If you were fortunate enough to be in the MedPro Healthcare Staffing parking lot one fall afternoon in 2022, you witnessed a generational battle of wills. Meaghan Kirby, alongside her mother, MedPro Healthcare Staffing CEO Liz Tonkin, and a throng of MedPronians, engaged in a spirited squat contest. Their goal? To outlast one another and raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night campaign. As the clock ticked past the 20-minute mark, only three contenders remained, among them Kirby and Tonkin. While Kirby ultimately clinched second place, she couldn’t help but jest, “Maybe I should have held out longer.”
Kirby’s fierce competitiveness, undoubtedly inherited from her mother, has propelled her career success. “We’re cut from the same cloth,” she remarked. Although nursing wasn’t her chosen path, Kirby has crafted an impressive resume in her field and now serves as MedPro’s Vice President of Revenue Cycle Accounting, playing a crucial role in the company’s success.
‘It Made Sense’
Growing up, Kirby participated in dance and swimming. She wasn’t a super competitive athlete but always pushed herself, embracing a growth and learning mindset. “I grounded myself in 4th grade when I got a B,” she laughed. “I just want to be the best version of myself.” While attending Florida State University, Kirby considered several majors, including psychology and teaching, but ultimately chose to pursue a business degree. The stability and fundamentals provided by accounting made sense and would provide job security. Plus, Kirby had a knack for numbers. “I was always good at math, much more so than English. It was an area I excelled in. It made sense.”
After graduating from FSU, Kirby worked in New York as an internal auditor and traveled around the country. She then went into public accounting for tax and private wealth before eventually returning to South Florida and taking a position with one of the largest staffing companies in the world.
‘Healthcare Is in My Blood’
Kirby thrives on routine. She likes things done in an orderly manner and takes pride in ensuring tasks are executed correctly from the outset. “I was born with a Type A personality,” Kirby remarked. “My life is planned out a year in advance.” Her affinity for precision carried her to the top of her profession, but it didn’t mute the call to return to the industry she grew up in. “Healthcare is in my blood,” said Kirby. Both her father and mother worked in the industry, and all her parents’ friends were in the field. Kirby’s first job was working as a file clerk and doing collections for Tonkin. Healthcare had always been part of her life. So, when an opportunity arose to work at MedPro, she realized it was the perfect chance to merge her expertise in finance with her deep-rooted connection to the sector.
With 30 employees, MedPro hadn’t grown into the thriving company it is today. Kirby brushed aside the criticisms and doubts that accompanied working for a family member. “I’m sure some people questioned my abilities, but luckily, I’m not a very sensitive person. I know I do good work, and I knew the value I would bring to the company.” For the first time, she was on the inside looking at a company’s finances and could directly impact business. “At a multi-billion-dollar company, I was a cog in the machine. Now I’m inside with an opportunity to make changes and implement my ideas.”
A fan of the operational day-to-day workload, much of Kirby’s efforts involve smaller tasks with a significant impact. She took the wheel on her first large-scale project in April 2013, building out a new financial system with IT to go live nine months later. It was the first of many successes. Another undertaking was the tax-free stipend program in which she worked with IT and outside council for six months on compliance and legalities. One of her biggest sources of pride was acquiring and transforming the Credentials department. “A lot of work went into that project. It was a labor of love, but I’m very proud of what we accomplished.”
Kirby describes herself as a fair but firm leader focused on doing things the “right way.” “My values align with MedPro. I preach honesty and transparency. My door is always open, and I love feedback. It’s the only way we can grow and learn.“ Despite the success of large and small-scale implementations, Kirby said she is most proud of the team she has built. “I get the most joy from helping people grow, develop, and flourish with the company.”
Focused on Quality
Kirby’s office whiteboard is a testament to her meticulous planning. Bullet points detailing strategies and goals for the current quarter and beyond cover nearly every inch. After navigating through several tumultuous years, she is now immersing herself and the team in policies and improving areas for the next major event.
“COVID was extremely tough on employees.” Kirby worked seven days a week, often until 11 p.m., to get the job done. Now, with the proper structure and the right people in place, her team can adjust and implement necessary changes more efficiently. “We collectively finished the year strong and feel great about 2024.” In response to new state legislation, the team is focused on risk mitigation and compliance while also strengthening vendor management and building new objects in SureStaff to better organize information. The team is also working to improve the candidate and internal employee experience. “We’re focused on quality and removing mundane tasks and redundancies so people can focus on more meaningful work.”