Who We Are
Qualis is the nation's first DME management company; we are not a DME direct supplier. The difference is critical. We offer value and benefits to both hospices and DME direct suppliers. With a focus on high-quality patient care, we are able to provide hospices with clinical education, significant DME cost reductions, consolidated monthly payments, and valuable benchmarking and utilization analysis.
Our Beginnings...
Qualis was established in 2006 providing DME management and support. In 2009, we were hired on a project for a hospice with an average daily census of 1,200. The hospice faced growing pains of multiple offices, multiple DME vendors, various formularies and varying DME ordering processes. This added the additional burden of cumbersome monthly reconciliations.
First looking for simplicity, we were looking to find one regional or national DME to handle the management for all of their offices. When presented to the hospice team, they balked. It was explained that vendor choice was mandatory as they knew which of their vendors were reliable, and relationships established meant a comfort in their representation to their clinical staff and patients.
Also, an important feature and benefit would be a common ordering platform for all offices and one invoice per office/per team.
Lastly, the needs of the Medical Director and Clinical Director were robust reporting to help manage costs, along with suggestions of industry best practices to help their clinical staff improve patient care.
After this project in 2006, it was apparent to us that adapting our services, being open and flexible to each hospice’s unique needs and building an expansive vendor network would provide a specialized and valuable service. Qualis has been focused on providing this extraordinary service to our hospice partners and vendors for 16+ years and we will continue to do so – always looking for new ways to be the best DME partner for your hospice and teams.
Qualis Leadership Team
Jared Kelley, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Read the BioJared Kelley, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Jared serves as President and CEO of Qualis. Since joining Qualis in 2011, he introduced a vision for an online ordering platform with real-time reporting and started data mining efforts to establish Qualis as the nation’s leading expert on Durable Medical Equipment (DME) utilization. With over 13 years of management experience, 11 within healthcare, Jared brings experience in operational efficiencies, sales leadership, contract negotiations, and big data analysis. He and his wife have four children – all boys! Outside of spending time with his family, he is a former SCUBA instructor and enjoys exploring the realms of cave and technical diving.
J. Hall Thorp, DSL, MBA
Chief Strategy Officer
Read the BioJ. Hall Thorp, DSL, MBA
Chief Strategy Officer
Hall is a Qualis founder and serves a Chief Strategy Officer. He has spent a majority of his professional career assisting clients achieve increasing value from formal and informal relationships with suppliers. Hall’s primary areas of expertise for clients are in the areas of negotiations, organizational strategy, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Hall is an avid tennis player. He enjoys travel and hiking with his wife and two young adult children, and has a passion for working with mission-driven hospices.
Jay Myers
Chief Operating Officer
Read the BioJay Myers
Chief Operating Officer
Jay is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Qualis Management. After joining the Qualis team in 2020, he expanded our national network of vendor partners as well as helped Qualis weather the COVID virus. Having been in healthcare since starting his career in 1993 in Durable Medical Equipment (DME), Jay has held executive positions in Credentialing, Network Development, Provider Relations, Customer Relations, Client Services, and Product Development with national insurance and DME companies. His greatest accomplishment is his family. He and his wife Christine have two beautiful daughters and enjoy travel, the beach, and spending time with friends and family.
Bobbi Heimsoth
Vice President of Sales
Read the BioBobbi Heimsoth
Vice President of Sales
Bobbi serves as the Vice President of Sales at Qualis. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Bobbi is an accomplished sales professional with several years’ experience impacting growth, profitability, and sales performance. She excels in client-centered consultative selling and managing partnerships along with innovative sales strategies and marketing concepts. Before coming to Qualis, Bobbi was the Vice President of Sales for a Home Health and Hospice EMR Organization. Her personal experience with both Home Health and Hospice has fueled her passion for the industry. Bobbi and her husband, Chris, have two beautiful daughters. They enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, golf, and traveling to as many National Parks as possible.
Steve Vardian
Vice President of Development and Contracting
Read the BioSteve Vardian
Vice President of Development and Contracting
Steve Vardian is the Vice President of Development and Contracting, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. He joined Qualis after 18 years spent as the regional director of a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) company working with skilled nursing facilities and hospices, and several years as a DME vendor for Qualis in the Charlotte, NC market. Steve has a proven track record in his professional journey, developing his skills in sales, operations, and building strong client relationships.
