About Us
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Connie Demeulenaere
Connie is the Director of Reimbursement Services for Therapeutic Rehab/Universal Michigan LLC. For the past eight years she has worked in this role as reimbursement Director managing the billing /collections aspects for the company along with all legal/litigation claims as they related to the Michigan No-Fault arena. She also contributes to certain Human Resource positions along with Operation roles. Prior to this she has an extensive background in Marketing specifically as it relates to the field of Neurorehabilitation. Connie’s entire career has been focusing on the Michigan No-Fault arena either on the Insurance side and currently on the provider side. She enjoys spending time with her husband of 20 years Perry. Her two beautiful daughters along with her stepchildren and six grandchildren with one more on the way!
VICE PRESIDENT
Christy O'Dell, CPC, CPMA
Christy O’Dell, CPC, CPMA, is employed as a Revenue Cycle Manager with Dexios Radiology. Christy has worked in the medical auditing, coding, and billing industry for over 25 years. She has spent most of her career working in the Interventional Cardiology, OB-GYN , and Radiology specialties. Although she enjoys coding and billing, she felt she had more to offer both to her peers and providers, as well as a strong desire to learn, leading her to branch out to provider education, quality analysis, and practice management. Christy has been a member of MMBA for the last 16 years and an active board member for 13 years serving as the Northeast Chapter Officer, Secretary, Director of Marketing, Director of Special Events, and most recently President. Christy believes that if you find a job you love, you'll never have to work a day in your life!
DIRECTOR OF ZONES
Analiza S Mejia-Urias, CPB, CPC, CH-CBS
Analiza S Mejia-Urias is the Senior Revenue Cycle Manager at Catherine's Health Center. She was previously the Director of Reimbursement for Cherry Health. Analiza has 29 years of Multi-specialty billing as in Family Practice, and Transplant billing, with the last 22 years specializing in Multi-specialty in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) which consists of billing for Internal Medicine, Family practice, Ob-Gyn, Pediatrics, Optometry, Dental, Behavioral Health, Physical Therapy, Dermatology, Radiology, SUD and Methadone.
Analiza is very detailed, dedicated, and mission driven. She loves billing due to the challenges and daily learning that it brings.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Alyssa Ruff, RHIT
Alyssa Ruff is currently one of the Administrative Assistants for MMBA and enjoys working closely with the volunteer board and the members of MMBA. She obtained her RHIT from Davenport University in 2014 and previously worked as a medical coder for the VA hospital for eight years. She continues to say up to date on her medical record career through the MMBA and awesome education and networking opportunities offered. She is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in psychology, with hopes to receive her master's someday.
She loves assisting others learn and is passionate about creating educational opportunities for those who are in need on topics that are difficult to understand or find info on. Networking and healthy professional communication are a few of her favorite things, and she is always willing and ready to help!
Chandra Pockrandt
Chandra supports MMBA’s daily operations as an Administrative Assistant, with a strong blend of creativity, organization, and over 15 years of experience in administrative roles—many of those within the healthcare field. She holds a degree in Business Management and is certified as a Health Unit Coordinator, giving her a well-rounded understanding of both clinical and administrative processes.
In addition to her role at MMBA, Chandra is also a business owner, successfully running her own eCommerce business for over 10 years. This entrepreneurial background has sharpened her skills in branding, marketing, customer service, and innovation.
DIRECTOR of SPECIAL EVENTS
Jill Young, CEMC, CPC, CEDC, CIMC 
Jill is the founder of Young Medical Consulting a company formed 20 years ago to meet the educational needs of both physicians and their staff. She has over 40 years of medical experience with a diverse background in all areas of the office from billing and coding to clinical and management. She has been published in a wide range of periodicals and presented over one hundred lectures both in person and via audio conferences and webinars. She is the past president of the national AAPC Local Chapter Association Board of Directors as well as a past member of the AAPC National Advisory Board.
TREASURER
Luisa Ortiz, BSBM, MBA-HC
Luisa Ortiz was born in Chicago, Il. she graduated from Central High School in 1985. Soon after, she began her undergrad at DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago, Il. Because of personal reasons, she was unable to finish her undergrad, but able to attend and receive certification on Medical terminology, Medical administration and Medical billing from Wright College. She has worked in the medical field for over 30 years. She started as a medical clerical and biller for a specialist in Chicago, Il. After moving back to Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1992, she worked for Blue Care Network as a claims adjudicator, while they were transitioning to a more sophisticated system. Later she worked within the reimbursement department of a large Federally Qualified Health Center in West Michigan for many years, and now with Molina Healthcare for over 10 years. Realizing the importance of education, and setting the examples for her children, she decided to continue her education, where she received her BS in Business Management, and MBA in Healthcare. Her higher education became a focus in providing information to the communities about healthier habits, shared during the health fairs and events she volunteers for.
