Shayne Mattich, Program Supervisor and PROUD@ConnectiveRx Chair, shares how his love for teaching led him to healthcare, how he makes an impact as a leader, and what PRIDE means to him.
What’s your role at ConnectiveRx?
I am a Program Supervisor for the Benefit Verification Specialist team. I manage the day-to-day operations as it relates to the benefits investigation process (calls with the payors, proper case documenting, and overall accuracy) while ensuring all client expectations and key metrics are met.
What led you to this career?
The career path that I took to get here is a little different! I originally went to college for a career in education and was teaching 10th grade World Cultures. However, due to budget constraints, I was furloughed. In talking with my sister about how the job search was going and how I was considering a possible career path outside of education, she told me I should look into HUB services. After mulling it over for a few months, I decided to take the leap and started off as a Benefit Verification Specialist, eventually moving into Case Management. While in the Case Manager role, I saw firsthand what a critical role we play in our patients’ lives. l knew an advanced career in HUB services was something I wanted to pursue. I then made the decision to pursue a Master of Healthcare Administration degree.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
I think the most rewarding part of what I do is knowing that every day my actions have an impact on the lives of the patients we serve. In my current role, I no longer have direct contact with the patients or providers but rather oversee a team of agents who diligently work each day to ensure the role we play in the patient journey is handled with pride.
Which ConnectiveRx value resonates with you the most and why?
I would have to go with Cultivators of Talent. Part of me will always miss being in the classroom but building a successful team that focuses on the growth and development of my agents is just as rewarding.
You also serve in another important leadership role at ConnectiveRx: Chair of PROUD@ConnectiveRx, our LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group. What do you hope to accomplish with the group?
ConnectiveRx is a place that truly values its employees. It's a place where diversity, equity and inclusion are not only part of the mission but are also part of the work culture. One of the many things I think about as Chair of PROUD@ConnectiveRx is those who identify as LGBTQ+ and struggle with whether they should “come out” at work. It is my hope that our ERG builds on ConnectiveRx’s culture of diversity and inclusion; that we strengthen community and allyship, and help eliminate any stress or fear of identifying as an LGBTQ+ employee.
We are gearing up to celebrate PRIDE Month, and within our ERG there’s been a lot of discussion about PRIDE being more than parades. What does PRIDE mean to you and how are you celebrating?
As we continue to work through the COVID-19 pandemic and adjust to the new ‘norm,’ we also had to find other ways to celebrate PRIDE. As much as I miss participating in the Pittsburgh Equality March, I realized that PRIDE is more than just the parades and festivals. It is a celebration of the strides made within the LGBTQ+ community and should be celebrated all year, not just in June. I will be celebrating this year with the PRIDE event our PROUD@ConnectiveRx ERG is planning with the Persad Center, an organization dedicated to improving the well-being of the LGBTQ+ communities in Western Pennsylvania. I’ll also be participating in virtual community events throughout the month.