Beyond his professional achievements, Steve cherishes his personal life. He is a dedicated family man with a loving wife and two beautiful daughters. Together, they enjoy exploring new cities, and spending time outdoors, indulging in activities such as camping, hiking, and being near the water. Steve’s commitment to both his career and family highlights his balanced and fulfilling approach to life.
Linda Sheets
Vice President of Information Systems
Read the BioLinda Sheets
Vice President, Information Systems
Linda serves as Vice President of Information Systems at Qualis. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from East Carolina University. With 25 years of managed health care experience, she has held key positions that have allowed her to use technology to support industry needs and standards. She and her husband Wes have a beautiful daughter. Linda enjoys serving in her local church in various roles and spending time with her family.
Heath Lanier
Senior Director of Project Management
Read the BioHeath Lanier
Senior Director of Project Management
Heath serves as Director of Partner Services. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from NC State University. Heath joined Qualis in 2013. His knowledge of the DME management process extends across system enhancements, online orders, customer service, service resolutions, and provider contracting. Heath and his wife Mary Kate have a beautiful daughter. He enjoys college athletics, baseball, golf, and other physical activities.
Diane Dancy
Director of Partner Services
Read the BioDiane Dancy
Director of Partner Services
Diane serves as Director of Partner Services and has extensive experience in hospitality, customer service, and management. Since joining the Qualis team in 2017, Diane has become proficient in Online Ordering, System Enhancement, Provider Relations, Quality Improvement, Customer Service, and Client Engagement. Diane has a passion for problem-solving and helping people navigate the complexities of the DME management process. Outside of work, she and her husband Terrell have three wonderful boys and enjoy slipping away to the Outer Banks as often as possible.
Al Lewis
Director of Business Analytics
Read the BioAl Lewis
Director of Business Analytics
Al serves as Director of Business Analytics for Qualis. She has an eclectic background with a BA in both Music and Biblical Studies as well as a previous career of teaching High School English before joining Qualis. Since joining the team in 2019, Al has taken ownership of the invoicing process and developed a knack for DME data analysis which serves to expand the success of both Qualis and our hospice partners. Al and her husband Eric have two lovely daughters and a delightful son as well as a grandson. She uses her musical background to serve in her local church and also enjoys a great cup of coffee and a good jog.
Ludis Cardenas
Director of Network Development
Read the BioLudis Cardenas
Director of Network Development
Ludis joined our Qualis team in 2021 and is a seasoned professional with an extensive background in vendor management. With over 15 years of experience in business and client operations, Ludis has consistently demonstrated her ability to build strong relationships with vendors, optimize procurement processes, and drive cost-effective solutions for our DME providers. As the Director of Network Development, Ludis envisions driving continuous improvement and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration between the organization and its suppliers. Outside of work, Ludis enjoys traveling, live music and time “under the sun” with her fiancé, their three children (all boys) and their golden retriever, Piper.
Joni Murphy
Director of System Services
Read the BioJoni Murphy
Director of System Services
Joni Murphy serves as the Director of System Services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Longwood University and a Masters of Higher Education Administration from Bay Path University. Coming to Qualis in 2019 after more than a decade of experience in Higher Education, Joni has immersed herself in the world of DME management. Her recent experience included leading the Account Management team in onboarding new hospice partners and building strong relationships with our existing partners. Joni loves to problem solve and is excited to find ways to enhance the System Services department. Outside of work, Joni and her husband enjoy spending most of their time outdoors hunting and fishing.
Our Vision
With purposeful intensity, we develop partnerships that foster excellence, achieve profitable growth, and enable us to care for people in a way that honors God.
Our Mission
We serve our clients by providing heartfelt Intelligent DME™ solutions that lower cost and enhance patient care while cultivating a culture that is rooted in a love for God and for others.
Our Core Values
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Genuineness: We are REAL... authentic, sincere, open, kind, free from pretense or deceit.
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Relationships: We care deeply for others.
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Innovation: We find creative solutions.
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Collaboration: We unite around a common goal and see it through to completion.
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Stewardship: We carefully manage all that is entrusted to us.
Programs That Hold a Place in Our Hearts
Whether here in the United States or on the other side of the world, Qualis takes helping those in need seriously. Dependent upon their passion, members of our Qualis team volunteer in local non-profits or may schedule time for international mission trips. Working together, our team provides funding, needed supplies, and other tangible support for Christian ministries locally and throughout the world. We feel individual and corporate philanthropy should be born out of each person's personal faith and thereby contain tangible and intangible support for the advancement of all humanity.