About Our Office Staff
Ready and able to address all of your cardiac surgery concerns, we are very pleased to introduce our office staff:
Susan Parent
Born and raised in New Hampshire, Susan Parent, our office manager has been with our practice for over 16 years. She has an extensive background in billing and medical record administration. Susan oversees the administrative operations of our practice including information systems, billing services and physician scheduling. Susan moved to the Pioneer Valley in the early 1980’s where she was the business manager for a neurosurgical practice. In 1994, Susan joined our practice and was named office manager in 2000. In her free time, Susan is an active participant in Boy Scout Troop 303 with her two sons and a church volunteer.
Mary Galdauskas
Mary Galdauskas, a well-trained nurse practitioner, supervises the practice’s outpatient clinic. Mary hails from Central Massachusetts, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Worcester State College. She completed her Master in Nursing – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with a subspecialty in cardiac nursing at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Graduate School of Nursing. Mary has completed acute care nurse practitioner certification and advanced life support. Prior to joining our practice, Mary worked in the cardiac stress laboratory at Baystate Medical Center. Mary is an avid Red Sox fan and the beloved owner of a handsome Newfoundland dog named “Jack”.
Lynn Lapponese
Lynn Lapponese, our billing supervisor, has been with the practice since 1995. Her responsibilities as billing supervisor include overseeing all prior authorization and approval for diagnostic and clinical services, obtaining outpatient referrals, insurance billing and coding and providing financial counseling. Lynn works closely with our billing service to ensure that all patient billing is submitted to the insurance companies accurately. Lynn is available to answer all questions regarding insurance coverage, referrals and authorizations. She also reviews all requests for release of medical records and completion of disability forms. Lynn enjoys spending time with her family and is a Red Sox enthusiast too!
Sue Oppel
Sue Oppel is our surgical booking coordinator. Sue was welcomed to our practice in 2006 and is responsible for coordinating all the elective, urgent and emergent surgeries. She coordinates all the pretesting for elective surgeries and works closely with the surgeons to assure that every patient has a smooth and uncomplicated preoperative course. Sue is truly a perfectionist and leaves no detail unnoticed. She has an excellent rapport with our patients and their families. She is greatly admired by the referring physicians and their respective staff members. Sue is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys quiet time.
Taryn Lapponese
Taryn Lapponese is our administrative assistant and is responsible for scheduling all outpatient consultations and oversees our long-term follow-up program. Taryn also handles all disability claims and scheduled diagnostic workup for all outpatient studies. She is a recent graduate of American International College and has a great passion for fitness training.
Merlin Manzanarez
Merlin Manzanarez, our receptionist, recently joined our practice. Merlin is bilingual in English and Spanish and has an excellent rapport with our patients. She is responsible for all front end office tasks and manages our medical record system.
Emily-Ann Jakubasz
We are also very lucky to have Emily-Ann Jakubasz, a part-time employee and who provides coverage in the reception and outpatient consultation areas. In addition, Emily is responsible for the diagnostic and appointment scheduling for our long-term follow-up clinic and triages most of the incoming telephone calls. Completing her studies in speech pathology at the Elms College, Emily will be graduating in the Spring of 2009 and plans to pursue her Master’s degree in Speech Pathology.
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