Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Kayla Hilmes

Highland

Summary

Results-driven management professional with proven track record of leading successful programs and initiatives. Known for fostering collaboration and achieving impactful outcomes. Reliable and adaptable, skilled in strategic planning and team leadership.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Program Director

Healogics at Alton Memorial Hospital
01.2025 - Current
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive clinic workflow processes, resulting in improved patient check-in efficiency, streamlined daily nurse functions, and a threefold increase in patient volume
  • Financial management to include daily revenue cycle management to ensure billing compliance and accuracy, consistently adhering to Medicare guidelines and regulatory requirements. Reviewed monthly profit and loss statements and translated key financial outcomes into actionable insights for presentation to hospital executive leadership. Exceeded budgeted revenue by month five of employment through strategic community referral development and increasing team capacity; additionally, streamlined operational processes, resulting in a 5.7% reduction in expenses.
  • Recognized the need for a culture shift within the team to emphasize accountability, teamwork, and alignment with personal and organizational values. Initiated and lead weekly leadership meetings, including physicians and teammates, to review goals and develop actionable plans for achieving team objectives. Facilitate weekly one-on-one meetings with teammates to strengthen employee engagement, support professional development and improve retention.

Facility Administrator

DaVita
06.2024 - 01.2025
  • Manage day-to-day operations, including staff and patient scheduling, budgeted labor management, safety and quality oversight, and compliance with CMS regulations.
  • Increased teammate engagement scores to 90 by fostering a safe, inclusive environment that encouraged creativity, involved staff in decision-making, and empowered individuals to work to their full potential.
  • Addressed patient grievances in alignment with CMS guidelines, collaborating with the ESRD Network when appropriate to support both patients and the facility. Successfully led two state surveys with favorable findings, reflecting strong regulatory compliance and quality standards.

Regional Lead Registered Dietitian

DaVita
06.2023 - 06.2024
  • Drove regional outcomes by analyzing trends in albumin levels, fluid management, and bone and mineral metabolism; partnered with dietitians to develop targeted action plans and provided guidance on best practices for improvement.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of phosphate binder effectiveness, contraindications, and the prior authorization process; led collaborative discussions with physicians that supported informed decision-making and resulted in improved quality of patient care.
  • Coordinated dietitian coverage to fill vacancies, including support for remote clinic locations.
  • Monitored dietitian census and maintained Anaplan data to identify staffing levels, ensuring timely action when a dietitian’s status fell below the 1.0 FTE threshold.
  • Certified DaVita preceptor, responsible for training, mentoring, and supporting new hires to ensure successful onboarding and integration into clinic operations.

Clinical Application Specialist

Select Rehabilitation
04.2021 - 06.2023
  • Provided oversight of a team of five Clinical Application Specialists, including tracking timely completion of field tickets, delegating tasking during periods of high volume, and delivering retraining during educational opportunities to support continuous improvement.
  • Led biweekly webinars to train new Select Rehabilitation employees on the EMR system in their center, ensuring efficient system use and contributing to a reduction in insurance denials through improved documentation accuracy.
  • Maintained open and continuous communication with large corporate administrators to address specific EMR needs and ensure prompt resolution of issues.
  • Managed the invoice process for 950 facilities and analyzed billing data to identify discrepancies and applied established error correction protocols to ensure accuracy and compliance.
  • Demonstrated expertise in navigating EMR platforms, including Casamba and Net Health to support clinical and administrative operations.

Registered Dietitian Promotional Speaker, Per Diem

Velphoro Pharmaceuticals
12.2019 - 04.2021
  • Present research-based facts in accordance with the package insert for Velphoro to promote increased use of the phosphate binder in dialysis patients.
  • Provide expertise in completing prior authorizations and use critical thinking skills to determine avenues for patients to gain access to the best medication for managing hyperphosphatemia.
  • Educate physicians, social workers, and dietitians about drug administration, dosing, drug-to-drug interactions, and efficacy.

Renal Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care
10.2017 - 04.2021
  • Manage the interdisciplinary team's monthly care plan meeting: track all required documentation and create a schedule of care plans due for the following month.
  • Manage albumin, hyperphosphatemia, and pharmacy participation outcomes for 175 patients.
  • Perform physical and visual assessments to determine if malnutrition is present.
  • Educate patients regarding appropriate food choices while receiving dialysis, living and deceased transplant options, phosphate binder management, and interpretation of laboratory values.

Evening Manager

Knotty Pine Inn and Motel
10.2013 - 10.2017
  • Collaborated with the Dayshift Manager to develop evening and weekend schedules to ensure the restaurant was fully staffed
  • Tracked inventory and assisted with ordering and receiving of products. All products received were inspected and approved by a manager before being accepted.
  • Oversight of all monetary exchanges and balancing the cash register at the end of the day to include cash and credit card transactions.
  • Created a culture emphasizing teamwork, clear communication, and customer satisfaction. My team consisted of nine teammates with no turnover during my employment.

Education

MBA - Healthcare Management

Western Governors University
05-2026

Master of Science - Medical Dietetics

Saint Louis University
06-2017

Dietetic Internship - Management Track

Priority Nutrition Care
06-2016

Bachelor of Science - Nutrition and Dietetics

Saint Louis University
05-2015

Skills

  • Learn and Teach
  • Leadership
  • Organization
  • Problem-solving
  • Time Management
  • EMR
  • Proficient Computer Skills
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Excellent Oral and Written Communication
  • Delegation

Certification

  • Licensed Registered Dietitian - MO
  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionist - CDR

Timeline

Program Director

Healogics at Alton Memorial Hospital
01.2025 - Current

Facility Administrator

DaVita
06.2024 - 01.2025

Regional Lead Registered Dietitian

DaVita
06.2023 - 06.2024

Clinical Application Specialist

Select Rehabilitation
04.2021 - 06.2023

Registered Dietitian Promotional Speaker, Per Diem

Velphoro Pharmaceuticals
12.2019 - 04.2021

Renal Dietitian

Fresenius Medical Care
10.2017 - 04.2021

Evening Manager

Knotty Pine Inn and Motel
10.2013 - 10.2017

MBA - Healthcare Management

Western Governors University

Master of Science - Medical Dietetics

Saint Louis University

Dietetic Internship - Management Track

Priority Nutrition Care

Bachelor of Science - Nutrition and Dietetics

Saint Louis University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Kayla Hilmes