering exceptional patient care make her a valuable asset to Sky Lakes Medical Center and the broader healthcare industry.