Merella Schandl, MHA, CPMSM, CPCS, FMSP

Professional Profile

Merella brings over 30 years of experience to Anders as a principal and health care practice leader, having worked with all facets of the industry. She advises clients in the areas of accreditation, regulatory compliance, credentialing, privileging, operational efficiency, technology, credentialing policies and procedures, enrollment, delegation, practice startups, clinic conversion to FQHC or RHC and business development. Merella has been a member of the National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) since 2001 and is dual-certified as a Certified Professional Medical Services Management (CPMSMP and Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist (CPCS). As a previous NAMSS Instructor (2013 to 2021) she presented the Leadership Certification Program, CPCS Certification, Becoming Your Own Advocate and developed new content for NAMSS education programs. She also trained new instructors to teach NAMSS education material. Merella is also a former President of the Missouri Association of Medical Staff Services (MOAMSS) and the Greater St. Louis Chapter. She served two terms as the MOAMSS President. Merella has been an industry speaker since 2012; developing and presenting various programs to state and national audiences. She has authorized and contributed to a variety of industry-related publications including NAMSS Synergy, St. Louis Metropolitan Medicine, and Anders Blogs. She is the author of the HCPro book, “Credentialing and Privileging Toolbox”.

Joined the firm in 2017

Education & Certifications

• Certified Professional Medical Services Management (CPMSM)
• Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist (CPCS)
• Masters in Healthcare Administration, Lindenwood University, Belleville, IL
• B.S., Workforce Development and Training, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

Professional Organizations

• Missouri Association of Medical Staff Services (MoAMSS)
  • Past-President (2016-Present)
  • President (2014-2016)
  • President Elect (2013-2014)
• Illinois Association of Medical Staff Services (IAMSS)
• Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
• Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)
• National Association Medical Staff Services (NAMSS)
• Adjunct Faculty and eMHA Mentor – Saint Louis University
• National Association Rural Health Clinics (NARHC)
• Women in Healthcare Heartland Chapter
  • Mentor Committee Member

Awards

• Graduate Outstanding Student Award, Mid-America College of Healthcare Executives (2017)
• Leadership Certificate, National Association Medical Staff Services (2017)
• Golden Key Award, National Association Medical Staff Services (2015)
• NAMSS Fellow Medical Services Professional (2024)

Publications

• The Credentialing and Privileging Toolbox: Field-Tested Documents for Compliance, Management, and Process Improvement
  • HCPro, 2017