Nancy Merritt named chief compliance officer for Wellmont Health System
KINGSPORT – A highly respected healthcare leader with more than a dozen years experience with compliance matters has brought her expertise to Wellmont Health System.
Nancy Merritt has been named Wellmont’s chief compliance officer. She comes to the region after serving as vice president and compliance officer for Scott & White Health Care in Temple, Texas, since 2011.
“We’re fortunate to have attracted someone with Nancy’s impressive credentials to lead our compliance department,” said John Howard, Wellmont’s executive vice president of legal and corporate affairs. “Nancy has performed exceptionally during her career and will ensure Wellmont continues to demonstrate unparalleled leadership in adhering to a variety of regulations that protect our patients and the nation’s healthcare system.”
Merritt is responsible for overseeing programs that make certain Wellmont and its co-workers comply with all provisions of Medicaid and Medicare. She also implements safeguards so Wellmont has appropriate relationships with healthcare providers who refer patients to the health system. Plus, she ensures Wellmont is following federal regulations that mandate privacy of patient health information.
“This is an extremely important position for all healthcare systems because it bolsters confidence in the community and with government officials that we are maintaining our public trust,” Howard said. “That’s why we are so pleased someone with a high level of integrity has accepted this post with us.”
Prior to her position at Scott & White, Merritt was vice president and compliance officer at Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas from 2007-2011. She was also chief compliance officer from 2000-2007 and internal audit director from 2000-2006 at Valley Health System in Winchester, Va.
A Lewiston, Maine, native, Merritt has ties to the region, with her mother and a sister living in Kingsport. That family connection, along with Wellmont’s sterling reputation, was a key factor in her decision to accept the position.
“I am thrilled to be in Northeast Tennessee and able so spend more time with my family,” Merritt said. “But it’s also a pleasure to work for an organization that is focused not only on clinical excellence but quality in its compliance programs as well. This position will provide a great opportunity to work with our leadership and co-workers to advance that standard to the next level.”
Merritt obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with an emphasis on accounting, from the University of Maine. She is certified in healthcare compliance and healthcare research compliance by the Health Care Compliance Association and in internal audit by the Institute of Internal Auditors.
Download photo of Nancy Merritt.
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