Girlstart’s Women in STEM weekly series highlights various women who are making a difference in STEM. Be inspired as these incredible women describe how they became interested in their field, provide insight into a day in the life, and share learnings from their experiences.

Health Management Systems (HMS)

This week, five women from Health Management Systems (HMS) are sharing with us about their careers, role models and more.

Monica McKnight

Data Integrity Specialist @ HMS

Monica has been working for HMS for 11 years and is incredibly proud of her journey that led her there. We are so excited to have her on the blog today to speak about her career and the individuals who inspire her, like Michelle Obama. We cannot wait to hear what she has to say!

What is your current role for Health Management Systems (HMS)?
I’m a Data Integrity Specialist II – My wonderful role at HMS is being a positive influence in all aspect of business.  Responsible for evaluating and analyzing the quality of incoming data, to ensuring regulatory compliance and quality assurance across various contracts are set-up and process correctly downstream, by utilizing quality checkpoint to review business rules and requirement set in place for systematic process.

Is this where you started? If not, tell us more about your history at HMS.
I Started in 2010 as a Claims Recover Specialist, working with Providers and Carriers on paid claim adjustments. In 2012 I began as an Operations Quality Analyst I – Identifying and resolve issues and defects on claims, letters, adjustment and deliverable, applying root cause analysis to resolve defects.  2014 – I was promoted to a Quality Analyst II, performing case audits on Government Program for HIPP and electronic claim process, also, identifying / resolving issues for process improvement. From 2015 – 2019, I began my journey as a SDM Business Analyst I – Identifying gaps on source data, tracking and maintain a daily Provider, Resource & Eligibility schedule for various contract, making sure assigned contracts were aligned with set-up and business rules that meet quality assurance on every endpoint. My current role began 2019, as a Data Integrity Specialist II, Protecting the quality of data in all aspects of the business.  Every step have pave a way for me to grow in areas that challenged me to step outside the box and reach for more.

How long have you been with HMS?
I have been with HMS 11yrs STRONG, and PROUD of the journey I look back on! I have had the pleasure of tapping into my passion as a people person throughout the course of time, meeting some amazing people and making new friends. HMS has allowed me the opportunity to be a part of an engaging workforce that cares.

Is there any particular person or persons that encouraged you along the way?
The one person that encourage me the most is Michele Obama (1st African American First Lady) – Who served as a role model for women and an advocate for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating. She inspired me with her drive and ambition to bring about change in how we do things in modern society to make a difference in our life. She tough me that my success is determined by my own confidence when I believing in myself to achieve whatever I set my mind to do. Michele Obama encourages me to own my destiny and always believe in myself when other may doubt me. After Reading her book “Becoming” and her autobiography I learner the mindset of a strong woman begins within and never giving up. She is the true essence of a Strong Woman!

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s history month means to me a time to celebrate Women’s achievements and contributions from all walks of the land to promote the empowerment of females. It’s a time to continue fighting for women’s rights to break down barriers and continue to pave the way to ensure equal economic opportunities. A time to stand and encourage other women to achieve their goals and dreams. One of my favorite stories: Harriet Tubman, Civil war Harriet Tubman escape slaver on the Underground Railroad in 1850 and proceeded to save for the course of  11 years. When the war broke out, she offered her services to the Union as a nurse, spy and scout. On June 2, 1863, Harriet accompanied Colonel James Montgomery and 150 Black Union soldiers on the Combahee River Raid. The group managed to rescue more than 700 slaves during this single assault on plantations along the Combahee River in South Carolina. #WomenEmpowerment

 

Stephanie Coffers

SR Manager of Data Onboarding @ HMS

 

Stephanie has been working at Health Management Systems (HMS) for close to 13 years and has acquired a lot of information throughout this time. By recognizing the importance of female leaders, Stephanie shows us what it looks like to have influential people in our lives who want to see us grow and are willing to push us to reach our full potential. We are so excited to feature her on our blog today, in honor of Women’s History Month, and highlight her as one of the many incredible women who have gone above and beyond in STEM!

What is your current role for Health Management Systems (HMS)?
I am a SR Manager of Data Onboarding for our Payment Integrity product.

Is this where you started? If not, tell us more about your history at HMS.

