Ethel Sauro

Private Practice Rheumatology

• Directed day-to-day operations of a busy rheumatology private practice, ensuring efficient clinical and administrative workflow
• Supervised, trained, developed, and evaluated administrative and clinical support staff; led full-cycle recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and performance management
• Managed timekeeping, PTO administration, payroll processing, and benefits administration, including group benefits negotiation to control costs and enhance employee retention
• Increased patient visit volume year-over-year through strategic scheduling optimization, workflow redesign, and improved access to care
• Led patient satisfaction initiatives and resolved escalated complaints, improving service quality and patient retention
• Developed, implemented, and maintained policies and procedures to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, HIPAA standards, and best practice guidelines
• Oversaw financial operations including bookkeeping, accounts payable/receivable, reconciliation, and revenue tracking in close collaboration with physician owner and external accountant
• Monitored practice performance metrics, cash flow, and expense management to support profitability and operational sustainability
• Implemented a new VOIP telephony system with zero operational downtime, introducing intelligent patient prompts, improved call routing, and reduced dropped calls
• Streamlined front-office operations by optimizing call flow, freeing staff capacity to improve check-in accuracy, patient registration, email/fax processing, and medical records management
• Established an additional checkout position to improve billing accuracy, reduce claim errors, and enhance patient throughput
• Managed vendor relationships, service contracts, and facilities operations to maintain a safe, compliant, and efficient care environment
• Oversaw medical records processes, release-of-information compliance, and documentation standards
• Supported revenue cycle management, including charge capture oversight, insurance verification processes, and billing workflow coordination
• Ensured data security, IT troubleshooting, EHR coordination, and telephony system support

Human Resources Consultant (Self-Employed)

Independent HR Advisory Services

• Provide strategic human resources consulting services to small and mid-sized organizations across multiple industries
• Advise executive leadership on workforce planning, organizational design, and HR strategy alignment with business objectives
• Develop and implement HR policies, employee handbooks, and compliance frameworks aligned with federal, state, and local employment laws
• Conduct HR audits and risk assessments to ensure compliance with FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements
• Lead full-cycle recruitment strategies, including executive search, workforce forecasting, candidate screening, and onboarding program design
• Design and implement performance management systems, succession planning initiatives, and leadership development programs
• Facilitate employee relations investigations, conflict resolution, corrective action planning, and risk mitigation strategies
• Advise on compensation structure development, market benchmarking, salary band creation, and total rewards strategy
• Support benefits administration, vendor evaluation, and group benefits negotiation to optimize cost and employee satisfaction
• Develop training programs focused on compliance, leadership effectiveness, workplace conduct, and diversity initiatives
• Guide workforce restructuring efforts, organizational change management, and reduction-in-force planning
• Partner with legal counsel and executive teams on complex employment matters and policy interpretation
• Implement HRIS systems, streamline payroll integration processes, and improve data reporting capabilities
• Provide coaching to senior leaders and managers on performance improvement, talent retention, and employee engagement strategies

• Directed enterprise-wide HR operations for a multi-site healthcare organization supporting 250+ employees, 25 physicians, and 30+ executive leaders across seven locations
• Partnered with CEO, CFO, COO, Managing Partner, and Executive Committee to drive HR strategy aligned with organizational growth and operational goals
• Led full-cycle talent acquisition, workforce planning, and retention initiatives to support clinical and administrative expansion
• Designed and administered compensation strategy including salary structures, market benchmarking, and performance-based incentive programs
• Oversaw bi-weekly payroll processing and HRIS management, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and data integrity
• Developed and negotiated comprehensive employee benefits programs (health, dental, life, disability, retirement, EAP, wellness, tuition reimbursement) including vendor selection and plan renewals
• Ensured compliance with Federal, State, and Local employment laws; maintained policies, employee handbook, and regulatory frameworks including HIPAA
• Directed annual retirement plan and Workers’ Compensation audits, minimizing organizational risk exposure
• Built and led a high-performing HR team delivering employee relations, leadership coaching, and organizational development support
• Implemented data-driven employee lifecycle and engagement strategies to strengthen retention and workforce stability
• Oversaw structured onboarding, offboarding, and leadership development programs to enhance employee experience
• Managed physician licensing, credentialing compliance, and professional malpractice insurance oversight

• Directed enterprise-wide benefits administration and payroll operations, overseeing retirement, health, disability, leave, and wellness programs while ensuring regulatory compliance and cost control
• Led benefits vendor selection, contract negotiation, plan design, and annual renewals to maintain competitive, legally compliant total rewards offerings
• Managed bi-weekly payroll processing and timekeeping systems, ensuring accuracy, audit readiness, and adherence to federal and state labor laws
• Delivered comprehensive onboarding and orientation programs for employees and physicians to support engagement and operational integration
• Served as strategic HR advisor to Practice Administrator and executive leadership, providing guidance on policy interpretation, employee relations, and workforce operations
• Functioned as Executive Assistant to Managing Partner, Physician Partners, CFO, and senior leadership, supporting high-level operational coordination and confidential business matters

Partner with Board of Directors to execute strategic initiatives, governance operations, and organizational planning for a nonprofit medical society

• Lead fundraising and sponsorship development efforts, serving as primary liaison to pharmaceutical companies and industry representatives
• Secure industry sponsorships to fund accredited rheumatology educational programs and premier dinner lecture events
• Negotiate sponsorship agreements, venue contracts, and vendor partnerships to optimize cost efficiency and program quality
• Manage full lifecycle event planning for monthly educational meetings, including budgeting, catering, audiovisual, registration, and onsite coordination
• Coordinate exhibitor logistics and ensure compliance with CME and industry regulatory guidelines
• Plan and execute special member programs, including the Annual Rheumatology Fellow Forum, enhancing member engagement and professional development
• Arrange national lecturer travel, lodging, honoraria, and detailed itineraries to ensure seamless speaker experiences
• Track sponsorship revenue, event budgets, and financial documentation in alignment with nonprofit financial policies
• Develop and maintain strategic industry relationships to sustain recurring sponsorship support and long-term partnerships