Clinical Leadership
Exceptional Care Services is led by an experienced clinical leadership team dedicated to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care throughout the skilled nursing and long-term care settings we serve.
Our clinical operations are guided by Physician Medical Directors and Clinical Leaders who work collaboratively to support our providers, partner facilities, and residents. Unlike traditional administrative models, our Clinical Leaders remain actively engaged in direct patient care, providing hands-on leadership and real-world clinical insight that directly benefits the patients and communities we serve.
Physician Medical Directors
Our Physician Medical Directors provide clinical oversight, regulatory guidance, and medical expertise across our organization. They work closely with our nurse practitioners, behavioral health providers, facility leadership teams, and other healthcare partners to ensure quality, compliance, and evidence-based care delivery.
The Medical Directors support:
- Clinical quality and performance initiatives
- Regulatory and compliance oversight
- Provider collaboration and mentorship
- Patient safety and risk management
- Development of clinical programs and best practices
Clinical Leadership Team
Our Clinical Leaders provide day-to-day support for our healthcare providers and serve as a key resource for clinical operations across the organization. Because they continue to practice within our partner facilities, they maintain a current understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing residents, nursing staff, and healthcare providers.
Responsibilities include:
- Provider onboarding and mentorship
- Clinical quality improvement initiatives
- Documentation and coding support
- Care coordination best practices
- Facility relationship support
- Program development and implementation
- Clinical education and professional development
Our Commitment
Exceptional Care Services is committed to delivering exceptional clinical outcomes through a collaborative leadership model that combines physician oversight, advanced practice provider expertise, and strong partnerships with skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. Our leadership team remains focused on supporting our providers, improving resident outcomes, and enhancing the quality of care delivered every day.
Meet Our Team
Chief Practice Officer
Denise Kirkham
Denise Kirkham joined Exceptional Care Services in February 2023 as the Chief Practice Officer. Denise provides leadership for the Exceptional Care Services Advanced Practice Providers group.
Denise has over 40 years of healthcare experience providing strategic and operational health care solutions. Her focus is on quality and cost-effective measures to improve healthcare outcomes, and provider and patient satisfaction.
Senior Vice President Behavioral Health
Jeff Beaty, PhD, LCSW, MSHA
Jeff joined Exceptional Care Services in July 2023 as the Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health. He is responsible for establishing the behavioral health division, monitoring progress with the model and providing support and leadership.
Jeff critically analyzes clients with major neurocognitive disorders, dementia, and mental health disorders to improve quality of care. He provides active functional support and guidance in inter-operation of medical policy for associates to meet the healthcare and behavioral health needs of the clients including those within a palliative care situation.
APRN Clinical Leader
Lakita Ramsey, MSN, AGPCNP-C
Lakita has had 7 years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and graduated with her Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner degree. She has 13 years of Registered Nurse (RN) experience and has been working in the long-term setting off and on for 22 years. She started out as an Aide then became an RN supervisor and now is an NP in long-term care. She has been married to her best friend for almost 19 years. They have adopted 4 kids – 3 girls and one boy. They love to go on cruises and watch football on Saturdays! Lakita is an animal lover with 2 doodles and a shih tzu, which are also her babies! She will rescue any animal she sees or at least try to! Lakita feels she was led in this position to serve others. If she can just make one difference in someone’s life, she feels joy. One diagnosis, one treatment, one touch, one word can make the difference. The experiences from each patient and his or her stories carry on with her each day. Working with the population that built us today is one of the best experiences you can imagine.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40
APRN Clinical Leader
Cassie Rayl, MSN, AGPCNP-C
Cassie is a Nurse Practitioner with more than eight years of experience caring for the geriatric population. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing in 2018 and was selected as a Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) Fellow in 2017. This prestigious fellowship provided a year-long immersion in age-friendly and dementia-friendly care, along with advanced geriatric clinical training focused on medically underserved nursing homes and primary care settings.
Since completing her graduate education, Cassie has dedicated more than five years to serving patients in long-term care, rehabilitation, and assisted living facilities. She has also spent three years providing palliative and hospice care to chronically and terminally ill patients in their homes, helping individuals and families navigate complex healthcare needs with compassion and dignity.
In addition to her clinical practice, Cassie serves as a guest lecturer at Butler University, where she educates Physician Assistant students on the principles of palliative and hospice care. Her professional interests include geriatric medicine, palliative care, and improving healthcare access for underserved older adults.
In her spare time, Cassie enjoys spending time with her family, walking her two dogs, crocheting, and learning more about her newest hobby of making stained glass.
Cassie’s inspiration for the care that she provides is her grandmother, Carrie, who spent her career as a nurse in long-term care. She impressed upon Cassie the importance of loving and caring for those who are vulnerable and no longer able to care for themselves.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40
APRN Chronic Care Management Program Leader
Shannon Mullis, MSN, AGPCNP-C
Shannon is a Nurse Practitioner with more than 12 years of advanced practice experience, following 7 years as a registered nurse. Throughout her career, she has developed a diverse clinical background that includes primary care, geriatrics, clinical research, and pain management.
For the past three years, Shannon has had the privilege of serving residents as their dedicated nursing home Nurse Practitioner. She currently serves as the Clinical Leader for the Chronic Care Management Program, where she is committed to improving patient outcomes and enhancing quality of care through comprehensive, patient-centered management.
Shannon’s greatest professional fulfillment comes from knowing that she is making a meaningful difference in the lives of the geriatric population she serves by helping improve their health, independence, and overall quality of life.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Shannon has been married for eight years and is the proud mother of two young boys, ages 3 and 5. She enjoys crafting in her free time and spending time with her family. They are passionate sports fans and enjoy cheering on the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, and University of Cincinnati Bearcats together.