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Fortunately for patients and team members at RiverView Health, Denise Rhodes, a Prior Authorization representative, is known for her determination. In one instance, through her “tireless, relentless work,” in less than two hours, she secured prior authorization for a patient that the insurance company indicated would take 10 business days. She has been described as a blessing and an unsung hero, so it’s no surprise that she was recently named RiverView’s Employee of the Month for June.

Denise has been a part of RiverView’s Patient Financial Services Department for six years, but she has decades of experience in healthcare. A native of Bigfork, MN, Denise previously worked at Bigfork Valley Hospital for 37 years.

During her time there, she held various roles. She worked as a certified nursing assistant in home care, assisted in the pharmacy, and helped create a chiropractic department in the hospital. Additionally, she handled billing for assisted living, adult day stay, home care, and long-term care, completed daily hospital deposits, and registered patients from the clinic to other hospital services.

Denise now lives in Crookston. She and her husband, Randy, have one daughter. In her free time, Denise enjoys sewing, crocheting, knitting, and cooking.

“I enjoy talking to people about our creator whenever they will listen with always good news to share,’’ she added of her pastimes. “People are very important to me, so whenever I can help them, that makes life enjoyable and positive.’’

Of her recent honor, she said, “It is a pleasure being named employee of the month. Working at RiverView has been fabulous. The organization is making my final years of employment, until I retire, enjoyable. The team I work with is close-knit. I have enjoyed working with every department that I am in contact with for patient care.

“I have had some serious health issues, and RiverView has been there for me to get me through them. RiverView is an awesome and thrilling place to be employed!’’

The following are a few of the comments given in Denise’s honor: I cannot say enough good things about Denise. She is thorough in her work and efficient. She often is managing multiple patients on the IPU including acute, observation and swingbeds. She is quick to get us authorization for swingbeds which has lead us to be successful in placements that otherwise would have gone other places. Denise does an excellent job communicating with the case management team.

RiverView is blessed to have Denise in her role. Denise truly understands the impact of the work she does for the care team and the patient...Denise has also built solid professional relationships outside of our organization with companies she collaborates with...Denise consistently takes initiative, is thorough, and is willing to listen, share information, and assist in any way she can...She is the behind the scenes member of our patient’s care team. The one that isn’t recognized enough for the critical role she plays with insurance authorization to assist patients in continuing their stay in the hospital, changing level of cares, or discharging to a nursing facility. She is efficient, knowledgeable, and thorough in her work.