Nick Soman, Decent: Why did you get into healthcare in the first place?
Jodie Uhl, OneCred: Getting into healthcare was a natural progression for me, influenced by several factors that shaped my upbringing and interests. Firstly, my family background played a significant role. My mother being a nurse and my great-grandfather being a primary care physician meant that healthcare was part of my family's heritage. Their dedication to helping others and making a positive impact on people's lives inspired me from a young age. Growing up, I was exposed to stories of their work, which instilled in me a sense of admiration and curiosity about the field.
Living in rural Louisiana also contributed to my limited exposure to various career opportunities. In such environments, healthcare often stands out as a prominent and stable career path. The presence of medical professionals in our community was noticeable, and their contributions were highly valued. This exposure, combined with my family's background, naturally steered me towards considering a career in healthcare.
Finally, the allure of having a clear career path post-graduation was appealing to my practical side. Unlike some other fields where the career trajectory may be less defined, healthcare offers a structured path with clear milestones and opportunities for advancement. Knowing that I could channel my interests and education into a fulfilling and rewarding career provided me with a sense of direction and purpose.
Nick Soman, Decent: You've made a journey from Registered Nurse to provider networking executive. What skills have served you well in both roles, and what's the biggest thing you've had to learn or change?
Jodie Uhl, OneCred: My career journey from being a Registered Nurse to eventually becoming an insurance executive was not a meticulously planned trajectory but rather a result of following my passion for making a significant impact on the healthcare system. I am inherently action-oriented, often guided by what feels right at the moment.
For about 15 years, I dedicated myself to intense hospital-based nursing roles, driven by my commitment to providing the best possible care to patients. My transition out of the clinical setting was not premeditated. It happened when I was working part-time as a transplant coordinator and found myself facing the challenge of balancing work with the demands of raising my fourth child. Recognizing the difficulty of managing even a part-time role in such circumstances, I made the decision to step down and took a year off to focus on my family.
When I eventually began searching for a new job, I stumbled upon a case management role at a Primary Care-led independent physician association. Although this position wasn't initially part of my plan, I was drawn to the company's mission and values. Despite finding that the care management role didn't align perfectly with my skills and interests, I became deeply interested in the organization's overarching goal of improving healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Through my involvement in this company, I gained valuable insights into the healthcare system's intricacies and challenges. I realized that in order to create meaningful change and improve the healthcare landscape, I needed to understand not only the clinical aspects but also the administrative and financial components of the industry. This realization led me to explore opportunities in the insurance sector.
Transitioning into the insurance industry wasn't a predetermined step for me. However, I recognized that by working in insurance, I could leverage my clinical expertise and insights to drive impactful changes from a different angle. My decision to pursue this path was driven by my desire to effect widespread improvements in the healthcare system, and I believed that my unique perspective as a former nurse could contribute significantly to this endeavor.
I am currently working with Decent, which I believe will improve PCPs' career satisfaction and members' well-being and satisfaction. We have a provider shortage, and we need to improve their job satisfaction and decrease burnout, or the number of providers leaving will continue to outpace new providers entering the field. That is why some of my other projects are centered around improving their job satisfaction. While my path may not have been meticulously planned, each step was driven by a desire to maximize my impact and contribute meaningfully to transforming the healthcare landscape for the better.
Nick Soman, Decent: What are the best and worst things about your job?
Jodie Uhl, OneCred: As a people person, one of the most rewarding aspects of my career in healthcare has been the opportunity to interact with individuals and find ways to support and assist them. Whether it's providing compassionate care as a nurse or collaborating with patients and colleagues to navigate complex healthcare systems, I find immense satisfaction in connecting with people and making a positive difference in their lives. Interacting with individuals on a daily basis allows me to develop meaningful relationships and gain insight into their unique needs.
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