Meet the NORM Board Members

Nancy Ellis, President

Nancy Ellis, President

Piedmont Arthritis Clinic | Greenville, SC

The daughter of a physician and a nurse anesthetist, Nancy Ellis was destined for a career in medicine. Rather than practice it however, Nancy chose to manage it.

Nancy’s education and certifications include a Masters in Health Administration and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well as a BA in Psychology from the University of Tampa. Additionally, she is a board Certified Healthcare Executive from the American College of Healthcare Executives. In 2018, she earned her certification as a Certified Rheumatology Coder through sponsorship from NORM.

Since August 2009, Nancy has served as the Practice Administrator for Piedmont Arthritis Clinic in Greenville, SC where she has overall operational management of the five-provider rheumatology practice and infusion center. Her diverse background experience ranges from being Vice President of Alternative Delivery Services at Coosa Valley Baptist and Citizens Baptist Medical Centers in Talladega County, AL to Office Manager of a solo OB/GYN practice.
Nancy also has served as Financial Manager over nine business units for Anmed Home Care Services in Anderson, SC. Her career has included being Practice Manager for Cancer Centers of the Carolinas and Orthopaedic Center of the Carolinas, both of which operated multiple practice sites in the Upstate.

Nancy’s passion is to achieve the ideal medical practice model through continuous process improvements in administrative efficiencies, quality of care, and doctor/patient relationships.

Michelle Owen, Vice-President

Michelle Owen, Vice-President

Arthritis and Rheumatology of Palm Beach | Boynton Beach, FL

Michelle Owen is the Operations Manager for Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates of Palm Beach a ten provider Rheumatology practice in South Florida. She has been in her present role since 2008. Her responsibilities include overseeing the day to day operations of the practice which include in office infusion and self-injectable medication verification and prior authorization. Michelle is a Certified Professional Coder with experience in appeals, reviews, physician chart document auditing. She also specializes in CMS’s changing payment models.

Katie Taylor, Secretary

Katie Taylor, Secretary

Carondelet Rheumatology | Kansas City, MO

Katie Taylor is a Kansas City native and has 18 years of experience working in private practice. She started in Medical Billing and worked in every nonclinical department at her internal Medicine/Subspecialty group. Katie joined the leadership team in 2010 and has managed Reception, Call Center/Scheduling Department, Billing Department Director, and managed multiple facilities as an Office Manager. She has been exposed to Rheumatology since 2008 and has been the Rheumatology manager since 2014. In 2017, Carondelet Rheumatology, was opened as a standalone Rheumatology Practice and division of Signature Medical Group. Katie manages A-Z operations in her practice with one Rheumatologist, two advanced practitioners, and a 6-chair infusion suite. Katie is certified in Rheumatology Coding, Medical Practice Management, and Rheumatology Practice Management. Katie is very passionate about Rheumatology and the difference her team makes in the lives of their patients. She serves on an Amgen Speaker’s bureau, has spoken as a guest at the Arthritis Foundation’s national conference, and is a Co Chairman for Norm’s Membership committee. In her personal life Katie spends her time mothering her 15-year-old son, spending time with her family, and creating adventures everywhere she goes!

Kelli Kelleher, Treasurer

Kelli Kelleher, Treasurer

Arthritis Consultants, PA | Columbia, SC

As the daughter of two long time practice administrators, Kelli grew up with an understanding of the necessity of providing quality management for patient care and its role in patient success. Though she did not intend to become an administrator at first, eight years ago she accepted a supporting administrative role at Arthritis Consultants, PA and fell in love with the staff camaraderie and the patients at the practice. When offered the role to step up as administrator of the practice and it’s 6-chair infusion suite, she accepted gladly. Kelli holds a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications with an emphasis on Public Relations from the University of South Carolina and an MBA from Southern Wesleyan University. Not resting on her laurels, Kelli has additional certifications as a Physician Practice Manager and Rheumatology Management Specialist and is looking to add a few more certifications under her belt soon.  She is always looking for new ways to grow and serve the patient community who trust their care to Arthritis Consultants.

