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• Outdated policies and onboarding paperwork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.

Email compliantafpodcast@gmail.com

Kara D. Kelley, SHRM-SCP, SPHR Founder & 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 Wood Founder 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.

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.