Irene Vanessa (Crespo) Garcia
Irene Vanessa (Crespo) Garcia is a seasoned healthcare training professional with more than 15 years of experience specializing in EMR and Revenue Cycle education. She currently serves as an Epic Principal Trainer at InnovAge, where she leads training initiatives that support new hires and ongoing system adoption in a remote environment. With a deep background in Epic systems, Vanessa is known for translating complex workflows into clear, effective training programs that empower teams to perform confidently and efficiently.
Prior to InnovAge, Vanessa was the Revenue Cycle Services Training Manager at iRhythm Technologies, where she designed and implemented a formal new-hire and cross-training program for revenue cycle operations. She also spent over six years at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine as a Clinical Applications Principal Trainer, where she developed and managed Epic Revenue Cycle training for both hospital and professional billing. Her credentials span multiple Epic certifications, including EpicCare Ambulatory Principal Trainer and Epic Training Environment Build, and her technical skill set includes tools such as Oracle Database, Cornerstone, Camtasia, Snagit, and Microsoft Office.
Vanessa holds an Associate of Arts in Health Services Administration from Florida National University and is a strong advocate for collaboration and community engagement. During her time at the University of Miami, she partnered with Clinical Applications teams to support Alex’s Place Children’s Cancer Center, organizing social activities and fundraising efforts for more than three years. Recognized by colleagues as a precise, dedicated, and highly knowledgeable mentor, Vanessa brings both expertise and heart to her work, making a lasting impact on the teams and organizations she supports.
• EpicCare Ambulatory Principal Trainer
• Epic Training Environment Build
• Florida National University- A.A.
• University of Miami
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to curiosity, adaptability, and a genuine passion for empowering others. What began as supporting an Epic implementation grew into a career built on continuous learning, service, and helping healthcare teams feel confident, compliant, and capable in environments that are constantly evolving.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay curious and learn everything you can—get involved, ask questions, and seek to understand not just how systems work, but why they matter. Healthcare needs women who are both technically skilled and genuinely committed to supporting people and patient care.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in this field is keeping training engaging and effective amid constant system updates, healthcare reform, and evolving Medicaid regulations. At the same time, there’s a huge opportunity to bring more visibility to clinical operations as a career path, showing professionals that they can make a meaningful impact in healthcare without being on the nursing or physician side.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Lifelong learning, service, and empowerment are core values in both my work and personal life—I’m always seeking better, more engaging ways to teach adult learners and help others grow. That same commitment extends beyond my profession through my volunteer work with ECHO Ministries and in inspiring my son’s interest in clinical operations, reflecting my belief in serving others with dignity and purpose.