Joani Jack
Signal Mountain,Tennessee
Summary
Passionate, compassionate and results-oriented medical director with 28 years of diverse clinical, utilization management, administrative, and operational experience. A pioneer who builds high-performing teams, implements utilization principles, improves clinical outcomes, optimizes operational efficiency, and develops physician leaders. Decades of experience in Medicaid, HEDIS, Milliman Care Guidelines, and am skilled in exceptional communication and problem-solving. Adept at gaining new skills, leadership, fostering a collaborative environment, and the promotion of personal and professional growth in colleagues and staff.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Medical Director of the Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Center
Children’s Hospital at Erlanger
Chattanooga
07.2014 - Current
- Direct a multidisciplinary team of specialists including pediatric obesity, surgery, psychology, nutrition, and exercise physiology for the evidenced-based medical and metabolic bariatric surgical care of children, adolescents and young adults with obesity and its complications
- Extensive clinical expertise in complex/special healthcare needs including autism, ADHD, chromosomal defects and cognitive delay; and obesity comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, anxiety and depression
- Pioneered the HEAL center, securing $990,000 in community grants and transitioning into a self-sustaining, profitable multidisciplinary regional tri-state referral center
- Worked with Medicaid and private payers to implement utilization management principles from the inception of the center to achieve financial stability in an underserved population
- Serve as the chair of the provider relations committee for the Erlanger Medical Group, a governance committee of 600+ physicians employed by Erlanger Hospital, developing leadership curriculum and establishing programs to foster administration/clinician relationships
- Conduct a robust telehealth program for operational efficiency and serve remote patients
- Maintain strong relationships with the community, schools, YMCA, food bank and mobile markets to address food insecurity and improve health in underserved areas
- Provide statewide and local workshops on obesity medicine, developmental pediatrics and utilization management for physicians, residents, students and advanced practice providers in conjunction with the TN AAP and the UT College of Medicine.
Chief of Staff
Children’s Hospital at Erlanger
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Reported directly to the chief executive officer for medical and administrative duties related to the 118-bed tertiary care Children's Hospital, providing collaborative problem-solving, professionalism management, utilization management, credentialing, recruiting, fostering effective communication between administration and medical staff, and helped to ensure that patients received the highest care
- Served as the chair of the Medical Quality Initiative Committee including monitoring of safety initiatives, case review, decision-making and intervention.
Medical Director, Newborn Nursery Inpatient Service
Children’s Hospital at Erlanger
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Managed a 40-bed unit of inpatient newborn infants 34 weeks gestation and older
- Established and maintained clinical protocols for ongoing process improvement and operational efficiency and implemented utilization management practices
- Began building a newborn inpatient hospitalist service to improve productivity for the general pediatric department as well as improve the outpatient efficiency of community pediatricians.
- Optimized case and clinical management and recommended plans to improve safety and health programs.
- Developed and managed program for residents with 3-year academic and rotation plan.
General Pediatrician
Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, Galen Medical Group, Beacon Health Alliance
01.1995 - 01.2014
- Practiced general pediatrics in academic inpatient and outpatient clinical setting (2008-2014)
- Practiced general pediatrics in private community practice (1995-2008)
- Served on board of directors, compensation committee and operations committee of Beacon Health Alliance (1995-1998).
- Provided yearly physicals, sports physicals and immunizations to children.
- Monitored practice budget closely to prepare financial reports for monthly board of directors meetings.
Utilization Review
Medical Review Institute of America
Chattanooga, TN
01.1995 - 01.2002
- Performed approximately 3-5 weekly consultation reviews utilizing Milliman Care Guidelines to determine appropriate level of care, and review of denials
- Reviewed home health services for children with disabilities for appropriateness of care.
Education
MBA - Physician's Executive MBA
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Knoxville, TN12.2024
M.D. - Medicine
University of Tennessee School For Health Sciences
Memphis, TN05.1991
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
Carson Newman University
Jefferson City, TN05.1986
Skills
- Exceptional communication
- Collaborative leadership
- Problem-solving
- Team-building
- Utilization Management
Timeline
Medical Director of the Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Center
Children’s Hospital at Erlanger
07.2014 - Current
Chief of Staff
Children’s Hospital at Erlanger
01.2014 - 01.2018
Medical Director, Newborn Nursery Inpatient Service
Children’s Hospital at Erlanger
01.2010 - 01.2014
Utilization Review
Medical Review Institute of America
01.1995 - 01.2002
General Pediatrician
Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, Galen Medical Group, Beacon Health Alliance
01.1995 - 01.2014
MBA - Physician's Executive MBA
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
M.D. - Medicine
University of Tennessee School For Health Sciences
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
Carson Newman University