For the fifth time in six years, Cambia has been acknowledged as a workplace that is distinctly “better for veterans” by meeting the designated requirements to be one of 2019’s Top 10 “Military Friendly®” employers by Viqtory Media.
“Military Friendly” means that Cambia is setting “the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable meaningful benefits for the military community.”
Finding ways to serve those who have served our country by making our company a rewarding and exciting place to work is something we take seriously. From creating partnerships with military supportive nonprofits to supporting the Cambia Military Community Employee Resource Group (MCERG), which hosts various events and programs designed to help service-men and -women and their families transition into the corporate world, Cambia strives to be military friendly.
We took a moment to reflect on this award by reaching out to three employees about their professional re-entry experiences and to find out just how Cambia supports employees – and their families – with ties to the military. Check out some of their stories.
Nicole Garnatz, Marketing Activation Project Coordinator for MedSavvy
What drew you to serve in the military and at Cambia?
I wanted to serve my country and do something I was passionate about. I also wanted to have that same feeling in my civilian career, too. It was very important for me to find a company that resonated with my values and I found this at Cambia.
How did Cambia help facilitate a smooth transition to corporate life?
My career at Cambia began as an intern. Cambia does an amazing job promoting informational interviews within the organization. Through these interviews, I learned more about Cambia, the military community, health care, and I connected with a manager who was looking to hire someone like me.
How does your current position at Cambia relate or complement the skills you refined in the military?
Many of my military skills translated, from mentoring, leadership and communication to tactical problem-solving. My job in the Navy was high stress, required multitasking, was performed on a time limit, and made me responsible for the safety of the crew (300+ sailors). Needless to say, I am now great at managing stress and that is a skill that helps me complete many tasks effectively.
“I wanted to serve my country and do something I was passionate about. I wanted to have that same feeling in my civilian career too. It was very important for me to find a company that resonated with my values and I found this at Cambia.” — Nicole Garnatz, Marketing Activation Project Coordinator for MedSavvy
How has participating in the Military Employee Resource Group (MCERG) contributed to your experience at Cambia?
As an intern, I was a member of the MCERG and met Catherine Gaffigan, the Executive Sponsor of the MCERG, and Cambia Vice President of Network Management and Provider Partnership Innovation. We connected around our military experiences as well as how we both got to Cambia. Catherine let me know that if I needed anything at all I could reach out to her. It all goes back to comradery, having each other’s back, and advocating for the skills we gained in the military.
Shane Addis, Client Success Manager for Cambia’s Human Performance and Wellbeing Division
What drew you to serve in the military and at Cambia?
I wanted to find a path to be the first in my family to graduate from college. During my first year at the University of Oregon, I learned quickly that I would need help financially, but didn’t want to burden my parents, so I joined the Marines during Spring break. When I heard about Cambia and their Cause to transform health care, it immediately resonated with me that feeling of joining a cause bigger than yourself. I had the same feeling when I stepped on the yellow footprints at Basic Training and I felt that again when I first walked in the doors at Cambia.
How did Cambia help facilitate a smooth transition to corporate life?
I first joined Cambia’s Innovation Force, a program led by Chief Innovation Officer, Mohan Nair, that is dedicated to engaging employees through events, challenges, coaching and workshops to inspire innovative ideas. The team was accommodating and patient with my onboarding. What I respected most of all was that on day they expected me to contribute and strive towards making an impact to our Cause as an organization. I loved that!
How does your current position at Cambia relate or complement the skills you refined in the military?
Being a Client Success Manager for the Human Performance and Wellbeing Division, we ensure that the clients we serve are informed with the latest knowledge and equipped with the best tools and resources to help them establish a culture of wellbeing at their organization. While serving as a Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In the United States Marine Corps (USMC), I quickly learned the importance of fostering an environment of continuous learning and training for Marines. I’ve learned over the years which learning, and training methods worked better than others and now I use this experience when developing wellbeing and employee engagement strategies with my clients.
"When I heard about Cambia and their Cause to transform health care, it immediately resonated with me that feeling of joining a cause bigger than yourself.” — Shane Addis, Cambia Client Success Manager, Human Performance and Wellbeing Division
How has participating in the Military Employee Resource Group contributed to your experience at Cambia?
When I joined Cambia, we were just starting to form the Military Employee Resource Group, and through my involvement, I was able to donate my time to help organizations that support veterans, coordinate veteran events, and connect with other Cambia veteran employees.
It’s also been great to expand my network internally and stretch myself professionally. For example, I launched Cambia’s first Veterans Day event to highlight the significance of the day and spotlight Veterans and their stories who work at Cambia.
Christine Lynch, Strategic Communications Manager and Military Spouse
What is your relation to the military?
I had never been exposed to military life before meeting Mike, my husband. My grandfather was on Navy submarines before I was born, but I always lived in the same city (my hometown, New Orleans), and grew up alongside my countless cousins. My family is very close. Although Mike has wanted to be a fighter pilot since the age of 4, my parents had a hard time accepting that I was going to marry a fighter pilot and move all over until they got to know Mike.
We’ve been married for 12 years and have lived all over the country. Here is a short list of all the places we’ve lived and moved to:
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Boise, Idaho
- Washington, D.C.
- Montgomery, Alabama
- Destin, Florida
When I started with Cambia back in Boise, I was expecting it to be a two to three-year job, depending on the length of our assignment. Then when it came time to move, I pulled together a proposal to telecommute.
Human Resources worked with me, and after hearing feedback from my clients that they didn’t realize I had even moved, they allowed me to stay on. Now I’ve been at the company for 11 years. Since joining Cambia, I’ve moved four times. I have survived my husband deploying to the Middle East, and too many temporary deployments to count, while keeping two children alive with no family around. Cambia was also very supportive of me earning my master’s degree.
There are a lot of companies out there that will let you telecommute, and ways to make money. But there aren’t many that will have this team, or these people.
How has your connection to the military contributed to your current position at Cambia?
Being a military spouse gives me a unique skillset that can’t be taken for granted. I’m very resourceful, and I recognize how lucky I am to have a flourishing career even though I’ve moved so much. There aren’t many military spouses I’ve met with careers, and it’s because we move constantly. I appreciate that Cambia supports service members and their families in having a successful career.
Learn more about Cambia’s commitment to being military friendly by visiting our veterans career page: www.cambiahealth.com/careers/veterans.