SECRETARY
Cindy Micho, BSA, MSA, CPC
I started my Healthcare adventure as a Medical Assistant having obtained an associate in applied science degree. I have over 30 years experience in the healthcare industry. After several years of working as a Medical Assistant I returned to college to earn a Master of Science Administration. I discovered my heart was really in coding and education, so I returned. I have experience with medical billing, medical chart review, claim resolution and coding. I am currently employed with CMU Medical Education Partners. After 18 years with HealthPlus of Michigan I joined the CMU team. I have been with CMU for 3 years. I have experience in the following specialties: Family and Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Ob/Gyn, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, Infectious Disease, General Surgery and Wound Care. I am a member of AAPC and hold CPC credentials. I look forward to being a part of this dynamic group.
Zone 1 - Zone Officer
Cindy Hartline, CPC, CPMA
Cindy is a graduate of Baker College in Cadillac. She started her billing career with an externship at Northern Billing Specialists and has been employed there ever since. She is now the coding specialist. Cindy has over 11 years experience in billing and coding. She is also an adjunct instructor at Baker College of Cadillac for the Medical Insurance Specialist program and has been since 2013. She is also an auditor for MACS, a member of AAPC, and a member of NAMAS. Cindy holds certifications as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and a Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA).
Zone 1 - Zone Officer
Sue Johnson, CPC
Sue is a certified professional coder, dual certified by both AAPC and MMBA, and has been in the billing arena for 30 years. She started out in cardiology at a local group in Traverse City Michigan. She has been the Billing Supervisor for Physical Medicine Associates of Northern Michigan for the last 22 years. She's been on the board for our local AAPC chapter in past years as the Vice President. She always enjoys the MMBA seminars and always learns new information when attending them. She loves the networking that happens when one attends and thinks it is important to stay on top of the ever-changing world of billing and coding. She is looking forward to helping others with this task as a board member of MMBA. For that reason, she's very excited to be part of the MMBA Zone 1 Team.
Zone 1 - Zone Officer
Tiara Beckman, CPOC, Billing Manager
Tiara started her healthcare career when she moved to the Upper Peninsula and started working for the local hospital. Since then, she has worked as a registration specialist in the Emergency Room, lab and general hospital setting before advancing into an Insurance Liaison position which quickly grew her interest in the insurance field. After a maternity leave, she was the office manager at a physical therapy clinic, which allowed her to explore her educational opportunities and found an interest in coding. Upon taking a new job as a billing office manager in 2023 for an optometry clinic, her interest in coding blossomed and in August of 2025, she obtained her Certified Paraoptometric Coding Certificate through the American Optometric Association. She continues to explore her coding and billing career and hopes to help others learn all the different roles that can contribute to a successful billing and coding career.
Zone 1 - Zone Officer
Sarah Cramer, CBCS
Sarah started her healthcare career in Traverse City, MI as an in-home caregiver. The love of helping others led her to become a Certified Nurse Assistant. She worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant at Munson Medical Center for several years and later became the Live-In Manager of a local assisted living facility. She left the field for 4 years to homeschool her daughter. She returned to the medical field as a Front Desk Receptionist at Thirlby Clinic, PLC. After a short time, she made the decision to merge her love for the medical field with her education in business management and accounting. She became the first Medical Billing Apprentice at Thirlby Clinic, PLC where she became a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist and is currently working on becoming a Certified Processional Coder. She also works as a medical biller for a private billing and coding company, where she bills for multiple primary care and family practice offices.
Sarah looks forward to her time serving on the MMBA board and continuing her education in this everchanging industry.
Zone 2 - Zone Officer
Cindy Micho, BSA, MSA, CPC 
I started my Healthcare adventure as a Medical Assistant having obtained an associate in applied science degree. I have over 30 years experience in the healthcare industry. After several years of working as a Medical Assistant I returned to college to earn a Master of Science Administration. I discovered my heart was really in coding and education, so I returned. I have experience with medical billing, medical chart review, claim resolution and coding. I am currently employed with CMU Medical Education Partners. After 18 years with HealthPlus of Michigan I joined the CMU team. I have been with CMU for 3 years. I have experience in the following specialties: Family and Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Ob/Gyn, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, Infectious Disease, General Surgery and Wound Care. I am a member of AAPC and hold CPC credentials. I look forward to being a part of this dynamic group.
