Leadership - Horizon Solutions (2024)

Our team brings unique qualifications and expertise to the table, allowing us to work closely with physician partners to develop outpatient centers.

We are committed to providing comprehensive support and guidance, leveraging our experience to help physicians achieve their professional and financial objectives. With our collaborative approach and dedication to excellence, we strive to help physicians realize their vision of owning and operating successful OBLs and ASCs.

Mike Ferguson is the current President and Co-Founder of Horizon Solutions. Mike’s previous position was Vice President of Sales for Office-Based Lab Solutions within the Philips Image Guided Therapy Business Group.

In this role, he was responsible for managing OBL sales and customer relationships. Mike has focused in the OBL/ASC space since 2010, where he started the OBL business for Spectranetics and then continued his focus with Philips post-acquisition.

Mike is a strong leader with more than 25 years of interventional cardiovascular and peripheral vascular experience and is dedicated to both empowering care providers and ensuring that they have the resources they need to open their own OBL/ASC.

Jason Hein is the current Co-Founder and CFO of Horizon Solutions. Jason has extensive experience building successful businesses. He spent 15 years in public sector with two medical device companies – seven years at Guidant in various sales and marketing roles, and eight years at Spectranetics on the executive team. Guidant was acquired for $27B in 2006, and Spectranetics was acquired for $2.2B in 2017.

Jason has been in the private sector for the past nine years, where he has co-founded more than fifteen companies, with a focus on medical and real estate. His passion is to leverage the team’s extensive experiences to help physicians build their own practices.

Prior to working in the medical device industry, Jason was a submarine officer in the U.S. Navy for seven years. He received his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University, his M.S. Equivalent from the U.S. Navy, and his MBA (Finance) from the University of Nebraska.

Robert Martinez is the current CDO of Horizon Solution. Robert has over 32 years of experience in both clinical and sales settings. He is a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist, focusing on the Endovascular and Coronary market. He has worked for Guidant Corporation, Abbott Vascular, Johnson and Johnson, and Philips Healthcare, with various roles of responsibilities in each company.

He has been a top performer with each company and earned titles of Rookie of the Year, Sales Representative of the Year, Strategic Account Manager of the Year, and Business Development Manager of the Year for four consecutive years. Robert has been responsible for generating over $500 million dollars In revenue and continues to exceed company expectations.

Robert has extensive cardiovascular background and has consulted with physicians and healthcare systems to develop ASCs and Office-Based Vascular Labs. In his last role with Philips Symphony Suite as a National Sales Manager, he helped open 332 OBLs and ASCs with physician entrepreneurs and management companies.

Michelle Patino, Chief Operating Officer. With over 18 years of experience, Michelle brings a unique blend of expertise in both development and operations, giving her a unique perspective on the industry.

Michelle’s career began at USPI, where she gained valuable experience in the field. From there, she moved on to become the CEO of a surgical hospital, and later ran one of the country’s first multi-specialty/Cardiovascular ASCs.

In addition to her operational experience, Michelle has also worked in healthcare development. She has led the design, construction, and launch of new ASCs and OBLs, ensuring that each project met the highest standards of quality and care. Throughout her career, Michelle has remained passionate about helping physicians and patients.

Her focus is always on improving the patient experience and ensuring that physicians have the resources they need to provide the best possible care.

Before joining Horizon Solutions, Kristen spent almost 10 years at SCA Health, a subsidiary of United Health Group, where she specialized in financial operations for outpatient surgery centers and surgical hospitals.

Her dedication to transparency and partnership has allowed her to become a trusted financial advisor to physicians and other key stakeholders, with a proven track record in creating successful financial outcomes.

In addition, Kristen brings vast knowledge around hospital health systems & joint venture reporting, as she has supported ASCs across the country covering all surgical specialties.

Kristen holds a finance degree from the University of Florida, with a concentration in Communications.

Julie Perry is an accomplished Accountant/Controller at Horizon Solutions, boasting over 35 years of expertise in accounting, management, and business advisory. Her career has been marked by exceptional proficiency and strategic guidance, driving the success of multiple companies, primarily with start up businesses in the private sector. Julie’s meticulous financial management and keen insights have consistently propelled organizations towards growth and profitability.

With a decade of experience in the public sector, Julie also managed the accounting and business management needs of over 100 clients, a majority of those with 25 or less employees. This tenure allowed her to navigate complex financial landscapes, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and providing invaluable support to a diverse clientele. Julie’s comprehensive understanding of accounting principles and her meticulous approach made her an indispensable asset to the organizations she served.

Returning to the private sector, Julie is excited to bring her extensive experience to Horizon Solutions. Having previously partnered with Jason Hein for over eight years, their successful collaboration is a testament to her commitment to delivering outstanding results. In her role as Accountant/Controller, Perry is dedicated to streamlining financial operations, enhancing reporting accuracy, and implementing effective strategies to optimize the company’s financial performance.