When not managing this growing practice, Kelli volunteers her time with non-profits and is an active member of the local community providing resources to those who require them and coordinating relief for people with needs.  She enjoys cooking, traveling and exploring new places with her family.  She is a jack of all trades and works hard to master as many possible.

Deborah Fronsoe, Director

Deborah Fronsoe, Director

Tristate Arthritis & Rheumatology | Crestview Hills, KY

Debbi Fronsoe is the Practice Administrator for Tristate Arthritis & Rheumatology in Crestview Hills, KY (Northern KY/Cincinnati area). She started her career here in 2019 as the Insurance/Billing Manager and started her dream job of Practice Administrator in January, 2022.

Tristate Arthritis & Rheumatology has 8 providers, 8 infusion chairs, 1 injection chair, and a Physical Therapy Department. She earned her Associate of Technical Studies in 2012 and Associate of Applied Science in 2014 at The University of Cincinnati. She obtained her CPC through AAPC in 2012, CRHC through AAPC in 2020, CMPM through sponsorship from NORM in 2021 and CPMA through AAPC in 2021. Along with being on the NORM Board, Debbi is also serving on the Payer Committee. She is honored to serve the membership of NORM as a board member.

Debbi manages the daily operations which include the payroll, financials, human resources, compliance, staff training, manages the Insurance/Billing Department and the Front Office. She currently manages 28 staff members and is in the process of transitioning the practice from a non-integrated separate PM and EMR to one system, EPIC.

In her spare time, Debbi enjoys spending time with her family, camping, and traveling.

Kristina Kujan, Director

Kristina Kujan, Director

Arthritis & Rheumatology Center of South Florida | Margate, FL

Kristina Kujan was born and raised in South Florida and has been working in the healthcare field for 23 years. Kristina has worked in private practices as well as hospital settings. After years of working in the billing setting Kristina found her passion in private practice where she could both advocate for her Doctors as well as patients.  Kristina has been working in the Rheumatology space since 2002 and has been a Rheumatology manager since 2019.
 
Kristina manages all patient facing care in her practice including in office infusion, prior authorization, and accounts receivable with 1 Rheumatologist, 1 advanced practitioner, and a 4 chair infusion suite.  Kristina has been part of the practice managers planning committee with the Florida Society of Rheumatology and has also spoken for Pharmaceutical companies. Kristina is part of the Norm Biologic Coordinators committee and excited to help others navigate the challenging world of Prior Authorizations! 
Marie Lara, Director

Marie Lara, Director

Arthritis Center of Orlando | Orlando, FL

Marie is the Practice Administrator at the Arthritis Center of Orlando. She has been in the medical field for 28 years in both hospital and private settings. Marie is a certified surgical technologist. As the Practice administrator at ACO, she manages the day-to-day operations including the buy and billing of injections for infusions, infusion drugs, prior authorizations, appeals,  human resources, payroll, and compliance.  Ms. Lara’s staff includes 2 physicians, 1 NP, and 15 employees.

Since 2014, Ms. Lara has been an active member of the Florida Society of Rheumatology for the practice managers and is an elected leader to plan the annual conference. She has served over 4 years on advisory boards and as a national speaker for different pharmaceutical companies. For the past 3 years, she also served on the advisory board for Orange County Tech schools: MA/Adm. Program In addition to being a director on the Norm board she also volunteers on the outreach committee.

Her passion and greatest strength are “to work smart not hard” by practicing a lean operation.  She has excellent procurement management skills which came in handy during COVID because of the shortage of supplies

Christine Nicholl, Director

Christine Nicholl, Director

Piedmont Arthritis Clinic | Greenville, SC

Christine has managed Piedmont Arthritis Clinic since 2006 and has been in the medical field since 1996.  As the office manager, she manages day-to-day operations of the practice including human resources, payroll, information technology, MIPS/MACRA, quality improvement, inventory management, and accounts receivable/payable, plus a few other hats.  Her 39-person staff includes 4 providers, 3 mid-levels, and 6 infusion staff.  She also spearheads the Benchmarking Committee within NORM. 

