Engaging With the Executive: Tracy Hickman, Assistant Vice President of Commercial Client and Support Services for Companion Data Services
Each issue of Communique will highlight an executive in one of our line of business. We hope you will get to know the executives a little better, both professionally and personally.
This month, we introduce you to Tracy Hickman. She is the assistant vice president of commercial client and support services for Companion Data Services. She has been with the company for eight years.
- 1.
Tell us about your first job.
I had done some house cleaning, babysitting, dog walking - those types of things - since age 12. My first real job was a waitress at Steak 'n Shake when I was 16. It was my first exposure to a wide range of people with different cultures, beliefs, philosophies and ages. I found it fascinating to see so many perspectives. That really opened my eyes and shaped how I view people and how I want to treat them.
- 2.Describe some of your hobbies or interests outside of work. I'm old-school when it comes to books. I still love going to bookstores, browsing the shelves and buying physical copies. There's something special about holding a book in your hands, flipping through the pages and discovering something new.
- 3.What's your favorite food? If it's from a restaurant, which one? Shapiro's Delicatessen in Indianapolis, Indiana, has the best corned beef sandwiches. My grandmother first took me there when I was 8 years old, and it is my favorite spot. Every time I go back home, I make sure to visit.
- 4.What's your favorite movie, and why? My favorite move is "Alien." Ellen Ripley is the ultimate sci-fi icon. She's tough, intelligent and fearless. Her character captures everything I love about science fiction and horror: high-stakes tension, smart storytelling and a strong dose of common sense.
- 5.What's your favorite book, and why? That's a tough one. I read hundreds of books over the years. My favorite right now is "Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table." The table represents the mind, where thoughts and doubts are formed. The enemy represents things that disrupt your peace. I value peace of mind more than anything else.
- 6.Tell us about your favorite sports team. I love my hometown teams: the Indianapolis Pacers and Indianapolis Colts.
- 7.Describe one or more of your pet peeves. I don't like ambiguity. I value clarity, structure and efficiency. Ambiguity slows progress, creates uncertainty and can make simple choices feel complicated.
- 8.Based on your experience, what are three keys to success for employees early in their careers? 1. Embrace change 2. Seek knowledge 3.Adapt
- 9.Whom do you admire most, and why? I admire my husband. When we moved from Indianapolis to Columbia, he was approaching retirement. That's a time when many settle into routine, but he embraced the change with openness and grace. Now he is retired, and we've moved to Dallas, Texas. He's already looking forward to catching a Cowboys game, and he's still rolling with me. His willingness to grow, adapt and support our journey is something I deeply respect. In a world that often resists change, his strength and support are what I admire most.
- 10.Tell us about your greatest achievement. Well, I hope I am not done accomplishing things! Here are a few things I've done along the way:
- Building self-confidence- I wasn't born that way.
- Learning to set boundaries- I put others before myself for a long time.
- Prioritizing my mental health- Removing noise is hard for me.
Welcome to Blue! New Employee onboarding Program for private Business
Finding your way at a new job can be tough. To help employees more easily fit into their new roles and to ease stress, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina started its onboarding program.
Research found that many member who called in had their calls transferred several times. Some employees were not able to answer member questions due to the complexity of insurance. Turnover was a big part of these issues. Employees weren't staying long enough in their roles. Many felt they lacked a solid understanding of the basics of insurance and the role they played in supporting our members. BlueCross saw this as a chance to bridge the gap between customer experience and employee experience.
Wanda Jett, director of customer experience, said, "The onboarding program is made available to all Private Business full-time employees. Most new hires are new to BlueCross, with limited to no health insurance background. This program acclimates our new employees. We also see 'boomerang' employees who have returned to BlueCross. It provides a foundation to understand our brand, the people we support and how their roles contribute to the overall experience. This program is primarily in person, but we provide a virtual program for those outside a 50-mile radius, as well."
The program lasts 2.5 days. It covers these key topics:
- Day 1: Learn about insurance history, the BlueCross brand and our customers. Take a tour of the building.
- Day 2: Discover how the teams at BlueCross work together. Understand your role and how it helps customers.
- Day 3: Focus on the employee journey and customer experience. Learn how customers connect with us. Explore digital tools and wellness services. Hear real member calls.
The last part of day 3 includes Module 4. Employees take quizzes, join group talks and work on examples to use what they've learned.
Since its start in March, the program has helped more than 350 new hires get started at BlueCross. The program supports them as they grow and learn. It helps them connect the dots and ensures they have a firm foundation to build on.
