What We Do. How We Do It.
Learn the RiseENT Advantage
The Focus
Our focus is to provide a solution to help practices operate effectively and grow with efficient business practices. It’s start with a strategy and foundation of support. Do you have the support to grow?
The Value
Our founders and team are clinicians and practitioners that work, own, and develop practices. You’ll be working with someone that lives and breathes your business; not a fresh graduate of a local business school.
The Collaboration
Collaboration is the biggest factor in learning. Our platform brings otolaryngology, netrotology, hospital, and multispecialty practices together to share, learn and communicate from each other. We are in this together.
Big Picture Solutions
The solution to efficient business practices and growth for ENTs starts here. It starts with solutions that actually work. Measured by professional standards, this solution formula produces results.
Competitive Pricing
Consolidated Billing
Business and Marketing Solutions
Allergy Software
Brand Reputation Management
Leadership & Staff Training
THE MISSION
- We believe that our members deserve fair, honest, sincere, and competent representation that seeks to educate and provide them with best practices related to their independent businesses.
- We believe in exceptional, professional, and consistent service that is flexible enough to accommodate each practice’s unique needs.
- We believe that it is both possible and desirable to aim at the ongoing growth of our community and our individual practices while maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality.
- We believe that exceptional care requires us to remain on the cutting edge of new
technologies, programs, services and opportunities in the field of hearing healthcare. - We believe in the importance of effective and transparent communication.
The Support Advantage
HOW WE CAN HELP
- Industry’s Only GPO Best Practice Experience Due to (2) Two AuDConnex Founders in Strategic Partnerships with ENT and Otologists in Nevada and Colorado
- Competitive Pricing on Hearing Aid Supplies/Batteries
- Owner/Provider Collaboration
- Owner/Provider Practice Goals Setting and Accountability
- Patient-Centered New Patient Acquisition Solutions
- Focused New Patient Experience Training
- Front Office/Staff Phone Training
- Proven Practice Management Systems and Practice Formulas
- Patient-Based Staff Training
- Business Math
- Brand 365-Marketing Development and Execution Support
- Website Development Program
- Effective Human Resources Practices
- Business Coaching
- Wealth Management Resources
Meet Our Team
Michael Iliff, Au. D.
Founding Partner • Private Practice Owner
info@audconnex.com • (303)885-1730
Michael Iliff is co-owner of Hearing Consultants of Colorado Springs, LLC. in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Colorado Hearing Specialists, Inc. in Parker, Colorado and Colorado Springs Hearing Consultants LLC. In Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dr. Iliff received his Doctorate of Audiology degree at the Arizona School of Health Sciences in 2003. He spent 10 years as a technology consultant with Widex USA and has presented numerous seminars to professionals and consumers alike on hearing technology.
Dr. Iliff has served as President for the Colorado Academy of Audiology and Vice President of Education. He received the Peak Performance award in 2009 from the Colorado Academy of Audiology which is given to individuals to acknowledge an exemplary achievement or effort that contributes to the advancement of the field of audiology and/or a direct humanitarian contribution to society in the realm of hearing.
Dr. Iliff is also one of the founding members of AuDConnex, which was created to fill the need of the audiologist who wants to maintain their independence, yet still maintain a connection to like-minded professionals while obtaining the buying power of a larger buying group.
Richard Johnson, Au.D.
Founding Partner • Private Practice Owner
manager@audconnex.com • (775)722-6644
Richard Johnson, Au.D., completed his Bachelors degree at the University of Nevada – Reno, his masters degree at the University of Utah in 2001 and received his Doctorate of Audiology degree at Pennsylvania College of Optometry, School of Audiology in 2004. Dr. Rich Johnson completed an internship at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Johnson joined Nevada ENT & Hearing Associates 2004 and currently serves as the Director of Audiology.
In 2010 Dr. Johnson opened Silver State Hearing & Balance. Dr. Johnson is board certified in Audiology (ABA) and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (F-AAA). In 2011 Dr. Johnson was appointed to the Nevada Speech Pathology and Audiology Board by Governor Sandoval and is currently still serving on as the President of the Nevada State Board for Audiology. Dr. Johnson holds audiology and dispensing licenses in Nevada and California.
Dr. Johnson is one of the founding members of AuDConnex, which was created to help audiologists and other hearing healthcare providers with all aspects of their business, yet they wanted to maintain their independence.
Ryan Lewis
Founding Partner • Marketing Agency Owner
marketing@audconnex.com • (970)250-5983
Ryan Lewis is the Brand Strategist/Creative Director/Owner of the Lewis Agency. Mr. Lewis has over 15-years experience in strategic marketing, brand positioning, website development, creative execution, project management, advertising, promotions and public affairs. Ryan Lewis has been working with small, medium and large companies define and execute marketing and communications plans … helping bottom lines grow and brands THRIVE.
As the Brand Strategist and Creative Director of the Lewis Agency, Mr. Lewis has worked for a variety of industries including automotive, medical, restaurant, manufacturing, retail and non-profit.
Today, Mr. Lewis challenges the status quo of marketing making every client focused and clear on marketing vision and effective execution.
Todd Gease
Vice President of Finance
todd@audconnex.com • (612)554-2404
Todd Gease has more than 15 years of experience in the financial sector of the hearing health care industry. He was previously the director of financial services for a large hearing health care provider. Todd’s expertise ranges from accounting to insurance billing, as well as business strategy.
Todd oversees the AuDConnex finance department and plays an integral role in the newly developed centralized billing benefit for members.
