Chad M. Berry
CDP, AHCA AL Admin (Fl.), ASPT, CMA, BCPA.
Chad M. Berry
CDP, AHCA AL Admin (Fl.), ASPT, CMA, BCPA.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are!" Theodore Roosevelt
Education & Experience
Education & Experience
Your Health. What is more important than that? We are careful about those we trust to help take care of us, and we should be. We get one body. One temple.
If you have arrived at this page you are more than likely researching my background and considering the services I offer for either yourself, your loved one, or someone that has trusted you to help them when they need it the most. While "education" and "credentialing" is important, I feel that experience and purpose (or drive) means much more. I have shared my background here with you, my experience, and while lengthy I pray you find peace when reaching your decision and my part in this journey, if any . Either way, I wish you the best and pray for many more healthy and blessed days for each of you.
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Right after graduating high school and taking college courses at South Florida Community College, I was approached by the Laboratory Director at Highlands Regional Medical Center, the main hospital serving Highlands County at that time, and recruited/trained to be a phlebotomist. Soon after this, I was invited by the hospitals Pathologist (and my mentor), Dr. Gabriel A. Pulido, to join him as an associate in opening Highlands Clinical Laboratory, a private-outpatient laboratory serving this same, small community. While serving as the Laboratory Manager over the 11 years that followed, I became instrumental in the growth and development of the lab, while remaining actively involved in recruitment and training of clinical staff. This small lab faced the challenges of not only competing with the local hospitals, they also had to compete against the two most nationally recognized names today, Labcorp & Quest. Highlands Clinical Laboratory quickly became the communities favorite (where many days I would collect samples from over 50+ clients) and was later sold to a larger company when Dr. Pulido decided to retire. It was in this role where I was first introduced to the Skilled Nursing/Assisted Living/Memory Care facilities as we serviced 8 local and similar communities for several years.
Soon after leaving Highlands Clinical Laboratory my family and I relocated to Fort Myers, Florida. We had a small, outpatient Ultrasound clinic that remained in Sebring and we were able to open a second office in Lee County. Miracles Imaging Center was originally designed to offer 3D/4D Ultrasounds to couples expecting their new blessing soon but we quickly incorporated diagnostic scans into our model. Our clinic offered a variety of ultrasounds and echocardiograms to help assist referring physicians while they determine accurate diagnosis. While this office was in the start-up phase, I worked part-time as a PK Coordinator for a phase-one, pharmaceutical research facility where I was in charge of the laboratory protocols and collections for each study. In this role I also taught other employees how to draw blood samples.
After a few years of managing and marketing our outpatient clinic, my new start brought me back to Highlands County where I was hired as a Business Development Representative & Liaison for Palms Home Care, a small and successful home health agency in the heart of Sebring. This agency was owned by the same company that owns and operates The Palms of Sebring, the largest Senior Living/Skilled Nursing community in Highlands County. I worked closely with local Psychiatrists and Certified Dementia Specialists and was heavily involved in community outreach, lectures and education. I spent the next 5 years working in this capacity for a few agencies where I aligned clients with the appropriate home health care services they needed. These services included Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Skilled and Psychiatric Nursing, Social Worker visits, Dietary consults, and more. I was given a "dual-role" responsibility for right at one year where I served as a Chaplain and visited clients in a skilled nursing facility, or at their home or hospital, when requested. While serving at my local church and volunteering my time in a similar capacity, God opened my eyes to the importance of incorporating faith and prayer into health care. I also volunteered as a Mentor through Taking Stock in Children based out of Avon Park, Florida. Here I was connected to a student entering High School and was able to meet with him several times each month through his 4 year journey. It was also during this season of my career that I began to notice and understand what was taking place with Advantage Care Plans, or "Medicare Part C" plans, and the many risks associated with them. These concerns quickly became a focus of mine. I was assigned as the court appointed Legal Guardian of an individual who has been incapacitated since birth and became familiar with the responsibilities and challenges that this role brings as well. During this season of my life I performed a few wedding ceremonies and funerals.
In 2018 I decided to return to Lee County and take the role as the Regional Marketing Director for a large Home Health Agency based out of Bonita Springs, Florida. This agency was owned and operated by a company that also owned and managed 80+ communities in the United States. Each of these communities offered Assisted Living, Memory Care and Independent Living options as well. While serving in this role I organized and planned lectures on the risks of enrolling in a managed care, Medicare Part C ,plan. While these presentations are at times controversial, they were always well received simply because they were open, honest and designed to help you, the Medicare recipient! They are designed to share the things you "don't see" and are not told when enrolling in one of these plans and unfortunately find out when something "major medical" happens to you or a loved one. I covered campuses in Naples, Fort Myers and Venice, Florida. I partnered with a great clinician and psychiatric nurse and helped design and launch a Behavioral Health & Wellness Program at each of our four campuses in these areas. This holistic approach was specific to each individuals needs and those of the caregiver(s) as well. It was during this time that I decided to further my education, complete the CORE Training the State of Florida requires, and become certified through the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) as an Administrator for Assisted Living/Memory Care Facilities.
In late 2019, I was approached by a physician that I had met along my journey. He served as the Medical Director of the Geriatric Medicine Department for two large hospitals in Naples, Florida and was actively involved in Alzheimer's and Dementia research with several publications included in this research. I was offered and accepted the role as his Practice Manager and helped him successfully launch his own practice as he and I had the same desire.....to leave corporate medicine and be able to treat the person, the individual, not just the diagnosis. This Concierge Model that I helped design allowed for that to happen. People were given what they deserve the most, time and attention. Two things that are missing in most health care models today. My role here incorporated the responsibilities of a manager, medical assistant and nurse, marketing, financial management and clerical duties. When leaving this practice it was on the right track and had met all growth and forecast expectations.
For several years I have had a desire to start my own company and incorporate what I have learned, and what I know, and somehow helps others. To bring everything I just shared...and each "stop" I made along the way, to the very center of health care. Your health care. Here we are. Here is how inTouch Medical Solutions started. A plan I know God has had in His making, and His timing, for several years.
Aside from continuing to maintain the AHCA Administrative License mentioned earlier, I am also a Certified Dementia Practitioner, a Certified Medical Assistant which also includes certification in phlebotomy and EKG’s (ASPT). I hold current certifications in CPR/AED (Basic Life Support)/Standard First Aid & Bloodborne Pathogens. I will be obtaining my BCPA in September of 2021 and am working towards two additional certifications as well. Through my journey and to here, I bring over twenty-seven years of experience in many aspects of the medical field and am focused on using what I know and what I have learned to help the individual, you.
I am ready to get inTouch with your health care needs and be a part of your team as well.
Chad M. Berry