Mark Minner-Lee
Physician Relations Specialist
National Jewish Health
How would you describe what you do for a living?
I generally share that my role is to help connect patients with National Jewish Health via their primary care physician or specialist. I do this through building awareness of the services that we offer, educating providers on the advantages of sending patients to National Jewish Health, and by helping physicians communicate directly with National Jewish Health physicians in coordinating referrals, treatment, diagnosis, etc.
Are there specific skills that help you do your job?
Analytics and problem solving skills are crucial in figuring out who we should specifically be talking to, how to address obstacles or problems that arise, and to wade through the competitive medical landscape. A person in this role has to have a clear ability to persevere and be determinate in their actions – much of what we do involves dealing with people saying “no.”
What are challenges that you face in your role?
The biggest challenge I face on a regular basis is either misperceptions about National Jewish Health or the referring process. While these are resolvable, it can take some time to overcome these beliefs that have sometimes been held for years. Secondarily, navigating the insurance access market and helping make sure that physicians can send patients here can sometimes be very challenging.
What is your favorite hobby?
My favorite hobby is birding – I spend a fair amount of time observing as many of the birds that pass through Colorado as I can. As of May 2019 I’ve seen 382 of the 508 bird species that have been documented in Colorado. I do volunteer birding surveys for the Boulder Audubon Society, occasionally lead birding trips for the Colorado Field Ornithologists, and have done volunteer research for the Bird Breeding Survey done by U.S.G.S.
Who is someone that inspires you?
Abraham Lincoln and his collaborative working style throughout history – even with perceived enemies – has always inspired me to look for solutions and be flexible. I also have seen his perseverance and resolve in adverse circumstances as an example for us all in challenging times.
Thomas Bridges
Provider Relations Manager
Saint Joseph Hospital
How would you describe what you do for a living?
When family or friends ask me what I do I tend to say that I do business development for a hospital system. It involves working with the Hospital senior leaders to implement their vision for the future of the facility. It’s exciting when a new program or service succeeds, and we are able to play a part in that.
Are there specific skills that help you do your job?
Our jobs aren't the traditional sales positions. We don't represent a tangible product. It's key that we can demonstrate a sense of empathy for the physician community so we can hopefully provide them the solutions that Saint Joseph Hospital and National Jewish Health have to offer. We have to have a sense of curiosity about the medicine aspect of the industry. We need the ability to solve problems using the full resources of our respective hospitals. Cooperation is also very important. Our close collaboration with our community providers helps us improve patient care.
What are challenges that you face in your role?
Our roles often involve the successful juggling of multiple priorities. We have to be able to prioritize several projects and objectives simultaneously. We sometimes have to work with upset customers, but that is a key responsibility. If they don't raise issues, we don't have the opportunity to improve.
What is your favorite hobby?
My favorite hobby is to read. My wife can't keep me out of the used book stores. I like World War II and business books mostly.
Who is someone that inspires you?
I like Robert Herjavec on Shark Tank. He has achieved great success from very humble beginnings, but he has done it with a sense of humility and a kind heart. I have never seen him crush an entrepreneur’s dreams (even though their idea was pretty goofy).