Felicia Pyatt

I attribute my success to a strong foundation built on purpose, precision, and compassion. My career began with a needle and a mission—as a phlebotomist, I learned firsthand the importance of patient care, attention to detail, and professionalism. That experience naturally guided me into the intricate world of healthcare billing, where I discovered how operational excellence directly impacts patient outcomes and organizational success. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with respected organizations such as Doctors Care, Fresenius, and a hospital in Macon, Georgia. Each role offered valuable lessons, but one manager in particular shaped my leadership philosophy—teaching me that true leadership requires a balance of compassion and accountability. Today, I serve at Cinewell, where I oversee authorizations for occupational therapists across multiple states. My focus is on efficiency, accuracy, and empowering my team to excel. Together, we’ve built a department that not only meets but consistently exceeds performance goals—often generating over a million dollars in just three months. I believe success comes from setting ambitious standards while ensuring every team member has the tools, support, and encouragement they need to thrive. I’m especially proud of my experience in REA management, including extensive work with Humana, the nation’s second-largest payer. Through close collaboration with the AR team, I’ve strengthened communication channels, improved accuracy, and accelerated issue resolution. Additionally, during my time at JTS, I introduced performance-based bonuses that significantly boosted morale, engagement, and productivity across the department. Each step of my journey has reinforced a simple truth: success is achieved by combining purpose with precision and leading with empathy and integrity.

The best career advice I’ve ever received came from Andrea Williams, a senior healthcare administrator who became my mentor. Andrea recognized leadership potential in me long before I saw it in myself. She taught me the importance of leading with both confidence and compassion—holding people accountable while also supporting their growth. I’ll never forget her words: “A great leader doesn’t demand respect; they earn it through consistency and care.” Her guidance has profoundly shaped the way I lead my teams and how I view myself as a professional and as a woman in healthcare. She helped me understand that true leadership is about inspiring trust, fostering growth, and setting a standard through example.

For young women entering this industry, my advice is simple: don’t take poor leadership personally. Every challenge you face can be a powerful lesson if you remain open, resilient, and committed to growth. Listen to constructive feedback, use it to strengthen your skills, and keep moving forward with confidence. Growth often comes from the most difficult experiences—how you respond to them will define the kind of leader you become.

I’ve encountered my share of challenges—both professional and personal—that have tested my resilience and confidence. There were times I questioned whether I was ready for leadership roles or if my voice would be heard in rooms where I was often the only woman, or the only woman of color. Those moments taught me the importance of self-belief and the value of showing up authentically, even when it’s difficult. In the healthcare industry, change is constant. New systems, evolving regulations, and the ongoing pressure to meet financial and compliance goals require adaptability and focus. I’ve had to learn new electronic medical record systems quickly, navigate complex billing changes with major payers like Humana, and resolve authorization discrepancies that directly impact patient care. The learning curve has been steep at times, but each challenge strengthened my problem-solving skills and deepened my understanding of the industry. Balancing a demanding career with family life has also been one of my greatest tests. As a mother, finding equilibrium between professional growth and being present for my children hasn’t always been easy. There were long nights, early mornings, and moments of doubt—but faith, determination, and the unwavering support of my loved ones helped me persevere. I’ve learned that challenges aren’t meant to stop you; they’re meant to shape and strengthen you. Every obstacle I’ve faced has taught me something invaluable about leadership, patience, and perseverance—and those lessons continue to guide me every day.

The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are loyalty and honesty. To me, leadership isn’t just about metrics or results—it’s about people. I strive to foster a family-like environment in every workplace I’m part of. Whether through team potlucks, personal outings, or simple words of appreciation, I want my team to feel recognized and valued. While my degree in healthcare management has equipped me with the tools to lead effectively, it is my genuine passion for people that drives me every day. Giving back to the community is another core value. I’ve contributed to charitable efforts ranging from supporting a veterans’ organization in South Carolina to organizing local hygiene drives for the homeless. Helping others is deeply fulfilling and reinforces why I chose a career in healthcare—to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. In addition to my current role, I’ve been developing my own business, Matic, an independent healthcare billing company I founded four years ago. My goal is to expand it after retiring from Cinewell, offering contract billing services to healthcare facilities. With extensive experience in Medicare guidelines, compliance, and billing systems, I am committed to bringing a new level of precision, integrity, and excellence to the field.