Pamela Garcia

I've been a revenue specialist for four years as of this September, specializing in workers' compensation billing. In my role, I reach out to insurance companies to make sure there's a claim in the system for patients. If there's not, then I call the patient and the employer to try and get that ball rolling for the patient because I don't like them having to pay a bill out of pocket if it was really a work-related injury. Before becoming a revenue specialist, I worked within the VA as an advanced medical support assistant (AMSA) and program support assistant (PSA). In those roles, I worked with veterans to get their medical records, checked them in with radiology, set up their travel, made sure their hotel was all set up, and got all their lab and other orders put into the system. My career started when I joined the military right after high school, where I became a chemical operations specialist. Even though I was a specialist, I basically ran the mailroom, did training for the front office, worked on SOPs, and ensured that everything was in working order. I've also worked with animals - at a veterinary clinic, I was in control of inventory and was the one mostly used with the more aggressive animals. The larger dogs or the cranky cats - I was able to handle it and calm them before anything could happen. I've always had that connection and have always been good working with animals. Throughout my career, I've been really good at trying to help people, and what I find most rewarding is hearing the joy that some of them have, especially when they know that either a bill is taken care of or their travel is handled - something they don't have to worry about. It's one less thing off their plate. Right now, the capability of being able to work from home is important to me because I want to be more accessible for my daughter, who will be starting middle school this year. That flexibility while being able to help others is what I value most.

• High School Graduate
• U.S. Military Training (Chemical Operations Specialist)

• Mighty Miracles Kitten Rescue - Donations and Foster Support
• Local Animal Shelter - Volunteer for Events
• Rescue Cat Care