It’s actually not.  I started as an entry level Production Technician with Health Data Insights.  Essentially, I was hired to help support our Recoup production process.  That entailed tracking files, making pre-scripted data updates, and the best part of all: LEARNING!  So I did.  I absorbed everything I could.  I volunteered for every opportunity that even remotely came my way and eventually became a SQL Developer.  I entered the management work stream from the developer side of the spectrum which has given me some unique opportunities to understand our system when working so closely with my internal business partners.  Working so closely with operations, but coming from a technical background has really helped shape the leader I am today, and I have HMS to thank for that.  

How long have you been with HMS?
I would be with HMS 13 years in June.

Is there any particular person or persons that encouraged you along the way?
My current Director has gone a long way in taking an interest in my career development.  I was very raw as a manager when I joined her team.  She’s a strong capable woman and a wonderful leader to work for.  She’s very good at seeing potential and giving individuals the opportunity to develop.  When I came to her, I was very focused on what was directly in front of me, and what fire came to my desk next, but she helped broaden my horizon to take in the whole picture, not just what’s in front of you.  That’s critical for any leader, whether they’re new or seasoned.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
For me, I think Women’s History Month is often something that is overlooked.  Honestly, in the past, I hadn’t paid much attention to it as it just seemed like another thing to celebrate, but as I grew older and began working in our corporate world, I have come to appreciate just how much work has gone into putting me in the position that I am today.  Especially in our current climate, be it political or societal, it’s very apparent that my successes are directly tied to the women movement’s that have come before me.  While I think it’s important to note that the women currently in leadership have worked very hard to be where they’re at today, we’re also standing on the shoulders of our forebears and the rights they fought for. It’s really amazing when you begin to look into it, just how far women have come not only in our own country, but all over the world.  And that fight continues. 

 

Nytius Osburn

Sr. Manager, Data/Sys Business Analysis

As a Senior Manager, Nytius is a vital member of the Data/Systems Business Analysis team at HMS. During the 6 years she has worked at HMS, she was able to develop a great mentor relationship. After experiencing the many benefits of continued learning and mentorship, she is visiting our blog today to inspire us with her story!

What is your current role for Health Management Systems (HMS)?
Sr. Manager, Data/Sys Business Analysis

Is this where you started? If not, tell us more about your history at HMS.
I started in 2015 as a contracts operations analyst. Through hard work, a great deal of learning, and impeccable mentorship I landed here in our amazing data management group.

How long have you been with HMS?
6 years.

Is there any particular person or persons that encouraged you along the way?
So many. I really think we have the greatest leadership in the world but I will say that GC 1.0 really opened my eyes to all the possibilities to add value to HMS.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
It’s a great opportunity to review the challenges we have overcome and celebrate our journey. It’s also a great time to set new goals and ensure we lay the path for those coming behind us.

 

Christine McCauslen

Client Services Manager

Christine has been working for HMS for 8 months after 19 years of experience working at IT Solutions providers. We are so excited to have her on the blog today to speak about her career, people who inspire her and Women’s History Month!

What is your current role for Health Management Systems (HMS)?
Client Services Manager

Is this where you started? If not, tell us more about your history at HMS.
I came to HMS after working at an IT Solutions providers for 19 years. It has been quite the change and learning opportunity to say the least.

How long have you been with HMS?
8 months.

Is there any particular person or persons that encouraged you along the way?
Yalonda Harper has been a great guiding force in my journey with HMS as well as Angel Tucker.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
It’s a chance to look back in history at the accomplishments of great women in history and look forward to what is yet to come.

 

AlRitia Gore

Engineering Analyst III for the Recovery Operations team

AlRitia began her career at HMS and is currently and Engineering Analyst. We’re looking forward to hearing about her experience at HMS as well as her reflections on Women’s History Month!

What is your current role for Health Management Systems (HMS)?
Engineering Analyst III for the Recovery Operations team.

Is this where you started? If not, tell us more about your history at HMS.
Yes – HMS is my first full-time company position

How long have you been with HMS?
2 years.

Is there any particular person or persons that encouraged you along the way?
I have an amazing support system. It’s hard to pinpoint one person.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate how awesome being a women really is. It is a time remember and recognize how much we contribute to society and the world. It’s also a time to remember and thank all the women who came before us and trailblazed a path for the next generation of women.