Kristen Isenberg doesn't believe in standing on the sidelines of life. She's been skydiving, diving with sharks and spelunking to see a 1,000-year-old Mayan skeleton. She has performed in plays since elementary school, has written a screenplay and is even a member of the Screen Actors Guild. She has lived in 10 different cities around the world.

And though she loves a personal life full of challenge and variety, Isenberg said that healthcare is one place she plans to stay for the long term. 

"I wasn't looking for a job in this industry specifically, but healthcare found me, and I feel very fortunate that it did," she said. "I've seen so many changes over these past 15 years — 12 with Texas Health, then Southwestern Health Resources. I've witnessed how much better care can be when a practice has the right support — for both the doctor and the patient. Being a part of that has been both exciting and rewarding."

As Senior Director of Network Development for Southwestern Health Resources (SWHR), Isenberg oversees the growth and development of the SWHR network of providers, which includes primary care and specialty physicians, as well as ancillary providers. In addition, she supervises the data management and payor relations activities that support network providers.

The uncharted territories she faces in her position provide Isenberg with the same type of motivation and excitement she craves in her personal life. "It's exciting to be able to effect change in all of these different areas," she said. "The greatest part is that Southwestern Health Resources is a new entity, and we're in the process of building our infrastructure and our network. Knowing the ultimate goal and witnessing us get there step by step — that's exhilarating for me." 

Isenberg is constantly challenged with new issues to tackle. "I may not know much about them initially, but I have the opportunity to learn and grow as a result," she said. "Then I lead and empower my teams to do the same. And part of what we do is staying current with the industry. It's constantly evolving, and we have to evolve with it." 

Leadership from the top down invests not only financially in all employees, but also in their talent and potential — clearly demonstrating what we as a company want to accomplish while also valuing each person's contribution.

Being able to grow as an organization requires a culture willing to embrace change and cooperation — and SWHR has both in spades, Isenberg said. "It's a total team atmosphere. Leadership from the top down invests not only financially in all employees, but also in their talent and potential — clearly demonstrating what we as a company want to accomplish while also valuing each person's contribution. It's important to point out that all of the people I work with are exceptional in their roles, and I couldn't do my job without the talent that we have in this organization."

Isenberg pointed out excellent leadership, ambitious goals and dramatic growth as the foundation for an organization poised to make its mark in the healthcare industry.

"Healthcare is going to continue changing and evolving, and this company is at the forefront of those changes," she said. "We're the premier Next Generation Accountable Care Organization in the country. We have so much to offer, and we're primed to be the healthcare company of choice. It's the perfect time and place for anyone who has a passion for healthcare."