New Members are Welcomed into the Advocate, D.O. Family

Advocate, D.O. is proud to announce the addition of four new employees. We are privileged to have Robert Morton as our Director of Risk Management, Ngozi Yearwood as our Regional Sales Manager, Natalie Higgins as our Claims Administrative Assistant and Shea Bittick as our Underwriting Assistant.

Please join us in welcoming:

Robert Morton, ARM / CPHRM – Director of Risk Management
Robert has spent 16 years as a healthcare risk manager developing a deep understanding of what causes lawsuits for physicians and delivering meaningful and relevant risk management programs and services for physicians of all medical specialties. Until recently joining Advocate, D.O., 12 of these years were in a leadership role with American Physicians Insurance Company where physicians and practice leaders in large multi- and single-specialty groups as well as solo practitioners confidently relied on his risk management guidance and expertise.

Robert earned his BA in English and a Minor in Business Management in 1990 from the University of Texas at El Paso. Since then he has earned designations as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management, (CPHRM) from the American Hospital Association and an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) from the Insurance Institute of America. He lives with his wife, two children and a few animals in their eco-barn on Barton Creek west of Austin.

Ngozi Yearwood – Regional Sales Manager
Ngozi has spent over 10 years in the medical malpractice industry serving in a variety of underwriting and production positions. Most recently she served as a senior underwriter with American Physicians Insurance Company focused on streamlining processes, procedures, and products that created efficiency and flexibility for the agents and customers that the company serviced.

Ngozi earned her BS in Mathematics with a concentration in Actuarial Science in 1997 from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Florida. She is also a candidate for a Masters degree in Risk Management & Insurance from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida with an anticipated graduation date of December 2008. Although currently living in the Austin area, Ngozi, her husband and their three sons will relocate to the Dallas/Fort Worth area in the Spring.

Shea Bittick – Underwriting Assistant
Shea has worked for over 10 years in the medical field holding various positions. She worked in the front office of Austin Regional Clinic as a Patient Insurance Representative, as a Medical Assistant Manager at Austin Diagnostic Clinic and, most recently, as a Clinical Assistant in the ICU at Seton Medical Center of Austin. She is currently attending night classes at Austin Community College and plans to finish her bachelor’s degree in business at the University of Texas.

Shea was born and raised in the Austin area. She enjoys the company of her family and friends, shopping and playing with her two toy rat terriers, Jaci and Dobie.

Natalie Higgins – Claims Administrative Assistant
Natalie worked as the Operations Supervisor Contractor for three years in Medical Records, Release of Information at St. David’s Hospital. In her role as Operations Supervisor, she worked directly under the Area Manager and was responsible for the day to day operations of all St. David’s hospitals including clinics in San Antonio and Fredericksburg. Prior to her work at St. David’s, Natalie was a District Sales Coordinator for Prime Hospitality where she created marketing strategies to launch several newly invested properties. She currently enrolled at Concordia University pursuing a degree in Business Management.

Natalie is passionately involved with and volunteers for the Darrell Armstrong Foundation for Premature Babies. She is also a motivational spokesperson, speaking to young children through the Speak to Our Youth organization. In her spare time Natalie loves outdoor activities, traveling, and cooking.

Advocate, D.O. is honored to add these individuals to our family to help meet and exceed your needs and expectations. We plan to continue to expand in 2008 and look forward to adding more exceptional people.