Safer & Stronger Podcast

About Safer & Stronger Podcast

Welcome to the Compliant AF Podcast  - where healthcare compliance isn’t just a checklist, it’s a competitive advantage. Hosted by Kara D. Kelley, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CEO of Clinical HR LLC, and Amy Wood, CEO of Copper Penny Consulting, this show is for dental practice leaders, healthcare executives, and the teams who make them successful. Each episode tackles high-stakes topics like HIPAA, HR, OSHA, insurance, fraud, cybersecurity, DEA, Medicare/Medicaid, IRS, ADA/web compliance, and more - with sharp strategy, real-world stories, and our signature humor. We believe the easiest, most cost-effective way to avoid lawsuits, audits, and regulatory disasters is to stop settling for “check-the-box compliance.” If you want to build a culture where doing the right thing isn’t just policy - it’s practice - you’re in the right place. Weirdly passionate. Unapologetically snarky. Compliant AF. New episodes regularly posted! Disclaimer: The information shared on the Compliant AF Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, financial, medical, or regulatory advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a client relationship with either Kara Kelley, Clinical HR LLC, Amy Wood, or Copper Penny Consulting. Laws and regulations vary by state, industry, and circumstance. Always consult with a qualified attorney, licensed professional, or advisor familiar with your specific situation before making decisions that could affect your business or compliance standing. We’re here to help you think critically and act strategically - but ultimately, you are responsible for your own compliance decisions. And that’s what makes you Compliant AF!

Publisher

Kara D. Kelley & Amy Wood

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Aug 2024

Latest episode

29 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

8 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Dec 2025

   Episode 107 | Ten Tips for Practices to Start the Year Compliant AF

   The end of one year and the start of another is when compliance gaps show up fast- and get expensive just as quickly. In this episode, Kara Kelley and Amy Wood share their HR and HIPAA/cybersecurity checklists every dental and medical practice should be tackling before January (or early in the new year). From HR audits and payroll reviews to HIPAA risk assessments, access controls, passwords, and backups, this conversation focuses on the things practices think they have handled - until they don’t. You’ll hear real-world examples of: Outdated policies and onboarding paperwork I-9 and payroll mistakes hiding in plain sight Vendors, software changes, and cloud systems triggering HIPAA risk assessments Temps, former employees, and forgotten system access Password habits that create unnecessary risk Backup systems that haven’t been tested (and may not work) Training, benefits, and compliance calendars that only exist in someone’s head If your practice is busy, short on time, or relying on “we’ve always done it this way,” this episode will help you reset, prioritize, and start the year compliant AF - without panic, guesswork, or dumpster fires. Perfect for practice owners, office managers, and leadership teams who want fewer surprises and fewer frantic phone calls in the year ahead. Have a Compliance Question? Email compliantafpodcast@gmail.com Meet the Hosts Kara D. Kelley, SHRM-SCP, SPHRFounder & CEO of Clinical HR, Kara is a nationally recognized HR consultant, speaker, and advisor to dental leaders and healthcare executives. She specializes in HR compliance, workforce strategy, leadership development, and helping practices build systems that are both compliant and sustainable. Amy WoodFounder of Copper Penny Consulting, Amy is a nationally respected HIPAA, cybersecurity, OSHA, and compliance expert serving dental and healthcare practices. Known for her no-nonsense approach to vendor risk, technology, and real-world compliance, Amy helps practices reduce risk without overcomplicating operations. Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, tax, or medical advice. Listening to this episode does not create a client relationship with the hosts or their companies. Laws and regulations vary by state and situation; practices should consult with qualified legal, financial, HR, compliance, and cybersecurity professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

2. 

   22 Dec 2025

   Episode 106 | Enabling Embezzlement Is As Easy As Getting Busy

   Employee embezzlement doesn’t start with a million-dollar theft. For most busy practice owners, it starts when clinical demands crowd out oversight, reports stop getting reviewed (if they were in the first place), and safeguards never get built. In this episode, Kara Kelley and Amy Wood are joined by Susan Gunn, CFE, a fraud expert who’s seen a clear uptick in embezzlement in 2024–2025 as practices returned to “heads-down clinical mode.” Susan breaks down the practical prevention moves that matter most: treating cash like a real control point (not an afterthought), tightening access to systems and merchant services, and reviewing practice software reports monthly so anomalies don’t have years to hide. 🎧 Listen in to learn how to protect your practice by counting the cash, locking the access, and actually reading the reports. Legal Disclaimer:This podcast and any related content are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute legal, financial, medical, tax, or regulatory advice. Clinical HR LLC and Copper Penny Consulting LLC are not law firms, and listening to this podcast does not create a client, consulting, or advisory relationship. Laws and regulations vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always consult qualified professional advisors regarding your specific situation.Featured Expert:Susan Gunn - susan@susangunnsolutions.com www.susangunnsolutions.com Podcast Hosts: Amy Wood - CEO of Copper Penny Consulting LLC www.copperpennnyconsulting.com Kara Kelley - CEO of Clinical HR LLC www.clinicalhr.com

3. 

