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Baltimore Claims Authorizer Earns Emerging Leadership M.B.A.

The Greater Baltimore region is home to the third highest concentration of health care services employees in the country - ranking behind Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Additionally, there are 24 health care services firms located in the area employing over 1,000 people each. It is estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that employment of medical and health services managers will increase by 23 percent between 2012 and 2022.

BAL-Health
(Photo Courtesy of Claudine Richardson)

It would seem, therefore, that Claudine Richardson has wisely chosen to focus her career on this field. Richardson has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Minor in Accounting from Hampton University; and she recently completed an accelerated M.B.A. program at Mount St. Mary's Emerging Leaders M.B.A. Program there.

What inspired you to enter your current field?

"I have always possessed a passion for helping people and subsequently making the world a better place. While my undergraduate classmates prepared for careers in the private sector, I opted to pursue a career in the public sector."

"I wanted to make a difference in the lives of everyday people by providing exemplary service to those who need it."

How does your educational background relate to your current role?

"I am a claims authorizer technical expert; I make post adjudicative decisions on claims and provide internal and external customer service for the Social Security's Office of Disabilty, Adjudication and Review. During my daily activities, I interact with many different people including coworkers, attorneys, paralegals, judges, etc. in order to provide superlative customer service to disability claimants."

"My undergraduate and graduate degrees have given me additional tools to navigate all of the various aspects of my position: from the personnel and managerial aspects to the financial."

How has your education helped to further your career and contribute to your success?

"My education at Mount St Mary's taught me how to step outside of myself and to focus on the big picture i.e. to focus not so much on my personal success but rather more on the success of my team. I also became knowledgeable about how a leader motivates to achieve goals and the general attributes of leadership."

"My long-term goal is to become a member of the Senior Executive Service and to eventually become the manager of a Federal Government Agency."

What is some advice you can offer others looking to become Emerging Leaders whether in health care or some other field?

"The biggest piece of advice I would give is to allow yourself a chance to grow personally in order to grow professionally. Our lives are not one-sided. The connections you make can last a lifetime and can help you to achieve your goals and make it through when a situation seems impossible."

Susan Brown originally spent many years in banking/finance before confronting her addictions. She has now been in recovery for 20 years. Her current interests, in which she has several certifications, are metaphysics and the healing arts. She has written for Examiner.com since 2009 and also writes for Om Times.

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