Her Story
About Michaela
Michaela Rushkoski’s career with Maxim Healthcare Services began in 2016 when she joined the Albany office as a Field Support Specialist. What began as an entry-level opportunity developed into a decade-long career marked by steady advancement, increasing responsibility, and a passion for developing both people and processes.
After moving into management eight years ago, Michaela continued to progress within the organization, ultimately advancing to her current position as Field Support Manager III. Today, she leads the field support team for Maxim’s Albany market and oversees many of the operational functions that support the delivery of patient care, including hiring and onboarding, employee credentialing, payroll, billing, and service authorizations.
Her influence has also grown beyond the Albany office. Over the course of her career, Michaela has become a resource and mentor to colleagues in markets throughout New York and Maryland, providing operational guidance, sharing best practices, and helping support the development of other field support teams.
Her commitment to her work was recognized in 2020 when she was named Field Support Manager of the Year for the North area.
More than a decade after first joining Maxim, Michaela continues to build upon the career she started in Albany while helping strengthen the teams and people around her.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Michaela
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of strong mentorship, personal drive, and a willingness to continually grow. Early in my career, I was fortunate to work with strong, capable leaders who showed me what effective leadership looked like and helped shape the kind of leader I wanted to become.
One piece of advice that stayed with me was that my development was ultimately up to me. If I wanted to grow, I couldn’t wait for someone else to create the opportunity for me, I had to seek it out. That mindset pushed me to learn new skills, take on challenges outside of my comfort zone, ask for feedback, and continually invest in myself.
I’ve always been ambitious, but I think much of my success has come from being consistent and willing to put in the work long before the next opportunity presented itself. I’ve learned that you don’t have to wait until someone gives you a leadership title to start becoming a leader.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to stay true to who I am and never lose sight of what matters most while pursuing success. I’ve learned that success isn’t simply about a title, an accomplishment, or how much you can take on—it’s about building a life and career that align with your values.
For me, that means keeping God at the center of my life and trusting His direction, even when the path doesn’t look exactly how I expected it to. When I keep my faith and priorities in the right order, I’m able to show up as a better leader, wife, mother, and person. I’ve found that when I put God first, everything else has a way of falling into place.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to believe in their ability to grow into roles that may initially feel beyond their reach. Set goals for yourself, work hard, and don’t be afraid to advocate for your own growth. Some of the greatest opportunities come from being willing to step outside of your comfort zone and take on challenges before you feel completely ready.
I also believe in presenting yourself for the role you aspire to have, not just the role you currently hold. Carry yourself with confidence, learn from the people around you, and never underestimate the value of consistency, compassion, and a strong work ethic. You don’t have to know everything to take the next step—you just have to be willing to keep learning and growing.
And one slightly less serious piece of advice: learn how to golf. That way, when the business meeting moves to the golf course, no deal can be made without you. 😉
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in healthcare today is balancing the growing demands of the industry while continuing to keep people at the center of the work. Healthcare is constantly changing, and strong leadership requires adaptability, communication, and the ability to build a team that feels trusted and supported.
I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having control over every detail—it’s about developing people, trusting them to succeed, and creating an environment where they feel confident taking ownership of their work. I see that as both a challenge and an incredible opportunity.
There is also a very human side to healthcare that can’t be overlooked. We work with patients and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and sometimes that includes experiencing loss. Learning how to support our patients, families, and employees through those moments while continuing to lead with compassion and resilience has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are faith, family, integrity, compassion, and service to others. I believe in treating people with kindness and respect, being honest even when it isn’t the easiest choice, and being someone others can depend on.
In both my personal life and my career, I try to lead by serving others. To me, leadership isn’t about a title—it’s about being willing to step in, help when it’s needed, and never asking someone to do something I wouldn’t be willing to do myself. I want the people around me to feel supported, valued, and respected.
Above all, my faith and my family keep me grounded. They remind me that success isn’t only measured by what I accomplish professionally, but by the kind of wife, mother, friend, and leader I am and the impact I have on the people around me.
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