Education Team

Jim Hunter
Management Associate,
B.S. Mathematics
CareWatch

As a management associate, Jim provides training, support, data analysis, and thought leadership to eHDS customers. Jim served as the Manager of the Reimbursement and Analysis – Long Term Care section within the Department of Illinois Healthcare and Family Services from 1985 to 2003. He then held a position as the manager of the reimbursement Issues for the Illinois Health Care Association from 2003 to December 31, 2007. From 2004 to December 31, 2007, he was an LSN consultant for Medicaid Reimbursement issues. Jim has published over a dozen articles regarding Medicaid reimbursement between IHCA and LSN weekly news publications and has lectured on the Medicaid reimbursement system including presenting on the two state sponsored circuits that introduced the 2003 and the 2006 versions of the Illinois MDS based reimbursement systems. Jim has a B.S. in Mathematics from Illinois State University.

Joyce Rutherford-Donner
MBA, BSN, LNHA, RN, CCEP, CRM, RAC-CT
CareWatch and RiskWatch

Joyce has nearly 30 years experience in Long Term Care and community health from bedside nursing to corporate compliance and risk management. She has served the industry as manager/developer of a home health agency, Director of Nursing and Administrator of a skilled nursing facility, Executive Director of a CCRC, and Special Projects and Compliance Auditor for a large continuing care corporation. In these capacities, Joyce has accrued a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of long term care management and planning. She holds an MBA from Franklin University and BSN from Wright State University, is certified in compliance and ethics and risk management, and is a licensed Ohio nursing home administrator and Registered Nurse.

Sandra K. Mitchey
LNHA; RAC-CT
UB Watch

Sandra has 27 years experience in the long term care setting with knowledge in education and implementation of various software and has been instrumental in the creation of multiple training packages for long term care use. Sandy is well versed in the use of Clinical and Billing applications for Long Term Care focusing on the MDS 3.0 Assessment and Medicare billing. Her published articles discuss the need for ongoing long term care education covering all aspects of the industry. Sandy is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and holds a certificate in Health Care Management from Illinois Central College in East Peoria, IL.

Theresa Schmidt
MA, RAC-CT
Manager of Education

Theresa has served the Long Term Care Community with eHDS since 2006. She leads the education and customer support teams in training customers, developing educational content, and providing responsive customer service. She also conducts data analysis for systems management and performance improvement and researches ways to define and measure performance trends in nursing homes. Theresa holds a BA in English and Sociology from Oberlin College and an MA in Sociology from The Ohio State University, with a strong emphasis in qualitative and quantitative research methods. She has been certified as a State Tested Nurse's Aide in Ohio, maintains an AANAC certification as a Resident Assessment Coordinator, and has presented on quality and reimbursement at state and national conferences.