Shawn Gomez is a highly experienced healthcare professional with 30 years of expertise in the operating room. He has excelled in multiple surgical specialties throughout his career and has worked extensively as a sales representative for both spine and orthopedic companies

In addition to his experience in surgical techniques and sales, Shawn has also served as Operations director for multi-specialty surgery centers, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership and management skills. His ability to oversee and optimize complex surgical operations has been highly regarded by his colleagues and clients alike.

Currently, Shawn is excited to bring his vast knowledge and experience to Horizon Solutions as Project Coordinator/Procurement Specialist. In this role, he will leverage his expertise in surgical operations and procurement to support the company’s strategic initiatives and drive its growth.

Hillary Crouch is the current Director of Business Operations at Horizon Solutions.

Before joining Horizon Solutions, Hillary gained valuable experience in the healthcare industry, working in various roles of increasing responsibility at Philips Healthcare. During her last five years at Philips, she was a key member of the SymphonySuite Team, assisting physicians opening new OBLs & ASCs.

Her contributions were instrumental in securing funding for new sites, running analytics to inform decision-making, developing and managing the business P&L, and developing programs and solutions for physicians seeking to open their own outpatient centers.

Hillary holds a finance degree from Lipscomb University and a Masters in Business Administration from Murray State University, with a concentration in marketing. She is also certified in Lean Basics, Daily Management, and Problem Solving, enabling her to develop processes and increase efficiencies in all areas of the business.

Chiffon Hill, Director of Clinical Operations, brings a distinguished 20-year career as a Registered Nurse and has emerged as a trailblazer in the healthcare industry, leaving a lasting mark through her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to patient care.

From her roles as Clinical Director to CEO of multiple ambulatory surgery centers, Chiffon has consistently elevated standards and achieved remarkable accolades, making her a prominent figure in the field. Chiffon’s career trajectory soared as she assumed the role of CEO for multiple ambulatory surgery centers. Her visionary leadership and ability to inspire teams were instrumental in driving these centers to new heights of excellence. Under her guidance, these facilities attained multiple successful AAAHC/CMS accreditations and State surveys, solidifying her reputation for unwavering commitment to quality and patient safety.”

As a testamentto her innovative spirit, Chiffon led the first ambulatory surgery center in the State of Texas to obtain Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement. This groundbreaking accomplishment not only set a new standard in patient care but also showcased her dedication to advancing healthcare policies.

Beyond her impressive achievements, Chiffon has been an inspirational mentor and educator, nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals. Her willingness to share knowledge and experience has cultivated a culture of continuous learning and growth within the industry.

Lindsay Lauderdale has over 25 years of experience in healthcare operations, development, clinical, and management in both the acute and non-acute areas.

Her broad skill set along with her experience provides a diverse range of expertise, skills, and unmatched flexibility. She has been the key link to successfully implementing a physician’s dream of his own ASC to its fruition for over fifty ASCs and OBLs across the country.

Her attention to detail and her educational experience in multi-faceted areas allows for her to bridge the gap between all areas of a project and flow seamlessly between development, clinical regulations, and operations.

Meliya Jones is a consummate professional with an exceptional career spanning over 22 years at Philips Healthcare. Her expertise in Imaging Supply Chain and Customer Care has made her an invaluable asset, recognized for her pivotal role in driving operational excellence and fostering meaningful relationships.

Throughout her tenure at Philips Healthcare, Meliya has been at the forefront of innovative process design, deployment, and continuous improvement initiatives. For the last 6 year at Philips, she was a key member of the SymphonySuite Team, assisting physicians opening new OBLs & ASCs. Meliya played a pivotal role in developing a customized solution for multi-modality equipment and service offerings for the set-up OBLs & ASCs. Her dedication to refining operations has consistently yielded efficient supply chain management and enhanced customer experiences.

With a rich background in process design, employee development, and relationship management, Meliya has been a driving force behind optimizing efficiency and fostering growth in her field.

Vicki Fox, a specialist in Revenue and Operations at Horizon Solutions, boasts nearly 23 years of experience in healthcare administration. With a focus on managing ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), Vicki has excelled as an ASC administrator for the past 19 years, overseeing all operational aspects from medical records to state surveys.

Known for her expertise in revenue management, she is dedicated to optimizing financial performance and resolving claims. Vicki’s skill in credentialing physicians has been pivotal in fostering strong relationships and ensuring operational excellence. Beyond her professional achievements, Vicki Fox prioritizes her loved ones and finds fulfillment from positively impacting patient care.

Her leadership, innovation, and compassionate service makes her a valuable teammate to Horizon Solutions and our partners.

Darci Nielsen Beard is a seasoned Coding and Appeals Specialist at Horizon Solutions, dedicated to ensuring accurate reimbursem*nt for healthcare providers. With robust experience in peripheral vascular, podiatry, and spinal coding, Darci brings expertise and certifications, including CPC and CIRCC, to her role.

Known for proactive problem-solving and a commitment to efficiency, Darci navigates coding policies with precision, advocating for fair compensation and supporting partners with innovative workflows. Graduating from St. Philip’s Community College with an Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology in 2015, Darci has worked in OBLs for over 8 years, emphasizing her depth of experience in the field.

Her primary goal remains ensuring that physicians and providers receive deserved compensation for their daily hard work.