Why I Serve Idaho

In my 13 years at Molina, I am continually inspired by our shared purpose and commitment to the members who depend on Medicaid. I learned early in my career how difficult accessing healthcare was for many people. This sparked a lasting commitment to help support individuals navigate through a challenging system, so they have a better healthcare experience. As plan president for Utah and Idaho, I have the privilege of working alongside a talented team driven by our shared mission to deliver high-quality care that meets our members where they are. 

What sets Molina apart is our personalized, persistent approach to care management and our willingness to advocate for members when gaps in care arise. Our dedicated care managers are integral to the work we do across Utah and Idaho. Whether it’s coordinating care, advocating for members, or showing up in the community through efforts like back-to-school events or holiday meals, our work extends beyond clinical settings to address the broader factors that impact health.  

Every day, the Molina team goes above and beyond to ensure members feel supported, respected, and seen – making a meaningful, lasting impact across Idaho. 

My commitment to this work is rooted in my own journey. For most of my childhood, my family relied on Medicaid, so I understand how life-changing it is to have healthcare you can count on. That experience shaped my belief that access to healthcare is not just a benefit, but the foundation that allows people to build a strong future.

At Molina, I support the providers who care for our members, with the goal of making sure they are educated and treated fairly – especially smaller providers who do so much with limited resources to keep their communities healthy. In a state like Idaho, where communities can be spread out and access isn’t always simple, those providers make all the difference, helping us reach the people who need us the most.

I’ve seen how managed care can remove confusion and fear for people who are already overwhelmed. Living in Idaho has reinforced for me how important it is to have systems that support people wherever they are. By coordinating benefits and helping members understand their options, managed care turns a complex system into a trusted pathway. When members have a place to turn and know someone is looking out for them, they are more willing to seek care. When I see our work ripple out through the community, I am reminded why I serve: to help connect families to services and supports that create the stability and opportunity that made all the difference for my own family.

I started my career in elder care at a local area agency on aging as an adult protective services investigator, where I saw how connecting seniors and caregivers to the right resources could transform their daily lives. That experience led me to Molina and to work focused on helping people access support and care when they need it most.  

I see my role at Molina as a direct connection between our members and the health plan, helping connect members to services, building trust, and listening to their needs so that Molina can respond to what matters most to the community. Over time, I’ve helped shape our community engagement work, building relationships with more than 50 community partners and showing up at over 100 events in 2025 to connect our members and the broader community to healthcare resources and community-based services. Because our team lives and works in Idaho, we understand the unique needs of those we serve and can tailor our support, whether I’m partnering with case managers, care coordinators, or the quality team. 

What I love most is that this work is deeply personal. In Idaho’s small communities, people remember you as “Molina” because you showed up and helped when it mattered. Knowing that members can reach a real person who will listen and stay with them through the process is why I serve.

I began my career as a social worker in a long-term care facility before transitioning into a long-term care support services case manager role. In that work, conducting home visits and connecting with members and caregivers, I discovered a lasting commitment to serving people covered by Medicare and Medicaid. 

I have been with Molina for seven and a half years now, and our members remain at the center of my work. Guided by Molina’s mission to provide quality care that is accessible and addresses the whole person, I have seen how better health can open the door to greater independence and help members stay in their homes while still connected to their communities.  

Across my many meaningful career experiences, serving the dual eligible population has always felt most like home. As a leader at Molina, I see the daily impact of our case managers and transition of care coaches, who are compassionate advocates that consistently go above and beyond for the communities we serve. Working alongside a team that keeps members at the heart of every decision is what defines my role at Molina and is why I serve.  

As Molina Healthcare of Idaho’s Tribal Affairs Liaison, I work to build trust and strengthen relationships with the five federally recognized tribal nations and urban Native American communities across the state. My path into this work began with a focus on improving access to care, especially understanding the barriers Native American communities have faced and how that history continues to shape health outcomes today.   

What drives me is the belief that people’s day-to-day circumstances shape their ability to get care and stay healthy. It affects access, the experience people have when they seek care, and whether they feel heard and respected. In my role, that means showing up consistently, listening, following through, and creating stronger connections between Molina, the state, and the people we serve. One experience that stayed with me was attending community powwows in Idaho, where even small details helped open the door to meaningful conversations. Bringing relevant materials to support outreach created space for families to ask questions, share their experiences with Molina, and talk about what they needed.  

I enjoy my role at Molina, because it gives me the chance to foster relationships, support better access to care, and reach communities that may not always feel seen by the healthcare system. Helping create and sustain those connections with Idaho’s tribal population is why I serve. 

I believe healthcare begins well before a Molina member visits the doctor. Are there transportation, nutrition or safety issues that impede access? Are there cultural concerns that impact the member’s experience?  These are considerations I learned early in my career managing a rural OB/GYN clinic where many working families relied on the community clinic as their only option for care. Seeing how financial constraints, personal experiences, and community dynamics shaped each patient’s journey inspired my commitment to creating pathways to care for people who often have limited options. 

For the past seven years at Molina, I’ve carried that perspective into my work expanding access and advancing health outcomes for Idaho communities. I work closely with providers, members, and community partners to develop programs that improve access to preventive and health-sustaining services, always focusing on the whole person. 

What makes this work especially meaningful is our connection to the communities we serve. Through efforts like our Member Advisory Committee, I’ve seen how listening to members can lead to better care and stronger support systems. Whether in rural areas or close-knit neighborhoods, that neighbor-to-neighbor approach reflects the values that define Idaho and helps ensure members feel seen, heard, and supported. That connection between our members, their communities, and our work is why I serve. 

I have always been a “fixer” at heart, drawn to helping others navigate a healthcare system that can feel overwhelming. Early in my career, I saw how access to the right care, information, and support could truly change outcomes for individuals and families. Additionally, as an Idaho Certified Family Homes provider for loved ones myself, my personal experience navigating long-term care and community services gives me an understanding of the realities people requiring long term care face. In my role at Molina, whether I’m visiting provider offices, answering questions, or helping teams navigate processes, I focus on supporting our providers so they can deliver the best possible care for our members. 

Over my nearly four years at Molina, what has kept me here is the team’s shared commitment to serving Idaho families with compassion and purpose. What sets us apart is our whole-person approach to care – we understand that health is shaped by more than just doctor visits but also access to food, transportation, and community support. As a native Idahoan, I am especially connected to the strong sense of community that defines our state; from rural towns to growing cities, Idahoans look out for one another. For me, that means helping people access the care and the support they need to stay healthy, work, and provide for their families. That spirit aligns closely with Molina’s mission and is why I serve the communities I call home.