This month’s employee spotlight falls on Emily Pedrozo, Health Business Analyst V. Emily has been a very important part of the Karna team since 2017. She has worked exclusively with the World Trade Center Health Program Support contract, and her contributions have been a huge part of our success with the program. Let’s get to know a little more about her.
Q: What is your position, and what do you do?
Since 2012, I have been the Lead on the Provider Services team supporting the World Trade Center Health Program. For many years, I was a “team of one,” as I like to say, but thankfully, the team has expanded in the past year to support the many activities Provider Services is now responsible for managing. At a high level, I manage the registration of medical providers and institutions that treat our WTC members. I’m responsible for maintaining the integrity of all registered provider records such that they reflect accurate demographic and financial information, and I support the claims processing operation, which depends on this integrity for successful adjudication and payment.
Q: What’s been your favorite project at Karna, and why?
I have only ever supported the WTC Health Program since I joined Karna in 2017, but it is a project that I am deeply invested in from a professional perspective. I love that our project directly helps the members who were physically and mentally affected by the 9/11 tragedy. My particular layer of support feels close to the beneficiaries – unlike other projects I’ve been on, where there were so many layers between the work that I performed and the beneficiaries of that work, that I often forgot about the value of the mission. I feel very fulfilled by this project, and by Karna’s support in its growth and evolution.
Q: What have you gained from working at Karna?
Up until 2017, I had only ever supported very large corporations, and having the opportunity to be part of a smaller organization such as Karna has offered me a sense of professional community where I feel “seen” by the upper management for my value. I have gained an appreciation for how an investment by the company in team-building opportunities can truly connect colleagues, even despite a global pandemic (such as Town Hall meetings, award recognitions, and the after-work scavenger hunts and trivia nights). I also credit Karna with supporting some of the most significant achievements of my career over the past several years, which has given me more confidence and courage.
Q: What do you do to stay fit/healthy?
I am a longtime member of a local fitness group (which continued classes via Zoom during the pandemic!), so I do strength and conditioning classes 2-3 times a week, and when the weather isn’t too extreme, I enjoy running. I eat healthily but definitely have a sweet tooth.
Q: Do you have a tip for coping with stress?
Rest. I know most people exercise when they’re stressed, but stress makes me exhausted, and I find that a good night’s sleep or a mid-day power nap is much more restorative than putting my body through yet another stressor (a physical workout), when it’s already trying to recover from a mental stressor.
Q: Where is your hometown?
I was born in Buffalo, New York, but I grew up in Bowie, Maryland.
Q: What did you want to be growing up?
I wanted to be a writer living in New York City. Now, my very introverted self can’t even imagine living somewhere so busy and overwhelming. I still enjoy writing and value the good writing of others.
Q: You’re happiest when?
I’m happiest when I have been able to decompress enough to enjoy my downtime, and when that downtime is filled with time with my kids (3 boys, ages 13, 11, and 7), catching up on books and shows, and napping 😊
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
I spent several years volunteering much of my time at a Golden Retriever dog rescue, Golden Retriever Rescue, Education and Training (GRREAT). I was the Intake Coordinator, so I reached out to the families who needed to surrender their Goldens to the rescue, to gather information about their dog’s temperament and the reason for surrender. I also conducted home visits for families interested in adopting a Golden, fostered/adopted out several Goldens myself, and contributed writing pieces for the monthly GRREAT newsletter.
Q: Anything you would like to add or say to help your colleagues and clients know you a little better?
I appreciate all of my colleagues, and hope everyone has a great summer!