Laura Merchant

Laura Merchant has a diverse work experience spanning several roles and organizations. Laura started their career in 1991 as a Physical Therapist at Northern Montana Hospital and later moved to Benefis Health System, where they worked as a Manager of Rehabilitative Therapy Services and Injury Center from 2006 to 2010. Laura then served as a Business Intelligence Coordinator at Benefis Health System from 2011 to 2013. In 2014, Laura became the owner and Lean Six Sigma Facilitator at Paragon Consulting, where they utilized their Lean Process Improvement experience. Laura also worked at Sanford Health- Liberty Medical Center as a Chief Executive Officer from April 2020 to November 2021. Currently, Laura is employed at Benefis Health System as the Patient Access Director since November 2021, and prior to that, they were the Director of Operations Analysis since August 2018.

Laura Merchant has a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Health/Health Care Administration/Management from the University of Phoenix, which they obtained from 2004 to 2006. Laura also has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Montana, which they obtained from 1989 to 1991. Additionally, Laura has certifications as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) from the American College of Healthcare Executives, and as a Nursing Home Administrator from the State of Montana. Laura is also a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, obtained from the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The information regarding the obtained month and year for the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification is not provided.