Deborah Heart and Lung Center CEO and President John R. Ernst has announced that Evelyn M. Kennedy of Monroe Township has been appointed as the new Director of Compliance and Auditing. Deborah is a 139-bed specialty heart, lung, and vascular teaching hospital in Browns Mills.

Kennedy has been with Deborah since 2000, and previously served as Compliance Auditor. In this position she had a pivotal role in ensuring that the hospital met federal and state regulations and requirements, oversaw external company auditors, conducted statistical analyses of auditing data, identified compliance risk areas, and reviewed hospital-wide policies, among other responsibilities. Prior to working with Deborah, Kennedy had a wide range of financial, auditing, and compliance responsibilities with a number of New Jersey firms.

Kennedy holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State College. As well she is a Certified Healthcare Auditor (CHCA), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Medical Manager (CMM), Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NR-CMA), Certified Multi-Specialty Coding Specialist (CMSCS), and Certified Physician Coding Specialist (PCS).

Kennedy has held appointments with the Professional Association of Health Care Office Managers and the Editorial Advisory Board of The Coding Institute. She is also a member of the following professional associations: The American Academy of Professional Coders, the Professional Association of Healthcare Office Managers, the American Health Information Management Association, the National Association of Health Professionals, the Association of Healthcare Internal Auditors, the Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists, the American College of Medical Coding Specialists, and the Association of Health Care Auditors & Educators.

“I am pleased to have someone with Evelyn’s background, skills, training, accomplishments, and professional affiliations to be heading up our compliance department,” said Ernst. “She is a shining example of the best blend of hands-on experience and continuing professional education that will surely benefit Deborah.”