What did you do before joining UnitedHealth Group?
I worked at Honeywell and then Alliant Techsystems for 15 years. I was in a number of roles ranging from Legal Counsel to Supply Chain Management to General Manager for Program Operations. As both companies provided products and services to the US Department of Defense (DoD), I was fortunate to have interaction with customers from across all the DoD services and gained a great deal of experience with operational quality and process controls.
What is your current role?
I am the Senior Vice President for Practice Acquisition Integration and Onboarding in Local Care Delivery which is a part of Optum. Local Care Delivery consists of medical practices that provide direct care to patients and high-performing delivery networks that provide a continuum of services to physicians. We have plans to acquire 4 to 6 businesses per year. Specifically our goals with newly acquired medical practices are to (1) improve the quality and cost of ambulatory care, (2) support providers with capabilities such that over time they can successfully manage medical risk, and (3) provide sophisticated and extensive practice management services to promote efficient practice operations.
Have you had other roles within UnitedHealth Group?
I have been in a variety of other roles at UnitedHealth Group. One of the great things about UnitedHealth Group is the great diversity in its businesses. I enjoy moving into a new role every two to three years to gain new experiences, meet new people and learn more about our business. At UnitedHealth Group I can move to a different part of the business and still stay with the same company. I’ve held management and leadership roles in Corporate Finance, UnitedHealth Networks, Optum, UnitedHealthcare and now Optum Local Care Delivery.
How would you describe the culture of UnitedHealth Group?
I have seen the culture at UnitedHealth Group evolve over time. I think it is important we have defined and promote the core values of our culture – Integrity, Compassion, Relationships, Innovation and Performance as those are what bind us together as an organization. I also think those values are easily blended with the values and culture of the businesses we acquire such that our culture continually builds upon itself.
How have you seen UnitedHealth Group promote diversity and inclusion?
I have seen UnitedHealth Group provide corporate funding to promote organizations across our markets that support diversity and then highlight the work of those organizations in corporate communications. In addition, UnitedHealth Group has been very proactive in supporting recruitment events that target diversity in the workforce. I have had the opportunity to participate in one these recruiting events and it was very rewarding to meet great candidates interested in learning more about UnitedHealth Group.
How does diversity help employees feel empowered here?
I think when employees can be themselves in the workplace, they perform at their best. By promoting diversity in UnitedHealth Group, we encourage employees to be their best at work. Having been in the workforce for over 30 years, I remember a time when I had to hide my s*xual orientation at work for fear of being fired. Today I feel very comfortable being out at work and it is so much easier to build relationships critical to performing at my best.
UnitedHealth Group’s five core values are integrity, compassion, relationships, innovation and performance. How does diversity influence and uphold these values at UnitedHealth Group?
Diversity bridges all of the values. When we embrace diversity, we demonstrate to each employee at UnitedHealth Group and to each community we serve that our values are meaningful and relevant. That action speaks volumes!
What advice would you give to a candidate who is applying to join our elite team?
Be yourself, show your passion, and convey how you achieve results.
What does LGBT Pride Month mean to you?
Wow, it has played such a significant role in my life. The support of the LGBT community gave me the courage to come out to my family and be out in the workplace. LGBT pride has fueled my passion to be active in the community and to strive for the right to be treated fairly.
More:
http://careers.unitedhealthgroup.com/Why-W...
Posted By: How May I Help You NC
Tuesday, August 12th 2014 at 9:23AM
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