Mark Smith
Starke
Summary
Accomplished leader with 18 years in healthcare, excelling in strategic operations at Covalent Health Solutions. Expert in profit and loss management and payor contract negotiation. Proven track record in enhancing employee satisfaction and collaboration with physician leaders, driving growth and achieving service line objectives. Successfully led teams to surpass financial targets by 10%.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Strategic Operations and Analytics
Covalent Health Solutions
Rohnert Park
01.2018 - Current
- Aligned strategy across divisions to optimize operational effectiveness and performance.
- Led a team of 130+ staff, ensuring safe and cohesive departmental support.
- Guided directors in implementing strategic objectives and prioritized plans.
- Facilitated inter-departmental collaboration to enhance cooperation and integration.
- Provided collaborative leadership within a highly matrixed organization.
- Directed end-to-end revenue cycle management, overseeing $110M+ annual net revenue.
- Monitored activities for effectiveness and timeliness to achieve divisional goals.
- Optimized revenue through oversight of third-party billing agency and data-driven KPIs.
Regional Operations Director
DaVita, Inc.
Ocala
09.2021 - 10.2024
- Achieved Fortune 500 enterprise-wide 1st Quartile and 1st in division in FY 2023
- Successfully managed population health and network management alignment and integration
- Provided consistent leadership and oversight of 11 healthcare offices and 130+ employees
- Partnered with clinical and administrative leaders to improve employee satisfaction
- Ensured human, financial and material resources were mobilized and aligned across region
- Ensured efficient operations through effective workforce strategy meeting system objectives
- Met regional and divisional strategic, financial, operational, clinical and program objectives
- Full PNL responsibility across region including 11 clinics ($50M+)
- Achieved strong EBITDA performance, $11.6M (+$1.8M to budget)
- Beat overall controllable and medical expenses vs 2023 budget (+$2.23/treatment)
- Developed a strong leadership team through recruitment, leadership, and mentorship
- Ensured staffing levels were met consistently (including throughout the pandemic)
- Maintained teammate buy-in through restructuring and multiple senior leadership changes
- Partnered with key administrative and clinical leaders to align health system objectives
- Maintained a competitive market advantage despite significant competitor pressure
- Built a trust-based relationship with significant physician groups and other physicians
- Successfully managed operations at six joint venture clinics including full PNL responsibility
- Worked closely with Business Development and physician groups to drive growth
Director
Century Ambulance Service, Inc.
Jacksonville
06.2002 - 01.2018
- Managed manpower, schedules, and utilization to ensure efficient operations
- Provided direction and guidance to management, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient care
- Held staff accountable to company policies and ensured performance objectives were met
- Managed billing and clinical operations while under a Corporate Integrity Agreement
- Acted as interim director in various capacities, filling leadership vacuums
- Facilitated post-acquisition national integration (culture, operations, and personnel)
- Managed transition from in-house billing to 3rd-party billing (e.g. system integration, etc.)
- Led supply sourcing change and contract negotiation to resolve conflicts of interest
- Held third-party billing agency accountable to performance standards (audits, KPIs, etc.)
- Led initiative to audit and improve documentation compliance and quality
- Designed and implementing a system integrated and CIA compliant QA/QI system
- CIA auditing and annual training of all RCM activities including extrapolation and rebuttal
- Successfully negotiated contracts with multiple MMAs in Florida, Illinois, and California
- Led contract negotiations across multiple industries (401k, hospitals, medical supplies, etc.)
- Managed agreements and contracts to maximize quality and minimize costs and risks
- RFP creation, submission, and negotiation, both private and public, including FEMA responses
Team Lead (call center)
America Online, Inc.
Jacksonville
01.1998 - 09.2001
- Led a team of 20 employees, focusing on productivity and collaboration.
- Developed training materials to enhance engagement and learning effectiveness.
- Mentored new and struggling teammates to boost performance and confidence.
Apache AH-64 Systems Repairer
Florida Army National Guard
Jacksonville
03.1994 - 03.2000
- Achieved honorable discharge with no demerits after six years of service.
- Collaborated with multiple platoons to enhance operational readiness.
- Exited military service with rank of Specialist, demonstrating leadership and commitment.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL05.2017
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL12.2014
Skills
- 18 years multi-site healthcare leadership
- 8 years executive operations management
- Profit and loss responsibility
- Payor contract negotiation and management
- Collaboration with physician leaders
- Project and program management
- Growth strategy development
- Service line objectives
- Employee satisfaction initiatives
References
- Travis Spencer, Vice President of Finance, Covalent Health, 707.364.0237, travis@covalent-health.com
- Jaheda Nisar, Divisional VP (2023 direct supv.), 609.820.2323, jaheda.nisar@davita.com
- Matthew Johnson, Director of Medical Transportation, HCA Healthcare, 954.798-0439, matthew.johnson14@hcahealthcare.com
- Rafeal Mulet, VP of Strategic Execution & CAO, Ocala Kidney Group, 321.698.3066, rmulet@ocalakidneygroup.com
- Mahesh Vaghela - MD, Nephrologist Partner - Ocala Kidney Group, 352.804.1727, mvaghela@ocalakidneygroup.com
- Chris McAllister, United States Navy - Retired, Troop Master Trail Life Troop FL-1595, 904.292.8930, mcallice@gmail.com
- Shelvin Lamb, Orange Park Baptist Church, 904.318.1242, shelvin@firstfam.org
Timeline
Regional Operations Director
DaVita, Inc.
09.2021 - 10.2024
Director of Strategic Operations and Analytics
Covalent Health Solutions
01.2018 - Current
Director
Century Ambulance Service, Inc.
06.2002 - 01.2018
Team Lead (call center)
America Online, Inc.
01.1998 - 09.2001
Apache AH-64 Systems Repairer
Florida Army National Guard
03.1994 - 03.2000
Master of Business Administration -
University of Florida
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Florida State College at Jacksonville