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 has worked in the Healthcare arena for over 25 years. She joined MedWatch in 2006 managing all operations of the Information Technology Department.

Prior to joining MedWatch, Valerie worked for a large Florida Hospital System for 13 years. She has demonstrated experience in planning, developing and implementing cutting-edge information solutions to address business opportunities.

Valerie brings a diverse knowledge base including project management and system development. Her broad medical business service experience coupled with strong IT management expertise has enhanced the successful management of MedWatch technology department as well as the expansion of the system.

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 enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Karen joined the MedWatch management team in June 2005 as the CM director for 3 years prior to her transition to V.P. of MedWatch Client Services where she has been positioned for the past 6 years. In her current role as V.P. of Client Services, she assists the MedWatch sales staff with customer acquisition, presentations, and retention. Karen oversees implementation and is actively involved in day-to-day operations, assists with the development of annual company goals, assuring customer satisfaction, ongoing product customization, HIPAA privacy officer, and oversees MedWatch Steps-2-Health program.

Karen is an RN with over 35 years of clinical and management experience, certified in Case Management and Utilization Review. She brought with her to MedWatch, 6 years of experience in the self-insured employer arena as Benefits Manager of a large private company in IN where she initially assisted in the implementation of the company’s first in-house utilization review and case management program prior to outsourcing this function to MedWatch. MedWatch later became the company’s managed care vendor with Karen’s transition to Benefits Manager where she oversaw the benefit plan administration and compliance; assisted with fiscal year Plan audits; reviewed medical, PBM, disclosure reports and vendor contracts; reviewed self-funded short and long-term disability; oversaw administration of COBRA, adjudication of FSA, dental and vision claims; HIPAA privacy officer; and oversaw the management of the company’s executive physical program.

With 10 plus years of experience in the Care Management and Medical Cost Containment industry, encompassing sales, marketing and account management responsibilities, Tim brings a wealth of product knowledge and understanding to the MedWatch table from both the client and vendor perspective. His reputation within the business community is one of utmost trust and loyalty, always making sure to understand the needs of the client while devising the most appropriate solutions available. Mr. Guzinski has been active in numerous industry associations including HCAA, SIIA and NAHU to name a few. His vast national professional network and years of experience allow him to excel at strategic sales initiatives and solution development across the board.

Outside the industry, Tim had an adventurous career in high-end private clubs and was fortunate to be able to travel and open new business, sports and golf clubs not only in the US but around the world. This profession provided him with cultural exposure few individuals have been lucky enough to experience. Tim credits his calm personality, high level of diversity acceptance, ability to eat street food anywhere on the planet, and his love of getting to know people to his years of international travel. Just ask him, and he’ll bend your ear for hours sharing stories about some of the adventures he has survived. At home, his interests include gardening, fresh cooking, fine wine and great friends, as well as an occasional cruise get-a-way on Royal Caribbean!

Tim joined MedWatch in January 2017.

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.

Amy is a Registered Nurse with 22 years of nursing experience beginning in a Level 1 Trauma Center as a Burn Trauma Unit Nurse.

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

Amy obtained her Masters of Business Administration with a specialization in Health Services Management and Finance in 2003.

She joined MedWatch in 2012.

Debbie Miller joined MedWatch in January of 2018 as the Vice President of Ancillary 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, opportunity knocked again and she joined forces with 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.

With her extensive industry knowledge, Debbie will be instrumental in managing MedWatch’s Pathways – Medical Concierge Services. This comprehensive single point of contact service eliminates the burden on the administrator of fielding calls regarding benefit plan details, health care providers, medical procedures, prescriptions, claims status and more. This service bridges the crucial gap between benefits & care, provider & patient, hospital & home.

In addition, Debbie will be overseeing the ancillary services that compliment and support MedWatch’s core services such as all-inclusive pharmaceutical treatment programs, bundled surgical solutions, case rate services for dual diagnosis mental health and substance abuse, extended rehab support, 24/7 telemedicine and more.

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

Caryn Rasnick is an experienced employee benefits executive with over 30 years’ in the TPA Industry. Prior to joining the MedWatch family, her primary focus has been in enhancing the operational efficiencies of the 90 Degree Benefits – Florida office, achieving success due to her extensive industry knowledge, professionalism, passion, motivation, and dedication to accomplish the goals set In front of her. Caryn’s additional work experience includes Stop Loss sales and PPO Network administration.

As Vice President of Client Services for MedWatch, Caryn will be focused on enhancing the services and support that the MedWatch Account Management and Client Services teams provides to both internal and external customers.

Caryn is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio, has earned her Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) certification from the Wharton School of Business, and her Certified Self-Funding Specialist (CSFS) certification through Health Care Administrators Association (HCAA). Caryn is currently a Board Member of HCAA.

Kim is a registered nurse with 10 years nursing experience in the critical care/ICU setting. She joined MedWatch in 2017 and has worked in both case management and disease management as a disease and complex condition manager.

Prior to her nursing career, she worked in sales and marketing for a medical management company and the motivational training industry.

Kim has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Colorado and obtained her nursing degree from Southwest Baptist University.

An avid outdoors enthusiast, she spends her free time in the wide open spaces!