A lifelong student, Christine‘s education includes architecture from Kent State University, computer science from the University of Nevada – Las Vegas, and most recently a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Western Governors’ University.  She has plans to return to school to obtain a master’s degree, but is unsure which field she will pursue next.  Additionally, Christine earned her Certified Rheumatology Health Coder through sponsorship from NORM in 2019.        
 
As an avid reader, Christine can most often be found engrossed in an e-book, but she also enjoys spending time with her family, watching K-dramas, and learning Japanese.  Konnichiwa ya’ll!
Liz Schultz, Director

Liz Schultz, Director

Salem Rheumatology & Infusions | Salem, OR

Liz Schultz, CMPE, Practice Manager for Salem Rheumatology & Infusions in Salem Oregon, has been working in rheumatology for 16 years, overseeing all aspects of office and infusion management. During that time, she had transitioned ownership of the practice twice and added providers.  As a small private practice rheumatology office, she knows that managing the revenue cycle, office expenses and staff is vital to the continued success of small offices.  Her greatest passion is working with her patients to help them afford their medications to achieve the quality of life they deserve. 

When not working in the office, Liz enjoys hiking, camping, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Stacy Yonker, Director

Stacy Yonker, Director

Sarasota Arthritis Centers | Sarasota, FL

Stacy Yonker is the Chief Executive Officer of Sarasota Arthritis Center and has worked in the Rheumatology field since 2015. Currently, she oversees overall operations of the multi-location, 12 provider practice. Starting at her practice as a Patient Care Coordinator, she has developed the knowledge to effectively guide business operations during her tenure at Sarasota Arthritis Center. This has allowed Stacy a greater understanding of the positions within the practice and can better support her staff and managers.

Stacy obtained her Bachelor’s in Technology Management at the State College of Florida and her MBA from Purdue University. She is also a Certified Medical Practice Executive through MGMA and is currently working on becoming a Fellow. Stacy holds certifications in Risk and Compliance Management (CRCMP & CPCO), Rheumatology Management through NORM (CRMS), Medical Practice Management (CMPM) and has her CMAA through the NHA. She hopes to complete her Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification by the end of 2023.

Stacy’s ultimate goal is to be able to encourage and support fellow Rheumatology managers as she is passionate about the Rheumatology field. Stacy participates in advocacy efforts as she is enthusiastic about patient and practice advocacy. When not at work, Stacy enjoys spending time with family and friends, doing home projects and line dancing.

  • As a speaker at the first ad hoc meeting of rheumatology practice managers gathered in a single small room at its infancy a decade ago, I’m amazed to see how NORM has blossomed into a high energy organization of depth and professional meetings with parallel break-out symposia between plenary sessions. NORM has truly come of age. This is where the “business” of rheumatology gets learned. The ”guildmanship” for rheumatology practice management is now strong.- Paul H. Caldron, DO, FACP, FACR, MBA, Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates
  • In a time of demanding changes in the management of medical practices in the US, NORM has been a lifesaver to the community of Rheumatology practices.  NORM has allowed our practice to stay ahead of the many demands of CMS and others payors and has ensured that our practice remains cognizant of new issues that arise in HIPPA compliance, human resources and medical billing to name a few. Sending our Practice Manager to NORM's conferences has been cost-effective and beneficial to our practice because she returns to our office with an abundance of information that otherwise would have taken months to compile. Every Rheumatology practice that wishes to stay on top of emerging issues in practice management should consider sending a member of their staff to NORM's conference.- Michael S. Rosen M.D., Chester County Rheumatology PC
  • Thanks to all those wonderful people in the NORM Network who respond to emails, offering their advice, experience, time, and support ... I haven't even been a member a full year yet and I am amazed at the dedication of everyone who responds to helping via emails and the NORM Organization itself! I have barely had a chance to explore the resources and I have yet to really dive into requests for help still I am silently learning so much and do occasionally offer what I can! Thank you all!- Cheryl Piambino, Kenneth E. Bresky, DO

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