Tracy Tillery is the Senior Director of Total Rewards for the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (“WMCHealth”).
WMCHealth is a 10 hospital network with a workforce of over 10,000 employees serving the lower Hudson Valley. In this role, she oversees a team of 6 benefit members that provide services to the network’s multi-employer entities. These services include benefit administration, budget and analysis, wellness, and discounts.
In addition to Ms. Tillery’s network responsibilities, she is a member of the Education and Communication Committee for Plan Sponsor Council of America (“PSCA”), and a member of the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration of the American Hospital Association (“ASHHRA”) and the American College of Healthcare Executives (“ACHE”).
Ms. Tillery has been with WMCHealth for over 8 years. Prior to her role in Total Rewards, Ms. Tillery served in the Office of Legal Affairs. She began as a Contract Coordinator responsible for assisting 9 attorneys, and then progressed in her role to become the Director of Network Contract Administration responsible for overseeing contract review, processing, and negotiation throughout the network.
Ms. Tillery joined Westchester Medical Center Health Network after working for several years in higher education at the College of Westchester. She holds a certification for Certified Plan Sponsor Professional from Plan Sponsor Council of America, as well as a B.A. from CUNY School of Professional Studies.
More from Tracy…
In HR, it’s important to develop good relationships with employees; this makes for better communication and you gain significant insight into what they like and dislike. But as you’re working to ensure the best experience for employees, that also involves having good relationships outside the company.
Tillery explains the importance of those outside connections and how it has led to success in her current role:
“I think if I didn’t have a good relationship with my vendors, I would not have been able to be successful in the five months that I’ve been in this role.
I have a great relationship with my retirement consultant. I have a great relationship with my retirement record keeper, my actuary consultant, that acts as my consultant for my medical plans, I would not be able to be where I am in this success in this role, without them.
I think it happened organically for me. I think, when we got introduced, we’re on a lot of calls. We have meetings in person every once in a while, but I think the more you get used to somebody and the more you’re able to trust somebody and trust their work ethic, I think that becomes more of a trust factor as you’re working with them more and more down the line. I think that the one thing that does help me is I’m able to laugh. And I think every conversation we have, regardless, before we start anything is how are you doing? And then we get into a laugh about anything. And I think I have a good sense of humor. And I think all of my vendors, we have a great relationship, and we always get a good laugh.”
In our full conversation with Tracy, we find out more about her positive attitude and why she doesn’t like to take no for an answer.
