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

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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.

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.

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

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

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.

Mike Lowery

Mike Lowery

Vice President of Sales

mikelowery@audconnex.com(303)437-9449

Michael Lowery joined AuDConnex/Rise ENT as the Vice President of Sales in August of 2022.  With a degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Colorado, Mike has proven to be an inspiring leader who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo.  A high-achieving sales and business development leader with vast experience in the hearing healthcare.  With nearly two decades of leadership experience, Mike has directed business channels, developed programs, managed high performing teams, developed critical business partnerships and organizational strategy skills that have served as the foundation for his many professional successes including: managing portfolios of over $100 million in revenue, launching industry-defining new category product launches, and forays into new markets. Most recently as the Director/Growth Leader for Whisper AI launching the industry’s first upgradeable artificial intelligent software-based learning hearing system. Mike lives in Colorado where he is a proud father of his two children.

Michael Hodes, Au.D.

Michael Hodes, Au.D.

Account Manager

mhodes@audconnex.com

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.

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.

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.

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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

Rise ENT powered by AuDConnex has made all the difference in how I view my practice from a growth perspective. The program has offered great discounts with practice management solutions you can’t get anywhere. I have grown my practice by 26% with their help.

Physician

Single Physician Practice

We are a small, 2-surgeon practice, and hadn’t focused on our clinical process and audiology ancillary. We found that our pricing with the manufacturers was much higher than after we joined RiseENT. We saved over $48,000 in year one just in our purchasing alone. The clinical processes and procedures grew our revenue another 14%.

Practice Administrator

2 ENT practice, Mississippi

RiseENT helped our audiology head and our practice manager feel more confident in our business. They are better managers and leaders today because of the 3X trainings they have been attending.

Otolaryngologist

1 ENT, 3 Audiologist practice in Missouri

I felt that I was on my own to learn and lead our hearing center. Our ENT didn’t have much interest in the business side of audiology and I had never run a practice on my own before. RiseENT helped me to know what to look at and what to look for and we built a marketing program that helped me to generate more revenue in the clinic. The processes we put in place helped me keep my patients happier so they weren’t waiting weeks to see me or sitting in the waiting room too long.

Audiologist

3 ENT practice, Texas

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