Zone 2 - Zone Officer
Rachel Davies, CPC, CPMA, CEMC
Rachel brings with her 35 years of coding and auditing experience in the following specialties: Urgent Care, Gamma Knife, Pediatrics, Hospitalist, Urology, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, and Family Practice Residency. The last 10 years were the highlight of her career at a local hospital where she educated Residents on documentation guidelines and performed audits for Coders and Providers.
In her current roll at Covenant Health Care, she codes Urology surgeries and provides support to various Family Practice Offices and Urgent Cares with diagnosis coding, claims follow-up, and review of Evaluation and Management levels.
She enjoys spending time with her husband Daniel of 39 years, her 2 adult children, and 3 grandchildren with one more on the way. It’s true that unconditional love of a grandchild to a Grammie is unbelievable!
Zone 2- Zone Officer
Luisa Ortiz, BSBM, MBA-HC
Luisa Ortiz was born in Chicago, Il. She graduated from Central High School in 1985. Soon after, she began her undergrad at DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago, Il. Because of personal reasons, she was unable to finish her undergrad, but able to attend and receive certification on Medical terminology, Medical administration and Medical billing from Wright College. She has worked in the medical field for over 30 years. She started as a medical clerical and biller for a specialist in Chicago, Il. After moving back to Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1992, she worked for Blue Care Network as a claims adjudicator, while they were transitioning to a more sophisticated system. Later she worked within the reimbursement department of a large Federally Qualified Health Center in West Michigan for many years, and now with Molina Healthcare for over 10 years. Realizing the importance of education, and setting the examples for her children, she decided to continue her education, where she received her BS in Business Management, and MBA in Healthcare. Her higher education became a focus in providing information to the communities about healthier habits, shared during the health fairs and events she volunteers for.
Zone 2- Zone Officer
Analiza S Mejia-Urias, CPB, CPC, CH-CBS
Analiza S Mejia-Urias is the Senior Revenue Cycle Manager at Catherine's Health Center. She was previously the Director of Reimbursement for Cherry Health. Analiza has 29 years of Multi-specialty billing as in Family Practice, and Transplant billing, with the last 22 years specializing in Multi-specialty in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) which consists of billing for Internal Medicine, Family practice, Ob-Gyn, Pediatrics, Optometry, Dental, Behavioral Health, Physical Therapy, Dermatology, Radiology, SUD and Methadone.
Analiza is very detailed, dedicated, and mission driven. She loves billing due to the challenges and daily learning that it brings.
Zone 3 - Zone Officer
Michelle Pierson, CMRS, CMCS
Michelle has worked for Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon, D Gary Wolford DDS PC, since 1996. Over the years, she has advanced in the office from the front desk receptionist to become the office referral specialist, credentialing liaison, insurance biller/coder and office manager. In 2017, she completed the CMRS course through AMBA and in 2020, she completed their CMCS course as well.
In 2024, Michelle co-founded the business MedDent Specialty Services LLC, where she and her partner offer services such as dental billing, dental/medical cross-billing, credentialing/contracting services, fee negotiations, consulting/training and much more!
In Michelle's spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and volunteering for the Michigan Humane Society.
Michelle serves the members of the MMBA in Zone 3, which covers Michigan's southeast area from Lansing to Detroit and their surrounding communities.
Zone 3 - Zone Officer
Jill Young, CPC, CEDC, CIMC
Jill is the founder of Young Medical Consulting a company formed 20 years ago to meet the educational needs of both physicians and their staff. She has over 40 years of medical experience with a diverse background in all areas of the office from billing and coding to clinical and management. She has been published in a wide range of periodicals and presented over one hundred lectures both in person and via audio conferences and webinars. She is the past president of the national AAPC Local Chapter Association Board of Directors as well as a past member of the AAPC National Advisory Board.
Zone 3 - Zone Officer
Stacie Saylor, CPC, CPB
Stacie has over 30 years in the healthcare field, specializing in medical billing. She started her career as a medical biller for a large family practice, specializing in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Medicare billing. She has also held positions as a billing supervisor and billing manager of central billing offices. Stacie spent 23 years of her career as a Reimbursement Advocate for organized medicine and continues that work for Michigan physicians as a private consultant. Stacie and her husband, Rick, have two children and four grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys riding through the wilderness in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in their side-by-side.
