Her Story
About Mera
Mera Adella Som serves as a Senior Medicare Advisor and Independent Broker with Advocate Health Advisors in Menifee, California, where she helps seniors navigate Medicare options and make informed decisions that support comfortable, independent living. She brings more than nine years of experience with Molina Healthcare, where she worked in senior Medicare accounts, supporting enrollment growth, provider relationships, community outreach, quality performance, and regulatory compliance. After building extensive experience with Molina Healthcare, Som transitioned to independent brokerage, allowing her to provide clients with access to multiple insurance carriers, including Aetna, while focusing on education rather than sales. She is committed to understanding each client’s needs, helping them evaluate their options, and ensuring they can maintain access to preferred providers.
Som’s healthcare career is complemented by a strong background in business administration, human resources, operations, and community engagement. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Phoenix and later completed her Master of Business Administration in International/Global Studies from the same institution, building expertise in marketing, finance, data analysis, management, and operations. She is an active licensed health insurance producer in California and Massachusetts. Fluent in Khmer, with intermediate proficiency in Laotian and conversational Spanish, Som uses her language skills to communicate with and support members of diverse communities. Her approach is grounded in advocacy, continuous learning, relationship building, and helping individuals better understand the healthcare resources available to them.
Beyond her professional work, Som serves as Treasurer of Indras Artistic Creations, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Cambodian art and culture through traditional dance, music, education, and community collaboration. In this role, she oversees budgeting and financial management, supports compliance and reporting, and helps secure grants that enable the organization to provide cultural programming and opportunities for its dancers. She is also involved with CHPAA, a professional organization of physicians providing medical services abroad, and has contributed to community initiatives through organizations including the YWCA USA and Project Citizenship. Through her healthcare advocacy, nonprofit service, and community involvement, Som combines business expertise with a strong commitment to education, cultural preservation, and service to others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mera
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the experiences and opportunities that have shaped my career in healthcare, beginning with Senior Whole Health and continuing with Molina Healthcare. Each role has strengthened my knowledge, adaptability, and commitment to serving others while allowing me to grow professionally and take on new challenges. Through these experiences, I have remained focused on continuous learning, building meaningful relationships, and making a positive impact in the healthcare field.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to always put my patients’ and clients’ needs first and advocate for them. I believe that truly understanding their concerns, listening to their needs, and ensuring they have the support and resources they deserve is at the heart of meaningful service. Being a strong advocate means building trust, communicating effectively, and remaining committed to doing what is in their best interest.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the healthcare industry is to remain committed to continuous learning and personal growth. Healthcare is constantly evolving, so it is important to stay curious, seek new knowledge, embrace opportunities to develop your skills, and remain open to new experiences. Never stop investing in yourself, because continued growth can create new opportunities and help you make a lasting impact in your career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is the amount of travel required. While frequent travel can be demanding, it also provides valuable opportunities to connect with people in different communities, gain diverse perspectives, and expand my professional experience. I have learned to embrace the travel as part of the role while remaining focused on providing quality service and supporting the needs of my patients and clients.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my professional and personal life are independence, service, community, and creativity. Becoming an independent broker with Advocate Health has allowed me to take greater ownership of my work while focusing on how I can better serve my community and meet the needs of those I support. Outside of my professional life, my involvement with Indra Artistic Creations, along with my interests in singing and writing, allows me to express my creativity, stay connected with others, and continue growing personally.
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