News

Ashley Podany
Patient accounts specialist
June 2025 | My journey into healthcare

After five years of working from home for a student loan servicing company, Ashley Podany is happy to be out in the community as a new employee at Columbus Community Hospital.

Born and raised in Idaho, Podany fell in love with and married the boy next door, and the two of them now have five children together.

Podany works for CCH as a patient accounts specialist. In this role, she handles a variety of responsibilities related to billing and patient financial services. These responsibilities include reviewing and processing patient accounts, verifying insurance information, resolving billing issues, and communicating with patients about their balances and payment options.

She first heard about the position from a former hospital employee. "I heard this place was a great place to work," she said, "and you work with amazing people."

So far, she has found that to be true. "The department took a chance on me, even though I didn't know anything about insurance billing," she said. "(My supervisors) and the whole department saw something I didn't, and I wish I would have come here sooner."

Podany says her goal is to grow into a reliable and knowledgeable part of the department. "I want to ensure patients have a smooth and respectful experience with their billing process by being accurate, efficient and compassionate."

She said she also hopes to develop a strong understanding of the hospital's systems and procedures so she can contribute to improving the workflow of the organization. "Ultimately, I'm here to learn, grow and help make a positive difference in patients' experiences with CCH," she said.

Away from the hospital, Podany enjoys attending Nebraska athletic events - she's a huge Huskers volleyball fan. She also loves watching her kids participate in sports, dance and school activities.

To learn more about Columbus Community Hospital or available careers currently open within the hospital, visit columbushosp.org.