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HEALTH CARE DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY
Ellen Pentland, ARNP, MPH
Ellen Pentland, ARNP, MPH, Chief Compliance and
Privacy Officer, oversees the Health Care District of Palm
Beach County’s Compliance Program, which serves to pre-
vent, detect and mitigate any activities or behavior that
may conflict with the District’s values and all applicable
Federal and State laws or statutes. Ellen holds a Bachelor
of Science in Business Administration from California State
College and a Master of Public Health from the University
of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Ellen
earned her Registered Nurse Practitioner’s certification
from the University of Kansas Medical Center and her
diploma in nursing from Jackson Memorial Hospital
School of Nursing. Ellen is licensed in Florida as a Health
Care Risk Manager and has over 30 years of experience
working in hospitals, home care, and managed care settings.
Valerie Shahriari, Esq.
Valerie Shahriari, Esq., is the General Counsel of the
Health Care District of Palm Beach County and its sub-
sidiary operations. Valerie has extensive clinical experi-
ence from her background as a surgical nurse and hospital
risk manager. She served as Patient Safety Officer and
Director of Risk Management for IU Health (formerly
known as Clarian Health Partners) in Indianapolis, IN.
Valerie’s career includes working in the Medicaid and
Medicare Advantage industry. She later transitioned to rep-
resenting healthcare providers in Florida at local law firms.
Valerie graduated from Indiana University School of Law
in 2001. She is admitted to practice law in Florida and is a
past board member of the Indiana Society for Healthcare Risk Management.
C.L. BRUMBACK PRIMARY CARE CLINICS,
HEALTH CARE DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY
Nuvia Rodriguez Machado, RN, BSN
As the Lead Nurse at the C. L. Brumback Primary
Care Clinics’ Lantana Clinic, Nuvia Rodriguez
Machado, RN, BSN, supervises clinic staff, maintains
patient flow, provides staff training and education, and
ensures patients receive high-quality care. Nuvia is pas-
sionate about the pediatric patients and enjoys keeping
children up to date on their immunizations. Born in
Cuba, Nuvia, earned her Doctor in Medicine and
Anesthesiology and Reanimation degree at Universidad
de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara Dr. Serafín Ruíz de
Zárate Ruíz. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
at the International Institute for Health Care
Professionals in Boca Raton, FL where she is currently pursuing a degree as a Family the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.
Nurse Practitioner. Nuvia is focused on her family and proud that her daughter is fol- As School Nurse Specialist, she now educates and supports her fellow School Nurses,
lowing a similar career path in nursing.
Thomas Walczak, RN
Tom Walczak, RN, Senior Clinical Nurse, compassion-
ately treats patients at the Health Care District of Palm
Beach County’s Federally Qualified Health Centers,
staffing the C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics’ site at
the Senator Philip D. Lewis Center where he provides
medical care to the homeless. Fluent in Spanish and
French, Tom is also member of the county’s Homeless
Outreach Team. He treats patients with complex health
conditions in the clinic. In the field, he guides patients
into care so they receive needed medication and comply
with their treatment in a grueling living environment.
Tom’s ability to forge patient trust leads to positive health
outcomes and helps resolve their homeless situations. In
2016, Tom was recognized as a Palm Healthcare Foundation “Nurse of the Year.” Tom, a from the National Association of School Nurses. Kate is
U.S. Army Veteran, earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Boston University committed to her faith and family.
and his degree as a registered nurse at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL.
34 May 2018
UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT, HEALTH CARE
DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY
Allyn Bryan, RN
Allyn Bryan, RN, is a Utilization Review Nurse for the
Health Care District of Palm Beach County where she has
worked since 2013. She reviews services provided to
District Cares health coverage plan members, reviewing
quality and operational efficiencies. Allyn is an American
Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review
(ABQAURP) alumni, certified in Interqual, Milliman &
Robertson, and maintains her Case Manager Certification
(CCM). Allyn’s prior career positions include Recovery
Audit Contractor (RAC) reviewer, Director of Quality,
Director of Home Health and Independent Consultant for
Quality. Allyn was the Director of Business Development for the first long-term acute
care hospital in the county, working alongside the CEO from post-construction to a
fully-operational hospital.
Mary Parr, RN, AS
Mary Parr, RN, AS, is a Case Manager with the
Utilization Management Department of the Health Care
District of Palm Beach County. Mary, who has many years
of nursing experience, joined the Health Care District in
2008. She helps members of the District Cares health cov-
erage plan manage their medical needs in coordination
with the C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics. She began
her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse after receiving her
Associate of Science degree from Palm Beach Junior
College. Mary owned and operated her own home health
nursing agency, assisted Medicare startup home health
agencies, and worked with national Medicare home care
agencies as a regional director of nurses and supervisor.
Mary is committed to providing quality care for the underserved.
SCHOOL NURSES, HEALTH CARE
DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY
Kara Baker, RN, BSN, CDE
Kara Baker, RN, BSN, CDE, has served as a School
Nurse for the Health Care District of Palm Beach County
for over 12 years, caring for elementary school students in
the public schools who have chronic conditions like dia-
betes. She is impressed at how these young students
adeptly manage their illness and deal with the stressors of
school—all while maintaining an eagerness to learn. Kara
earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida
Atlantic University, her RN from the Florida Board of
Nursing and her certification as a Diabetes Educator from
students and their families so students succeed academically and socially by following
their diabetes management plan.
Kate Higgins, RN, BSN, NCSN
Kate Higgins, RN, BSN, NCSN, School Health Clinical
Consultant, is a 31-year nursing veteran with the Health
Care District of Palm Beach County’s School Health pro-
gram. Kate became a school nurse in 1987 and in 2008
joined the Health Care District’s team of over 200 School
Nurses. Her supervisory experience led to her mentoring
over 100 nurses in more than 70 schools. Kate’s acute
healthcare experience includes working as a travel nurse,
in critical care, and emergency medicine. She earned an
Associate of Science degree from Palm Beach State
College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida
Atlantic University and her School Nurse Certification
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