Karen Agnich is co-founder of AdvoCare Inc., a Workers’ Compensation Managed Care Organization (MCO). Karen is a Registered Nurse in the State of Ohio, and holds a specialty certification as a Certified Case Manager. She earned her BA degree in Health Services Administration from Ursuline College, and a Master’s Degree in Business from Cleveland State University.

She began her career as an Emergency Room and Open-Heart Intensive Care unit nurse and moved into Managed Care in the early 1980’s. She was responsible for the set up and implementation of the in-house managed care program for Parker Hannifin. She later became the Administrator of Contracting Services for the Health Care Resource unit at Parker Hannifin and was responsible for the setup and implementation of their own PPO organization.

Some of the other in-house programs she implemented at Parker Hannifin were: Utilization Review, Case Management, Chiropractic Review, Pharmacy Program, Disability and Workers’ Compensation programs. Subsequently Karen became the Director of Health Management at United Healthcare where she was in charge of the staffing and services of the Utilization Review and Case Management departments. She was promoted to Vice President of Managed Care Services for United Healthcare directing Utilization Review and Case Management.

In 1996, Karen and two vocational rehabilitation experts co-founded AdvoCare, Inc, a Managed Care Organization specializing in Utilization Review and Case management for Group Health, Disability Management and Workers’ Compensation.

Karen’s distinctions include her works as a past president and co-founder of the Northeast Ohio Case Managers Network which has now grown to over 450 members. She is the past chairperson for the Northeast Ohio Wellness Council and served on the Board of Directors for the Health Action Council. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the National Association of Women Business Owners. She has served as an adjunct professor for Ursuline College. Karen is the current President of the MCO Business Council for the State of Ohio.

Her professional distinctions include NAWBO recognition as one of the Top Ten Women Business Owners of Northeast Ohio for 2001 and she was presented Woman Business Owner of the Year for 2002. The AdvoCare Group has also received the Weatherhead 100, Northcoast 99 awards for business growth and best practices (2007-2009), and Innovation in Business Award 2009.