Lisa Richards

Senior healthcare executive with more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience directing multi-site physician practices, financial operations, regulatory compliance, and strategic growth initiatives. Proven ability to lead complex healthcare organizations, oversee multi-million-dollar budgets, manage physician relations, and optimize operational performance. Extensive expertise in revenue cycle management, healthcare compliance, physician partnership negotiations, EMR implementation, and multi-location practice administration.

Chief Operating Officer / Executive Practice Administrator at The Eye Center (1998-01 – Present)

Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for a multi-location ophthalmology practice consisting of eight physicians and a multidisciplinary clinical and administrative team. Responsible for overall operational performance, financial management, regulatory compliance, and long-term organizational planning.

• Direct the strategic and operational management of a multi-site physician practice delivering comprehensive ophthalmic services.
• Serve as principal operational advisor to physician partners on business strategy, growth initiatives, and organizational development.
• Lead physician partnership transitions including negotiation and execution of partner buyout agreements.
• Facilitate physician governance meetings and strategic planning initiatives.
• Oversee all financial operations including budgeting, revenue cycle management, banking relationships, and capital expenditures.
• Direct payroll administration, compensation planning, and employee benefits programs for physicians and staff.
• Analyze financial performance and operational metrics to guide strategic decision making.
• Maintain oversight of practice banking accounts, savings, and lines of credit.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, and performance management for administrative and clinical staff.
• Provide executive supervision for department leaders including billing, clinical operations, optical services, and administrative functions.
• Develop workforce policies, compensation structures, and professional development initiatives.
• Oversee billing operations and ensure compliance with CPT and ICD coding standards.
• Manage regulatory compliance with federal and state healthcare laws.
• Lead practice responses to insurance and governmental audits including RAC, CERT, and HEDIS.
• Maintain CMS credentialing and revalidation compliance through PECOS.
• Led evaluation, selection, and implementation of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and practice management systems across all practice locations.
• Successfully secured federal Meaningful Use incentive funding for participating physicians.
• Continuously evaluate healthcare technologies to improve operational efficiency and patient care delivery.
• Designed and implemented comprehensive Compliance, HIPAA Privacy, and Emergency Preparedness programs.
• Serve as Compliance Officer, Privacy Officer, and Emergency Preparedness Officer.
• Develop internal controls for financial management, cash handling, and revenue integrity.
• Direct facilities management for three practice locations including maintenance, renovations, and capital improvements.
• Managed construction and design projects supporting practice growth and modernization.
• Serve as primary liaison with accountants, legal counsel, consultants, insurance carriers, and regulatory agencies.
• Manage vendor relationships and negotiate service contracts.

Legal Administrator at Law Offices of Nikole A. Pezzullo & Milan C. Patel (1998-01 – 1998-12)

Managed daily operations of legal practice and affiliated collection agency including accounts receivable management and technology upgrades.

Office Manager at Visionary Treatment Resources (1996-01 – 1998-12)

Directed insurance billing operations, accounts receivable management, payroll, and marketing initiatives for behavioral healthcare practice.

Program Manager at West Essex Wound Care Center (1992-01 – 1996-12)

Managed operational and marketing programs for specialized wound care center, including medical supply procurement, insurance billing, compliance oversight, and coordination of clinical services.

Master of Healthcare Administration in Healthcare Administration – Seton Hall University

Bachelor of Science in Marketing – York College of Pennsylvania

Associate of Science in Retailing – York College of Pennsylvania