Taking Care of the Health Care Business

At some point, we all depend on a health care provider. One part of that experience usually involves making an appointment to see a doctor or nurse. And we expect that the health care professional will be available to see us at the pre-arranged time.

It's something we can easily take for granted. Yet a dependable business operation is just as reassuring as compassionate patient care. Jerome Garrett ('05 business administration, finance concentration) is charged with making sure the business side of Luther Midelfort - Mayo Health System in Eau Claire, Wis., runs smoothly.

Garrett is director of operations - primary care. He supports the efforts of approximately 40 employees and works with more than 50 primary care physicians and providers. Garrett oversees the scheduling operations and other non-clinical and business functions that are essential to the everyday operation.

"I am in the business of health care," Garrett said, "because I care about people and want to use my business skills to assist my clinical colleagues in meeting the needs of the patient."

Garrett graduated from Menomonee Falls High School in 2001. "I chose UW-Parkside," he said, "because of the relatively low student-to-professor ratio, the diverse student body, and the location."

He distinctly remembers the latter part of his first spring semester. "I took a diverse course load," he said, "that helped me pinpoint what major I should pursue."

Garrett has more than nine years of experience in health care. He worked for Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee as a certified nursing assistant, intern and management consultant. "After my stint at Aurora, I pursued an M.B.A. in health administration at the University of Colorado Denver," he said. "Upon graduation, I landed a post-graduate administrative fellowship with Luther Midelfort."

Upon completion of the fellowship, he was hired in his current role.

"I apply the foundations from my UW-Parkside experience today," Garrett said, "especially the ability to work in small teams and groups. I use the application of financial analysis skills and other core business principles I learned in business school, and the leadership skills I developed participating in multiple student organizations such as Parkside Student Government and the Black Student Union."

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Garrett volunteers with Junior Achievement and participates on the Health Community Council of Eau Claire County. The Health Community Council's mission is to promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in and around Eau Claire.

"During my time at Parkside, I grew exponentially and developed life-long relationships with many other students," Garrett said. "My experience at UW-Parkside was exciting, memorable, and truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

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AT A GLANCE:

Graduated: 2005
Job: Director of Operations - Primary Care
Company: Luther Midelfort - Mayo Health System

ABOUT THIS STORY:

Story Status: Current
Publish date: 1/19/2011

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