Professional Medical Management

Mendy Christensen is the Executive Director of Operations for a 25-year-established private radiology practice. She began her career as a mammographer, gaining valuable clinical experience that continues to shape her leadership approach today. Her background on the front lines of patient care gives her a unique perspective on building systems that support both exceptional clinical outcomes and meaningful job satisfaction for healthcare professionals.

Throughout her career, Mendy has worked her way up through the organization, bringing firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities within imaging services. She has played a key role in developing and launching two imaging clinics from the ground up, helping guide strategy, operations, and team development.

Mendy is passionate about creating environments where patients receive excellent care and healthcare teams feel supported, engaged, and empowered to do their best work.

Trina Howard is an accomplished coding manager with more than 25 years of experience in medical coding, revenue cycle management, and compliance. She specializes in optimizing coding accuracy, implementing CAC/AI technologies, reducing denials, and improving provider documentation to ensure compliance and maximize reimbursement. Trina is highly skilled at collaborating with physicians, finance leaders, and insurance carriers to strengthen revenue integrity and operational efficiency. She maintains deep knowledge of CMS, AMA, AHIMA, and payer guidelines, as well as evolving government regulations and Medicare Physician Fee Schedules, including RVUs and conversion factors.

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A recognized leader in her field, Trina holds certifications through AHIMA (RHIT) and RCCB (RCC) and is an active member of several specialty organizations, including RBMA, AHRA, ACR, SIR, AHIMA, and IaHIMA. Her career reflects a strong commitment to compliance, continuous learning, and advancing best practices in coding and revenue cycle management.

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Kali Cook Kellogg is the Director of Human Resources at Professional Medical Management (PMM), where she leads with a servant heart and a focus on creating a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered. With expertise in people strategy, analytics, employee engagement, compliance, coaching, and total rewards, Kali is passionate about building relationships that strengthen both individuals and organizations.

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Her career includes leading HR teams through times of rapid growth and transformation, scaling processes and systems to meet evolving business needs while never losing sight of the employee experience. She has developed career ladders, compensation strategies, and training programs that encourage growth, retention, and leadership development. Known for her approachable style and open-door philosophy, Kali fosters trust and collaboration, ensuring employees feel heard and connected.

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Kali has earned a Master’s in Public Administration with HR emphasis from Drake University and holds SHRM-SCP and CEBS designations. At PMM, she is committed to aligning people strategies with organizational goals to drive success for both the team and the community.

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Kent Lehr serves as Chief Executive Officer of Iowa Radiology and Professional Medical Management (PMM), where he leads the organization’s strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. With more than 15 years of healthcare leadership experience, Kent is dedicated to advancing patient-centered care while fostering strong partnerships with physicians, health systems, and the communities PMM serves.

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Before joining PMM, Kent held senior leadership roles at two Midwest-based health systems, where he guided enterprise strategy, business development, innovation, and physician integration efforts. His background also includes experience in strategy consulting and healthcare innovation, giving him a unique perspective on aligning clinical, financial, and operational priorities.
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As CEO, Kent is committed to ensuring PMM continues to deliver exceptional business management and operational support services that empower providers to focus on patient care. He is passionate about building a sustainable healthcare future that balances high-quality service with community-focused collaboration.

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Jordon Mortensen is a healthcare data analytics leader specializing in reporting, workforce planning, and operational benchmarking. As Head of Data Analytics at Professional Medical Management (PMM), she directs enterprise-wide data strategies, building SQL pipelines, Power BI dashboards, and RVU-based reporting models that help medical groups optimize staffing, improve fairness in workload distribution, and enhance physician and employee satisfaction. Jordon has led predictive modeling initiatives—such as study volume forecasting and turnaround-time analysis—that inform hiring and resource allocation while ensuring alignment with CMS benchmarks and organizational priorities.
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She began her career in fraud analytics at Wells Fargo, developing expertise in identifying complex data patterns, anomalies, and risks—skills she now applies to healthcare decision-making. With a Master of Science in Business Analytics from Drake University, Jordon brings technical fluency in SQL, Python, and R along with a strong background in statistical analysis, compensation modeling, and healthcare business intelligence.

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As Director of Marketing & Communications for Professional Medical Management (PMM), Daphne Paulsen brings over 20 years of experience leading brand development, communications, and strategic growth initiatives across healthcare and nonprofit organizations. With a background that spans medical aesthetics, medical imaging, medical billing, and affordable housing, she has cultivated a versatile skill set rooted in creating meaningful connections between organizations and the communities they serve.

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Daphne excels at developing and executing integrated marketing strategies that drive growth, strengthen referral relationships, and enhance patient and provider experiences. At PMM, she leads initiatives that streamline communications, elevate brand presence, and foster trust across partner organizations. Her expertise includes campaign design, digital and print marketing, loyalty and referral programs, and the launch of new services and providers.
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A graduate of Iowa State University with degrees in Journalism & Mass Communication and Sociology, Daphne is passionate about blending data-driven insights with creative storytelling to grow brands with purpose.

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Penny Shepherd has been a dedicated member of Professional Medical Management (PMM) since 2000, bringing more than two decades of expertise in medical billing, customer service, and leadership. In her role overseeing revenue cycle operations, Penny ensures accuracy and efficiency across billing processes while maintaining compliance with financial procedures and insurance requirements. She is responsible for staff training on computer systems and policies, balancing daily deposits, reconciling charges, and managing physician credentialing with insurance companies.

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Penny is known for her strong work ethic, adaptability, and results-driven approach. She also plays a key role in fostering team culture by organizing and participating in team-building activities. Beyond operations, she provides attentive customer service to patients, referring physicians, and insurance carriers. Penny contributes to PMM’s financial stability by creating detailed financial reports that support forecasting and physician recruitment.

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Nickie Whitaker is the Chief Financial Officer of Professional Medical Management (PMM), where she oversees the organization’s financial strategy, planning, and operations. With a career dedicated to finance and management, Nickie brings extensive expertise in budgeting, revenue cycle optimization, and long-term growth planning. She plays a critical role in ensuring PMM’s financial health while supporting investments in technology and patient-centered care initiatives.

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Before stepping into her role as CFO, Nickie gained broad experience in healthcare finance and administration, building a strong foundation in both strategic and operational leadership. Her ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights has made her a trusted partner to physicians, executives, and staff alike.
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Nickie earned a Master of Business Administration from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Arts from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. At PMM, Nickie is committed to fostering transparency, efficiency, and sustainability while advancing the organization’s mission to provide exceptional management and support services for healthcare organizations across central Iowa.

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