A special advertising section championing our local women in business. In partnership with Cox Communications. Photo by Jessica Whitley.

Macon Occupational Medicine

Chief Operating Officer

124 Third St., Macon, GA 31201  

478–751-2900  

bbassett@maconoccmedicine.org  

maconoccmedicine.org  

What is the mission of your business?

Our mission is to reduce unnecessary health and safety costs by integrating prevention, education and treatment while concurrently enhancing the health status of the workforce in Central and South Georgia.  

Your advice for women wanting to start their own business in Macon?

Prepare to work harder than you ever have!  

How do you define success?

Success is working through the hard things and coming out on the other side. It’s when you’re backed against a wall and don’t know how you’re going to get through it and yet you find a way, all while leading your team with positivity and grace.  

What are you most excited about right now in our community?

The revitalization of downtown Macon and continued economic growth with new companies to our area.  

You might be surprised to know:

We do more than just “drug screens.” Our company is one of the most comprehensive occupational medicine facilities in the country. Our program consists of treatment of workers’ compensation injuries, rehabilitation services (physical therapy, post offer placement evaluations, work conditioning programs, ergonomic evaluations, impairment evaluations, functional capacity evaluations, ergonomic and work safety evaluations), physical examinations (pre-employment, DOT, return to work, hazmat, respiratory), onsite health services, and onsite health and wellness clinics.  

What is the most gratifying part of your job?

As the Chief Operating Officer, I enjoy trying to improve everything I touch as well as helping the organization and our employees continue to grow.  

What has been the most challenging part of being a woman in business?

Coping with fear of failure, owning my accomplishments and navigating business and family.  

I admire women who:

Are comfortable in their confidence, authenticity and influence. Women with an ability to lead, women who see things differently, solve problems and who work hard.  

What was the best business advice you ever received?

This is a common piece of career advice, but a very valuable one: Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. Smart people make you smarter. They make you better!  

I hope more women will:

Set aside time for themselves. It is important to take of yourself. Naturally, as a female, raising a family, we focus on taking care of everyone else. Make choices and prioritize!  

How could women better support each other?

Bond with women over positives. Collaborate versus compete with against each other.  

I wish I had known:

Not to chase perfection! It can be destructive, both personally and professionally. It’s in the chaotic moments that we thrive and develop resilience.