About Us | Innovative Care Management

Who We Are

Our purpose is simple: to set the standard for human-centered healthcare management. We strive to create an environment where members feel supported during some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives, and where plans and plan partners feel confident that healthcare resources are being managed thoughtfully, ethically, and effectively.

At our core, we are guided by a caring and human-centric approach to healthcare. We believe both members and plans deserve to feel seen, heard, and respected. These values have remained constant as we have grown and evolved, shaping how we partner, how we lead, and how we care.

Our Origins

Innovative Care Management was founded in 1990 by nurses with a clinical perspective on how healthcare should be managed. From the beginning, the organization was designed to support sound clinical decision-making, meaningful patient advocacy, and responsible use of health plan resources.

ICM has always operated with the understanding that quality care and cost-effective care are inherently aligned. By leading with clinical excellence, we work to improve outcomes for members while supporting thoughtful, sustainable management of healthcare resources for plans.

Why We Do What We Do

We exist to balance the needs of the individual with the responsibilities of the health plan, recognizing that sustainable healthcare requires both compassionate care and thoughtful stewardship of resources. That balance continues to guide every decision we make.

Our independence gives us the perspective and freedom to challenge inefficiencies within the system. By collaborating closely with health plans, providers, and innovative partners, we work to identify solutions that are both clinically appropriate and financially responsible, driving better outcomes for members and more meaningful use of healthcare resources.

This is who we are, why we exist, and how we show up every day—for every plan, every partner, and every member we serve.

Purpose

To bring a caring, human-centered approach to healthcare management—ensuring members are respected, supported, and heard while helping health plans use resources responsibly and effectively.

Mission

We provide independent, clinically driven healthcare management services that balance patient advocacy with thoughtful stewardship of health plan resources. Through transparency, collaboration, and clinical excellence, we support better outcomes for members and sustainable solutions for our plan partners.

Vision

To set the standard in human-centered healthcare management, where both members and plans feel seen, heard, and cared for.

Healthcare today remains complex and often fragmented. Too often, patients feel unheard, clinical decisions are influenced by misaligned incentives, and coverage and payment structures prioritize volume over outcomes. As an independent organization, separate from claims payment and provider contracting, we are able to focus on what matters most: clinically sound, patient-centered decision-making.

Meet the Leadership Team

Marion Shipley

President & CEO

Marion joined ICM in 1995, building a career grounded in service, leadership, and a deep commitment to medical management. Throughout her tenure, she has held a variety of leadership roles, helping shape the company’s growth and long-term direction. Appointed President and Chief Executive Officer in 2019, Marion leads ICM with a strong focus on people and a culture centered on patient advocacy, education, support, and respect. She is committed to building an organization that is responsive to the unique needs of self-funded customers by providing a strong, consistent framework from which tailored solutions can be thoughtfully developed. This approach supports innovation and best practices while ensuring clarity, quality, and sustainability as healthcare continues to evolve. Marion holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Willamette University and a Master of Public Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Administration from Portland State University.

Bill Kane

Executive Vice President of Business Development

Bill joined ICM in 2007 as Executive Vice President of Business Development, bringing more than 20 years of leadership in operations, sales, and territorial development within the employee benefits industry. Known for cultivating trust with clients and strategic partners, Bill has helped strengthen ICM’s position as a valued resource in the self-funded market. He leads ICM’s business development efforts and maintains strategic relationships with third-party administrators, stop loss carriers, and progressive brokers and consultants seeking better outcomes for their clients. With ICM’s reputation for exceptional medical management oversight expanding nationwide, Bill is regularly invited into conversations around new partnership opportunities. If you’re interested in understanding what truly differentiates ICM, Bill is the person to talk to.

Linda Murrish, MD FACP

Chief Medical Officer

Linda joined ICM in 2006, bringing a strong primary care focus and steadfast dedication to clinical excellence. In her role, she provides oversight of all clinical aspects of the organization’s policies and procedures. Leveraging her extensive prior clinical history of primary care, hospitalist medicine and teaching, she provides invaluable support, consultation and oversight for all aspects of ICM’s clinical programs. Dr. Murrish received her B.S. from Purdue University and her medical degree from Indiana University. She completed her residency at Emanuel Hospital and Health Center and Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. First certifying with the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1994, she has continuously maintained her board certification with ongoing dedication to education. In 2017, she was awarded the distinction of fellowship in the American College of Physicians.

Ember Gard, RN, BSN, CCM

Vice President of Service Delivery & Strategy

Ember leads strategic planning and operational performance across ICM’s service delivery functions. She brings more than 18 years of experience as a registered nurse and case management leader, offering a practical clinical perspective that supports thoughtful program design and responsible resource stewardship. Since joining ICM in 2018, Ember has advanced through multiple leadership roles and played a key role in driving organizational growth, process improvement, and service innovation. Known for her approachable leadership style and commitment to continuous learning, she champions a culture rooted in kindness, accountability, and collaboration. Ember is passionate about creating scalable solutions that strengthen plan performance while supporting high-quality, accessible care for members.

Karl Boercker

Director of Service Operations

Karl has been a key member of ICM since 2022 and serves as Director of Business Operations, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience. He supports ICM’s growth by aligning finance, operations, technology, and compliance to improve efficiency, strengthen financial visibility, and ensure the organization scales effectively. In his role, Karl partners closely with leaders across the company to clarify strategic priorities, translate them into actionable plans, and navigate complex challenges with disciplined execution. His balanced, practical approach helps ICM deliver lasting value to its customers, business partners, and employees.

Jessie Harris, RN, BSN, CHC

Compliance and Quality Officer

Jessie joined ICM’s team in 2017, after working as a registered nurse in a broad range of health care venues. Her nursing experience spans the continuum of care and the life stages, from inpatient pediatrics to adult home hospice. She has held several positions at ICM and is now ICM’s Compliance and Quality Officer. On the compliance end, Jessie participates in privacy, security, HIPAA/HITECH activities including breach risk analysis, and privacy and security training. For quality management, Jessie performs routine clinical audits and participates in ICM’s quality agendas. Her current role within the organization allows her to maintain her skills at medical necessity review while concurrently managing regulatory oversight and overseeing the compliance and quality programs. Jessie is a BSN graduate of Oregon Health & Science University and has a BA in Business Administration from Concordia University Portland.