Her Story
About Sheila
Sheila Maietta serves as Divisional Administrator in the Department of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, NY. In this role, she oversees operational efficiency across multiple divisions, managing responsibilities that range from staffing the front desk and ensuring surgical coverage to handling multi-million dollar budgets within the hospital. She has held this type of leadership position for 8 to 9 years, during which time her oversight has grown from one division to five, supporting the work of over 60 surgeons. Maietta brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare operations to her position. She began her career over 20 years ago as a late teenager in a small chiropractic office, where she progressed from answering telephones and making appointments to managing back-end operations and payroll. She earned a master's degree in healthcare administration in 2019 and attained fellowship status with the American College of Healthcare Executives. She is also a member of the Medical Group Management Association.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sheila
01What do you attribute your success to?
Honestly, I'd say it's hard work, not giving up. And having the right leadership over me, also, directing me in the right direction. More so my own personal need for growth, you know, I kind of don't stop. I kind of keep pushing for the next credentials, the next degree.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of my directors telling me to make the surgeon think it's their idea. When you're receiving pushback, try and maneuver or change some of it to get buy-in and make them think that it's their idea.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
To work hard, you know, keep their head up, and find that buy-in. Because in today's world, women have come a long way, but in some areas it's still a little less populated with female workers. Women still have to kind of put themselves out there and find that buy-in, whether it's knowing your job in and out, or finding that leader or mentor who's willing to place you in the spaces that they think you belong.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is probably staffing, finding the right person for the right role. The healthcare industry is tricky, it takes an emotionally strong person to handle certain patients, especially within surgical practices where patients are very emotional and stressed out.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I'm a very moral person. I very much believe in right and wrong. I place a high value on carrying yourself that same way. Always doing the right thing, you can't be wrong. Accountability, owning up to what you did and making it right. Being accountable to yourself for educational growth and striving for the next promotional opportunity.
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