10 Questions with Katherine Goulart

As Director of Patient Access, Goulart and her team touch almost every department at Cape Cod Healthcare. We recently hopped in her beloved Jeep Wrangler to learn more about her role, what gets her up in the morning and what she’s most looking forward to this fall.

In many ways, Katherine Goulart has come full circle.

Goulart was born at Cape Cod Hospital, grew up in Brewster and graduated from Nauset Regional High School and Cape Cod Community College. Her goal early in life was to work for an organization in her community that has a great reputation and offers employees the ability to grow.

Her wish came true. After working in various patient access roles off-Cape and at Falmouth Hospital, including patient access manager, she was promoted to Director of Patient Access of Cape Cod Healthcare in 2022. Goulart and her team touch almost every department, focusing on process improvement and compliance assurance for scheduling, registration, financial counseling and insurance verification.

During a typical workday, Goulart is responsible for day-to day and long-term operations. Much of her time is spent collaborating with operation managers and clinical managers to ensure teams are capturing proper patient demographic information and health insurance information for billing purposes—and making sure there are appointments available for patients. There are five managers on her team and 164 people in the department working across the system.

“I start my day by checking in on our wait times and volumes for scheduling, registration and financial clearance,” says Goulart. “Patient Access is involved in many multi-department initiatives and process improvements. Her favorite part of the job? “Problem solving. This role allows me to tap into my creative and innovative side.” 

Goulart says a perfect day off for her is spending time at the beach. She loves taking her white Jeep Wrangler to Sandy Neck in Barnstable and Head of the Meadow in Truro. “I pack a lunch, bring an umbrella and chair, and just hang out.” We recently cruised around Hyannis with Goulart in her beloved Jeep and stopped at Eugenia Fortes Beach in Hyannis Port where we chatted about everything from her very first job to what she’s most excited about this fall.

1. What gets you out of bed in the morning?

I have two Goldendoodles, Penny and Rella. They wake up at 5 o’clock in the morning ready to go for a walk. They greet you like it’s the first time they have ever met you! I will take them around my neighborhood in Centerville or the National Seashore on the weekends.

2. What is your mantra?

Create the life you love.

3. What would you like to accomplish before the end of the year?

I have really started focusing on my health and fitness. My goal this year is to attend 300 workout classes. I am just over halfway there. I take yoga, spinning and hot barre at a gym in Marstons Mills.

4. When was your last moment of self-care?

I find getting my nails done every other week relaxing and a stress relief.

5. What was your very first or most interesting job? What was your big takeaway?

My first job was working at a fish market on 6A in Dennis. I weighed the fish and rang up customers. You never forget how you go home and smell fishy at the end of the day. I learned customer service and how to treat people.

6. What are you putting off at the moment?

Household chores and yard work! When the weather is nice, I would rather be outside and enjoying the beach.

7. What on the horizon are you most excited about?

I always like to have a trip booked. I am planning on visiting Greece this fall. The water is beautiful, and the food is so good.

8. Do you have a hidden passion?

I love to cook and try new recipes, from dinners to desserts.

9. Iced or hot coffee?

Iced coffee year round. I still like Dunkin’. My go-to is iced coffee with skim milk and one Splenda.

10. Last time you danced?

Last week—a tribal dance workout in my Buti Yoga class.