Hello everyone! Let’s start the weekend off with a new edition of the Employee Spotlight Series. For this week, we interviewed Holly Erickson! Holly is a Quality Assurance Specialist and joined the team about a year and a half ago. When asked why she looks forward to coming to work, she said, “I feel at home at SpendMend. I am able to use my auditing skills to help hospitals recover lost money, which they can turn around into patient care, upgrading their equipment, paying nurses, etc. I feel like my work helps make a positive difference.” Holly is originally from the Upper Peninsula but currently lives in Grand Rapids. She decided to study accounting in college and moved to Grand Rapids because she received a full tuition scholarship to Davenport University. Holly graduated with two Bachelor’s Degrees: Accounting Information Management with an internal auditing specialty and another in Accounting Fraud Investigation. During the workday Holly enjoys listening to music. Her playlist depends on her mood or what project she is working on. She usually listens to her 2000’s rock playlist, but she also has a 2000’s hip-hop playlist on standby! Her favorite bands to listen to are Nickelback and Metallica. A fun fact about Holly is that she can play the drums and piano! She started playing the piano when she was in 3rd grade because her parents gifted her lessons as a Christmas present. She stumbled upon the drums when she tried multiple instruments in band class. Due to her asthma, she needed to find an instrument that didn’t require her to blow into it. She fell in love with the drums quickly! Holly states, “I love playing both the piano and the drums because they allow me to release emotions in a healthy way, and I connect through music.”
Holly is a wonderful Quality Assurance Specialist and she goes above and beyond in her role. We asked John Baker, Director of Shared Services, about Holly, and he said, “I’ve known Holly for ten years. Holly is a good person who is naturally curious about everything and is tenacious about getting answers. That combination makes her perfect for leading our Quality Assurance and Closeout Teams and a perfect fit for SpendMend. We are fortunate to have Holly on our team.” Thank you, Holly, for all that you do! We love having you on the SpendMend Team.
Interview with Holly:
What is your role at SpendMend?
Quality Assurance Specialist
How long have you been with SpendMend?
A year and a half
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
I knew other employees here.
What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Family-oriented, caring, and beneficial
Where are you located/from?
I am originally from the Upper Peninsula but currently live in Grand Rapids, a couple of miles from SpendMend Headquarters.
Where did you go for higher education? What did you study and why?
I originally wanted to study music, but I graduated high school during the 2008 recession, so I knew there would be no jobs in music education. I made the decision to study accounting and ended up in Grand Rapids because I received a full tuition scholarship to Davenport University. I have two Bachelor’s Degrees, one in Accounting Information Management with an internal auditing specialty and the other in Accounting Fraud Investigation.
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
I feel at home at SpendMend. I am able to use my auditing skills to help hospitals recover lost money, which they can turn around into patient care, upgrading their equipment, paying nurses, etc. I feel like my work helps make a positive difference.
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
When I was in college, I worked in different grocery stores throughout the state of Wisconsin, sampling frozen pizzas and garlic bread to customers (think of the free samples you get in Sam’s Club or Costco).
What is one fun fact about you?
I am from the Upper Peninsula and can play both the drums and piano.
What piqued your interest to start playing the drums and piano? When did you start playing?
I started playing the piano when I was in the 3rd grade; the piano lessons were a Christmas gift from my parents that year. and I stumbled into playing the drums. I had tried several instruments in band (flute, trumpet, and trombone), but because of my asthma, I kept having asthma attacks trying to play them. I needed to find an instrument that allowed me to play without having to blow into an instrument, and that’s where the drums came in. I picked up on it quickly and fell in love with it. I love playing both the piano and the drums because they allow me to release emotions in a healthy way, and I connect through music.
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
Usually, either 2000’s Rock, 2000’s Hip-Hop, or Classic Rock music. I might throw in some Hard Rock if I’m feeling extra feisty that day.
What does your current work music playlist include?
What I listen to during the day all depends on my mood, what project I’m working on, etc. I usually listen to my 2000’s rock playlist while I’m working, but I do also have a 2000’s hip-hop playlist that comes in handy.
Favorite artist? Favorite song(s) at the moment?
My favorite band of all-time is either Nickelback or Metallica.
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
Music, reading, video games (mainly games on my phone or Beat Saber on the PlayStation), watching professional wrestling and racing.
What is your favorite genre to read?
Unfortunately, I have not picked up a book in quite some time. I tend to like reading series books because I immerse myself in to the story when I read. I loved Harry Potter when I read it and have read it several times. I’m not really into horror, but I do like suspense and comedy.
Do you interact with
Suppliers
Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?
In my current position at SpendMend, I tend to work more with the different pods in the company rather than with clients and suppliers. I helped start the Closeout team here. With the hard work of the ladies on my team, they have been able to help generate over $1.5 million in revenue for the company since it started last year.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?
When I was leaving my former company, one of my main clients reached out to me to tell me how upset they were that I was leaving because they finally had someone on their account who was professional, knowledgeable and actually cared about the job I did.
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
I feel like, at the end of the day, I am making a difference in people’s lives.
If you work at the Grand Rapids headquarters, what is your favorite Recovery Room Activity?
When I am in the office, I love being able to bring my laptop to The Recovery Room during meetings and lounge on the comfy couches.
What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?
I have not had the pleasure of doing a community service event with SpendMend yet, but I would be happy to do so in the future.
Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
I like to tease him and give him a lot of grief, but John Baker works closely with me to help me develop goals and continue to build the QA Team.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
Be as thorough as possible and be proud of your work.
What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?
Since I joined the company, I have helped SpendMend generate over $9 million in claims. I am also proud of the relationships I am building within the company.
What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?
My ultimate goal while being at SpendMend is to help make our processes as efficient and effective as possible so we can generate the most amount of money while making everyone’s jobs as smooth as possible.