studio (un)scripted: 5 questions with garret ohm.
GARRET OHM, Program Manager at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (and a dedication to mental health awareness that makes me proud to call him a friend)
The studio is my happy place, where is yours?
My happy place is definitely on the ice rink. At 44 years old, I recognize how important it is for me to stay active. Hockey is the perfect outlet for me because it helps to offset the hours upon hours I spend sitting on a laptop during the day, and keeps me feeling young. It also allows me to get out any lingering anger I accumulate throughout the day. :)
As a professional, you’ve stated, ” My goal is to bridge the gap between innovation and operational efficiency, ensuring that every initiative not only meets but exceeds expectations” and that resonates with me for so many reasons. I’m curious to know what that means to you and if it’s been an effective approach. If so, what is an example of how?
It’s a big jargon-y (sorry), but it’s really what I do now as a Program Manager. We’ve got a lot of really, really smart people at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. These are people with bright minds that are doing some really incredible and innovative things to improve healthcare and serve our members, but their ideas have to be put into action, and in a healthcare company that has 8,000 employees serving 3.4 million people, that’s no easy task. My job is to bring the right people together to make these ideas and initiatives happen on time, on budget, and without issues that could make life difficult for a lot of the people that rely on us for their healthcare. It’s a bit of a switch from my past life as a marketer, but I’m really enjoying it.
I also know that mental health awareness is important to you, which is quite the testament of your character. What are some ways you encourage others to follow suit?
Aw, shucks, thanks for saying the character thing. You’re right, mental health awareness is really important to me. I’m the son of a mother with depression, someone that has struggled with depression throughout my own adult life, and the dad of a teenager that suffers from, at times, crippling anxiety. We’ve all been fortunate enough to be able to get treatment, but for every one of us that have sought help, I know there are many others that really need the help, but are still afraid to seek it. In my mind, the most important thing we can all do is fight the stigma by talking about our own experiences with mental illness. **PREACH** I think we’ve come a long way toward becoming a society more accepting of mental health and mental illness, and the more we bring it into the light, the more progress we can make.
I imagine that CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield senior level leadership leaves little time for rest, especially where things are currently. Knowing that and your commitment to mental health, how do you balance the two yourself?
First and foremost, CareFirst’s commitment to work/life balance is a real thing, not just something they say when they’re hiring. They give us (and encourage us to take) a generous amount of PTO, respect personal time, offer a hybrid work environment, and even give us PTO to use for our own personal volunteer activities. It’s really, really nice, and a big part of the reason I’ve been here longer than I stayed at any of the other previous positions I’ve held. That said, life as a dad, a husband, a small business owner and a caretaker of a mom with Alzheimer’s Disease is draining, so I wouldn’t say I’m killing it on the whole “rest” thing. The aforementioned hockey playing (and the locker room beer after the game) certainly helps, but I’ve also been doing weekly therapy for the past couple of years, and that has really helped me stay present and balanced. 10/10, would recommend.
Okay, something fun now. How often do you think about that time I beat you at mini golf? : )
You smoked me, if I remember correctly. Those were such fun times and I was lucky to meet you. It’s been fun to watch you grow as a professional throughout the years, and I’m really grateful we’ve kept in touch. Rematch?
The Studio encourages you to connect with Garret to keep the conversation going. He’s absolutely a person you want on your side.