WATCH: Meet Health First Health Plans Chief Operating Officer Jamie Forrest

driving operational improvement, striving to exceed our customers’ expectations

Meet Jamie Forrest from Health First on Vimeo: With approximately 10,000 associates and volunteers, Health First is one of the largest employers in Brevard County. In fact, Health First has been named for a second straight year to Forbes’ national Best Large Employers Rankings as one of the best places to work in America.

Health First is your care provider, your wellness coach, your rehabilitation specialist, your dietician, or… maybe even your co-worker. But we’re ALL neighbors and fellow Brevardians! Please get to know us a little better.

JAMIE FORREST: HEALTH FIRST HEALTH PLANS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

■ Background:

I’ve been at Health First Health Plans for almost 17 years now in a variety of leadership roles, but truly enjoy my role as Chief Operating Officer – which I’ve held for the last three and a half years. I moved to Florida from North Carolina shortly after completing my Master’s in Healthcare Administration from UNC Chapel Hill. My work experience to that point was anchored in hospital administration and business development internships.

■ What led you to Health First?
Love! My husband was recruited to work for Harris, now L3 and I had the opportunity and passion to join – and work for – the best healthcare company in Brevard County.

■ My day-to-day is like?

My day-to-day is a balance of solving problems, driving operational improvement, striving to exceed our customers’ expectations and engaging with the amazing team of leaders and associates at Health First. But at the core of my day is being a mom to my son, Gavin and daughter Avery.

■ What gets you up and excited each day?

The chance to make a difference every day – to have a positive impact on those I work with and our community.

■ What can be a challenge in your position?

In addition to our own high expectations around performance and service, working closely with other companies to ensure they also maintain the SAME standards and mission of serving our customers – our neighbors, family members and friends. At the end of the day, those who work with us must share the exact same mission and focus – our customers!

■ What do you enjoy most about Health First and Health First Health Plans?

The team of people I get to work with.  They are amazingly dedicated, hard-working individuals who are driven to do what is right for our community while being there to support one another through the good times and most challenging.

■ What do your associates have to look forward to and get excited about this year?

Being a part of a growing organization, locally anchored in Brevard County, focused on quality, and growing this year and beyond!

■ What can your members look forward to this year?

Our commitment to provide the service they deserve. We have many exciting social and wellness events scheduled throughout the year – from a Bingo night – to a group walk, and even beach clean-up. As always, we’ll continue to identify ways we can improve their experience, service and benefits.

■ Why should someone consider a career with Health First and Health First Health Plans?

There is so much opportunity for people who are positive and willing to learn. Health First Health Plans is a place where you can make a difference, work across different departments, and grow personally and professionally.  There are countless examples of leaders in our organization that started out, for example, in Customer Service, as a risk adjustment coder, a claims examiner, or a sales representative and they’ve developed new skills or moved into leadership opportunities. We pride ourselves on being not only a workplace, but a place to develop and grow.

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