Introducing Jo Newell, Chief Financial Officer at CoreMedical Group. This feature branches off from our Friday's Finest, where we previously showcased our exceptional recruiters. Now, we're shifting gears to shine a light on our executive team. With a tenure of 15 years at CMG, Jo offers valuable insights on her path into the field and her journey to becoming CFO.
Pictured here is Jo (left), with her family during the holidays.
About you: Previous roles to achieve the role you’re currently at, Tenure, Awards/Achievements, Hobbies?
Upon joining CMG, I brought with me an MBA from Wharton, a BS in Computer Science, and two decades of business experience gained in manufacturing companies. Throughout my 15-year tenure at Core, my journey has been marked by continuous growth. Beginning in 2009 as a Business Analyst, I steadily progressed through roles such as Director of Finance, VP Finance, and ultimately assumed the position of CFO in 2017.
What inspired you to work in healthcare staffing, and how has it influenced your leadership style in this field?
I stumbled upon travel healthcare staffing through a job ad on Monster.com, unaware of its existence until then. Little did I know, it would become an integral part of my career journey. As I stepped into this unfamiliar industry, I gradually understood the ways finance plays a pivotal role in shaping it. In navigating this journey, I've learned firsthand the importance of finance in this dynamic field, from enhancing our appeal as an employer to securing our position as a top staffing services provider.
What qualities do you think make a healthcare staffing team successful, and how do you encourage a positive team environment?
A thriving healthcare staffing team shares common qualities with any successful team. It begins with a collective understanding of the company's strategic direction, recognizing where our efforts align and celebrating our progress and achievements. Daily reinforcement of positive encouragement is instilled through our core values, further supported by weekly one-on-one sessions and feedback channels from our employees/clinicians.
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Here's Jo, cherishing a moment with her first grandchild who arrived earlier this year.
Can you tell us about a specific challenge your team faced in the industry and how it was overcame?
The COVID-19 pandemic brought forth numerous challenges on all fronts, as it did for many organizations. Despite this, our team swiftly transitioned to 100% remote work with only a few days' notice. Remarkably, our finance operations, including payroll, billing, accounts payable, and general finance, continued seamlessly without any disruptions.
What type of experience do you look to provide for healthcare professionals who work with CMG?
Our primary focus is on making Core the premier workplace for our staff. This commitment spans from matching clinicians with their ideal positions, streamlining credentialing processes, ensuring comprehensive benefits, to delivering accurate and punctual payroll services. Our aim is to provide a seamless experience for our clinicians, allowing them to devote their attention to caring for their patients.
How do CMG’s company values impact the healthcare professionals that we work with and in return positively impact the number of patients the company is able to assist?
Every decision impacting our clinicians is held to the highest standard, reflective of our core values. We are dedicated to addressing our clinicians' needs for compensation and benefits during their contract assignments, ensuring they can prioritize patient care with peace of mind. It's a cycle where our commitment to our core values directly contributes to the quality and quantity of care provided to those we serve.
