CANDACE F.

COUCH, RN, CPHRM

Peoria, AZ 85345

Phone: (623) 878-1708

Email: ccouch6@cox.net

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Over forty years of diverse nursing experience, including ICU, CVICU, CCU, OR, and
Telemetry.
Nursing management roles at the Director level in ICU, and at CIGNA Healthcare of
Arizona, Arizona Medical Clinic, and several private duty nursing companies.

RECENT EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

BANNER HEALTH Phoenix, AZ

Risk Management Nurse Consultant

2004-2015

Beginning 2004, manage claims and litigation for multiple facilities, sometimes
concurrently, including Banner Estrella Medical Center, Banner Thunderbird Medical
Center and Banner Behavioral Health Hospital.

Covered Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, a 563 bed facility, for the past
approximately 9 years. Developed and maintained excellent relationships with the CSuite and department leadership within the hospital.

Manage complex claims with patients or their attorneys. Investigate, analyze damages,
negotiate settlements, prepare complex settlement agreements, query, code and report
Medicare settlements in accordance with Medicare guidelines. Work closely with
Banner outside counsel to oversee complex litigation, including preparation and review
of answers to complaints, disclosure statements, witness interviews, meetings with
plaintiffs and their attorneys, Medicare coding and reporting, attending mediations, and
other necessary key functions on a case-by-case basis. Provide direction to paralegals
for complex discovery requests. Attend Root Cause Analyses, and C-Suite monthly
meetings to provide updates on claims, potential claims, the status of litigation cases
and to identify and discuss issues with the potential to lead to a compensable event.
Present aggregate data semi-annually to the C-Suite and Quality Council.

Since 2012, additionally responsible for loss prevention for Banner Thunderbird
Medical Center, with continued responsibility for managing claims and litigation, as
stated above. In the loss prevention capacity, frequent presenter to leadership and
individual departments to provide education and advice on a variety of subjects,
including managerial investigations, consent issues, best practices in e-documentation
in WIS, and others. Member of hospital ethics committee; presented to the committee
regarding special decision-making concerns and considerations of minors, including
infants, pediatrics and adolescents. Recently began rounding in the nursing units
weekly or bi-weekly, as time permits, in order to answer any questions staff may have
about potential or actual Risk Management matters or liability insurance concerns.

In 2013, successfully participated in defending a complex lawsuit, which resulted in a

full defense verdict at trial for Banner Thunderbird Medical Center. Later, participated
in successful appellate proceedings for the same case.

CANDACE F. COUCH, RN, CPHRM

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Accent Care

2003-2004

Field Supervisor
Responsibilities at this private duty and skilled care company included intake and assessment
of new clients needs, and assignment and supervision of field staff. Participated in the hiring
of qualified field staff.

Baraga Consulting

2002-2003

Contracted Consultant - Banner Health Risk Management

Performed claims and litigation functions as outlined above in support of Banner Good
Samaritan Medical Center.

Arizona Medical Clinic (now Banner Health Center)

1998-2002

Clinical Nursing Director

Provided oversight of all nursing and medical assistant functions for 2 large medical clinics in
Peoria, Arizona, and Sun City West, Arizona. Created physician schedules for approximately 70
physicians and mid-level providers; assisted with procurement of capital equipment.
Supervised large radiology department within the clinic in Peoria. Reorganized scheduling in
the mammography department, which increased revenue for the clinic by approximately 1
million dollars the first year after reorganization.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN HEALTHCARE RISK MANAGEMENT (CPHRM) (2009 TO PRESENT)
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR HEALTHCARE RISK MANAGEMENT (ASHRM)

Graduate of Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing, Phoenix, Arizona, and received
nursing diploma as well as an AA degree from Maricopa Technical College.

Attended the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, majoring in Music Therapy
with an emphasis on piano and percussion. Left the program prior to graduation to
pursue a degree in nursing.

Received High School Diploma from Tomah Senior High School, Tomah, Wisconsin,
graduating with honors.