October 2, 2025
An interview with Desiree Overcast, Chief Operations Officer
Desiree Overcast leads our operational teams, and is active in all aspects of client implementation and technology. Desiree came to PBS from a large imaging center where she led IT administration. She has years of experience in operational workflows of multiple radiology practices through her work with PBS. Desiree also brings a keen understanding of RIS/PACS/EMR/HL7 interfaces. Her unique operational perspective combined with this technical expertise delivers unparalleled results for our clients. Desiree brings critical understanding and know-how to maintain, streamline, automate and advance PBS workflows and systems to deliver superior operational and technical fluidity for our clients.
What’s your top priority as COO, especially around security?
My top priority is simple: protect patient data and client trust while keeping operations fast and reliable. That means security by design—not as an afterthought. We maintain SOC 2 Type II controls, use zero-trust application allow-listing and 24/7 MDR, and practice least-privilege access, DLP, and rigorous vendor BAAs. The goal is resilient systems that quietly do the right thing every day.
A career decision you’re proud of?
Choosing to invest in security early—as a growth enabler, not a cost center. Building a hardened stack, formalizing our controls, and operationalizing them across teams has made PBS faster, safer, and more scalable.
What makes a great ops leader in healthcare tech/RCM?
Clarity, calm, and consistency. Turn complexity into crisp priorities, measure what matters, and build leaders, not dependencies. My mantra: “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor—and my goal is to cultivate a team of damn good sailors.”
How do you balance innovation with compliance and security?
Guardrails first, then go fast. We use “minimum necessary” data, privacy impact checks, and audit trails as non-negotiables—then prototype in safe sandboxes and scale what proves value. Innovation survives when compliance is designed in, not bolted on.
What inspired your path to PBS Radiology?
I’ve always loved reverse-engineering messy problems and turning them into reliable systems. Operations sits at the crossroads of people, process, and technology—right where I like to be. PBS was a natural fit because radiology RCM demands both precision and pace.
What is a lesson you still carry?
Document once, automate next, then delegate. Also: if expectations aren’t written, they aren’t real. Clarity beats urgency.
How do you drive cross-department collaboration (esp. with security)?
Revenue cycle is a team sport. Data Analysis, Account Resolution, Payment, and Credentialing each own a lane—but their work (and our security posture) flows together. We align on shared Objectives and Key Results, one roadmap, and built-in guardrails: security champions , ‘minimum necessary’ data, and compliance. When leaders co-own outcomes, collaboration sticks.
What do you enjoy most about PBS?
The people and the pace. It’s a team that cares deeply about doing the right thing for patients and clients, and we move quickly without cutting corners. That’s rare—and energizing.
One fun fact most folks don’t know?
I split my time between reefs and ridgelines—tropical scuba in the off-season and Sierra skiing in the winter.
Downtime go-to?
My ideal reset is simple: a long walk with the fur babies, or an unhurried movie night with Amy and a good cocktail.
What is still on your bucket list?
Machu Picchu, Peru—ideally at sunrise.