As she grew within the industry, Dr. Vukotich went back to school to support her career growth and obtained her Master of Science degree in Health Care Administration, from Cal State Long Beach. Concurrently, her focus shifted, and she became focused on operational roles and executing strategic initiatives. As a result, her overall experience includes comprehensive managed care, Medicare, and Medicaid experience, focusing on membership growth, network development, and IPA operations. To support her commitment to learning and professional growth in a complex, healthcare delivery system, most recently she completed doctoral studies at USC’s Rossier School of Education, in Organizational Change and Leadership. During this time, she was consulting and working on an interim contracting project for the state of California. She is presently consulting, offering services to payers and providers: health plans, provider groups, management services organizations (MSO), and health systems. Her passion is developing strategy, leading execution, and driving corporate vision to improve healthcare delivery.

Upon completion of her research focused on the significance of leadership during health system mergers, Dr. Vukotich is working on transitioning back to an organizational role. Her focus is to identify a long-term leadership role with a health plan or provider where she will add value to a team as they collectively make a dent in the industry. She would also like to teach a university course as adjunct faculty while working full-time. Her past and present affiliations include vice president and member at large - CSULB Health Care Admin Alum Association, CSULB Department of Health Care Administration advisory board, a member at large, and fundraising committee for the Manhattan Beach Emergency Response Team, Women in Health Administration and the American College of Health Executives (ACHE). She has also supported the American Heart

Association, Red Cross, and USC Norris Cancer Center.