By Lisa Wack
Two women who began their professional journeys on very different roads arrived almost 15 years ago at Retina Consultants of Charleston. Rae Phillips and Katie Ortiz may not have followed a direct path into the health care field, but they are both proud to say they found professional and personal success in their roles, as well as a wonderful friendship.
Facing a challenge head on is nothing new to Ortiz. She has a laser-focused determination and a lifelong commitment to seeking new and often exciting possibilities. When she arrived at Retina Consultants of Charleston, the health care field was new to her, but through hard work and growing expertise, she moved her way up in the organization and now serves as practice manager.
Her tenacity has served her well throughout her career. “I am always willing to take on a challenge,” Ortiz said. “I want to learn more and do more.”
Phillips also did not start off with health care in mind. With her CPA in hand and a similar can-do attitude, Phillips entered the professional word of finance, excelling at a major accounting firm, a national home construction company and, eventually, her own firm.
After a lot of travel and incredible experiences, she said that Retina Consultants of Charleston almost fell in her lap. “I learned that I really like the medical field,” she said. “Serving as the chief financial officer, I’m learning all the time about quickly changing market and reimbursement trends.”
The practice is busy and fast-paced, and the hours can be long, so refueling is a must. They each recognize the importance of taking time for themselves. “Family is the best reset for me,” Ortiz stressed. “My kids play sports, and we spend a lot of time together watching them play.”
For both women, self-reflection adds a needed boost. “I want to understand myself better,” Ortiz said. “I’m exploring how I communicate and how others perceive me to best prepare to handle situations in the future.”
Phillips works with a job coach. “I am finding that these conversations help me work on any blockers that I face,” she said. “This guidance has helped me understand that we all can learn every day.”
At this point in her life, Ortiz is especially motivated by her two daughters. “I want to be a strong role model for them,” she said. “I want to help them see that if you work hard, you can accomplish a lot but that balancing family life is also critical.”
Both women are thankful they are surrounded by supportive colleagues. For Ortiz and Phillips, this camaraderie not only helps to make the days more fulfilling but also adds a critical boost when working together on some of the larger, more challenging projects.
“I really enjoy and respect the people I work with,” said Phillips. “Even though my job is not patient-facing, we all support the mission, and I know we all serve a wonderful purpose.”
Rae Phillips, CFO
Katie Ortiz, Practice Manager
Retina Consultants of Charleston
843-763-4466
retinacharleston.com
