November 12, 2024
SHL alumna spotlight: LeKeitha Ward
My name is Lekeitha Ward, and I’m a proud spring 2012 ECU SHL Alumna. Born & raised in Fayetteville, I graduated from Lee Senior High in Sanford in 2007. After trying many intriguing courses in high school — theatre arts, culinary arts and an introduction to accounting — it was the calling to make sure books were properly balanced that pushed me to ECU’s College of Business.
I began as an accounting major, and halfway through my junior year, I had a quarter-life crisis and changed majors to Hospitality Management with a Lodging concentration. Serving as chapter president of NSMH took me through each delicate layer of what makes hospitality management the dynamic animal it is. It provided ample industry exposure and allowed me to intern with the Marriott Vacation Club on Hilton Head Island, SC.
After graduating in 2012, I began a bustling career with Marriott International at the Raleigh Marriott City Center and Marriott Vacation Club in Myrtle Beach, SC, in a front office capacity with guest services. This work was challenging, fast-paced and exciting, yet it quickly equipped me with the baseline career essentials such as inter-departmental communication, customer service & conflict resolution. Those skills proved critical upon moving back to NC from SC and entering the world of patient accounting.
I’ve transitioned from the payer space at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina to healthcare facilities, such as the Duke Eye Center, FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital and currently, Atrium Health. I’ve absorbed the complex intricacies of the healthcare revenue cycle and have a firm understanding of the fine line of providing meaningful patient interactions while protecting our company’s financial goals. As a patient accounts coordinator with Atrium Health at Home’s Infusion & Home Medical Equipment team, I can advocate for our patients while adhering to stringent billing protocols and insurance follow-up processes.
Hospitality Management laid the strong foundation I needed and gave me the confidence required to excel in my work and serve as an asset to my team. These days, I’ve moved back to Greenville with my fiance & two daughters and enjoy day trips to Wrightsville Beach and binging on the latest true crime series.
- Categories:
- Uncategorized