PAT PALMER is an inspirational leader and the founder Beacon HCI. She has an undeniable passion for protecting people from costly medical billing errors and over several decades has seen the practical impact these errors can have on businesses and everyday folks.

Pat has devoted decades to identifying violations in medical billing practices and to addressing these problems at the root level. She inspires others to take action. Pat’s role at Beacon is to oversee strategic development to support a truly global cost containment service for healthcare payers.   

Previously, as President of two former companies she established in the 90’s, she pioneered the existence of medical bill advocacy that is prevalent in the healthcare industry today. Respected as a credible voice in medical bill advocacy, Pat earns her title dubbed by the media “the Robin Hood of Medical Billing” wherever she goes. 

With her prior companies Pat performed intensive research of Federal Regulations & Billing Guidelines to detect fraudulent and abusive billing by providers and identified sources and supporting evidence based on analysis of charges of billing violations. Pat has submitted reports to government committees and state groups related to "Hospital Bill Overcharges".  Pat has designed database programs, procedural codes, and implementation stages to identify overcharges.  She has developed numerous education and training manuals, workbooks, and other material related to healthcare compliant billing practices. She has reviewed and analyzed legislation, laws, and public policy, to increase and support the identification of non-compliant billing practices.  Pat has conducted professional seminars, classes, and workshops to teach corporations, insurance carriers, individuals, and attorneys techniques and methods to obtain Fair & Accurate charges from healthcare providers. 

She and her two daughters, Candice and Christie began working together 20 years ago to try and “Right the Wrong” in our healthcare system and they share a passion for holding systems and providers accountable to their customers.

Pat & her husband Jimmy were happily married for nearly 50 years until his passing in 2020. She also has two grandchildren that she says is her reason for living. 

CHRISTIE HUDSON is distinguished by her ability to get things done and drive results. With an enthusiastic and genuinely friendly attitude, Christie radiates a sincere passion for delivering value and benefits to our customers.

As EVP of Operations, Christie oversees the majority of the daily operations and evaluates workflows of Beacon. A key focus is leveraging IT and software and she is consistently working with clients and Beacon team members to ensure the best customer experiences. One of her main goals at Beacon is to allow Beacon to represent a truly global advocacy company. 

Christie established program management functions and acted as Program Manager on multiple projects in her over 20 years in the industry.

Previously, as Vice President of two former advocacy companies, she led the organization, direction, and coordination of all administrative functions on behalf of both companies, including financial accounting, human resources, and payroll management.  She developed operational budgets to exceed corporate earning projections and developed revenue and cost forecasts and established key performance indicators for tracking.  

Christie was born and raised in Salem, VA. She dedicates much of her time to providing a safe and wonderful home for her son. She also loves animals and has two precious dogs Blue and Frankie.

CANDICE BUTCHER intuitively recognizes opportunity for cost savings in the healthcare industry and brings them to life.  She is respected as a decisive and credible voice in finding strategic cost containment services for patients. 

Currently, as EVP of Production Systems at Beacon, Candice leads our software development management and the prioritizing of new features and updates to Beacon platforms, educational products, services, and training programs tailored to medical cost solutions. She has an excellent track record of accomplishments that include accreditation from AAPC on previous educational training manuals. 

Previously, as Vice President of two former companies, Candice served a leadership role across the entire healthcare continuum – providers, payers, and customers.  She led innovative initiatives to build top-performing programs.  

Candice resides in Salem, Va. and has two beautiful children, Hannah and Logan.  She enjoys planning family activities and spending quality time with her children and family.