At Vantage Health Plan, we know it’s our employees that make our company great. Meet Vantage Health Plan employee Sherra Fertitta! Sherra works in our Business Development department. From coordinating events to helping run a radio show, Sherra stays busy! Check out Sherra’s interview below.
What is your role at Vantage?
I work in Business Development as the Educational Events Coordinator and the Coordinator of Vantage Radio’s Echols @ Eight, a weekly show that is syndicated statewide.
What’s a typical day like in your job?
With the radio show, I’m finding and contacting two guests for each show, gathering bio information on each, current information on the topic they or I have chosen, sending calendar invites, and creating the format for each show. I also write the basic information for the social media ad and find images of our guests. These images are then sent to the Vantage Media department for creation of the ad. I have scheduled reoccurring guests at both the state and national levels.
Before COVID, the Vantage Educational Series was held in the Vantage Tower Banquet Room every two weeks. Most presenters were from our Affinity medical network, but we also had presentations on history and other varying topics. I would find the presenter, research the topic, write the basic ad and flyer copy, and then send to the Media Department for creation.
Advertising for the event runs on a tight timeline. All ads and flyers are taken to Medicare Compliance for approvals. Once approved, flyers are sent to all Affinity locations and distributed to approximately 25 other locations frequented by seniors. Ads are run in local papers and posted on social media one week before the presentation. Then a mass email is sent out to our guests five days before the presentation. I also arrange with our caterers, Butter Bakery, and Daily Harvest, to have dessert, fruit and cracker trays, and coffee for our guests.
Due to COVID, the Vantage Education Series is now a virtual event. The event is live streamed on Facebook and YouTube for attendees to watch from the comfort of their own home. Attendees can leave comments with questions for our speaker. By simply clicking a link, anyone will be able to watch the educational series. Our first virtual event was with orthopedic surgeon Kevin Bunn, who discussed direct anterior total hip replacement. We have also hosted virtual educational series about Open Enrollment Season with Billy Justice and Healthy Meals for Healthy Holidays with Miss Louisiana 2020, Courtney Hammons!
What’s your favorite aspect of your job and why?
I enjoy working with people, learning new things, and creating a learning environment for a senior group of retired professionals who have been overlooked. As for the radio show, I love learning from our presenters. They are very informative!
How did you come to work at Vantage?
I’d been retired from teaching for about two and a half years and decided to go back to work. The first place I turned in a resume was Vantage. As soon as I walked in my front door, I got a phone call from Billy Justice saying, “Boy, do we have a job for you”.
What do you find most challenging about your job?
Juggling time can often be difficult.
Do you have any hobbies outside of work?
I have lots of hobbies! In my free time I enjoy reading, writing, and art (I’ve illustrated a book). I am also politically involved in the Ouachita Parish Women’s Republican Club. I’ve been a member for 10 years and now serve as 2nd Vice President in charge of programming and marketing.
