RHIA Program LeadershipTeam
Barry Couch, CIC, ARM
Barry is Chairman and founder of HealthSure which specializes in insurance, risk and quality management programs for hospitals, medical groups and health systems and associations. Barry is a leader in the development and implementation of risk management strategies, processes and programs for HealthSure and insurance providers. As a specialist in alternative risk financing strategies, Barry helps various self-insured organizations develop strategic direction dealing with the challenges of taking their company to the next level or simply reviewing new opportunities to address the complexities of the future. HealthSure was founded in 1998 and works with over 80 rural hospitals.
Brant Couch, CPA, CIC
Brant is CEO of HealthSure and leads business development, programs, and strategic account management. HealthSure is one of the largest specialized insurance brokerages and consulting firms in Texas. For over 15 years he has worked closely with HealthSure clients and important groups such as Rural Hospital Insurance of America (RHIA), the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH), the Texas Hospital Association (THA), and Texas Medical Group Administrators (TMGMA), to develop new and better ways to ensure the success of Texas healthcare providers.
Frequently published and a popular speaker, Brant previously was a recognized business development leader and auditor with Ernst Young for eight years where he specialized in working with emerging growth companies across the country. Before that, he held several positions with Central Texas Medical Center and the Texas State Senate. He holds a BBA in Accounting from Texas State University, is a CPA, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Brant serves on a special committee of the Seton Fund in Austin known as The Fifty whose mission is to change the healthcare and economic future of Central Texas. He also is a member of the advisory board of the Concordia University Healthcare Administration Program.
Jennifer Fudge
Jennifer is the COO of HealthSure. She leads the operations of HealthSure. Jennifer e has spent most of her life in the insurance business; you could say it runs in the family as she is a third-generation insurance agent. Jennifer started her career with Hobbs Group, specializing in large construction accounts. She then spent 13 years with Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, managing their professional liability division.
Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, with a degree in finance. She also has her Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU) designation. Jennifer has been a speaker on both professional liability topics as well as organizational management. Jennifer has also written articles on new professional liability products and market trends.
Krista Adamson
Krista is the Property and Casualty Practice Leader for HealthSure and leads P&C service team in serving the unique and evolving needs of our clients. She has more than 15 years of experience in commercial lines insurance and customer service. Krista is committed to delivering an exceptional client experience through leadership, relationships, and creativity. As your insurance and risk management advocate, she is skilled in developing and delivering innovative solutions to exceed the expectations of hospital and physician group leaders. Krista has attained professional designations as a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) and a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC).
Danica Key
Danica Key is the Employee Benefits Practice Leader for HealthSure and leads the Employee Benefits team. Danica has over 25 years of insurance and customer service experience. She spent the first part of her career working for a Third Party Administrator in Tyler, Texas, where she worked in many roles during her tenure, including Account Management, Pharmacy Benefits Management, and Compliance. After relocating to Austin, she joined a national brokerage firm where she worked in Account Management and then as a mentor and coach, helping to train and develop future client service professionals.
Having worn so many hats in the industry, Danica has developed great respect and empathy for both her clients and for the plan participants they cover. Her ultimate goal is to find new and innovative ways to help clients offer the best benefits possible at a reasonable cost. A natural at building productive, long-term relationships with both her clients and vendors, Danica believes that excellent customer service begins and ends with caring for people.
Danica graduated from Western Governors University in March 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She is a huge compliance geek and enjoys reading and researching issues effecting the industry. She has two daughters, Erica and Danielle, and a rescue dog named Chloe.
Heidi Hughes
Heidi is passionate about relationship-building. With over 15 years of success initiating, nurturing and strengthening relationships, Heidi knows what it takes to earn and sustain client loyalty.
An essential member of HealthSure’s business development team, Heidi brings a proven, creative talent for devising “outside the box” solutions that exceed client expectations and needs.
Heidi’s experience includes business development roles at high-profile payroll outsourcing and service firms. She is a graduate of San Diego State (B.S. Business Administration).
Michael Patti
Never stop learning. Never stop teaching. With a servant’s heart, Michael sees each relationship as an opportunity to learn first, and teach second.
His education in political science, Spanish, and business administration coupled with career experience helping HR professionals in large public entities, is a solid foundation for growing with HealthSure.
When it comes to helping rural and community hospitals navigate and succeed in the complex world of risk and insurance, Michael says, “I can and will help our clients serve their employees well so they in turn can protect and nurture the health of the communities we all serve.”
Jesse Garcia
Always be learning everywhere (ABLE) is Jesse’s motto. He enjoys learning about his clients and how he can help them. He loves to solve problems through new ideas and research. This helps Jesse build relationships with clients by being able to offer solutions tailored for them.
Jesse has his Batchelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas Austin.
Jesse builds relationships with clients by being able to offer solutions tailored for them.