   8 Dec 2025

   Episode 105 | When AI, VoIP, and Vendors Meet HIPAA, HR, and Reality (Q4 Buzzwords, part 2)

   AI is everywhere - your phones, your vendors, your PMS, even your hiring tools. But when those buzzwords collide with HIPAA, HR, and real-world practice operations, things get messy fast. In Part 2 of our Q4 Compliance Buzzword Extravaganza, Kara and Amy dig into what’s real, what’s risky, and what practice leaders need to know about AI tools, VoIP systems, call analytics, vendor claims, and why “HIPAA compliant” isn’t actually a thing. If you’ve wondered whether your tech stack is helping you or quietly exposing you, this episode connects the dots. Disclaimer: Informational only - not legal, financial, or regulatory advice. We’re not your lawyers; consult your own qualified advisors. The Compliant AF Podcast is the brainchild of Clinical HR LLC and Copper Penny Consulting LLC, hosted by Kara D. Kelley and Amy Wood.

4. 

   2 Dec 2025

   Episode 104 | The Dirty Truth About Infection Control

   OSHA and infection control aren’t “nice to haves” – they’re literally the difference between safe care and “we just made the news.” In this episode, Kara and Amy sit down with OSHA and infection control badass Deanna Otts-Whitfield, RDH, MS, CIC, CDIPC, to talk about all the dirty things happening in real dental practices – and what it actually takes to keep patients and teams safe. Deanna breaks down the real difference between OSHA vs. CDC guidelines, why scrubs are not PPE, and how “we’ve always done it this way” is getting offices in trouble. From dental unit waterline testing and documentation to hand hygiene, nails, PPE, sharps containers, sterilization, and laundry, this is a practical, non-sugar-coated guide to bringing your infection control program out of 2003 and into reality. If you’ve ever wondered whether your office is truly compliant or just “hoping for the best,” this is the episode to listen to before your next OSHA inspection, patient complaint, or viral Facebook post. About Our Expert Deanna Otts-Whitfield, RDH, MS, CIC, CDIPC is a practicing dental hygienist with 16+ years of chairside experience, a master’s degree in healthcare quality and safety, and dual certifications in infection control and dental infection prevention & control through the Association for Dental Safety. She temps, trains, and consults with dental practices nationwide to help them modernize OSHA and infection control, close dangerous gaps, and build systems that actually work in the real world. Connect with Deanna: Website: www.CopperPennyConsulting.com Instagram: @deannardh Email: compliance@copperpennyconsulting.com Legal Disclaimer The content in this episode (and any related clips, posts, or show notes) is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, medical, tax, or regulatory advice. Kara D. Kelley, Clinical HR LLC, Amy Wood, and Copper Penny Consulting LLC are not law firms and are not your attorneys. Listening to this podcast does not create a client or attorney-client relationship. Always consult qualified professional advisors licensed in your state for guidance specific to your situation. The Compliant AF Podcast The Compliant AF Podcast is the brainchild of Clinical HR LLC and Copper Penny Consulting LLC. Hosted by Kara D. Kelley, SPHR, SHRM-SCP (Fractional HR Business Partner for dental and healthcare practices) and Amy Wood (cybersecurity and HIPAA compliance expert), the show helps dental leaders and healthcare executives turn compliance into a true competitive advantage. We break down HR, OSHA, HIPAA, cybersecurity, and practice operations in plain language - with real-world examples, practical frameworks, and just enough snark to keep it interesting.

5. 