Gregory Smith, Au.D., CCC-A
Vice President of Sales
greg@audconnex.com • (919) 308-1223
Gregory Smith joined the AuDConnex and RiseENT family as Vice President of Sales in Fall of 2023. Smith is a seasoned professional with a dynamic career that spans the intersection of clinical audiology, sales leadership, and business development. Currently serving as the Vice President of Sales for AuDConnex and RiseENT, Gregory brings a wealth of hearing industry experience to his role. Prior to joining AuDConnex & RiseENT, Gregory enjoyed a lengthy career as a senior account executive with a major hearing aid manufacturer where he specialized in forging partnerships to help independent hearing healthcare practitioners achieve their business development goals while driving hearing aid sales and consistently outpacing revenue targets. Additionally, Gregory has expertise in business analytics and is a trusted advisor to some of the most successful independently owned private audiology practices in the Midwest. Prior to his career in the hearing industry, Gregory managed the adult hearing aid dispensing program at UNC Hospitals Hearing and Voice Center at Carolina Pointe. He started his career in audiology as a vestibular specialist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Ashlee McCloskey, Au.D.
Account Manager
(814) 931-8480 • ashlee@audconnex.com
Dr. McCloskey is an accomplished audiologist and dynamic sales leader, recently stepping into the role of Regional Account Manager at AuDConnex. Coming from Central Pennsylvania, Ashlee’s passion for helping others began at Penn State, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, followed by her Doctor of Audiology from Salus University. She worked as a private practice audiologist for numerous years. After that she worked as an account manager at Neosensory. With a talent for blending technical expertise with account management, she thrives on building strong client relationships and driving growth in the hearing health industry. Outside the office, Ashlee enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, along with their French bulldog named Dennis. In her free time, you can find her indulging her love of shopping, experimenting with new baking recipes, or traveling with her family.
Michael Hodes, Au.D.
Account Manager
Dr. Michael Hodes became an Account Manager for AuDConnex in July 2015. He is currently working as a Clinical Audiologist at Silver State Hearing and Balance in Reno, NV. He received his Doctorate degree from Idaho State University and is passionate about philanthropy in his community and abroad.
Dr. Hodes lives in north Reno with his wife and four children – two boys and has recently adopted twin girls. Dr. Hodes’ oldest son has a hearing loss in one ear.
Cassie Iliff, Au.D.
Director of Network Development
cassie@audconnex.com • (303)619-6313
Dr. Cassie Iliff joined AuDConnex as Director of Network Development in September of 2013. In recent years, she was employed by Unitron as an account executive and regional trainer and most recently worked for MAICO-Diagnostics as a product manager.
Cassie received her bachelor’s degree and graduate degree in audiology from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
Christine Schellin, Au.D.
Member Liaison
Christine@silverstatehearing.com
Christine received her B.S. in Speech Pathology/Audiology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1999, an M.A. in Audiology from Western Washington University in 2001, and an Au.D. from Salus University in 2008.
Prior to opening Silver State Hearing & Balance, Christine was a clinical audiologist at the VA Sierra Nevada HealthCare System for 6 years. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and is licensed by the Nevada State Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech Pathology, the Nevada State Board of Hearing Aid Specialists and is licensed as a dispensing audiologist in the state of California. She served as vice president for the Nevada Speech Language and Hearing Association from 2004-2006.
Christine’s clinical interests include diagnostic audiology, vestibular testing, hearing aids and cochlear implants. Outside of work, Christine enjoys spending time with her husband Scott and their three children.
FAQ
Are there any costs or fees to join RiseENT?
No. There are no fees to join RiseENT. Members receive access to our group purchasing, centralized billing, digital and collaboration tools, initial onboarding visit and practice evaluation, and our listing builder service free of charge when joining RiseENT.
Does our practice have to sign a long-term contract with RiseENT to join?
No. We have no contracts, minimum purchasing requirements, or quotas that must be met to be a member of RiseENT. We believe our transparent processes, value added services, and collaboration tools drive members to remain active participants in our organization.
What services are the most commonly used services that RiseENT provides?
All of our members take advantage of our competitive pricing and discounts through our partner suppliers and our branding and digital marketing services. A majority are members of our 3X business development program as well as use our centralized billing program to manage their invoices and payables. Many members work with our Allergy partner, compounding pharmacy, and process their billing and credentialing through our revenue cycle management partner.
Can I still work directly with my rep and my partners at the hearing aid manufacturers?
Of course! Our supplier partners are a key component in our mutual success at RiseENT. You will continue to work with your reps and contacts at the supplier partners as a member of RiseENT.
Can RiseENT develop a website for my ENT practice?
One of our founders, Ryan Lewis, is the founder of the Ryan Lewis Agency, a full-service branding and digital and traditional marketing agency. With over 400 members in RiseENT and AuDConnex, Ryan and his team have the expertise in representing ENT, hospital, multispecialty, and audiology clinics and have for over 15 years. The agency team builds and develops websites that are responsive, make it easier for patients to find your clinic online, and drive traffic to your business.
Does RiseENT offer billing and credentialing of physicians and audiologists?
Yes! Through our partner Avosina Medical, we offer full revenue cycle management with billing and credentialing rates significantly lower than competitive offerings. We can also manage your providers’ credentialing and compliance all from a single platform.
Does RiseENT offer Allergy Software?
RiseENT has a partnership with one of the leading allergy software vendors. As a member of RiseENT, you receive a discount via rebate on your software fees.
Testimonials
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