Katherine Martinez
Katherine M. is a seasoned privacy strategist and inclusive training developer with extensive experience in healthcare, particularly in Health Information Management Services (HIMS). Over her career, she has specialized in creating trauma-informed, neurodiversity-friendly privacy education for healthcare professionals, ensuring that privacy practices are implemented with dignity, equity, and psychological safety at the forefront. As a CHPS-certified professional, she has led initiatives to streamline ROI workflows, implement audit-ready protocols, and mentor teams on privacy compliance, all aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and patient satisfaction.
Currently serving as Associate Director of HIMS at Banner Health, Katherine oversees operations across multiple facilities while developing innovative training programs that address systemic barriers in healthcare. Her work emphasizes emotionally intelligent leadership and supports healthcare teams in integrating robust privacy and data security practices. Prior roles at Sonora Quest Laboratories and Laboratory Sciences of Arizona further cemented her expertise in privacy program coordination and HIPAA compliance, where she conducted system-wide audits and managed sensitive health information with the highest standards of confidentiality.
Katherine’s professional mission is grounded in empowering healthcare teams to navigate the complexities of privacy and compliance while fostering inclusive, learner-centered environments. She combines her deep technical knowledge with a commitment to education, designing training that not only meets regulatory standards but also promotes psychological safety and human dignity across healthcare organizations.
• Certification in Healthcare Privacy and Security
• Western International University- B.A.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a deep passion for protecting patient rights and fostering professional growth in healthcare, combined with a commitment to continuous learning and mentoring teams. From leading privacy initiatives at Banner Health to consulting for healthcare professionals, I focus on empowering others, adapting to evolving challenges, and connecting individual strengths to career development.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to invest in networking and mentorship—building genuine relationships with leaders and peers in healthcare has been key to expanding my expertise, staying inspired, and fostering excellence in privacy and compliance.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering healthcare privacy and compliance is to take a chance on yourself, learn from mistakes, bet on your abilities, always give your best, and make decisions that honor both your career and your family.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges and opportunities in healthcare privacy today involve navigating the evolving landscape of regulations, AI, and outsourcing, while ensuring teams are educated on patient rights—including neurodivergent needs—and fostering trust and collaboration in an increasingly remote work environment.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are empathy, empowerment, and collaboration—balancing compliance with compassion, mentoring others to reach their full potential, and fostering teamwork to achieve meaningful outcomes in both healthcare and personal relationships.