Interprofessional Collaboration Award
Introduced in 2015, this award recognizes a clinician who has partnered with another clinician or UHG employee and has demonstrated a significant interprofessional collaboration resulting in extraordinary outcomes. The two individuals partner outside of their standard roles and across businesses to accomplish a shared goal.
Examples of eligible collaboration partnerships from previous winners include, but are not limited to:
- Nurse Practitioner/Dietitian
- Social Worker/Nurse
- Physician/Pharmacist
- Behavioral Health Clinician/Nurse
- Social Worker/Community Health Worker
- Pharmacist/Finance Manager
- Physician/Sales Operations
- Nurse Practitioner/Project Manager
Nomination Information
If a candidate does not meet the eligibility requirements, the nomination should not be submitted. If the candidate meets eligibility requirements:
- Work with your colleague(s) and or manager to write the nomination - add their names on the nomination site
- Contact their manager to ensure they support the nomination
- Go to the Sages nomination site when open Spring of 2024
- You are encouraged to work on the nomination for any length of time prior to submission. Here is a template to use.
The importance of the collaboration must be highlighted and reflect our core values: Integrity, Compassion, Inclusion, Relationships, Innovation and Performance. Sages serve our vast organization in a variety of roles and the specific examples that best describe their contributions to business success will vary across candidates, roles and businesses.
Example of Past Winning Nomination
Together [name] and [name] have managed to provide service to [business] in a way that has not only met their needs, but far surpassed their expectations. Both [name] and [name] became consultants for [business] after the previous clinical consultant left to pursue other opportunities. With only a little over a year left on the contract, the relationship with the client was tumultuous at best. They came into this client ready to conquer and challenge any task that came their way. They accomplished this with little direction, no standard operating procedures, and just had to hit the ground running. Not only have these two hit the ground running, but they hit it in a sprint!
The first thing that [name] and [name] worked on together was to make sure that public presentations at the State’s version of a Therapeutics Committee and their Drug Utilization Review Board were prepared with quality recommendations, insightful analytics, and a calm and collected presentation style. [name], with her previous analytics experience, would pull reports and data to assist [name] in making positive recommendations for the client. In these reviews, [name] and [name] have uncovered inappropriate use of over-the-counter agents and prescription multivitamins. They were able to save the state millions of dollars per year by placing prior authorization. These presentations and recommendations were executed so well straight from the beginning that the client described [name] as a breath of fresh air after her first public presentation. [name] and [name] had to take over an extremely complex, customized system environment for claims processing.
Neither [name] nor [name] had significant experience within RxClaim. [name], with assistance from [name], dove into the system to analyze how claims were processed, correct claims design concerns, and move forward with implementing new changes and updates to the system. [name] was able to engage the BOM team to discuss appropriate design and ensure successful claims processing for the client. Despite previous claims processing errors, [name] was able to minimize these concerns and issues and prevent future patient issues with receiving medication. [name] devoted a multitude of hours to ensure that patients were able to receive their medications appropriately and would work tirelessly to make everything in the system correct.
[name] and [name] demonstrated innovation and leadership in their review of necessary COVID-19 changes, especially as related to the custom vaccine updates. [name] would ensure the appropriate recommendations were passed along to the client for review and would help drive the change to make sure patients were able to receive timely vaccinations. [name] would take these recommendations and confirm they were implemented in the system appropriately for accurate claims processing. Both would work together in analytics to complete the loop and make sure no patients were left behind.
[name] and [name] completed an enormous task in ensuring RxBuilder had all the appropriate designations for CMS interoperability. The project of placing all NDCs into accurate Builder categories with appropriate PA, QL, and ST designations was an overwhelming one. They tackled this task with enthusiasm and vigor. The two captured everything by the required deadline with high client satisfaction. These large projects were completed with a multitude of meetings, client deadlines, requirements, and reporting competing for priority.
Not only were [name] and [name] able to successful support each other, but they were able to support and provide value to all other members of their client team and clinical team. Both [name] and [name] were always willing to step in and assist when necessary to take care of patient needs and concerns. Their dedication to their client, team, and patients is inspirational to witness. The [business] went from being slightly disjointed and disconnected, to unified and thriving. [name] has received clinical awards for representing the Optum values and [name] was recommended for rookie of the year had a meeting been held. While [name] and [name] are each exceptional clinicians on their own accord, together they are simply unstoppable!
[name] and [name] truly exemplify the values of an OptumRx pharmacist. Their leadership, dedication, and performance have moved an unhappy client to one that is happy to work with us, exchange ideas, and trust us as a valued partner. They are both enthusiastic about their work separately and together. They complement each other in every way and make the perfect clinician team! Their willingness to tackle any challenge has not gone unnoticed by our team and has inspired others to strive for that much more with their respective clients. [name] and [name] are excellent collaborators and demonstrate the positive values of teamwork. It is my honor and pleasure to nominate [name] and [name] for the prestigious Sages collaboration award.