Tara Brooks

I attribute my success to resilience, continuous learning, perseverance, and the people who have supported and encouraged me along the way. My career has not always followed a straight path, but every experience—from healthcare and credentialing to leadership, education, and service—has taught me something valuable and prepared me for the next opportunity.

I have always believed in continuing to grow, whether that means pursuing additional education, developing new skills, accepting challenges, or learning from others. Earning my Master of Healthcare Administration and continuing to pursue my CPCS credential reflect my commitment to professional growth. Most importantly, I attribute my success to never giving up on myself and remaining open to where each chapter of my journey can lead. I believe success is not just about what you accomplish, but also about how you use your experiences to grow, serve others, and create a positive impact.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is “Don’t be afraid to start over or take a different path—your experience is never wasted.” That advice has stayed with me throughout my career. My journey has taken me through healthcare, credentialing, higher education, leadership, education, and service, and each chapter has given me skills and experiences that prepared me for the next.

I’ve learned that a career doesn’t have to be a straight line to be successful. Sometimes an unexpected change can open the door to something better or help you discover a new purpose. I would encourage other women to keep learning, believe in their abilities, and not let a change in direction make them feel like they are starting from zero. You are taking everything you have learned with you.

My advice to young women entering healthcare and credentialing is to believe in yourself, stay curious, and never stop learning. This industry requires attention to detail, integrity, confidentiality, communication, and a commitment to doing things the right way because our work ultimately supports quality patient care.

I would also encourage young women to seek mentors, build relationships, ask questions, and be willing to take on opportunities that challenge them. You don't have to have your entire career figured out at the beginning. Your path may change, and that's okay. Every experience can teach you something and prepare you for your next opportunity.

Most importantly, don't be afraid to take up space and use your voice. Be confident in what you bring to the table, continue investing in your education and professional development, and remember that success isn't just about reaching a certain position—it's about becoming someone who can turn around and help the next woman coming behind you.

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare credentialing right now is keeping up with increasing regulatory requirements, technology, data accuracy, and the growing complexity of healthcare organizations. Credentialing professionals have to balance efficiency with accuracy because the information we manage directly supports patient safety and provider compliance.

At the same time, I see a tremendous opportunity in technology, automation, and process improvement. As healthcare organizations continue to evolve, credentialing professionals have an opportunity to help create more efficient processes while maintaining strong standards for compliance, data integrity, and patient safety.

I also believe there is an opportunity for women to take on greater leadership within healthcare administration and credentialing. Our field needs professionals who are willing to embrace change, continue learning, mentor others, and help shape the future of healthcare operations. For me, that combination of technology, professional development, and leadership is what makes this such an exciting time to be in the field.

The values that are most important to me are integrity, compassion, perseverance, service, and continuous growth. Integrity is especially important because I believe people should be able to trust you to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. In healthcare and leadership, that means being responsible with sensitive information, following through on commitments, and always keeping the importance of the people we serve in mind.

Compassion and service remind me that behind every process, decision, or position is a person who may need support, understanding, or encouragement. Perseverance has carried me through some of the most challenging transitions in my career and taught me not to give up when the path changes. And continuous growth reminds me to keep learning, whether professionally, academically, or personally.

Ultimately, I want my work and my life to reflect purpose, kindness, and a willingness to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I also believe that one of the greatest measures of success is being able to encourage and help the next person along their journey.