Our team at Strivant Health is made up of some incredibly remarkable people, and we want everyone to know that. To do this, we are introducing you to the people at Strivant Health.
For our first profile, we sat down with Ranae Williams, VP of HR & Organizational Development, to learn more about the HR evolution and her passion for embracing change and creating recovery-ready workplaces.
How many years have you been at Strivant Health?
I started at Strivant Health in January 2018, so I have been here for a little over six years. Witnessing our organization grow and
expand service offerings has been incredibly fulfilling, and being part of the team that supports and drives these initiatives has allowed me to see firsthand our positive impact on clients and the healthcare community. The journey from a smaller RCM organization to a larger, more influential organization has been exciting and rewarding. I am proud to have contributed to our ongoing success and development.
Why did you choose to work in healthcare?
After college, I started in healthcare but eventually ventured into technology, a fulfilling but less people-focused industry. My passion for positively impacting my community led me back to healthcare. The opportunity to work in HR in a hospital setting was a turning point in my career, where I learned how to support the healthcare workforce. My family relocated, and I had the opportunity to continue working within HR in healthcare revenue cycle remotely and have been in this industry for over 15 years.
Healthcare has so many facets and is ever-changing, which keeps things interesting. It touches every person’s life, and being part of a company that supports providers and enables them to focus more on patient care is deeply fulfilling.
What do you like most about your job?
I find immense satisfaction in collaborating with our outstanding team and supporting the organization through initiatives that help everyone be their best. Working with dedicated, talented individuals inspires me daily, and I love developing programs that enhance our team members’ growth, workplace wellness, and open communication.
Seeing the positive impact on our team’s performance and morale is incredibly rewarding. Knowing the initiatives we embrace contribute to an environment where team members feel valued and empowered to provide the highest support shows how HR impacts our clients and their patients.
How has HR changed in the last five years?
The last five years have seen a major shift towards remote work, driven by technological advancements, including automation and AI. HR has adapted by developing new policies, implementing virtual onboarding processes, and finding ways to maintain company culture in a remote setting. Technology has simplified payroll, enabled real-time analytics, streamlined recruiting, and enhanced remote employee engagement strategies.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these changes, pushing our organization to embrace a broader remote and hybrid work approach and expand our talent pool beyond local candidates. We’ve leveraged technology to support and connect our team members, ensuring they feel valued and integrated into the organization, regardless of location.
What is your biggest challenge in healthcare HR?
In healthcare HR, one of the most significant hurdles is recruiting and retaining top talent. Given the fierce competition within the industry, maintaining employee satisfaction and motivation demands ongoing attention. HR cannot simply operate on autopilot; it requires a nuanced approach to understand what keeps each individual engaged. Implementing diverse communication and educational strategies is essential to cater to the varied needs and preferences of employees.
What health issue are you passionate about that doesn’t get enough awareness?
Strivant Health supports many behavioral health organizations that address the epidemic of addiction. I’m proud to be working for a company that is making a difference with this disease by supporting organizations that are at the forefront of working with patients and families dealing with addiction. With one in six individuals either affected by addiction themselves or having a loved one impacted, it implies that approximately 17% of an employer’s workforce is grappling with this epidemic. This can impact an organization regarding how these individuals show up for work and function on the job.
Addressing addiction isn’t solely the responsibility of the healthcare sector; employers have a crucial role to play, too. Their employees are a captive audience that employers can influence by fostering an environment of education and support for this disease. They can make a safe place for those in need and make a significant difference in the lives of their employees. Employers can take proactive steps to create a recovery-friendly workplace by providing education on access, resources and support services through benefit programs, employee assistance programs, and other programs in their communities.
Employers can help take the stigma away from asking for support around addiction. This helps those directly affected by addiction and cultivates a more compassionate and resilient workforce. After all, every organization likely has someone facing this challenging disease, and offering support can lead to a more engaged and loyal team.
If you could improve one aspect of healthcare, what would it be?
If I could enhance one aspect of healthcare, it would be to ensure affordable access for all. Employers are grappling with tough decisions with the escalating costs of benefit plan offerings, often leading to increased financial burdens for the employer, which impacts employees. Many carriers have pushed double-digit medical plan increases on employers for the past few years. This upward trend in benefit plan expenses has posed significant challenges for businesses, impacting their ability to effectively manage healthcare expenses while still providing comprehensive coverage for their employees.
These rising costs underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. Prioritizing affordability, starting with reasonably priced benefit plan models, will aid employers, employees, and their families. It also strengthens businesses and the economy as a whole. This can help begin to move us closer to a healthcare system that prioritizes people’s well-being and ensures that quality care is within reach for everyone.
What are some of your passions or hobbies outside of work that help you maintain balance?
You can catch me stirring up some food experiments in the kitchen! I love cooking for my family to completely take my mind off the day-to-day to try new spices or recipes. We don’t have many great choices of restaurants around our area, so we have to create our inspirations at home. We love cooking with flavor and experimenting with food; my husband and daughter have become foodies. Although I must admit, my husband is the captain of our BBQ.
We live by a lake that adds a splash of adventure to our lives, so we often find ourselves embarking on impromptu boat trips. Long walks are my therapy sessions; it’s where I unravel the tangled threads of the day while catching up with loved ones on the phone.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
My dad once dropped this gem of wisdom on me during a conversation about the dizzying speed of change in our world. Many years ago, we were discussing how a neighborhood had transformed almost overnight while others in our group grumbled about all the upheaval. Then he hit us with: “You can’t stop progress. Don’t fight it.”
Fast-forward to today, where the pace of change makes a Formula 1 race look like a leisurely Sunday drive. It’s easy to feel like a fish out of water amidst all the flux, but here’s the kicker: embracing change catapults you to new heights. When I look back, leaning in to progress and the challenges I faced it took me to the next level, not only in my career but in my understanding of how to do better and work more effectively.
Don’t get left behind wanting to stay in the way things used to be, learn how to keep changing and how to surf the wave of progress. After all, you can’t stop progress. Don’t fight it.
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Ready to embrace change in your life? Join Ranae and become a part of a leading RCM team at Strivant Health. Visit our careers page for information on benefits and search open roles.