Carmen started her long term care career in high school when she began working as a nursing assistant. That after school job quickly grew into a love of elders and a passion for caring for them, that has extended over forty years.

Carmen obtained her nursing degree at Western Kentucky University and began her professional career in long term care, getting to know her chosen field from the foundation up. She worked as a Charge Nurse, Staff Development Coordinator, Assistant Director of Nursing and Director of Nursing while studying to become licensed as a Nursing Home Administrator. As an Administrator Carmen led two facilities, having 176 and 186 beds, to deficiency free surveys. After ten years as administrator, she returned to her nursing roots, becoming a Regional Nurse Consultant in two long term care companies, before beginning a twenty year career with a Adventist Care Centers as a Quality Management Specialist.  

She has provided leadership to thirty-six facilities in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, Ohio, Wisconsin, Kansas and assisted in Florida and Texas. Carmen served in developing clinical standards and policies, developing clinical foundations for software, implementing electronic medical record, providing education, evaluating systems, monitoring quality, providing risk management support, validating clinical reimbursement documentation, corporate compliance monitoring and interim support as both Director of Nursing and Administrator. She has had the privilege of opening new facilities and in relocating an existing facility to a newly constructed facility. 

Carmen also has love for her family and faith. She has one daughter, two sons, and three grand-daughters.  She is actively involved in her church and has been a pre-school teacher as well as a leader in youth programs. She enjoys snow-skiing, reading, crocheting and spending time with her family.

Karen Simmons,

Vice President of

Clinical Reimbursement

Karen followed her desire to make a difference in others lives, by attending Kentucky Wesleyan College and obtaining her nursing degree.  During the early years of her nursing career, Karen worked in different aspects of nursing, including long term care, acute care, juvenile and adult psychiatric care, before finding a home with the Kentucky Medicaid program. In this role she visited nursing facilities across the state, auditing documentation supporting Medicaid reimbursement. 

After five years of auditing providers, Karen made the decision to share her knowledge by accepting employment with a not-for-profit long-term care organization.  As part of that organization, Karen spent the next twenty-five years expanding her expertise in Medicaid, Medicare, Managed Care, Corporate Compliance, Quality Measures, Reimbursement Audits and Appeals, serving twenty-six facilities in nine states. During this time, Karen enhanced her skills by obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing Home Administrator’s License, Certified Professional Coder Certificate and MDS Certification from the American Association of Nursing Assessment Coordinators.

Karen joined Epic Consulting Services at its inception, utilizing her vast skill set and experience to enrich the 

Karen is a devoted wife, mother and Nana.  Karen and her husband Gary have two daughters, a son and three grandchildren.  She has a farm with horses, donkeys, goats, chickens, dogs and cats keeping her entertained and busy. In her spare time she enjoys quilting, crocheting and other crafts.