Her Story
About Heather
Heather Wirtz, MBA, is a healthcare human resources professional serving as Total Rewards Coordinator at Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw, Michigan. With more than 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Heather’s career spans accounting, revenue cycle, financial analysis, decision support, and human resources.
In her current role, Heather provides strategic and operational leadership across total rewards programs, including health and welfare benefits, retirement, wellness, compensation, leave administration, employee programs, HRIS systems, and employee communications. Her unique combination of financial and human resources experience allows her to approach workplace decisions through both a business and employee-focused lens, supporting organizational priorities while strengthening the employee experience.
Heather began her healthcare career as an accounting intern and steadily progressed through roles involving payment posting, insurance accounts, financial analysis, and decision support. Her financial background provided a strong foundation for her transition into human resources, where she has developed expertise in benefits and compensation. At Covenant HealthCare, she has contributed to benefits administration, compensation analysis, market research, plan design, annual enrollment, vendor management, HRIS processes, financial reporting, and organizational decision-making.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration in Health/Healthcare Administration and Management from Baker College. In 2024, she earned the Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) credential through the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), reflecting her continued commitment to professional development and lifelong learning.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Heather is passionate about building relationships, mentoring others, and contributing to her community. Her professional philosophy centers on the belief that a meaningful career is about more than titles or compensation—it is about finding work that aligns with your strengths, values, and purpose.
Heather encourages the next generation of professionals to discover what they are passionate about, continue developing their knowledge, build strong relationships, and pursue careers where they can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Heather
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my professional growth to continuous learning, mentorship, relationship-building, faith, and remaining open to new opportunities. I believe God has guided my career and placed people and opportunities in my path that have helped shape who I am today.
My career has evolved from accounting and revenue cycle into financial analysis and ultimately human resources, and each experience has given me a broader understanding of healthcare organizations and the people who make them successful. I have always tried to approach each opportunity with a willingness to learn, grow, and take on challenges that push me outside of my comfort zone.
I believe in being a lifelong learner through reading, professional development, webinars, and, perhaps most importantly, learning from the people around me. The relationships and mentors I have encountered throughout my career have played an important role in my growth.
Above all, my faith reminds me that success is not simply about titles or accomplishments. It is about using the opportunities and abilities I have been given to serve others, make a meaningful impact, and help those around me grow. I am grateful for where my career has taken me and trust that God will continue to guide where I go next.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t be afraid to take the next step before you feel completely ready. Growth rarely happens when you’re comfortable, and you don’t have to know everything before you say yes to an opportunity. Be willing to learn, ask questions, and surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to identify what they are truly passionate about and pursue that passion rather than focusing primarily on titles or compensation. My own passion developed around healthcare and making an impact, even though my initial career was in accounting and later human resources. I would encourage others to explore what genuinely motivates them and then work toward it. I also believe it is important to read, continue learning, attend webinars and professional-development opportunities, and build meaningful relationships because strong professional connections can play an important role throughout your career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in Total Rewards right now is balancing rising healthcare and compensation costs with the need to remain competitive and provide meaningful value to employees. At the same time, I see a huge opportunity to use data and technology more strategically—not just to manage costs, but to better understand what employees value and design programs that support both the organization and its people. I think the future of Total Rewards is really about finding that balance between fiscal responsibility, employee experience, and attracting and retaining great talent.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value continuous learning, meaningful relationships, personal growth, and making a positive impact through my work. I want my career to contribute to something meaningful, which is why healthcare became an important part of my professional journey. I also value building genuine relationships with others and remaining open to opportunities that allow me to learn, grow, and contribute.
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