Etta Ish Henderson is Chief Compliance Officer for Access Community Health Network (ACCESS), one of the nation’s largest networks of federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs) providing ambulatory services to more than 175,000 patients at 35 health centers across the greater Chicago area.

Since joining ACCESS in 2007, Etta has been responsible for developing programs to prevent billing fraud, waste and abuse, as well as making sure that health centers meet the requirements of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

She has also implemented education and training to all Board and staff members; established a compliance monitoring and auditing program; and is in charge of investigating all corporate compliance and HIPAA-related issues. With the implementation of ACCESS’ new electronic health record and practice management system, Etta has facilitated the inclusion of compliance and privacy safeguards to support clinical operations organization-wide. Etta works closely with the senior leadership team to ensure that ACCESS maintains and continues to foster a culture of compliance and integrity.

During her tenure with the Cook County Bureau of Health Services’ Corporate Compliance Office (now Cook County Health and Hospitals System), Etta assisted in the reorganization of the office that led to a corporate compliance governance structure for the seven affiliates that comprised the Bureau’s integrated delivery system. She also launched the HIPAA program and provided the education and training for more than 8,000 employees. She oversaw the Bureau-wide compliance and HIPAA risk assessment, investigated complaints and managed auditing and monitoring.

Etta has more than 30 years of health care experience, including positions throughout the Midwest that involved managed care administration, quality management, public health research, program planning and evaluation, management consultation and corporate compliance. Previously, Etta was one of four founders of the Concerned Health Care of America, Inc., a behavioral managed care organization that provided psychiatrists, psychologists and clinical social workers for more than 200,000 patients. She was also a public health advisor for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Health Planning.

Already certified in Healthcare Compliance, Etta recently completed her certification in Healthcare Privacy Compliance through the Certification Compliance Board (CCB), which is connected to the Heath Care Compliance Association. As technology continues to evolve and privacy breaches become more common, it’s critical that an organization’s Compliance Officer maintains certification in all areas of compliance risk.

Etta has a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of California at Berkeley.