Lori Nelson, MBA, SVP, Provider Strategy and Network Management, Medica Health Plan

What’s your current role?

I oversee all of Medica’s provider relationships and contracting functions. This includes contracting and negotiating with large health systems and provider groups and ancillary businesses such as durable medical equipment companies and home health providers. All our provider relationships are critical to our success as an organization. I also have responsibility for our provider finance function. This entails developing and maintaining fee schedules, price transparency compliance, analytical provider reporting, developing negation materials and all ad hoc provider reporting. In addition, I oversee our provider operations functions around state network filings, ensuring a robust network, provider issue resolution and developing provider directories.

When and why did you join the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST?

I joined the TRUST in 2019 to connect with other women in health care leadership roles. I was lucky enough to be nominated to the board immediately. I started to get involved not only with my board appointment but with volunteering for the Mentorship Program committee. I have been the chair of this committee for the past two years and am thrilled to meet and collaborate with many great women passionate about mentoring.

How do you support other women in their leadership journeys?

Being chair of the Mentoring Program has provided me the opportunity to help many women on their journeys by connecting them with awesome women who have generously donated their time, knowledge and extensive talents to helping other women grow. It truly has been life-changing. In addition, I have had the pleasure of being a mentor within my organization and the TRUST.

How do you cope with demanding aspects of your career?

I take time to do things that I love. I love baking and making candies. What I like most about baking is being able to share with friends and family. I also enjoy taking long walks. This gives me time to slow down and reflect on various issues; sometimes I take in nature, other times I am busy solving problems and still other times I listen to podcasts enjoying the new insights.

Who inspires you?

I get inspiration from my children. They remind me to stop and smell the roses and not to take things too seriously. They are a great example of driving forward while also enjoying the present.

Do you have words of wisdom that drive you? Words that resonate with me, especially as I advance in my career and age: Life is short, time is fast, no replay, no rewind. So enjoy every moment as it comes.