Our Leadership Team

Sally-Ann Polson’s initial venture into health care set the stage for an exciting and varied career. After University Ms. Polson entered the Peace Corps in Gambia, West Africa, and went on to develop a Primary Health Care System for a 50-village area that had never had healthcare services.

Ms. Polson was recognized by the World Health Organization for developing the “model” for primary health systems in the third world.

Upon returning to the United States, Ms. Polson held management positions with the American Red Cross, and INOVA, the Metropolitan Washington D.C. area’s largest Health Care System. During her tenure with INOVA, Polson was charged with developing corporate health programs and starting a new Cost Containment Company, Health Cost Consultants. In 1989, Polson transitioned to Senior Vice President of INOVA and President of Health Cost Consultants, and created a medical management firm providing software and medical management services to TPAs, self-insured employer groups and health and welfare funds nationwide. HCC was successful and eventually sold to AETNA.

Ms. Polson spent the next 12 years as Executive Vice President of American Health Holding (AHH) applying her broad-base clinical, technical and business acumen to lead AHH from a small managed care company to becoming the largest in the industry in cost containment.

Now, as President of MedWatch and partnering in her own company with other industry experts, Ms. Polson is addressing the “Pain Points” of the Industry and delivering services that are truly making a difference in the medical management and cost of healthcare.

Ms. Polson is passionate about health cost containment and fiscal control and continues to successfully create change in the industry benefiting both the patients and the health plans and other payors.

Ms. Polson received her undergraduate degree with honors from Sweet Briar College and her graduate business education from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.
Sally Ann joined MedWatch in 2011.

Valerie brings over 35 years of experience in the healthcare industry, with a proven track record of leading both technology and operations to drive organizational success. Since joining MedWatch in 2006, she has overseen the full scope of Information Technology and operational functions, ensuring seamless alignment between business strategy and technical execution.

Her leadership has been instrumental in streamlining internal processes, optimizing system performance, and supporting the company’s continued growth. Valerie’s ability to bridge the gap between IT and operations has enabled MedWatch to implement scalable, efficient solutions that enhance service delivery and operational agility.

Prior to MedWatch, Valerie spent 13 years with a major Florida hospital system, where she developed and implemented innovative information systems to meet complex healthcare demands. Her expertise spans project management, system development, and enterprise operations.

Valerie holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Central Florida and Master Certificates in IS/IT Project Management and Business Analysis from Villanova University. She is passionate about continuous improvement and enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Dr. Wood holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hendrix College. He completed his post-graduate fellowship in nephrology at Yale University, and an internship and residency in internal medicine at Carolinas Medical Center.

He is a distinguished physician with extensive experience in nephrology and internal medicine. Dr. Wood is also an attending physician at Atrium Carolinas Medical Center, as well as the President of Wood Medical Consulting, PA, in Charlotte, NC.

Earlier in his career, he oversaw the initiation of nocturnal and home hemodialysis programs and managed clinical operations across multiple offices and dialysis facilities, which led to substantial growth in patient census and cost reductions through innovative documentation protocols. His involvement in utilization review spans over two decades, with expertise in inpatient hospitalization, post-acute facility stays, medications, outpatient services, surgical procedures, laboratory and radiographic tests, coding, and clinical validation.

Dr. Wood’s commitment to excellence in patient care, medical education, and healthcare management makes him an asset to MedWatch and the entire medical community. His diverse interests and extensive professional network further enhance his ability to provide exceptional medical consulting services.

Amy has held a Registered Nursing license since 1991, beginning her career as a Burn Trauma Unit Nurse in a Level 1 Trauma Center.

She has extensive experience in Case Management and Utilization Review/Management in the Acute Care, Acute Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing Facility, Home Health and Hospice Arena as well as the Insurance and Worker’s Compensation fields.

Amy obtained her Master of Business Administration degree with a specialization in Health Services Management and Finance in 2003. She joined MedWatch in 2012 as the Director of Case Management, and now as Chief Medical Officer, oversees Case Management, Utilization Review, Population Health Management Operations, as well as other Clinical functions and processes at MedWatch.

