Leslie Ybarra, BSN, RN

Leslie Ybarra is a dynamic and compassionate Registered Nurse with nearly 25 years of experience across diverse healthcare settings. She currently serves as an Appeals Nurse at Valeris, where she works directly with drug manufacturers to ensure patients gain access to specialty medications for rare conditions. Leslie’s work focuses on prior authorizations, appeal submissions, and patient advocacy, helping to simplify complex processes for both patients and providers while improving health outcomes in her community.

A lifelong advocate for patient-centered care, Leslie’s career spans critical care, palliative care, and hospice nursing, as well as healthcare management roles in payer and provider organizations, including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Christus Health, and Cornerstone Healthcare Group. She has played a key role in building appeals departments from the ground up, developing processes, standard operating procedures, and clear communication strategies that prioritize patient engagement and support. Her approach is rooted in active listening, empathy, and translating medical information into understandable language for patients and families.

Leslie holds dual Bachelor’s degrees from McMurry University: a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is an active member of the Texas Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing, and the American Nurses Association. Committed to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals, she advises young nurses to prioritize patient engagement, communicate clearly, and advocate relentlessly for those they serve.

• McMurry University - BSN

• RN

• Texas Nurses Association
• Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma Theta Tau)
• American Nurses Association