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).

Sheila Stephens has over thirty years’ experience in a myriad of clinical, administrative, and consulting services. She has a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a master’s in public health. She has written and co-authored numerous articles related to managed care and respective operations, certifications, and licensing.

Ms. Stephens has in-depth experience in plan-to-plan contracting, state and federal regulatory requirements, and development of all required programs including compliance, oversight, fraud and abuse, quality, grievance and appeals and utilization management. Her expertise extends to all applicable Knox Keene Exhibits as required by the State of California, and all applicable submissions, timelines, and attestations as required by the Part C – Medicare Advantage and 1876 Cost Plan Expansion Application.

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.