Associate of the Quarter: Jianhong Wang

Jianhong Wang, a Statistical Programming Analyst III, demonstrates quality leadership among her peers through her teamwork, attention to detail, and strong work ethic. Jianhong is always willing to take on the more challenging and time-sensitive tasks. She works seamlessly with other associates to deliver on even the most difficult assignments, including major projects such as the Review Choices Demonstration (RCD), Outpatient Prior Authorization (OPA), and Prior Authorization Ambulance (PAA). Most impressively, Jianhong has been leading the team responsible for transitioning data analysis capabilities for Comprehensive Error-Rate Testing (CERT) data from the old Claim Status Website (CSW) formats to the new C3HUB format. This task involved leading a team of three other analysts in comparing data on the new C3HUB with data downloaded from the CSW before the transition. Working with the CERT Coordinator, Jianhong helped identify numerous data inconsistencies.

While juggling numerous high-priority tasks like these, Jianhong always maintains a positive attitude and consistently displays an outstanding commitment to her work, as demonstrated by her successful completion of over 40 statistical research reports with 100% accuracy this quarter.

Coach of the Quarter: Richard Altobello

Richard Altobello, a Statistics and Research Manager, is the manager and coach of a team of nineteen highly talented professionals in the Medicare Statistical Analysis Department Research & Analysis (MSAD R&A). He has seen a significant number of new team members over the last year due to new contract growth in the company and the need for existing staff to stand up new contracts. The transition has been smooth and seamless to the customers due to Rick’s skills as a manager and coach. In a team member's words, “Rick is always open to listening to our concerns and he wants us, as a team and as individuals, to succeed in our jobs and grow professionally. He makes sure we have training; he pairs us up with individuals that can provide that training and he also makes sure that our team is diverse in every way.”

Team of the Quarter: Statistical Analysis Data Warehouse (SADWH)

The Statistical Analysis Data Warehouse (SADWH) Password Reset Tool team ensured passwords were reset after an essential hardware and software upgrade. The team adopted two members of multiple IT areas to assist with updating this older application. While working to get an automated self-service tool back up and functioning, the team made sure passwords were manually reset monthly to meet security requirements. On average about fifteen passwords are reset daily. While the application was down, passwords had to be manually reset requiring four hours of additional work daily to an already stretched team. The two adopted team members were extremely helpful in getting the tool back up and functional quickly. Everyone pitched in where they could assist to guarantee that security requirements and customer needs were met. This is truly the meaning of TEAMWORK!! Bringing multiple areas of IT together to accomplish a task and achieve a goal.

Team Members: Ann Gainey, Billy Osborne, Brett Schwartz, Charles Offutt, Cindy Lucas, Danail Wilkins, Derek Roberts, Jason Sumpter, Mieorka Lites, Mike Stafford, Nathaniel Prophet, Paige Sable, Phillip Creamer, Reginald Tolbert, Rita Childress, Sarah Brewer, Satish Palakurthi, Terrance Austin

Process Improvement of the Quarter: SADWH Password Reset Tool Team

To reduce or eliminate security risks associated with direct connectivity between external and internal applications, Palmetto GBA placed a middleware appliance (DataPower). The DataPower appliance is managed by corporate and would require a ticket to be opened with them for any configuration updates, resulting in longer wait times and extra hours billed to Palmetto GBA. Architect Vishnu Guvvala proposed an innovative solution, designing the Web Services Gateway to dynamically route service requests from DataPower to any internal service repository. This solution, subsequently implemented by multiple teams across Division 34, requires only one “parent service” between each external application server and the Web Services Gateway. Palmetto GBA developers now have full control to add, remove, or update services on their external applications as needed, saving thousands per web service.

Team Members: Derek Roberts, Erika Burrows, Jamie Potteiger, Jenelle Burkhardt, Phani Atluri, Rajesh Chenji, Sai Mikkineni, Sandy Sowell, Sushma Sikhakolli, Vishnu Guvvala, Vishvada Ganapati, Wayne Brumfield