EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: JENI FORD
We're excited to shine the spotlight on one of our incredible team members, Jeni Ford, who has been making a difference here at Vergence in support of Soldiers at the Indiana Army National Guard. Since joining Vergence in 2019, Jeni has shown outstanding dedication as a Case Manager. Jeni plays and integral role in the INARNG meeting The Adjutant General’s (TAG) main goal of Soldier Readiness.
In this Employee Spotlight, we’ll learn a bit more about Jeni. Thank you to Jeni for all she does for Vergence and our Soldiers!
Can you tell us a little about your background and how you ended up in your current role supporting the INARNG? “I was a Corporate Trainer and when I got laid off my sister’s sister-in-law asked if was interested in working a short-term contract with the INARNG. I said yes and got an interview. At the interview they asked what my medical experience was, I said “my mom was a nurse”. The interviewer said that’s ok, we will teach you everything you need to know. That was 13 years ago. I was hired as a Case Manager but 2 months later moved to medical billing, then to MND (now known as MTU). When thinking of the medical process, this is the end, helping SM’s get into the Medical Board to get their VA rating and discharged from the military. After doing that for a few years, I realized I could be more beneficial at the beginning of the medical process as a Case Manager. In 2015 I had the opportunity to be a Case Manager with 76th and assisted in getting Service Members into the medical process more quickly and accurately.”
What is the favorite part of your job? “Working with wonderful people and sharing the knowledge I have attained.”
What does a typical day look like for you? “Checking emails and forwarding profiles to the appropriate Battalion Med NCO’s. Reviewing new medical documents for completeness and forwarding to providers requesting profiles or clearing of medical issues. Documenting my actions in Med Chart and the tracker and answering questions for the 7 Battalion Med NCO’s I support. It is repetitive but each SM and case is unique, so I don’t get bored.”
How would you describe the team you work with and the Service Members you support? “The team I work with is very customer service oriented, quickly respond to email questions, and are a fun group to be around. The Service Members I support are a great group; dedicated, caring and understanding. They are dedicated to their country, care about their Soldiers and understanding when medical is more complicated that we like.”
What motivates you to come to work every day? “Knowing that I am helping Service Members who have medical injuries or conditions.”
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of work that you’d like to share? “One hobby I have is making desserts, from chocolate mousse to cake pops. I like to hold tea parties, so they go hand in hand. My second hobby is crafting and making homemade gifts. The only creative things I don’t do is paint and wood carving.”
What’s a fun fact about you that your coworkers might not know? “I have a huge DVD collection, over 600 movies. My husband had to convert the space under the stairs to storage so all the DVDs could be in one place. I have no problem watching movies over and over, hence the collection!”