Debbie Miller joined MedWatch in January of 2018 as the Vice President of Concierge and Advocacy Services and brings her vast industry knowledge and experience to the team. Debbie began her career in the TPA industry and worked her way up the ladder to become the Vice President of Operations for EBS-RMSCO, a large TPA in New York. There she oversaw eight departments and was instrumental in managing two mergers, claim system consolidation, expense reduction, new business development and the completion of a 6-year NYS HCRA audit.

Preferring beach umbrellas over snow shovels, Debbie moved to Florida with a medical management company as the Vice President of Operations and was responsible for overseeing and coordinating all care and claims operations. Several years later, she was presented with an opportunity to join the team of a national TPA where she applied her thirty years of experience, twenty-two of which were working with self-funded/ERISA plans in the health claims industry, first as the Vice President of Operations and then as Vice President of Client Services.

In her ever-expanding role with MedWatch, Debbie’s expansive industry knowledge and experience has been instrumental in managing the growth and effectiveness of MedWatch’s Pathways – Medical Concierge Services. This comprehensive single point of contact service eliminates the administrative burden of fielding member calls regarding benefit plan details, medical procedures, prescriptions, claims status and more that were previously the responsibility of the TPA, including the ability to manage all provider calls as well. This service bridges the crucial gap between benefits & care, provider & patient, hospital & home.

Debbie’s role also provides oversight for the Medical Intake Call Center, and all ancillary services that compliment and support MedWatch’s core services.

Debbie is a graduate of Columbia College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.

Kim Kline joined the MedWatch team in 2012 with over 15 years of experience in hospitality and management. Kim brings a solid foundation and passion for customer service.

In her time at MedWatch, Kim has served in several roles where she developed a fervor for efficient processes that result in the delivery of quality health cost containment solutions.

Kim attended the University of Pittsburgh. Kim is proud to be, along with her husband, raising her two children in the Steel City, where they love to root for the Black and Gold.

Rielly Donnell joined MedWatch in May 2015 and has advanced through multiple technology leadership roles, including Systems Analyst, IT Manager, and IT Director. Throughout his career, Rielly has led initiatives that strengthened cybersecurity, ensured successful SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 audits, and established documentation standards for development and security.

As Vice President of Technology, Rielly oversees all technology functions, including help desk, cybersecurity, EDI, in-house application development, data analytics, network administration, and SaaS systems. He has driven key innovations such as Power BI implementation, SSO integrations, and API-driven efficiencies that enhance security and streamline operations. Rielly is committed to fostering a collaborative leadership culture that emphasizes transparency, continuous improvement, and professional growth, while actively mentoring team members to help them achieve their full potential.

With extensive experience implementing technology solutions that support healthcare operations and cost containment at MedWatch, Rielly is passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex challenges and deliver measurable value to clients and stakeholders. He partners with company leadership to align technology initiatives with organizational goals and continues to explore emerging technologies to position MedWatch at the forefront of innovation in medical management.

Rielly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from the University of Central Florida and brings over 13 years of experience spanning IT support, web development, SQL optimization, and technology leadership. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his family, taking cruises, and visiting the Northeast to spend time with extended family and friends.

Karen is a Registered Nurse with over 40 years of diverse clinical and leadership experience across hospital and outpatient settings. Her background spans Orthopedics, Medical/Surgical, Oncology, Critical Care, Home Health, Telephone Triage, Family Practice, Utilization Review, Case Management, and Disease Management.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master’s in Health Administration, and is a certified Accredited Case Manager (ACM-RN).

Since joining MedWatch in 2015, Karen has served in a variety of clinical and leadership roles. In her current position as Vice President of Quality Management and Staff Development, she leads the organization’s URAC Accreditation efforts and oversees staff training and development initiatives, driving excellence in quality and organizational performance.

Chris brings over 12 years of experience in the self-insurance industry, specializing in cost containment, third-party administration, medical management, and vendor solutions. Throughout his career, Chris has developed a reputation for driving operational excellence and delivering innovative solutions that enhance client outcomes.

In his current role as Vice President of Operations, Chris leads critical functions including program management, product development, client implementation, system configurations, vendor relations, and process improvement. His strategic leadership ensures seamless execution and continuous improvement across all operational areas.

