Within our ACU community, we have an expanding alumni network that spreads and lives out the ACU culture of faith and leadership after graduation. Kim McSpadden is an ACU alumnus who has done exactly that. She currently works for Encompass Health as the Director of Operations and has been with Encompass since graduating in May of 2004. Kim was able to take some time with us to share her story and the wisdom she has gained along the way. Continue reading to see how Kim has lived out strong character in her career and life.
What has your career journey looked like after leaving COBA?
- After leaving COBA I took a summer internship with Encompass Health. That role gave me the opportunity to learn about a whole new industry and service line. I was given challenging work that was meaningful. As the company grew through acquisition and internal growth there were new roles created to specialize further into Operations. In 2005 I moved into a branch leadership role in McKinney, TX. This was my first chance to supervise a team of employees. I really enjoyed the balance of management, financial goals, and patient customer service. When my husband finished medical school in 2009, we accepted a residency in Pittsburgh, PA. I was blessed to stay with Encompass during those 3 years, back in an Operations Support role. When he finished his residency in 2012 we moved to Austin, TX. Encompass gave me the chance to work in both Operations support and managing 8 local branches around Austin/San Antonio. I did my best to balance those 2 roles for four years. By 2016 the roles had become 2 full-time jobs and I needed to pick a direction. I chose to stay with Operations Support, as the Director of Operations and manage the auditing/training team. We now have 21 team members, based all across the US. I love the work we do. It is still challenging, and I cherish the gift of managing/mentoring this team. Even in the midst of COVID we have been successful and adapted to be even stronger in 2021.
What is the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned in your life/career thus far?
- Show your employees that you will work alongside them on any task. You have to be willing to work at any level to be a successful leader. I still perform branch audits each quarter to keep a close pulse on what is happening in the branches and better empathize with the workload of my team.
How has your faith impacted your life and career?
- I am so fortunate to have faith and career go hand in hand. Faith-based discussions and prayer are a regular part of our culture at Encompass. I truly believe God has placed me in this role and I strive to love and support the members of my team in a way that represents Jesus.
Kim, we appreciate the way you exemplify what it means to lead with your faith!