Experience the Expertise of Seasoned Healthcare Consultants

Mark Marten brings over 30 years of exceptional leadership experience to Health Plans, IPAs, Hospitals, and MSOs. As the President and CEO of Athena Group Consulting, he spearheads the firm’s commitment to delivering comprehensive solutions in Risk Strategies, Licensing, Managed Care, Contracting, and Operations.

Notably, the firm’s client base includes prominent MSOs, IPAs, Medical Groups, Hospitals, and Restricted Knox Keene Health Plans. 

Russ Foster is a seasoned professional with over 35 years of invaluable experience in the development and management of healthcare systems. His expertise spans various critical areas, including capitation agreements, rate development methodology, and business plan development.

Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to financial modeling and analysis, particularly in the context of IPA and MSO development and enhancement, capitated reimbursement programs, and the design and analysis of utilization and cost structures within managed care systems.

Paula Kirchner, MPH has over 20 years of experience in managed care, she has represented hospitals, medical groups, and health plans in contract language and rate negotiations. She has conducted negotiations for HMO, PPO, senior and Medi-Cal products for fee-for-service and full-risk agreements. Additionally, she has managed risk pools, built reimbursement schedules for a forming ACO, and conducted high dollar claim settlements. Leveraging her breadth of experience, she creates collaborative environments with individuals across a variety of organizations to attain positive results.

Throughout her career Mrs. Kirchner has negotiated contracts and worked in managed care operations for companies such as Dignity Health (formerly Catholic Healthcare West); Private Diagnostic Clinic, PLLC, Duke University Medical Center; Blue Shield of California; and Verity Health System (formerly Daughters of Charity Health System).

Mrs. Kirchner received her Bachelor of Science from California State University, Northridge and her Master of Public Health from University of California, Los Angeles. She is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

Lori Hack is a highly esteemed leader in health care delivery and operations, boasting over 30 years of experience in hospital, clinic, and health plan management. As the CEO of Object Health, LLC, she excels in developing, evaluating, and improving health care programs. Her expertise has been crucial in preparing community clinics and providers for Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and Accountable Care Organization (ACO) certifications. She further assists Independent Provider Associations (IPAs) and health plans with regulatory filings and compliance.

Dan Rhodes is an accomplished health care professional with three decades of healthcare management experience to drive operational excellence and strategic growth. With a deep understanding of healthcare operations, value-base contracting and regulatory compliance, Mr. Rhodes has played a pivotal role in managing health plans and IPAs, negotiating health plan contracts and developing provider contracts, leading to substantial cost savings and positive margins. Dan’s approach integrates creative problem-solving with analytical precision, ensuring that strategic planning is both innovative and data-driven.

Alyson Smith is an accomplished health care professional with over 18 years of operational management experience in serving public and private organizations in the healthcare and technology fields. Alyson has a demonstrated history of project management and has supported large scale implementation projects at a local, state and federal level. Her knowledge of FQHC’s, Medi-Cal and commercial payors has been critical to her work. She strongly believes in a people focused approach which has led to becoming a trusted advisor on numerous payor contracting efforts across the country.

Maria Martinez is a dynamic healthcare operations executive with extensive experience in Medicare Advantage plan administration and MSO operations. Ms. Martinez has demonstrated expertise in claims quality management, cost containment, and regulatory compliance. Maria also has a proven track record of developing robust policies aligning with State and Federal regulations while ensuring operational excellence.

Ms. Martinez is known for a collaborative leadership style and successful contract negotiations with providers and health plans. She has expertise in claims administration quality, medical expense management, and execution of strategic initiatives for organizational growth.

Scott Kelly brings unparalleled expertise in senior and executive healthcare management, accumulated over a distinguished 38-year career in both commercial and government payer operations. His journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a passion for pioneering innovative solutions in the healthcare industry.

Over the past decade, Mr. Kelly has significantly broadened his scope of experience, particularly through the establishment and successful growth of a provider-owned health plan from inception. Today, this plan proudly serves Medicare Advantage and commercial HMO members, a testament to Mr. Kelly’s visionary leadership and strategic acumen.

Jasmine Yakub, MPH, serves as a project manager at Athena Group Consulting, where her expertise in steering complex initiatives across healthcare and corporate landscapes stands out. With a career spanning over ten years, Jasmine has a proven track record of leading transformative projects that have markedly elevated customer engagement and streamlined operational efficiencies.

Jasmine is excited to bring her unique blend of project management and public health expertise to Athena Group Consulting, where she looks forward to making a meaningful impact and contributing to the company’s success.