Karen Chouinard, CPMSM, CPCS

Experience

• 

  Schuler Books & Music

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2003

  Music Seller
• 

  The Paper

  Feb 2001 - May 2001

  Editorial Intern

  I researched and wrote news, feature, and entertainment articles for this alternative newsweekly. I also compiled listings of area events and wrote brief highlights, and interviewed area residents for weekly Q&A section.

• 

  Grand Rapids Magazine

  Apr 2001 - Aug 2005

  Freelance Writer

  I researched and interviewed area residents for magazine profiles. I also researched and wrote feature, music, art, and sports articles for the monthly Arts and Entertainment magazine.

• 

  On-the-town magazine

  Aug 2001 - May 2005

  Contributing Writer / Editor

  I compiled listings and wrote descriptions of area music, leisure, and stage events for the magazine's monthly calendars. I also wrote feature articles, and book and CD reviews.

• 

  ASR Corporation

  Oct 2002 - Jan 2005

  Technical Writer

  I wrote, edited, formatted, and reviewed health plan documents for company clients. I edited and reformatted company documents and instructional guides, and I converted existing plan documents to Adobe PDF format for the ASR website.

• 

  Grand Rapids Press

  Jan 2003 - Aug 2005

  Freelance Writer

  As part of the Arts and Entertainment Department, I researched and interviewed local and national performing artists for preview articles. I also attended and reviewed local concerts, and wrote reviews of new music releases.

• 

  Eastern Accents

  Jul 2006 - Feb 2008

  Copywriter / Project Manager

  I drafted press releases, correspondence, and descriptions of company products, as well as text for all sales materials including brochures, flyers, and print advertisements for this soft home accessories company. I proofread and edited all production materials and catalogs, including layout of materials. I drafted and managed all content on internal and external company websites. I worked as liaison and project manager to the Information Technology (I.T.) department in the Shanghai, China office for the production of the company’s online custom product workroom, as well as general I.T. projects. I also assisted with graphic design tasks as needed. Show less

• 

  Taproot Foundation

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2008

  Copyeditor
• 

  Canright Communications

  May 2008 - Mar 2010

  Project Manager / Writer

  I managed writing, design, web, and other content marketing projects for company clients, and maintained daily communication with clients, vendors, and contractors. I organized internal and external project kickoff and review meetings, created production schedules, tracked and assessed project budgets, assisted with invoicing, and implemented firm deadlines. I drafted proposals, website content, white papers, and other marketing communications, and proofread and edited all internal documentation and project materials. I assisted with graphic design tasks in Adobe InDesign as needed. I also supervised staff and independent contractors, as well as assisted in hiring new staff. Show less

• 

  Taproot Foundation

  Dec 2009 - Jul 2010

  Project Manager

  I managed a group of creative professionals on projects for a variety of non-profit clients through the Taproot Foundation.

• 

  Cook County Health and Hospitals System

  Apr 2010 - Aug 2011

  Executive Assistant

  I assisted the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer in a busy healthcare arena with coordination of all scheduling, billing, travel, special projects, events, and correspondence. I maintained communication with the executives’ direct reports, contractors, vendors, interns, and other System assistants, and enforced project deadlines. I also drafted internal and external memoranda, policies, and letters.

• 

  Vanguard Health Systems

  Aug 2011 - Dec 2012

  Senior Administrative Assistant

  I assisted the Market's Chief Medical Officer by coordinating all scheduling, billing, travel, projects, events, and correspondence. I coordinated Market leadership meetings and events, maintained frequent communication with the CMO's direct reports, and responded to corporate requests.I also coordinated the organization's successful application process for both Models 1 and 2 of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiative, as well as the application for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services' Care Coordination Entity proposal, by reviewing guidelines, managing content experts, setting deadlines, scheduling review sessions, and both drafting and editing content. Show less

• 

  Weiss Memorial Hospital

  Apr 2014 - Sept 2017

  At the direction of the Chief Medical Officer and President of the Medical Staff, I provided management, operational support, and oversight for Medical Staff affairs in accordance with the Medical Staff bylaws and rules and regulations, and The Joint Commission standards. I lead credentialing and re-credentialing processes, coordinated committee meetings and events, maintained governance documentation, maintained the practitioner database and accreditation, oversaw the credentialing specialist's duties, and participated in accreditation survey readiness and visits, among other responsibilities. Show less At the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, I managed multiple hospital initiatives focused on growth and other strategically concentrated organizational goals such as quality improvement, physician alignment, patient satisfaction, and cost reduction. I maintained detailed project plans, spreadsheets, reports, business plans, and other documentation to track project deadlines, timelines, accountability, success, barriers, and budget. I also drafted internal memoranda, newsletters, physician correspondence, website content, patient handbooks, and other hospital communications.I coordinated the hospital’s Orthopedic and General Medicine Co-management agreements: collected data from operational teams on monthly quality outcomes, gave direction to team support leaders, prepared meeting materials, maintained hours and stipend logs, communicated with physician members, and aligned with the Chief Financial Officer and an outside consulting firm on adjudication and valuation documentation.I coordinated Market-level scheduling, travel, expenses, and correspondence for CEO; and helped to coordinate Market leadership meetings and events, such as physician leaders dinners and meetings/luncheons for Chief Nursing and Chief Medical Officers. I also handled corporate requests such as organization of clinical committees and population of rosters. Show less In this interim role, I aligned with the hospital CEO and Market Business Development Director on hospital goals and strategies to develop Marketing plans. I managed the Marketing, Business Development, and Community Outreach budget and resources, including coordination with the Finance Department on the FY15 budget planning process, as well as identified cost-cutting and process improvement opportunities.I oversaw a team of cross-functional contractors, maintained daily communication, reviewed and processed invoices, and led weekly conference calls to coordinate projects, discuss upcoming events and marketing collateral, align on strategies, and answer questions. I also maintained and developed relationships with vendors, particularly design and printing firms. I assisted with collateral design and copy; reviewed website updates; and coordinated with corporate office on customer relationship management (CRM) initiatives, online patient health portals, and other requests as needed. Show less

  • Manager, Medical Staff Services

    Feb 2016 - Sept 2017

  • Credentialing Specialist

    Aug 2014 - Jan 2016

  • Project Manager

    Dec 2012 - Jan 2016

  • Interim Marketing Director

    Apr 2014 - Aug 2014
• 

  UI Health

  Sept 2017 - Feb 2020

  Medical Staff Services Coordinator

  Under direction of the Director, Medical Staff Services, I provided support and assistance in the supervision of credentialing processes as well as effective management and coordination of the operational activities of the Medical Staff Office in the health system. I led credentialing and re-credentialing processes, and prepared the agenda and materials for the monthly Credentials Committee meeting. I met regularly with Department Chiefs of Service and the Credentials Committee Chair to review practitioner files and department requests. I ensured the Medical Staff was compliant with The Joint Commission standards and I participated in accreditation survey readiness and visits. I participated in weekly Medical Staff Officers meetings, attended monthly Medical Staff Executive Committee meetings, and was an active member of the Medical Staff Bylaws Sub-Committee, among other duties. Show less

• 

  Sharp Grossmont Hospital

  Feb 2020 - now

  Manager, Medical Staff Services