At Advantum Health, we believe in celebrating the stories of women who lead with vision, empathy, and resilience. This month, we shine the spotlight on Michelle Suppa, Team Lead, whose career journey reflects the importance of adaptability, lifelong learning, and dedication to service.
Michelle’s career in healthcare didn’t begin in a traditional way. After spending a year and a half studying Education at California University of Pennsylvania, she decided to explore other opportunities. She took a full-time job in an outpatient radiology clinic, starting in the dark room processing film. When an opening came up at the front office, she transitioned into scheduling patients and working with insurance. Over the years, Michelle’s career evolved as she worked in several different provider offices, taking on responsibilities ranging from blood pressure checks to billing.
This diverse experience gave her a holistic view of healthcare operations and eventually led her to a leadership role at Advantum Health.
When asked what she loves most about her role, Michelle didn’t hesitate:
“I love getting claims paid and clearing up billing issues for patients. I genuinely love providing excellent customer service to our providers and their staff and letting them know that we are there for them.”
She understands that when billing services are introduced, staff members can feel overwhelmed or uncertain. Her goal is to provide reassurance, listen to concerns, and foster an atmosphere of trust. Beyond client relationships, Michelle values her collaboration with her Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) team, highlighting the strong bonds she has built with her colleagues, including what she lovingly calls her “India Family.”
Michelle is also keenly aware of the challenges the healthcare industry faces both now and in the future:
- Low reimbursement rates are making it harder for small, independent practices to survive, pushing many providers to join hospital groups or large clinic networks.
- Cybersecurity threats are an ever-present concern. While the industry has made strides in combating these issues, Michelle stresses the importance of staying “10 steps ahead.”
Her perspective highlights the dual responsibility of healthcare leaders today: to support providers in the face of financial pressures while safeguarding patient data in an increasingly digital landscape.
For Michelle, Advantum Health’s culture has played a vital role in her professional growth:
“Over the last several years Advantum has provided me the opportunity to learn, stretch, and grow. I believe I am better at what I do with the support of the Advantum team.”
She also points to the excitement around new innovations, like Advantum Access, a new service line that expands support for clients. Michelle takes pride in sharing these advancements with her clients, knowing that they represent another layer of partnership and trust.
Outside of her professional role, Michelle treasures her faith, her husband, family, and her pups, which she says keep her grounded. She loves the mountains, camping, good food, good music, and the thrill of discovering a great thrift store find. And, of course, she enjoys shopping!
Michelle Suppa’s story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and commitment to excellence. From her early days in the radiology dark room to leading a team at Advantum Health, Michelle embodies what it means to lead with both competence and compassion.
At Advantum, we are proud to highlight women like Michelle who inspire others through their leadership, their service, and their dedication to both clients and colleagues.
