Staff member spotlight: Nechumah Getz, Vice President of Operations

The Vice President of Operations is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all aspects of PAN’s internal operations and safety-net program delivery. In addition, the VP of Operations is responsible for working collaboratively with the President and CEO and the CFO to ensure the overall operational and financial integrity of the organization.

Before joining the PAN Foundation, Ms. Getz was a Program Manager for Healthcare.gov where she oversaw a team of 70 employees who managed many aspects of the site. Prior to that, she worked for IBM for over 15 years in a variety of roles. Ms. Getz has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Maryland at College Park. Read on to learn a little more about her:

What is your role at PAN, and how long have you worked here?

I have worked at PAN for a little over two years. I am the Vice President of Operations and manage PAN’s information technology contractors, human resources department and facilities as well as our claims processors and call center.

As Vice President of Operations, what do you hope to accomplish?

One of my main goals is to optimize the operation of our new call center vendor and claims processors so that we can more efficiently and effectively serve our patients. I will also be working to make our office run smoother by providing our employees the equipment they need to do their jobs and an environment that makes them excited to come to work. It is also my responsibility to ensure that all HR policies, operating procedures and benefits are clearly communicated to staff. 

Another one of my goals is to strengthen the sense of community within the PAN team through quarterly staff events and a monthly “Lunch and Learn” series on diverse topics. I am also planning to provide additional training opportunities to staff in the areas of management, leadership and teamwork. 

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

The most rewarding aspect of my job at PAN is helping patients. I love knowing that we are making a difference in people’s everyday lives. The other rewarding aspect of my job is working with amazing people who are motivated to get things done. It is exciting to see our HR department develop, great to be in our new office space, and rewarding to work with our vendors to resolve issues and improve processes.

You’re known around the office for leading an active lifestyle. How do you stay active despite your demanding schedule?

I make being active a priority and schedule time for it in advance. Since I enjoy being active, it is easy to organize vacations that allow me and my family to explore the outdoors. I believe that it is always possible to make time for the things we consider important. Staying active is very important to me.

Tell us something we don’t know about you.

I used to be a bank teller and it was the most frustrating job for me! I had so much trouble balancing my drawer—every day I was off by a few pennies. 

Is there a mantra that you live by that you could share with us?

I try to live by the mantra, “Never put off what you can do today for tomorrow, as you never know what tomorrow can bring.” I try to never leave work with any unread emails. I try to exercise even when I don’t want to because I know if I don’t do it today, I really won’t want to do it tomorrow. I try to enjoy nature as much as I can and live each day to its fullest. Tomorrow is a gift and we never know if it will be given.