Happy Friday! Let’s start the holiday weekend with a new edition of the Employee Spotlight series. Today, we spotlight Gail Gerber, a 340B Analyst who has been part of the SpendMend team for about two years! When asked what three words she would use to describe SpendMend, she said, “Caring, Rewarding, Motivating.” A fun fact about Gail is that she grew up in Saint Joseph, Missouri, and currently lives in Ridgecrest, California. During work, she likes to listen to a variety of podcasts! Her favorite podcasts are Armchair Experts, Smartless, and any true crime podcasts. Her favorite part about the podcasts is all the different guests that star in them. The episodes she enjoys the most have included Patric Gagne, a psychologist on sociopathy, and Dan Slepian, a TV producer and journalist. They discuss the stories on Dateline that Dan Slepian has written/produced and how he chooses his subjects. Outside of work, Gail likes to go camping and hiking! Gail grew up camping since she was six weeks old, and her favorite childhood memories are centered around camping. She and her family love to travel to National and State Parks. Gail states, “We have visited 28 US National Parks and two Canadian National Parks in our RV so far!” If you are interested in camping, direct your questions to Gail for expert advice! Another fun fact about Gail is that she has been a member of the P.E.O. for twelve years. P.E.O is an organization dedicated to providing scholarships and grants to women seeking higher education. Gail states, “While I have always believed that education is extremely important, attending the state convention was eye-opening. Listening to women from all walks of life who had overcome obstacles, such as poverty, language barriers, unexpected motherhood, etc., achieve their goals and better their lives and their family’s lives through the support of our organization was inspiring.” Check out the full interview below to learn more about Gail’s experience and involvement with P.E.O!
Gail is a great 340B Analyst and is highly admired by her co-workers. We asked Chelsea Reeve, Director of Operations/Pharmacy Client Manager, about Gail, and she stated, “Gail is such a delight! She is so kindhearted and willing to help in any way she can. She is very detail-oriented, and her work is top-notch. She is a team player through and through. I am so grateful she chose to come work with our team because she makes everything better, and I am grateful to call her a friend!!!” We are lucky to have Gail as a part of our team!
Interview with Gail:
What is your role at SpendMend?
340B Analyst
How long have you been with SpendMend?
Two years
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
I was a previous client.
What three words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Caring, Rewarding, Motivating
Where are you located/from?
I grew up in Saint Joseph, Missouri, and currently live in Ridgecrest, California.
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
I love working with such a talented and creative group!
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
In high school, I was a “Movie Mouse” for a locally owned video store. I wore a knockoff Mickey Mouse costume and encouraged people to visit our store.
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
I love Armchair Experts, Smartless, and any true crime podcasts! I also listen to a wide variety of music, such as country, pop, oldies, etc.
What do you like the most about Armchair Experts and SmartLess?
I enjoy the variety of guests on Armchair Experts and SmartLess. It’s a wonderful mix of celebrities, authors, philosophers, and scientists.
Do you have a favorite episode from any of the podcasts you listen to?
It’s hard to pinpoint a favorite episode. However, recent ones that I have enjoyed include Patric Gagne, a psychologist on sociopathy, and Dan Slepian, a TV producer and journalist who discussed some of the Dateline stories that he’s written/produced and how he chooses his subjects.
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
I do a lot of camping, hiking, quilting, and reading. I’ve been a member of the P.E.O. for 12 years. It’s a philanthropic educational organization that provides scholarships and grants to women looking for a higher education.
When did you start camping?
My parents took me on my first camping trip when I was six weeks old. Some of my favorite childhood memories are centered around camping. My dad was military and gone a lot, so those 3 or 4 weeks each summer were precious times for us. I was very excited to continue that same tradition with my own family.
What are some of your favorite camping or hiking spots?
We love to travel to National and State Parks. We’ve visited 28 US National Parks and 2 Canadian National Parks in our RV so far. It’s difficult to pick a favorite since they are all so vastly different. However, Olympic and Banff National Parks are at the top of my list. My two favorite hikes would have to be Angels Landing (my most difficult) in Zion National Park and the Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park.
What are your favorite activities to do while camping?
Camping gives us the opportunity to unplug, explore, enjoy quality family time, and have a lot of cutthroat card games.
Can you share more about your role within P.E.O. and how your involvement has evolved over the 12 years you’ve been a member?
I was invited to become a member of P.E.O. International while living in Tucson, Arizona, and was chosen to be our chapter representative at our state convention the next year. P.E.O. provides grants and scholarships for both high school seniors and women choosing to go back to school later in life.
How has your experience with P.E.O. impacted your views on education and philanthropy?
While I have always believed that education is extremely important, attending the state convention was eye-opening. Listening to women from all walks of life who had overcome obstacles, such as poverty, language barriers, unexpected motherhood, etc., achieve their goals and better their lives and their family’s lives through the support of our organization was inspiring. P.E.O. is an international organization with its own college located in Neosho, Missouri. Young women come from all over the world to receive a free or discounted education through our scholarship programs.
Have you been involved in any specific P.E.O. projects or initiatives that were particularly meaningful to you?
Personally, I was a recipient of a grant that allowed me to go back to school and receive my Medical Coding and Billing certification. P.E.O. has also been instrumental in my own daughter’s education by providing a scholarship that she used for her books during her freshman year of college.
Who do you interact with?
Clients
Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?
I had a client who had a discrepancy in their insurance qualification filters that was causing them to potentially lose out on significant drug savings. The client made the updates to the filters and increased their savings by several thousand dollars.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?
That I eased their fears and made them feel comfortable about their first external audit.
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
Helping our clients better serve their patients.
Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
My entire auditing team is amazingly talented and super supportive! Kate Tyler and Rachel Freeman (my fellow analysts) trained me when I took on the analyst role and have been a constant source of support and friendship.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
Come into your role with a positive attitude and a willingness to continuously learn.
What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?
Obtaining my 340B ACE certification.
What is something you’re looking forward to in the future at SpendMend?
Continuing to grow both professionally and personally.