2008 40 Under 40 Honoree: Mark Sharp

Sharp, a partner with BKD LLP, is firmwide coordinator for BKD’s Home Care Center of Excellence, which works with more than 200 agencies nationwide.

Sharp says those duties provide real challenges and the opportunity to share good information within the firm in service to their clients.

“It is really staying up on the ever-changing regulation Medicare and Medicaid sets forth on home health care and hospice,” Sharp says. “BKD and myself really set ourselves apart by staying in tune with the ever-changing environment they have to work in.”

Sharp doesn’t take his leadership role in serving homecare agencies lightly.

“I don’t believe leadership is something that you can just make happen,” he says. “Leadership is a result of others being comfortable with you taking a leadership role and following your direction.”

In addition to client relationships with home care agencies from coast to coast, Sharp serves on the Home Care & Hospice Financial Managers Association’s Workgroup, which he describes as a group of nationally recognized leaders in the area of financial management or home care and hospice.

He is a frequent speaker and has published articles in a variety of health care periodicals.

“I believe I have influenced the success of others by being a good mentor/coach to those I am around,” he says.

“I feel that (entails) being a good listener, offering sound advice when requested and providing rewarding opportunities.”

Closer to home, Sharp is a current WatchDog for Eugene Field Elementary School, member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Red Carpet Committee and treasurer and board member of Lost & Found of the Ozarks.

He is also a board member at the Ozarks Regional YMCA.

“I think the YMCA plays such a vital role in our community in promoting health awareness in children as well as adults,” Sharp says.

“As a board member, I want to do what I can to help those programs in our community.”

Double Play

Birth date: Aug. 6, 1969

Family: I’ve been happily married to Ann for more than 10 years. We have three wonderful boys: Jacob, 6, and twins Will and Luke, 3.

Philosophy to live/work by: Have fun in whatever you’re doing. To borrow the words of the late Gilda Radner, “laughter matters.”

In a fantasy world, which professional sport would you play? I’d play professional football. Organized tackle football is one sport you can’t play past your high school days unless you’re good enough to play in college and/or professionally. I thoroughly enjoyed playing football throughout my elementary and high school days and would have liked to continue playing in my later years.

Information accurate at the time of the honor.[[In-content Ad]]