Occupational Health Tracker Contributors

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Karen Conger, MBA, is Executive Director of the Ohio Employee Health Partnership, where she orchestrated the startup and successful growth of a new managed care organization. She has 13 years’ experience in the healthcare field, where she has been a Regional Director for Occupational Health Research, and Administrative Director for occupational medicine facilities in Missouri and Arkansas.

Joe Eppling, RN, BSN, MHA, has been Occupational Health Program Director at East Jefferson Hospital in Metarie, Louisiana, for three years. He has been with East Jefferson Hospital since 1982, where he has held a variety of nursing management positions during his career. He may be reached at 504.779.2667.
Jerry Heit is an RN and the Program Director of the Hays Occupational Health Program in Kansas. He has been with the program since its inception and has facilitated its growth from an internal department delivering employee health to an external program delivering a full range of occupational and case management services to Hays employers. Carolyn Merriman is President of Corporate Health Group (CHG), a national healthcare consulting firm. She is a highly regarded speaker, presenting at nation-wide conferences such as American Hospital Association-SHSMD, The Alliance, The Forum, and Physician Referral and Health Information. She is the co-author of A Comprehensive Guide to Occupational Health Sales and Marketing. Ms. Merriman may be reached at 888.334.2500; or visit CHG’s web site: www.corporatehealthgroup.com.
William L. Newkirk, MD, FACPM, is a board-certified occupational medicine specialist. He is Director of Occupational Medicine at Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan, Maine, and Director of Research at Occupational Health Research. He can be reached at 800.444.8432 or by e-mail at bill.newkirk@systoc.com. David Nicewonger, MHA, is Director of Consulting at Occupational Health Research. As a consultant and senior executive, he has helped occupational health facilities across the nation become more efficient and profitable. To contact him, call 800.660.0818 or e-mail at davidn@systoc.com.
Sheila Forst Ruof is a Principal and Managing Partner of Couloir Consulting, a management consulting firm headquartered in Nashville, TN. Ms. Ruof has more than 25 years’ experience as an investment banker, as president of a Fortune 500 subsidiary, and as consultant to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has advised CEOs, CFOs, and Boards of Directors on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, IPOs, and public and private placements. Ms. Ruof is a cum laude graduate of the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, and holds a Master of Administrative Science degree from The Johns Hopkins University. Jacqueline Stoken, DO, is Medical Director of the Heartland Holistic Health Center in West Des Moines, IA. She graduated from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center in 1990 and is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She is also a board member of the American Holistic Medical Association. Dr. Stoken can be reached at jstoken@mail.salu.net.
Karen Stowe is a senior consultant with Corporate Health Group. A detailed report of the initial survey findings discussed on page 8 can be found in "Healthcare Sales: Comparative Data Report," and is available through Corporate Health Group at 888.334.2500 or www.corporatehealthgroup.com. Maureen Summers, RN, MBA, CHE, is a member of the Occupational Health Research Consulting Services team and a certified healthcare executive with extensive clinical and management experience in occupational health and rehabilitation. She can be reached at 800.660.0818 or by e-mail at  maureen.summers@systoc.com.
Karen Swedersky, MHA, is the former Product Director for an eight-clinic occupational health network. Over her nine year tenure, she implemented a Customer Service Program that resulted in improved customer satisfaction (up 25-40%) and account retention, retaining 75% market share. Since June of 1998 she has worked as a Senior Consultant for Occupational Health Research, assisting programs of various sizes and complexities in operational and strategic assessments, customer service/program development, and network management and post merger operations. She can be reached at 800.660.0818 or by e-mail at karens@systoc.com. Mark Kimpel, MD, received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1985, then served as U.S. Navy Flight Surgeon for three years. He completed a residency in ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic and practiced general and refractive ophthalmology until 1996, when he was injured in a motorcycle accident. Dr. Kimpel then practiced occupational medicine at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, until opening an acupuncture and holistic medicine practice. He may be reached at acudoc@metdirect.net.
Patricia Jacobson, ESQ, is a partner in the Business/Tax Division of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, specializing in healthcare law. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, for over two decades, Ms. Jacobson has assisted hospitals, insurers, physician practices, integrated delivery systems, and other healthcare businesses with compliance programs, federal/state regulations, antitrust issues, joint ventures, and contract negotiations. Ms. Jacobson can be reached at 216.443.2563 or by email at patricia.jacobson@web.porterwright.com.