10 Questions with Jamie Bartz
At the Physician Hospital Organization, Jamie is known as the “go-to” person, jumps in where needed, helps streamline workflows and seeks innovative ways for process improvement.
Jamie Bartz thrives on change.
“I get bored if I’m stagnant too long.”
She often asks herself, “What else can I learn? What else can I take on?”
So, it’s no surprise she’s worked “all over the place” since joining Cape Cod Healthcare in 2009. From positions in payroll to revenue cycle and patient access to her current role as senior manager of case management operations, she loves figuring out new and innovative ways to improve processes. Each position has helped shape her skills and expertise in data reporting, building and transitioning to new systems, training staff and case management ROI. She is passionate about data. “I love any workflow change or process improvement I can put into place that show we are making a difference.”
With all her many career shifts at CCHC, Jamie is often known as the go-to person. Every role has helped her to grow within the organization. “I know so many different departments at Cape Cod Healthcare, I’m often asked, “Who do we go to for this?” or “Who do we know to do that?”
In her current role at the Physician Hospital Organization, Bartz oversees the Helping Hands team, which includes both medical and behavioral health case managers, navigators and a registered dietician. “Our department has such diverse backgrounds, and we collaborate well together. It’s fun to see everyone’s different skill sets come together,” says Jamie, adding the PHO has several departments from quality and case management to risk coding, contracting, credentialing and analytics.
Her team supports patients with ambulatory sensitive conditions and oversees a Transition of Care program that coordinates care for patients post hospital discharge as well as chronic programs to help patients manage their conditions. The navigators at Cape Cod and Falmouth Hospital screen patients for social determinants of health and work to collaborate care for the patient by connecting them with medical, behavioral and community resources.
“We collaborate with many departments throughout the organization,” says Jamie. “We work closely with inpatient and ambulatory teams on initiatives to reduce hospital readmissions, meet quality performance measures and health equity. It’s really patient centered.”
During a recent visit to her second-floor office at 297 North Street, the mother of two girls (ages 9 and 14), who lives in Brewster with her husband and two dogs, Yukon and Daisy, shares her biggest fear, her very first job and what she’s most excited about this Thanksgiving holiday.
1. What advice would you give your younger self?
Be confident.
2. What is your biggest fear?
I have a big fear of elevators and will not get in any ever regardless of where we are. Since I was little, I’ve always been afraid of them. After I gave birth to my two daughters at Cape Cod Hospital, my husband brought them down in the elevator and I walked down the stairs.
3. What is something about you that people would be surprised to learn?
My grandfather, John (Jack) Beattie, was a comptroller for Cape Cod Hospital back in the ’60s.
4. What was your very first job?
I worked at the Ice Cream Smuggler in Dennis. I loved working there because we could eat endless amounts of ice cream. My biggest takeaway was that I realized I was good at multitasking. The busier I was, the more fun I had.
5. What are you most excited about this month?
This Thanksgiving, we are going to my aunt’s house in Peabody, and all my cousins will be there with their kids. It will be a fun family reunion. We haven’t seen one another in a long time.
6. When was your last moment of self-care?
A spa day at Mirabeau Inn & Spa in Plymouth with my work bestie Laura Vollmer!
7. What is your favorite movie or favorite binge TV show?
“Friends.” I’ve always been a huge fan. I also have a “Friends” Lego set and I’ve been encouraged to bring it to the office!
8. Where do you like to go on the Cape?
I like to explore different towns on and off Cape. Since our daughter, Emma, is on a travel softball team, we travel most weekends for her games. I will pick spots near her practices to go for a walk. In Falmouth, I explored The Knob. She had practice in Sandwich, so I visited the Sandwich Boardwalk. My all-time favorite place to explore is Paine’s Creek in Brewster. We go there all the time—at sunset, sunrise, jumping off the bridge or exploring crabs at low tide.
9. If not on the Cape, where would you live?
Coastal Maine. I would move there tomorrow if I could. We visited Bar Harbor this summer and it was my favorite place I have ever been. We stayed right outside Acadia.
10. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
To get rid of my anxiety and claustrophobia.