Chris holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Chris enjoys life with his wife and two sons. Outside of work, he is an avid hockey enthusiast, coaching and playing in his free time.

Yvonne Lavan, RN, CCM, is a seasoned healthcare leader with more than 30 years of nursing and healthcare management experience. Her diverse clinical background includes behavioral health, hospice care, home health, and case management. Throughout her career, Yvonne has held progressive leadership positions across a variety of healthcare settings, combining strong clinical expertise with operational excellence.

Prior to joining MedWatch, Yvonne served as Director of Nursing and later Administrator of a 64-bed Alzheimer’s care facility, Operations Manager for residential programs serving female adolescent foster care clients, and Director of a 120-bed assisted living community. These roles provided extensive experience in clinical operations, quality management, care coordination, regulatory compliance, and interdisciplinary team leadership.

Yvonne is a Registered Nurse and a Certified Case Manager (CCM) with a passion for improving healthcare outcomes, enhancing the member experience, and supporting high-performing care management teams. Since joining MedWatch in 2015, Yvonne has served in multiple leadership capacities, including Assistant Director of Acute Case Management, Director of Case Management Specialty Programs, Executive Director of Case Management, and now Vice President of Medical Management. Her progression through these roles reflects a proven track record of leadership, operational excellence, and dedication to advancing innovative care management programs that improve outcomes for members and clients alike.

Patty Brown joined MedWatch in July 2011 as Director of Accounting and Human Resources and has since progressed into an executive leadership role.

As Vice President of Finance, Patty leads financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting initiatives that advance organizational growth and inform strategic decision-making. Drawing on extensive financial services experience, she has led finance transformations, strengthened reporting capabilities, and managed multimillion-dollar budgets.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, Patty builds high-performing teams and fosters a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Her expertise spans financial analysis, business performance management, strategic planning, process optimization, and stakeholder engagement.

Stacy brings over 30 years of nursing experience to MedWatch, with a diverse background in long-term care, orthopedic and cardiac rehabilitation, occupational health and healthcare management. Her extensive experience also includes serving as the former owner of both an occupational health clinic and an assisted living facility, giving her a well-rounded perspective on patient care, operations, and leadership.

Since joining MedWatch in 2012, Stacy has held leadership roles across multiple departments, demonstrating a strong commitment to operational excellence and team success. She plays a vital role in ensuring the Case Management Department operates efficiently and seamlessly. Her leadership, industry knowledge, and dedication to supporting her team contribute to the department’s continued success.

Since joining MedWatch in 2020, Vanessa has played an instrumental role in expanding and optimizing call center operations across the organization. With more than 25 years of customer service experience and over 15 years in leadership roles, she is recognized for assisting in building high-performing teams, enhancing member experiences, and driving operational excellence through a people-first approach.

As the Vice President of Concierge & Call Center Operations at MedWatch, Vanessa oversees all call center operations, including the Pathways Concierge, Medical Intake, and other member support service teams, providing strategic leadership focused on operational excellence, service quality, and organizational growth.

Prior to MedWatch, Vanessa built a diverse leadership background through executive support, human resources, project management, and operations roles. This broad experience has given her a unique ability to align people, processes, and technology to achieve organizational goals while maintaining a strong focus on both customer and employee experience. Known for her collaborative leadership style and passion for service, Vanessa is dedicated to developing talent, fostering engagement, and delivering exceptional outcomes for members, clients, and business partners.

A bilingual leader fluent in English and Spanish, Vanessa is passionate about mentoring teams, cultivating a culture of accountability and service excellence, and creating meaningful experiences for members and clients alike. She continues to champion innovation, operational effectiveness, and scalable growth while leading the ongoing evolution of MedWatch’s service and support operations.

Laura Love joined MedWatch in January 2024 as Vice President of Human Resources and Benefits, bringing with her more than two decades of experience leading transformative HR strategies across the medical, banking, and aviation industries. In her current role, Laura leads enterprise-wide initiatives encompassing talent acquisition and development, benefits administration, employee relations, payroll, compensation, and performance management.

