A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION CHAMPIONING OUR LOCAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS. PHOTOGRAPY BY JESSICA WHITLEY.

OrthoGeorgia

Director of Human Resources

3708 Northside Drive, Macon

478-745-4206

tanderson@orthoga.org

orthoga.org

What is the mission of your business, and how did that shift during the pandemic?

Our mission is to work together to build an organization of the highest quality for present and future patients, our physicians and staff. During the pandemic, we offered Telehealth to our patients to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19. We faced many challenges during this pandemic, from how our patients received care, to our finances, but our physicians committed to our employees that we would not have furloughs or layoffs. The way we did business changed, but our commitment to each other and our community never wavered. 

You might be surprised that: Over the course of the past year, our 26 surgeons, 28 physician assistants and nurse practitioners and 28 physical and occupational therapists at OrthoGeorgia had treatment encounters with more than 241,000 patients from 141 Georgia counties and 41 states.

What was the best business advice you ever received?

Not to be motivated by pride and ego, but to be motivated by being of service to others.

Looking back, I wish i knew:That I was already enough, that I didn’t need to do or be anything else but myself.

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

Find something that you are passionate about and do your research. If you can’t connect with something you are passionate about, then find a need in your community and work to meet that need. Perhaps there’s a gap in services and you can find a way to fill that gap. You must follow up your passion by doing your research.

How do you define success?

My definition of success is achieving whatever makes you happy and makes you feel whole. I define success as happiness and wholeness within.

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

I am excited about how our community has come together to support and strengthen each other during this pandemic. The generosity in our community has been outstanding.

What is the most gratifying part of your job?

The most gratifying part of my job is that I get to make a difference in the lives of others. Providing career opportunities changes the lives of those in Central Georgia. By enriching the lives of our employees, we are also strengthening our community.

I admire women who: know their value. Women who never give up and keep putting one foot in front of the other, despite the challenges. Women who show up as their authentic self and who are unapologetic for who they are. Women who understand the value of mentorship and giving back to others. Women who know who they are and value their worth. I also admire women who understand the importance of self-care.

I hope more women will: Stop feeling like they have to do it all. We don’t have to strive to be Wonder Woman, we already are. Our contributions to society are immeasurable. I hope more women will come to know their value and ask for what they are worth.

How can women better support each other?

By not competing with each other. We should never be in competition with each other. I am only in competition with myself. The challenge is to accept who you are and to be honest and transparent with each other. We should be a village for each other, supporting each other in every way we can.

How can men better support women business owners/leaders?

By recognizing the challenges women face and by supporting them.