   17 Nov 2025

   The Q4 Compliance Buzzword Extravaganza (Part 1): Holidays, Bonuses, & Windows 11 Meltdowns

   Leading a dental or healthcare practice during the holidays means PTO questions, bonus decisions, holiday logistics, and a long-avoided Windows 11 upgrade all hitting at once - because of course they do. In this Compliant AF episode, Kara Kelley (Clinical HR) and Amy Wood (Copper Penny Consulting) break down the end-of-year issues that send practice leaders into a spiral - holiday pay, employee furloughs, bonus compliance, handbook updates, overtime premium rules, and why the Windows 11 ‘emergency’ is really just procrastination masquerading as a crisis. We dig into: Holiday pay policies and closures The thing no one knows about bonuses (until they get a letter from DOL) The Windows 11 panic - what’s real, what’s nonsense, and what’s a terrible idea Cybersecurity slip-ups every practice makes during Q4 Whether you’re navigating end-of-year HR chaos or trying not to burn your practice down with outdated computers, this episode gives you the clarity (and snark) you need. Hosted by:• Kara D. Kelley, SPHR, SHRM-SCP – CEO, Clinical HR LLC• Amy Wood – CEO, Copper Penny Consulting LLC Stay tuned for Part 2, all about the AI "buzzword." Subscribe for more no-nonsense, compliant-AF episodes that keep your practice out of trouble - and out of audits. Legal Disclaimer: This isn’t legal advice. We are not your lawyers. The content in this podcast and any associated clips is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, medical, tax, or regulatory advice. Clinical HR LLC and Copper Penny Consulting LLC are not law firms, and listening to this podcast does not create a client relationship. Always consult a qualified professional advisor for guidance specific to your situation.

6. 

   7 Nov 2025

   Episode 102 | If Your Chart Notes Aren't Specific, You Can Bet the Audit Will Be

   Dental documentation is not just paperwork — it’s your clinical defense, your reimbursement justification, and often the only record that remains when questions arise years later. In this episode, Kara Kelley and Amy Wood talk with Dilaine Gloege, CDA, CPC, about what happens when chart notes are vague, templated, AI-generated, or copy/pasted. We break down why specificity matters, how CDT/CPT/ICD-10 codes actually function in patient records, where documentation breaks down across the team, and how AI can help (or get you into trouble). We also discuss the real consequences of poor documentation, from recoupments and denials to board complaints and audits. Featured Expert: Dilaine Gloege, CDA, CPC — dental coding and compliance educator and audit support consultant. tidewaterdentalconsulting.com Key takeaway: Specific documentation isn’t bureaucracy — it’s patient care, accuracy, and protection. If your chart notes aren’t specific, you can bet the audit will be. For education and information only. Not legal, medical, or coding advice.

7. 

   20 Oct 2025

   Weirdly Passionate, Unapologetically Snarky, and Compliant AF

   In this premiere episode of the Compliant AF Podcast, hosts Amy Wood and Kara Kelley finally hit record on the conversations they’ve been having for years - about healthcare compliance, the dumpster fires they’ve helped put out, and why "check-the-box" compliance just isn’t cutting it anymore. Get to know your hosts as they share the origin stories behind their weirdly specific careers in HIPAA/cybersecurity and HR  - Amy, as the CEO of Copper Penny Consulting LLC, and Kara Kelley, as the CEO of Clinical HR LLC - and why they're on a mission to help dental and healthcare practice leaders lead with compliance, not fear. They discuss: Why most practices don’t take compliance seriously - until it’s too late The difference between being compliant on paper vs. in practice The actual costs of being reactive vs. proactive What to expect from future episodes (spoiler: a lot of experts, acronyms, and snark) And how to build a culture that is truly Compliant AF Whether you're a practice owner, manager, or part of a healthcare team, this episode lays the foundation for what’s coming - and why this podcast doesn’t sound like your average compliance training. 🛑 Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, medical, or regulatory advice. Kara Kelley and Amy Wood are not attorneys, and listening to this podcast does not create a client relationship with Clinical HR LLC or Copper Penny Consulting LLC. Always consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

8. 

   26 Aug 2024

   Intro Episode

   This episode of the Safer and Stronger podcast launches an important discussion on workplace violence prevention in the healthcare industry. Hosts Kara Kelley, CEO of Clinical HR, and Duane Tinker, CEO of Dental Compliance Specialists, address the lack of support and training available for medical professionals facing potentially dangerous situations with patients. They share the tragic story of Duane's friend and colleague, Dr. Jack Burroughs, who was killed by a patient, emphasizing the urgent need for education and resources. Kara and Duane stress that true preparedness requires ongoing conversations, not just one-time training. Listeners will gain insightful perspectives on cultivating a culture of safety, trust and empowerment through courageous yet caring communication. This thought-provoking debut episode lays the groundwork for future installments tackling specific strategies every practice can implement to protect both staff and patients. You can reach your host at - Duane Tinker dentalcompliance.com duane@dentalcompliance.com Kara Kelley - www.clinicalhr.com kara@clinicalhr.com Podcast Produced by - Park Multimedia www.parkmultimedia.com

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.