Influential Woman · Health Care

Stephanie Russell

Senior Consultant, Greeley

Maricopa, AZ

1Award received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor of Science in Management Services Degree Rockford University (2016) Cert CPCS (Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist) Cert CPMSM (Certified Professional Medical Services Manager) Member National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS)

Her Story

About Stephanie

I've been in the healthcare industry for 40 years, and I've been doing full-time consulting for almost 4 years now. It's a good industry, or I wouldn't be doing it - I'm a firm advocate that if you don't love what you do, you should find something else to do, because life is way too short. I came into my current role through the grace of God, if I'm being completely honest. A long-term colleague and friend reached out to me when I was transitioning out of a very stressful job. She told me two things that made me sit back and think: first, that my friendship was more important to her than whether or not I came to work with her, and second, that she could offer me three different things but I shouldn't respond until I was in a better headspace. What led me to where I am today is my reputation, my experience, and long-term relationships, both in my spiritual walk and with colleagues in my industry. On a typical day, I need to be able to pivot at any given moment when a client reaches out with an urgent need. I have to respond professionally even if it's an emotional question, and manage different time zones - especially after daylight savings time, since I live in Arizona and have a lot of East Coast clients. If they want to meet at 9 o'clock, that's 6 a.m. my time, so being flexible is really important. I'm also a national speaker and educator in the field, and I always tell people, even if some of my clients question it, that if you don't love what you do, find something else to do. I think my biggest accomplishment in my career is remaining true to my ethics and values, because I know a lot of people who have let them fall by the wayside as they advance in their careers. What's most important to me is that I remain true to myself - if I'm not working with somebody that doesn't align with my values, then I need to rethink why I'm working with that individual.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Stephanie

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to the grace of God. My husband and my family supporting me has been absolutely essential. What led me to where I am today is my reputation, my experience, and the long-term relationships I've built, both in my spiritual walk and with colleagues in my industry. I've been blessed to have people in my life who valued me as a person first - like my current boss, who told me that my friendship was more important to her than whether or not I came to work with her, and who gave me the grace and space to make the right decision when I was transitioning out of a very stressful job. Having that kind of support, combined with staying true to my ethics and values throughout my 40-year career, has been the foundation of whatever success I've achieved.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

In my line of work, I would tell them two things. One, take care of yourself. And two, if you don't love this, find something else to do. I'm a firm advocate, and I tell women all the time, if you don't love what you do, find something else to do - life is way too short. I do education, I'm a national speaker, and some of my clients are like, are you really gonna say this? And I'm like, it's in my bio, and I will say it. If you don't love what you do, find something else to do. I understand that in our industry right now, it's very, very hard to find qualified professionals, and organizations don't want to lose their staff. But I tell them, if they're not happy, that's their whole life. If they're not happy, they should go somewhere else. You've got to take the risks and figure out what you love, what makes you happy.

03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The values most important to me are ethics, being true to yourself, honesty, integrity, and being real with who you are. I think my biggest accomplishment in my career is remaining true to my ethics and values, because I know a lot of people that have let them fall by the wayside as they advance in their careers, and I'm grateful that I have not done that. What's most important to me is that I remain true to myself. If I'm not working with somebody that doesn't align with my values, then I need to rethink why I'm working with that individual. These values guide everything I do, both professionally and personally.

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