About Dana

Strategist. Operator. Builder.

35+ years at the intersection of marketing strategy and operational execution, across healthcare, healthtech, medtech, SaaS, life sciences, and edtech.

Dana Newell

My Story

The Strategist Behind the Strategy

M.S. Healthcare Management, Policy & Marketing  ยท  MBA  ยท  BS Exercise Science/Physiology

I'm Dana Newell, MS, MBA, a fractional CMO and COO who helps organizations connect marketing, operations, and revenue growth.

I started my career in healthcare sales, operations, and marketing. Since then, I've run physician practices, led multi-site clinical teams, and developed go-to-market strategies for healthcare, MedTech, and pharmaceutical organizations. Across executive roles and client engagements, my work represents $200 million in P&L scope and revenue influenced.

That background shapes how I work. A promising campaign still depends on how calls are answered, how appointments are scheduled, and whether the team can deliver what the marketing promises. I look at the whole picture and help leadership make practical decisions that move the business forward.

"Good marketing works better when the business behind it is ready to deliver."
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The Work

35+ Years. Hundreds of Engagements. One Throughline.

I built my career inside healthcare organizations, learning how clinical teams, physician practices, hospital systems, and commercial leaders work together. That early experience still informs every client engagement.

Following graduate work at The New School (MS in Healthcare Management, Policy & Marketing) and an MBA from East Carolina University, I helped plan the expansion and opening of 30 community medical centers for a large New York hospital system. At Atlantic Gastroenterology, I led marketing and operations, increased earnings from $1 million to $5 million, developed new profit centers, and reduced overhead from 90% to 45%. At Advanced Home Care, I served as Eastern Region Vice President, rebuilt a 25-person sales team, grew regional revenue by 30%, and won a hospital sleep-services contract worth more than $1 million annually. I later supported nine multi-site physician practices at Wilson Medical Centers, increasing patient growth by 20% while strengthening financial and operational performance.

Through BentonNewell Communication, LLC, founded in 2003, I've served as fractional CMO, COO, and CEO for organizations ranging from early-stage digital health platforms to multi-site clinical practices and $200M health systems. My work spans physician group marketing, digital reputation management, go-to-market strategy for healthtech platforms, life sciences commercial development, and operations transformation.

I also serve as marketing faculty at East Carolina University's College of Business, where I teach marketing strategy and go-to-market frameworks to the next generation of business leaders. I serve with the AMA Triangle chapter and sit on the boards of the Black Entrepreneurship Council and Girl Scouts of Coastal Pines.

Across client work and prior executive roles, the results include: a 211% increase in appointment bookings, 34% website traffic growth, practice earnings growing from $1 million to $5 million, 30% regional revenue growth, and a 25% increase in referrals. Each result came from teams with clear priorities and marketing and operations working together.

Executive Foundation

Prior Employment Impact

Before founding BentonNewell Communication, Dana held executive marketing, operations, growth, and financial leadership roles within complex healthcare organizations. These results reflect her prior employment and are separate from BentonNewell client engagements.

Atlantic Gastroenterology

Led marketing, operations, growth, and financial performance for a multi-specialty gastroenterology practice.

  • Increased earnings from $1 million to $5 million
  • Tripled endoscopy revenue and doubled clinical revenue
  • Created more than $1.5 million in annual profit centers
  • Reduced operating overhead from 90% to 45%

Advanced Home Care

Directed regional growth across home health, durable medical equipment, and pharmacy operations.

  • Increased regional revenue by 30%
  • Increased referral rates by 25%
  • Won a hospital sleep-services contract worth more than $1 million annually
  • Rebuilt and led a 25-person sales team

Wilson Medical Centers

Supported nine multi-site physician practices through executive marketing and operational leadership.

  • Increased patient growth by 20%
  • Maintained accounts receivable below the 10% MGMA benchmark
  • Increased work relative value units by 10%

Background

Credentials & Community

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Marketing Strategy Faculty

Teaches marketing strategy at East Carolina University, bridging academic rigor with 35+ years of real-world B2B practice.

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AMA Triangle VP of DEI

Serves as Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the American Marketing Association Triangle chapter.

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Speaker & Podcast Guest

Sought-after voice on B2B marketing strategy, fractional leadership, and the connection between marketing and operational excellence.

In Her Own Words

Watch Dana in Action

Hear Dana discuss "Marperations", her framework for integrating marketing and operations, on the HankHoffmeier.com podcast. The same clarity, conviction, and real-world grounding she brings to every client engagement.

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More From Dana

On Stage & In Conversation

Another look at Dana in action, sharing the frameworks, real-world stories, and practical strategy that help B2B brands align marketing and operations for sustainable growth.

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35+ Years Experience
75+ Companies Served
$200M and Counting Revenue Influenced

Work Together

Ready to Work with a Strategist Who Gets the Whole Picture?

Most engagements start with a conversation. Let's figure out together if I'm the right fit.

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