We’re kicking off 2024 with our January Employee Spotlight featuring a business analyst and project management pro! Primarily supporting the World Trade Center Healthcare Program (WTCHP), this month’s recipient, Liz Reece, was recently awarded our 2023 Karna ‘On Target’ award for embodying Karna’s standards for professionalism, excellence, and improvements to public and population health. Learn more about her impactful work, what she enjoys most, and a glimpse into her life outside Karna below.
Q: When did you start with Karna? What is your position?
I started working with Karna nearly 2 years ago. I am a Business Analyst supporting the World Trade Center Healthcare Program (WTCHP). Additionally, I do some Project Management and any other projects as needed.
Q: What’s the day-to-day of your role like?
My day-to-day role depends on what projects I’m currently working on but generally involves data analysis, building project plans, managing projects, documentation and creating workflows
Since I’ve been with Karna, I’ve been working on several projects, mostly related to the WTCHP. I started out reading a lot of their operations manuals and providing feedback, summaries, analysis, workflows – basically using the great work the various teams have done to create a high-level view into how the Program operates.
I then went on to support the Director of Quality Management, Le’Dice Murphy in building the Quality/Audit Program.
I am now working with the WTCHP Senior Director, Scott VandeSand, managing a Member Survey that was mailed out to 116,000 current active members.
I also assist my manager, Director, Analytics and Information Technology, Jarrod Olson with some of the Project Management and Policy documentation related to Karna’s IT Infrastructure and the Project Manager’s Financial Dashboard.
Q: What would you say is your “Why?” in relation to the work that you do?
Quality really is the Why. Do a great job and the results will show that. Although sometimes good enough really is ok, generally I am a 100% perfectionist. This is why my favorite thing to do really is data analysis.
Q: What has been your favorite project(s) at Karna, and why?
The WTCHP Member Survey mailing has been my favorite yet most challenging project I’ve worked on at Karna so far. It has involved everything from working with the CDC team who developed the surveys and with the printers and the BCBSSC Corporate mail team to get them mailed out, to a ton of data analysis as we build and test in preparation for reporting out on the final results. I would say we are all learning a lot about the machine learning being used to extract the handwritten survey results in lieu of what would otherwise be at least 10 people working for 2 solid months to manually document them!
Q: What have been your biggest accomplishments on our team?
Seeing the Quality/Audit Program mature into a self-sustaining operation has been very rewarding. Digging in and understanding the project budgeting tool was challenging and a bit nerve wracking to realize how much other people relied on our support. Now, working on the Member Survey will probably be the biggest accomplishment, but that’s only because this is what I’m currently working on.
Q: What have you gained from working at Karna?
The people I support are very encouraging and thankful for the work I do. In turn that makes me feel more confident about my capabilities and even more committed to delivering excellent results. I think the culture here really embraces teamwork and I have been impressed by the power of a well-functioning team to accomplish and solve things that otherwise seem insurmountable.
Q: What do you do to stay fit/healthy?
In the mornings I almost always go for coffee at my local coffee shop, then take my dogs for a walk on a beautiful trail down by the Hudson River. I also work out with a personal trainer a couple of days a week. I make a point of having an active social calendar. I used to be a total workaholic – and still am to a certain extent – but I am a much healthier and happier person now with more of a work-life balance.
Q: What tip would you give to someone who wants to make an impact and is interested in doing the work that you do?
Figure out what it is you are most interested in and push your capabilities. Find the puzzles you are trying to solve for, remind yourself you are on the trail of an investigation – it makes things much more interesting. Never be afraid to ask if you don’t understand something or ask for help if you need it. If you are just starting out your career, you really should be something of a workaholic or at least majorly invested and prepared to go the extra mile. That is what seasons you as a professional.
Q: What is something most people do not know about you?
I am a volunteer for our local community tv station, filming mostly Town Board Meetings. I am generally risk-averse, but occasionally ride a 650cc Kawasaki motorcycle, mostly on Sundays to and from lunch with a motley crew led by an 80-something year old retired math professor. It’s a great way to see the countryside!
Q: Anything you want to add or say to help your colleagues and clients know you better?
No challenge too big or too small . . . Always excellent results!