Kari Williams
Elwood
Summary
Transformational revenue-cycle and enterprise operations leader with 20 years driving revenue growth, financial performance, and operational excellence for multi-specialty healthcare organizations. Expert in building scalable infrastructures, optimizing financial strategy, and aligning cross-functional teams to accelerate top-line and bottom-line results. Known for elevating performance by redesigning systems, modernizing processes, and enabling organizations to exceed aggressive revenue targets. Strong executive presence with proven ability to unify clinical, financial, and operational teams behind strategy that fuels sustainable growth.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President, Operations (Revenue Cycle)
Optum
03.2024 - Current
- Strategic executive overseeing enterprise revenue operations, coding excellence, centralized authorizations, financial counseling, and multi-site call center functions across specialty and primary care.
- Direct revenue operations strategy impacting cash flow, growth initiatives, and enterprise financial performance.
- Implemented strategic improvements to point-of-sale collection processes, achieving a 30% rise in collections and significantly expediting cash flow.
- Governed all charge master and financial policies to ensure compliance, financial accuracy, and revenue optimization.
- Led cross-functional alignment between operations, finance, clinical leadership, and technology to support enterprise growth priorities.
- Set organizational KPIs for financial performance and enacted real-time operational adjustments to meet and exceed targets.
- Built scalable operational frameworks to support future expansion and improved organizational resource allocation.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop and implement innovative healthcare solutions, improving patient outcomes.
- Directed strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery across multiple business units.
- Fostered collaboration among stakeholders to drive consensus on key projects and initiatives, enhancing productivity.
- Streamlined budget management processes, optimizing resource allocation and reducing costs while maintaining quality standards.
Director, Revenue Cycle
Optum
06.2022 - 03.2023
- Led full revenue cycle operations, including billing, coding, reimbursement, and performance analytics, for a large multi-specialty organization.
- Evaluated revenue cycle infrastructure and implemented upgrades improving throughput, accuracy, and overall financial efficiency.
- Produced financial reporting, forecasting, and analysis to support enterprise-level decision-making.
- Expanded communication and operational alignment across departments, reducing friction and improving revenue continuity.
- Identified revenue leakage points and developed strategies to maximize collections and financial performance.
- Strengthened operational readiness for organizational growth and centralization initiatives.
- Developed and implemented data-driven strategies to optimize resource allocation across departments.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and drive performance improvements.
Associate Director, Patient Access
American Health Network, Part of Optum
10.2021 - 06.2022
- Oversaw enterprise access functions including centralized call centers, advanced cost estimates, referral management, and prior authorizations.
- Implemented enterprise KPIs, quality audits, and performance frameworks improving service levels and operational efficiency.
- Reduced call abandonment rates and enhanced call center productivity across all ACD queues.
- Developed organization-wide training and standardized processes for eligibility, insurance, and front-end revenue functions.
- Contributed to large-scale initiatives centralizing referrals and authorizations across the organization.
Patient Access Manager
Riverview Health
07.2019 - 09.2021
- Managed 49+ team members across ED Registration, Outpatient Registration, Infusion Center, Surgery Registration, Switchboard, and Cashiers Office.
- Designed and executed front-end financial processes consistently exceeding collection targets.
- Developed budgets, performance goals, and operational strategies aligned with executive financial objectives.
- Identified organizational inefficiencies and implemented solutions increasing throughput and performance.
Patient Financial Services Coordinator
Riverview Health
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Led improvement initiatives across cashiering, customer service, and financial counseling teams.
- Managed contract relationships, early-out vendors, and bad-debt agency partnerships to optimize recoveries.
- Supported annual audit preparation and end-of-year cost reporting to ensure regulatory compliance.
Patient Financial Services Support Specialist
Riverview Health
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Trained revenue cycle staff across AR, insurance processing, collections, cashiering, and customer service.
- Reviewed accounts for bad debt transfer and assisted with cost reporting and payment posting oversight.
Patient Financial Services Support Specialist
Riverview Health
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Trained revenue cycle staff across AR, insurance processing, collections, cashiering, and customer service.
- Reviewed accounts for bad debt transfer and assisted with cost reporting and payment posting oversight.
Patient Financial Services Representative
Riverview Health
03.2008 - 01.2013
- Completed all hospital billing functions for government and commercial payers
- Assisted patients in understanding their financial responsibilities, guiding them through available payment options and resources.
- Contributed to team success by sharing knowledge of best practices in medical billing and coding procedures.
Patient Service Representative
Dr. Samuel Heiser
08.2004 - 03.2008
- Managed patient scheduling and appointment confirmations to ensure efficient workflow and enhance patient experience.
- Processed insurance verifications and pre-authorizations to facilitate seamless patient access to services.
- Addressed patient inquiries and resolved concerns, fostering strong patient-provider relationships and improving satisfaction rates.
- Trained new staff on office protocols and software systems, promoting consistency in service delivery across the team.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Health Administration
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT07.2018
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Health Administration
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT09.2015
Skills
- Enterprise Revenue Strategy & Optimization
- P&L Management & Forecasting
- Growth Leadership & Market Expansion
- Organizational Restructuring
- Executive Team Leadership
- Value-Based Care & Regulatory Strategy
- Revenue Operations (RevOps)
- Charge Master & Financial Policy Governance
- Billing, Collections & Reimbursement Excellence
- Technology Enablement & Automation
- Customer Experience & Patient Financial Engagement
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Certification
- CompTIA Project+ (Project Management)
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
Personal Information
Title: Vice President, Operations (Revenue Cycle)
Timeline
Vice President, Operations (Revenue Cycle)
Optum
03.2024 - Current
Director, Revenue Cycle
Optum
06.2022 - 03.2023
Associate Director, Patient Access
American Health Network, Part of Optum
10.2021 - 06.2022
Patient Access Manager
Riverview Health
07.2019 - 09.2021
Patient Financial Services Coordinator
Riverview Health
01.2017 - 01.2019
Patient Financial Services Support Specialist
Riverview Health
01.2013 - 01.2017
Patient Financial Services Support Specialist
Riverview Health
01.2013 - 01.2017
Patient Financial Services Representative
Riverview Health
03.2008 - 01.2013
Patient Service Representative
Dr. Samuel Heiser
08.2004 - 03.2008
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Health Administration
Western Governors University
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Health Administration
Western Governors University