The PREFERRED team includes the following individuals who contribute their talent and experience to maintaining the growth, profitability, and overall success of our business. With over 18 years of service in the rehabilitation industry, we have achieved a record of success in our industry largely because we pay attention to your needs.
Since 1979, Jaxene has been involved in marketing private practice physical and occupational therapy services. For 11 years she served as the Marketing Director of a large practice consisting of 15 outpatient clinics in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1992, Jaxene created PREFERRED Therapy Providers, Inc. for the purpose of providing a resource to private practitioners in need of affordable expertise in managed care marketing. As President, Jaxene’s role is to ensure that the organization meets its development and budgetary goals as well as oversee client and employee relations. 18 years later, Jaxene is proud to be part of the largest centrally managed rehab network in the country, and associated with a staff of dedicated individuals who continue to support the mission and principles of PREFERRED. Jaxene loves hearing the success stories from our members, knowing that we helped make it happen.
Christy’s career in managed care began when she joined PREFERRED in 1995. Promoted to her current position as Vice President in September of 1999, Christy oversees payor contracting & payor relations, provider relations, data updates, and general trouble-shooting. Christy is actively involved in the American Association of PREFERRED Provider Organizations (AAPPO) and the National Association of Specialty Health Organizations (NASHO), participating on a number of committees and serving as Chairperson on two, and is on the Board of Directors serving as the President for the Pacific Regional Chapter.
Sam Ceja has been with PREFERRED since 2008, and is our General Manager. In addition to his supervisory duties, Sam is responsible for overall day-to-day operations, oversees our QA committee, researches and resolves Provider Relations issues, and is a member of our Sales team. Prior to PREFERRED, Sam was employed with Arizona Foundation for Medical Care for 22 years and gained experience as a Manager and with provider contracting.
Joined the PREFERRED Team in January of 2006. In addition to providing administrative support to the President and Vice-President, she is responsible for tradeshow, travel, and special events coordination. Acting as vendor liaison and involvement with payor contracting, quality assurance and finance keeps her busy. Dawn started out as Receptionist and enjoys the variety of duties her job involves.
Christi joined PREFERRED in May of 2006. Her responsibilities include processing new members, 90 day new member grids, end of month reports, encores, monthly board meeting and minutes, annual audits, and she is also a part of the QA and Provider Relations Teams. Christi enjoys working with the Providers in PREFERRED’s Network and looks forward to meeting and helping many more.
Pat joined PREFERRED in October, 2001. Pat’s primary responsibility is to send out the payor reports every month to all the PREFERRED payors notifying them of changes regarding a PREFERRED member’s clinic information. Pat enjoys her time at PREFERRED and working with the PREFERRED team.
Pam is part of PREFERRED's credentialing team and has been with us since April, 2006. She processes new therapist applications, performs verifications, re-credentialing, adds/removes therapists and performs several in-house audits. In her spare time, she likes to assist in marketing/sales. Prior to joining PREFERRED, she worked in medical credentialing and prior to that an investigation company in CA for over 10 years. Pam enjoys working with the friendly clients and staff of PREFERRED.
Originally from Montreal, Canada, Anne truly enjoys the great outdoors and the beautiful weather here in Arizona. Anne began her career with PREFERRED in 2007 as an Administrative Assistant and has since then moved into her current position. Anne is responsible for Payor Relations, supporting Provider Relations and assisting the Vice President with all contract activities. She is currently part of the team organizing our annual conference and is truly happy to be with the PREFERRED Team.
Alma's background has been as a business consultant for physical therapy facilites in private practice. For over 10 years she has been part of her client's facilities' development and success. She was imperative in all of their marketing efforts as well as contracting. Throughout her career, Alma referred clients to PREFERRED for all of their contracting needs.
Started as a consultant with PREFERRED in 1993. She went into private therapy offices to assist in finance, collections and training of staff. After the completion of this project, she left PREFERRED and worked in the Event Management field for several years. This included a large school conference company and the Phoenix Civic Plaza. Sandy returned to PREFERRED in 2002 to assist in finance and collections and eventually went to a full time status. Working full time, she was responsible for all financial activities, collections, re-credentialing of therapists, supplies and any other duties including the annual conference. In 2005, Sandy retired so she could take time for herself and her family. She returned to a consulting position with PREFERRED in 2006. She truly enjoys working with the PREFERRED family. She finds PREFERRED a great place to work and truly enjoys being here.
Her job focus is Sales, Marketing, Public Relations and Client Satisfaction. Prior to PREFERRED, Julie was employed at a large insurance company for 14 years, and during her career there, she gained experience as a Client Service Partner responsible for retention and service of 3-4 large national accounts, and also held the positions of Trainer, Technical Coach, and Customer Service Manager. Julie is very excited to be part of the PREFERRED team.
