Her Story
About Linda
Linda Sargent, MBA, serves as Director of Patient Access at Parallon, bringing more than 25 years of experience in healthcare operations and patient access leadership. In her role, she oversees patient access operations across multiple healthcare facilities, including a behavioral health hospital, a 7 floor-340 bed hospital, a 100-bed hospital, and five freestanding emergency rooms in the Charleston area. Her responsibilities include conducting daily safety huddles, mentoring and developing staff, managing denials and account resolution, and collaborating with case management and physician groups to reduce barriers to care and strengthen the patient experience. Sargent’s career in healthcare was influenced by her mother, who worked as a patient access manager in Florida. After pursuing studies in nursing and a physician assistant program, she transitioned into healthcare operations and discovered a strong passion for leadership and organizational performance. She subsequently moved from a Florida health system to a larger global healthcare organization in South Carolina, where she continued to expand her expertise. Holding a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management, Sargent combines a strong understanding of healthcare with business and operational acumen. Most recently, she assumed oversight of three facilities following a leadership transition, focusing on rebuilding team momentum, strengthening performance, and improving key performance indicators. A committed leader and mentor, Sargent is recognized for identifying talent and helping professionals advance into leadership roles. Throughout her career, she has hired, coached, and developed numerous team members, including two individuals who have progressed to director positions at other facilities within the South Atlantic group. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes accountability, collaboration, employee development, continuous improvement, and patient-centered service. Looking ahead, Sargent aims to further expand her impact in healthcare leadership, with aspirations of advancing to a Chief Operating Officer role or a facility operations position, where she can apply her extensive experience to drive operational excellence and meaningful improvements in healthcare delivery.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Linda
01What do you attribute your success to?
Many years of experience in the field working on the front line with the staff I directed, i had ample opportunities to learn from them and learn what mistakes i was making as a leader. I had to listen and be able to adjust my leadership to best support my staff. I had to be strong when they needed strength from a leader who back them up. I had empathize with them in their struggles. I learned if you a question you need to be very ok with the answer is. Because you asked the question. How are you doing? Could result in a large issue you have to own and address to the best of your ability.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
In career growth, a typical expectation is to move upward however sometimes the best moves are lateral moves. They not only can provide a better footing than where you were in the previous role but could introduce new skills to add to your repertoire opening up more opportunities professionally.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep it professional. Use your knowledge gained through training and education. Keep up to date in the latest information news and technology un your field through professional organizations in your field. This allows you to participate in these conversations at higher levels. It's ok to be turned down for a position as long as you have ability to learn from it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Currently with the legislature having not voting to continue subsidizing Government plans for people who do not insurance, it has increased the uninsured population substantially which obviously is constraint and presents an overall impact on our revenue. We are diligently working with our patients to ensure their care is not interrupted as that the main focus finding feasible payment and other benefits they may qualify for.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I have to believe that I am doing something that is bigger than me. Our mission statement is 'Above all else we are committed to the care and improvement of human life'. Saying this every day grounds me and helps me focus on the reason behind why I am doing each task.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.