Veronica is a Registered Nurse with 30+ years of nursing experience. She began her career as and LPN working as a float nurse in the hospital setting. She became a Registered Nurse with experience working on a cardiac unit, Medial Surgical Unit as charge nurse and preceptor. She also has experience in Home Health, Utilization Review in Home Health and experience as Utilization Review Assistant Supervisor in Home Health. Has experience as a CPR Instructor.

Veronica joined Medwatch in 2005 as a Utilization Review Nurse and has worked as Team Leader in Utilization Review as well as the Supervisor of Utilization Review. Veronica at present is the Director in Utilization Review.

Michelle has a background as an EMT and as a Surgical Technician. She also has an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies.

Michelle is responsible for the daily duties of the MedWatch Call Center. Her duties include training intake coordinators, scheduling for the Call Center, ensuring day-to-day operations within the Call Center are completed efficiently and in a timely manner with customer service at the forefront of all activity, and also reporting on departmental functions and phone activity.

Kim Kline, Director of Operations, 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.

Patty joined MedWatch in July of 2011 as a Staff Accountant. She brings over 25 years of Accounting experience to the team.

Coming from the travel industry MedWatch was her introduction into the healthcare world. She was promoted to her role as Director of Accounting and HR in January of 2014. She is responsible for all financial reporting and day to day operations in the accounting department. Also, she works together with the Manager of HR to ensure all new staff are onboarded and educated on everything MedWatch has to offer.

Karen became a registered nurse in 1983 and began her career in the hospital setting working in Orthopedics, Medical/Surgical, Oncology, and Critical Care where she served as the unit charge nurse and staff preceptor for new hires. She eventually transitioned to the outpatient setting and gained experience in Home Health, Telephone Triage, Family Practice, and Utilization Review.

Karen also has an extensive background in Case Management and Leadership. Prior to joining MedWatch, she served as a department Director for a large healthcare system. While in this role, she received her Accredited Case Manager certification with a focus on health delivery system case management and obtained her Master of Health Administration from Belhaven University in 2013.

Karen joined MedWatch in November 2015 and has served in various roles including Clinical Resource Nurse where she oversaw the provision of Disease Management services to patients and acted as a staff resource for clinical practices and protocols. She also served as the Assistant Director of Population Health Management assisting in the day-to-day operations and departmental strategic planning.

Karen currently serves as the Director or Quality Management and Training where she oversees the URAC Accreditation process and Staff Training and Development.

Sandra is a registered nurse starting her Nursing career in 1993 on the Telemetry Step down unit as a Certified Nursing Assistant until graduating in 1995 with her RN License where she continued to work on the same unit as a Registered Nurse. She transitioned from Telemetry to PCU/ICU.

Sandra has extensive experience in Case Management Starting in Case Management in 1999, she started her Cases Management experience working for a Medicaid Insurance program and went on to a Large Self-Funded Insurance program located near the east coast, she worked with the Military Case Management program for several years, specifically with the Airforce.

Sandra has also worked as a Case Manager in the Acute Care setting working in a Major Hospital with a Level 1 Trauma Center, This Hospital had an attached Cardiac Hospital where Sandra oversaw case management for CCU, PCU, Cardiac Transplant, Telemetry, and the cardiac catherization unit. She also worked in a community hospital as the Emergency Room Case Manager Transitioning to the float Case Manager for the Oncology floor, Renal floor, Orthopedic floor, Neonate and Post-Partum units until she was assigned permanently to the Telemetry Floor.

Sandra Obtained her bachelor’s in business administration with a specialization in Health Service management from Saint Leo College in Saint Leo Florida. Sandra has her Certification in Case Management. Sandra joined MedWatch in 2013.

Yvonne Lavan is a Registered Nurse with 26+ years of nursing experience in Behavioral Health, Substance Dependence, and Health Care Management. She also has experience in Hospice and Home Health Care. She was Director of Nursing and then the Administrator of a 64 bed Alzheimer’s unit, the Operations Manage and Nurse for group homes with female adolescent foster care clients, and the Director of a 120 bed Assisted Living Community. Yvonne is also a certified Case Manager.

She joined MedWatch in 2015.

Rebecca has over 30 years of healthcare legal and compliance experience and has acted as in-house and outside counsel for 17 years.

Prior to joining MedWatch, Rebecca oversaw compliance and legal departments for health providers and health insurance entities. Her practical and proactive approach to compliance and legal services has made her an industry leader with a proven track record of developing highly effective legal and compliance programs to identify, monitor and mitigate regulatory risks. Rebecca enjoys developing positive business relationships to streamline the delivery of legal and compliance systems that enhance both operations and regulatory initiatives.

Rebecca earned her law degree at the Brandies School of Law, University of Louisville while working as a full-time litigation paralegal. She is a member of the Health Care Compliance Association and is certified in Healthcare Privacy Compliance.

Rebecca has authored many industry-related publications and delivered executive presentations including:

• Less is More, Keeping Member Information Confidential, MedWatch, LLC, February 2022
• HIPAA, Fraud Waste and Abuse, CMS Reporting Requirements, Principle, LTC, November 2020
• Conflicts of Interests in Healthcare, Anthem, Inc. Annual Training, June 2020
• Guardianship and Healthcare Oversight: Multi-State Analysis, Trilogy Health Services Annual Training, May 2018