Her Story
About Shaina
Shaina Wittman serves as Operations Manager of Health Information Management (HIM) for Ascension Seton Healthcare, one of the largest healthcare networks in the Austin–Central Texas region. In this role, she oversees HIM operations across 14 facilities, managing functions that include release of information, medical record integrity and analysis, physician compliance, coding, clinical documentation improvement, denials management, risk management, and adherence to HIPAA and regulatory standards from bodies such as CMS, Joint Commission, OIG, and RAC. Her work ensures that clinical, financial, and compliance systems operate cohesively within a highly regulated, multi-site healthcare environment.
With 18 years of experience in healthcare administration and health information management, Wittman’s career began with a 300-hour unpaid internship at Texas State University in San Marcos, which became the foundation for her advancement into progressively responsible roles. She went on to work in patient access and revenue cycle operations at organizations including Central Texas Medical Center, Austin Diagnostic Clinic, and University Medical Center in Breckenridge before moving into leadership positions within Ascension Seton. Over time, she expanded her expertise in operations management, process improvement, and system-wide initiatives, including leading major transitions such as ICD-10 implementation across the network.
Wittman holds a Bachelor of Public Administration, a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration, and an MBA certificate in Operations Management from St. Edward’s University. She attributes her professional growth to perseverance, mentorship, and the willingness to build leadership experience from the ground up. She encourages those entering healthcare administration to pursue the field with passion, recognizing both its challenges and its deep reward in supporting patient care indirectly through operational excellence and service-driven leadership.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shaina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to starting my career as an unpaid intern and steadily growing into an Operations Manager role within just a few years. Through continuous learning, development, and taking advantage of growth opportunities, I was able to advance through multiple promotions, which I consider one of my most significant accomplishments.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is rooted in my personal journey and passion for animal care. I have always loved animals and once considered attending veterinary school. While my path ultimately led me into healthcare administration, I’ve found that my desire to help animals naturally translated into helping people through my work. Looking ahead, I still hope to become a Practice Manager in a veterinary hospital, where I can combine my leadership experience with my lifelong passion for animals.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women that this is a very rewarding field, but it also comes with challenges. Healthcare operates 24/7, so it requires passion, commitment, and resilience. In return, you have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting patients and contributing to their care in an indirect but important way.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Outside of my professional responsibilities, I enjoy weight training and spending time with my husband and young son. I also enjoy caring for my three dogs—a French Bulldog, an English Bulldog, and a Shar-Pei—as well as gardening and watching my flowers grow each spring. Family walks are another important part of how I stay grounded and connected.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Mentorship has played a defining role in my career. I was fortunate to be guided by my manager, Margo Garcia, during my time as Revenue Cycle Supervisor. She encouraged me to pursue leadership roles, built my confidence, provided valuable coaching and feedback, and prepared me to supervise employees significantly older than myself. Her mentorship was instrumental in my advancement into management and executive leadership.
In turn, I have made mentorship a core part of my own leadership style. As an Operations Manager, I actively develop employees for promotion, help associates grow into team leads and supervisors, guide staff through major projects, cross-train team members a
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