Before joining MedWatch, Laura served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at a Florida-based community bank, where she led comprehensive HR programs including talent acquisition and development, benefits, payroll, compensation, and employee engagement. In her earlier role as a regional HR leader at a global aviation support organization she oversaw HR operations across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean; ranging from recruiting, labor relations, union negotiations and acquisition integration to employee relations, payroll, and benefits.

Throughout her career, Laura has held key HR leadership positions where she has consistently driven organizational growth through effective people strategies, training, and operational excellence.

Laura holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Roosevelt University. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), and Certified Plan Sponsor Professional (CPSP).

Anna Hansen brings over two decades of extensive experience in client solutions and retention within the managed care and cost containment sectors. She plays a pivotal role in collaborating with claim payers, TPAs, health plans, and welfare funds to address their complex cost containment needs. Her expertise encompasses a comprehensive suite of personalized healthcare solutions for both behavioral and medical health plans, serving self-funded, fully insured, and carrier clients. Anna is particularly skilled in identifying and implementing cost containment strategies that deliver a substantial return on investment without compromising the quality of patient care.

As a seasoned leader, Anna provides high-level consultative and strategic oversight for complex accounts, consistently driving innovative solutions and ensuring strong client relationships. She has a proven track record of forging strategic partnerships within the Taft-Hartley market. Anna is a frequent attendee at industry conferences, valuing connections and collaboration within the healthcare community.

Anna is a Certified Self-Funding Specialist® (CSFS®) and holds a Certificate in Health Plan Navigation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Northern Illinois University and an Associate of Arts in Health Care Administration from the College of DuPage.

Cynthia joined MedWatch in May 2012 as Vice President of Business Development and brings over 25 years industry experience in Care Management Sales, Account Management and Operations. Ms. Hom originally started her managed care career at PHCS in 1988 holding various positions during the span of ten years in Utilization Review Services, Case Management, Training and Development, National Account Management and Product Development. Ms. Hom also spent 10 years working at American Health Holding, as VP of Sales selling Care Management solutions and Wellness/Health Coaching and Population Health Management programs to TPAs, Re-insurance companies, MGUs, Hospital systems, Taft-Hartley Funds and large employers. Ms. Hom also gained experience in short and long-term disability, FMLA and Workers Compensation programs while working for Core Inc.

Ms. Hom’s past clinical experience is in Medical/ Surgical, Pediatric and Neonatal ICU at Boston Children’s Hospital and worked in Pediatric Home Care Services as well. Along with her broad-based sales experience Ms. Hom brings a solid clinical foundation to MedWatch’s sales team.

Ms. Hom received her RN licensure in 1980 from BHCC and attended Lesley University in 1992 in the advanced BS Management program. In her spare time, Ms. Hom enjoys travel, cooking, watching the Food Network shows and working out.

Michael Hansen serves as Vice President of Business Development at MedWatch, where he is responsible for driving strategic growth, expanding market presence, and developing partnerships across the self-funded healthcare landscape.

With more than a decade of experience in the self-funded benefits industry, Michael has worked with both third-party administrators (TPAs) and population health management organizations, providing him with a broad perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing employers, labor organizations, and other healthcare stakeholders. Throughout his career, he has focused on helping organizations improve outcomes, control costs, and enhance the value of their health benefit programs.

Michael brings expertise in business development, marketing strategy, employee benefits, and healthcare cost containment. He is particularly passionate about advancing innovative solutions that support the future of self-funding and improve access to high-quality, cost-effective care.

He holds both an MBA and MHA and has earned a Certified Self-Funding Specialist (CSFS^®) designation.

Kari-Ann Karaffa brings more than 15 years of experience across the healthcare technology and employee benefits industries, with deep expertise in business development, client success, and strategic relationship management. She has a proven track record of driving growth while delivering exceptional client experiences.

Most recently, Kari-Ann served as a Senior Client Success Manager, where she managed key Reference-Based Pricing partnerships, including a large national book of business, and supported employer groups across the country. Prior to that, she held multiple Vice President of Business Development roles, leading strategic growth initiatives and building high-impact partnerships across the industry.

Kari-Ann is recognized for her consultative approach, strong focus on client retention, and ability to collaborate cross-functionally to deliver measurable results. She has built long-standing relationships with TPAs, brokers, and employer groups, and has been a valued strategic partner to MedWatch for many years.