dakotAMSS Board Members

LAVONNE MCKEE

 My passion for Medical Staff Services comes from wanting to help those (the providers) that help us (the patient). I don’t do blood well, so this fits in me well. I have been in the medical staff services field for 15 years. The first year was with the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners where I was introduced to MSS. I graduated from National American University with my AAS, MSSM degree in 2013 with honors. Technology is at continually changing in this field, I am very excited and want to be part of the changes. Since graduating from NAU, I have started Credentialing USA, Inc. Both the company and I continue to grow in numbers and in knowledge. Being in this position opened my eyes to the importance for the Dakota’s to have an association with NAMSS. I am excited to work with dakotAMSS in becoming a better MSSM, a voice for the rural areas, having a place where we can grow together educationally and have a strong network and support team in our profession. 

P (605) 214-1401

E lavonne@credentialingusa.com

JODI SCHAAN     

I’ve been working for Heart of America Medical Center (HAMC) for the past 24 years, with the past 6 years in Medical Staff Services. I fell into medical staff services when a friend encouraged me to apply for the Credentialing Specialist position but quickly fell in love with all the nuances and the opportunities. These opportunities made it possible to develop the position further according to my strengths and the position evolved into Medical Staff Coordinator. In the spring of 2019, I took and passed my CPCS exam and quickly decided to go for the CPMSM and passed that exam in the summer of 2019. I joined NAMSS in 2015 and have attended several NAMSS conferences. I decided to get involved with dakotAMSS because continuing education is a passion of mine and I want to be a part of creating CE’s and a network of resources that will benefit all our members.

P (701) 776-5455 Ext 2814

E jschaan@hamc.com

KAREN HIRSCH

 I currently work at Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital and am the Credentialing Coordinator for Independent Healthcare Associates which is a department of the hospital.   Our office acts as the CVO for members of Independent Healthcare Associates, a PHO, and we credential providers who have privileges at Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital and Oklahoma Spine Hospital.   I have been in the credentialing and related field for 12 years.  I am a member of NAMSS and pursued my CPCS certification in 2014 to gain further knowledge of credentialing policies and accreditation requirements. The resources provided by NAMSS have been extremely helpful.   In my current role, I enjoy helping providers and their clinic staff in all aspects of credentialing and to form strong working relationships.  I volunteered with dakotAMSS to help facilitate educational opportunities for other medical staff professionals on a state/local level.  Challenges we will face as technology evolves and educating ourselves will make us stronger as MSPs! 

P (605) 444-8670

E karen.hirsch@independentcare.org

ANN BRENDEL

I have worked for CHI St. Alexius (formerly St. Alexius) for the past 13 years in the medical staff office as the Credentialing Support Specialist. Having spent 25 years working for a life insurance and annuity corporation I did not know that the Medical Staff world existed. I find this job both challenging, exhausting and at times unbelievably complex. I look forward to working with all of you.

P (701) 530-7688

E abrendel@primecare.org