She has been a dedicated member of the Stewart Memorial team for nearly 12 years.

Her decision to join the hospital was shaped by a major life event.

“I had a life-changing event three months before I started my job,” she said. “I traveled, and my husband had a heart attack. And so, I knew I needed to be closer to home. I saw that there was a listing for a job at Stewart Memorial. I knew it was a great place to work, very family-oriented, and so I applied for the job and got it, and I was ecstatic.”

Over the years, her role has shifted significantly alongside changes in the health care industry.

“I used to interact with patients more at the end of their experience when they got their bill,” she said. “And with how health care has changed so much, with billing and transparency, we have been speaking with patients before their visits … to kind of set that expectation that there may be a point-of-service payment. It’s just trying to change that mindset and set that expectation for those patients, which in the long run, has benefited them.”

One of the initiatives she’s most proud of is the team’s upfront payment program.

“We went as a department to another hospital that has been creating estimates on larger tests and procedures and calling patients and collecting money for quite some time,” she said. “We wanted to see what that looked like and how they made it work. We started our program here in 2016. It’s been very successful.”

“​Kerri’s knowledge and experience are truly valuable,” said Linda Rath, business officer director. “She is a great resource for our patients to help them navigate and understand their insurance and help with financial needs. She shows great compassion and understanding. She is a great asset to our team.”

Among Stewart Memorial’s core values, one stands out most to Shipley: “Compassion, 100%. I really care about people and want them to feel at ease when they speak with me. Going to the hospital or clinic can be stressful, and then getting a large bill can be overwhelming.”

She also credits her growth to the strong support system at Stewart Memorial.

“My boss, Linda Rath, has always been so supportive in my role and growth as an employee. My department has also stepped up with our evolving changes with billing transparency and point-of-service. They are all about streamlining the best patient experience.”

When asked what inspires her to keep going, she said, “The people I work with are like family. They keep me motivated, and the interaction I have with other departments and their expertise inspires me professionally and for my own personal growth.”