Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/55648
She insists on knowing her co-work- ers professionally and individually, and making sure that each person knows how important they are to the team. And whatever question they may have for her, she tries to answer with complete candor. "I'm an open book," she says proudly. "Claims processors can be very dif- ferent, even if they are doing the same job," Yolanda points out. It is impor- tant to make sure each processor is treated according to their own unique preferences. "If one of us is not doing good, none of us are," she says. "I want my employees to know Connecting with: Yolanda Mohid, Medicaid Supervisor A s a Medicaid supervisor, there is no "typical" day for Yolanda Mohid. That isn't to say, however, that there is no consistency in her approach to work. Consider, for instance, the sign on her desk which declares, "Please be responsible for the energy you bring into this space." It's a constant reminder of the per- suasive power of attitude and focus in swaying outcomes. This philosophy extends beyond the workplace. As the mother of two, she says, "I ask my kids, every morning, are you going to choose happy today?" In her role as Medicaid super- visor, much of Yolanda's time is spent communicating with health care providers who are seeking "I ask my kids, every morning, are you going to choose happy today?" assistance in navigating a com- plex regulatory web. Asked how she manages relationships with seven different health networks, Yolanda admits it can be daunting. Despite the large number of interactions she may have during the course of a day, though, she eschews e-mail whenever possible for more tradi- tional modes of communication - face-to-face talks and phone calls. Yolanda puts it simply: "human in- teraction is what you need." The pleasure she takes from talk- ing to people is immediately evi- dent, and infectious. Yolanda takes time each morning to greet all twelve women on her team. "The energy you come in with catches on," she says, "it sets the tone for the day." that even though I'm the leader, I'm right beside them," Yolanda continues. It's important to her that everyone is able to pick up the slack if a team member is sick or called away. "I make sure that if they miss time, they are not bom- barded when they return," she says with a knowing smile. Yolanda's concern for the well-be- ing of her team does not go unrecip- rocated. Recently she was surprised to walk into a party for her 40th birthday after being sent on a mid- day errand. And her efforts to foster a cooperative team environment re- cently afforded Yolanda the oppor- tunity to take a 7-day Puerto Rican cruise, perhaps the longest vacation she has ever had. When she is not busy supervising her team at CMCS and raising her 6 year-old and 14 year-old, Yolanda runs a catering company called Vi- sion. Like everything else in her life, she infuses love and positive energy directly into the meals she prepares, typically for small and intimate gatherings. She is also the co-chair of the CMCS volunteer committee, who have adopted all of the kids at the Methodist Children's Home for holiday gift-giving this year. The committee also is getting ready for a building project with Habitat for Humanity. All of which adds up to compel- ling proof of the awesome power of a positive will. CMCS connections 6 first qu arter 2012