Amanda Nelms – College Grove, Tennessee
WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION?
Corporate Managed Care Manager
WHERE DO YOU WORK?
Acadia Healthcare
WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL?
TELL US ABOUT A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOU.
I support the managed care sector in a network of mental health and addiction treatment facilities who provide care for patients of all ages. It is my responsibility to manage and evaluate the managed care contracting needs of each facility and managed care readiness for key healthcare initiatives.
HOW HAS THE CORONAVIRUS AFFECTED YOUR JOB?
COVID-19 has affected our facilities in numerous ways. The number of patients in our facilities has and will continue to drastically increase during this pandemic. We are seeing an increase in relapse and the need for behavioral health due to those who suffer from mental or behavioral illness. They are especially vulnerable during this crisis. We also anticipate increased demand on freestanding behavioral health facilities as medical hospitals convert their psychiatric units to special quarantined units to treat COVID-19 patients. Our facilities are converting to telehealth options to provide continual care to our patients so this has been a quick transition that both facilities and payors are having to adjust.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE HORSE BUSINESS AND/OR HOW ARE YOU RELATED TO THE TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE INDUSTRY?
I'm married to Walking Horse Trainer, Robert Nelms who operates as Nelms Training Facility specializing in halter colts and model horses in College Grove.
DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE HORSES IN TRAINING AND IF SO WHO ARE THEY AND WHO IS YOUR TRAINER?
Currently no horses in training other than the colts we raise.
TELL US ABOUT A SPECIAL HORSE RELATED MEMORY WHETHER IN THE RING, ON THE TRAIL OR AT THE BARN?
Oh wow, so many special memories in the ring! My all time favorite horse was "Good Luck Chuck" who we showed during the 2010 show season in the yearling class. Some of the top memories would be of course watching Robert wear the roses in the big ring at the Celebration in the weanling and yearling World Grand Championships. It was also really special to see him make history by winning the model mare, model gelding and model stallion classes at the 2018 Celebration.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PERSONAL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PASS ALONG TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY?
The best words of encouragement I could share during this pandemic are words from the Bible. When in doubt, turn your troubles to the Lord. He will always listen to our needs.
"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you." Isaiah 43:2
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
"You may not understand now what I am doing, but someday you will." John 13:7