Coverys hires two risk consultants

Coverys, a provider of medical professional liability insurance, has hired Lynda Benak and Laurie Marcum as senior risk management consultants for member company Washington Casualty Company.

Benak and Marcum’s primary responsibilities will include providing on-site assessments and risk management services to insured hospitals and facilities in Idaho, Oregon and Washington state.

“The responsibilities of my role are diverse,” said Benak. “As a representative of Coverys, my primary function is to improve the risk profile of our clients by helping them to improve safety and the quality of patient care.  Balancing business and integrity in client relationships requires constant attention and presence. Our goal is their success, and in achieving that, we also succeed.”

Benak has served in clinical risk management positions for the past several years, most recently as a manager of clinical risk at Southwest Washington Medical Center. She is a member of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM), the Oregon Society for Healthcare Risk Management (OSHRM) and the Washington Society for Healthcare Risk Management (WSHRM).

Marcum has over 30 years of nursing experience and, for the past 12 years, has held nursing leadership positions. She most recently served as chief nursing officer at Wallowa Memorial Hospital where she was responsible for risk management and performance quality and improvement. She is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives (NWONE). She also serves as co-chair of the Oregon Trauma Board and as a board member of the Oregon Stroke Network.

“In my new role with Coverys, I hope to positively impact multiple patients in multiple hospitals,” she said.  “I have learned that we are all on the same journey of providing safer care to patients. By working together and using the power of teamwork, we can do great things.  If we create a safer experience for one patient, it was worth it.