A Tennessee woman considers herself an asset to the state’s multi-million dollar health care program.   

Janice Smith, 44, of Hendersonville, Tenn., strives for nothing less than success in her profession.  Smith is a senior systems business analyst for Electronic Data Systems (EDS).  She has been proving herself to the company through dedication, leadership and with knowledge for 23 years.
   
EDS is a leading global technology service company that delivers a broad portfolio of information technology and business process services to clients in various industries and to governments around the world, according to their website.
   
Smith focuses on Tennessee’s TennCare Management Information System (TCMIS).  TCMIS was developed and managed for the state’s Medicaid program.  TennCare provides health care services for over 1 million Tennesseans.

“I am one of the few people who have complete system knowledge of Medicaid, regarding state and federal requirements,” Smith said.

Smith develops plans for changes to the TennCare system.  She reviews test scenarios to insure the appropriate changes are made to the system and troubleshoot problems within it.  She said she is the liaison between the system engineers and the TennCare business users.

If her job wasn’t done properly, the results would be “pretty much a domino effect.”  If there is a fall in the design or a coding error in the program, usually more than one issue occurs.   

During her 23 years experience, Smith has realized how much the company benefits from her.

“Even though anyone can be replaced, I do feel my technical and analytical ability is of great value to the company.  I think they would have a difficult time without me,” Smith said.

Smith says she isn’t one to gloat but she does feel she is a valued employee.  

“The most important thing I offer EDS is my knowledge of the Medicaid/TennCare business.  I would also have to say my dedication,” Smith said.

She would bet money that her coworkers would agree.

“I think they [coworkers] would say I am a well respected individual that they can come to for assistance at any time.  I am very good at my job,” Smith said.

Smith didn’t plan on implementing systems for a living.  She went to school to become a secretary.

“Back then, that is just what women did,” Smith said.

Looking back, though, she said she would have liked to work with special needs children.

“I think it would have been a very rewarding career.  Just by doing small things I could have made a difference in so many people’s lives,” Smith said.