Kristi Weikel
Andover,MN
Summary
Accomplished operational executive and attorney with over 20 years of experience advising senior leaders on complex legal, regulatory, compliance, and safety matters. Expertise in safeguarding organizational interests during high-stakes negotiations, internal investigations, and regulatory inquiries while fostering collaboration among C-suite leaders across diverse business environments, including healthcare. A key partner in integrating business operations with legal and compliance frameworks to proactively identify and mitigate risks, driving innovation within the organization. Recognized for delivering strategic counsel and exhibiting cross-functional leadership while maintaining a steadfast commitment to advancing the organization's mission and vision.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
National Vice President, Quality and Patient Safety
UnitedHealth Group - Optum Health
Eden Prairie, MN
03.2023 - Current
- Set enterprise-wide quality and patient safety short and long-term strategy to improve patient experience and eliminate preventable harm for all patients across all Medicare, Medicaid, and Commercial payers.
- Hands-on leader of 45 Direct/Indirect reports (attorneys, paralegals, nurses, project managers, process engineers); provided executive leadership and mentorship to the team to support expansion of our national QPS Programs: Practice Health and Safety, Clinical Risk Management, Center of Excellence – Integrations, Culture and Software Systems, Employee Health and Safety, Quality Improvement, Project Management Office and team budget.
- Direct operations for successful execution of all QPS priorities across Optum Health in the areas of internal and externals safety standards, proactive risk assessments (audits), adverse event reporting and response, employee safety, safety culture, supportive software systems (RLDatix, Smartsheet, Power BI), quality improvement, QPS data, due diligence, and integration of new acquisitions.
- Aligned large groups of stakeholders with alternative perspectives to Optum Health Minimum Necessary Standards/Policies to achieve requirements and expedite remediation (signals/escalations, event reporting, investigations, RCAs, integrations, COVID-19, proactive risk assessments).
- Partner with legal and compliance teams to ensure adherence to federal and state regulations impacting quality and patient safety.
- Spearheaded the development and federal listing of an Optum Health Patient Safety Organization (PSO) and onboarded all Care Delivery Organizations.
- Chaired pilot projects using AI to identify actionable insights from large unstructured data sets.
- Serve as Accountable Quality Leader (AQL) in dyad partnership with National Medical Director; Co-chair the Optum Health QPS Council; and member of the UHG Enterprise QPS Council.
Senior Director, Clinical Risk Management & Safety
UnitedHealth Group - Optum Care
Eden Prairie, MN
09.2019 - 03.2023
- Directed enterprise-wide safety programs including incident response, employee safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Led integration strategies for newly acquired entities, assessing legal and operational risk.
- Developed and implemented enterprise-wide dashboards and KPIs for safety and quality metrics.
Associate General Counsel - Medicare
UnitedHealth Group - United Healthcare
Minnetonka, MN
07.2014 - 09.2019
- Provided advice to senior leaders of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Employer Group business to identify and manage potential legal risks, recommend solutions, and help advance business objectives related to RFPs, marketing, sales, implementation, operations, on and offboarding clients, and new strategies/innovations.
- Interpreted state and federal rules and regulations (Anti-Kickback Statute, HIPAA, the False Claims Act, CMS rules and regulations for Medicare Advantage plans including benefit design, marketing, Part C and Part D).
- Drafted and negotiated customer and vendor contracts and agreements.
- In person legal support at bidder finalist meetings and contract negotiations.
- Appointed as Secretary of UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare underwriting legal entities (2015-2017).
Director of HR, Chief Operating Officer, Attorney
Vein Clinic, PA
Chanhassen, MN
09.2012 - 07.2014
- Advised Chief Executive Officer (physician and owner) of a multi-location specialty clinic in the areas of real estate, employment, business, and succession planning.
- Provided business leaders with counsel on regulatory, transactional matters and business strategies.
- Served as key member of the executive leadership team.
- Managed five members of the executive leadership team.
- Recruited, interviewed, hired, and on-boarded all professional and technical staff.
- Developed compensation and benefit programs.
- Negotiated and drafted company agreements, leases, purchase and sale documents.
- Managed relationship with outside counsel on litigation matters.
CEO, Owner, and Managing Attorney
Weikel Law Firm, LLC
Ramsey, MN
05.2005 - 09.2012
- Founded general practice law firm and built a team of attorneys, paralegals, law clerks, interns, and administrative staff to support a large client base.
- Directed the day-to-day business operations including relationship development, marketing, finance, and technology.
- Represented individuals in estate planning matters.
- Represented small businesses in business start-up, acquisitions, mergers, employment law, and commercial real estate transactions including LOIs, purchases, sales, and leasing.
Education
Juris Doctor (JD) -
Mitchell Hamline School of Law
St. Paul, MN02-2005
Bachelor of Science - Paralegal Studies
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN05-2001
Skills
- Policy formulation
- Program execution oversight
- Experienced in guiding teams
- Collaborative decision-making
- Clear and concise communication
- Strategic business leadership
- Versatile in dynamic environments
- Effective team leadership
- Strategic issue analysis
- Program design and implementation
- Operational leadership and oversight
- Goal-oriented planning
Accomplishments
- Built and supervised a team of 45 staff members to effectively shift from reactive to proactive risk mitigation.
- Achieved [Result] through effectively helping with [Task].
- Collaborated with team of [Number] in the development of [Project name].
- Documented and resolved [Issue] which led to [Results].
Certification
- Licensed Attorney, Active in Minnesota
- Graduate of UnitedHealth Group Leadership Development Program
- Licensed Real Estate Broker, Inactive
Timeline
National Vice President, Quality and Patient Safety
UnitedHealth Group - Optum Health
03.2023 - Current
Senior Director, Clinical Risk Management & Safety
UnitedHealth Group - Optum Care
09.2019 - 03.2023
Associate General Counsel - Medicare
UnitedHealth Group - United Healthcare
07.2014 - 09.2019
Director of HR, Chief Operating Officer, Attorney
Vein Clinic, PA
09.2012 - 07.2014
CEO, Owner, and Managing Attorney
Weikel Law Firm, LLC
05.2005 - 09.2012
Juris Doctor (JD) -
Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Bachelor of Science - Paralegal Studies
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Community Service
- Andover Endzone Club, Volunteer, 2020, Present
- Andover Lacrosse Booster Club, Volunteer, 2020, Present
- Hope Fellowship of Ramsey Board of Directors, Member, 2012, 2020
- Andover Area Lacrosse Association Board of Directors, Member, 2016, 2018
- Ramsey Rotary, Past-President, 2012, 2013
- Business Diversified Professionals Chapter of Business Networkers International, Past-President, 2010, 2011