Well done, onboarding program graduates. Welcome to Blue!
International African American Museum Memberships
At the site of the historic Gadsden's Wharf in Charleston, the International African American Museum (IAAM) serves to empower people with knowledge of the past. The IAAM both teaches and inspires through stories of the African American journey. Time magazine named it one of the world's greatest places of 2024.
The IAAM is home to 12 exhibits. One of them changes two to three times each year. Guests can go beyond the exhibits to learn more through public programs and events.
The IAAM lets guests choose how they wants to explore.
Its core exhibits help guests learn of the people and events that shaped the U.S. through the lens of the descendants of the people of Africa. These exhibits show the impact of the enslaved people who labored throughout South Carolina. Its digital exhibits help those who can't make it in person connect with the IAAM and its stories.
In the center for Family History, guests can trace their own families' past. Outside, the African Ancestors Memorial Garden spreads across the grounds. It gives guests a chance to reflect on the history of Gadsden's Wharf. That's the place where thousands of enslaved Africans first arrived in the U.S. It's a site of trauma transformed into a place of truth and healing. The garden is free and open to the public.
Now through Dec. 31, the IAAM is offering discounts to BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina employees:
- Get 10 percent off annual memberships with promo code IAAM10.
- Get 22 percent off admission for up to four tickets with promo code IAAMBCBS25.
The museum recommends booking tickets ahead of time. To learn more, visit www.IAAMuseum.org.
National Women in Business Day
Sept. 22 is American Business Women's Day. This day honors that hard work and success of women in business. It also marks that start of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA), which began in 1949. The ABWA helps women learn, lead and grow through support and training.
On this day, we focus on supporting women in business. We also look at ways to make work fair for all. Today, woman own 36 percent of small business around the world. Their work grow economies and builds strong communications.
In the insurance industry, 59 percent of workers are women. At BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, 75 percent of our workforce as women.
Give a shoutout to a woman you know in business. And cheer on these leaders in your area!
Let's celebrate the hard work that has been done and aim for continued progress for the next generation.
To learn more, visit www.abwa.org
From the BlueCross Blog: Bringing Care to the Classroom: Strengthening Student Health Across South Carolina
South Carolina schools are stepping up to support health through programs that deliver care directly where kids learn. From dental screenings to mental health services, these efforts remove barriers and help with children thrive in and beyond the classroom.
Read the full blog post here https://www.southcarolinablues.com/web/public/brands/sc/blog/categories/foundation/2025/care-in-classroom-sc/
Monthly Health:
Stay Healthy This Cold and Flu Season
This moment you get that scratchy feeling in your throat, you know what's coming: You've caught a cold or maybe even the flu. But which is it, and how should you handle it? Here's are some tips help you diagnose and treat your illness.
Colds are likely to include these symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Congestion
- Sore throat
- Cough
If you have a cold, drink plenty of fluids and get your rest.
Flu often includes these symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Headache
If you believe you have the flu, talk to your doctor about antiviral drugs. These prescription medications can be used to treat the flu and work best when taken as soon as possible.
Contact your doctor if you are concerned about your symptoms. Seek emergency care if you have trouble breathing, experience pain or pressure in your chest, feel confused or unable to stay awake, or if your lips or face appear bluish in color.
Why not avoid all these symptoms completely? There are many commonsense steps you take to prevent catching a bug in the first place.
Avoid Germs
Illnesses such as the flu and the common cold are spread by germs passed from a sick person to healthy person. Germs can spread through the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes or through a frequently touched surface, such as a doorknob. That's why it's important to wash your hands often.
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and water. Take your time and scrub your palms, the backs of your hands, between the fingers and under the fingernails. You don't need antibacterial soap-regular liquid or bar soap will work just fine. Any water temperature will do.
Be sure to wash your hands:
- After using the restroom.
- Before eating and before, during and after food preparation.
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick.
- After touch garbage.
- Before and after treating a cut or wound.
If you can't get to a sink, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
Along with keeping your hands clean, follow these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to slow the spread the germs:
- Don't get close to people who are sick. If you are sick, protect others by staying home.
- Prevent the airborne spread of germs by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into the crook of your arm. Avoid using your hand, because that will cause you to spread germs to everything you touch.
- Never touch your face without washing your hands first. Illness can spread easily through the eyes, nose or mouth.
- If someone in your household is sick, clean and disinfect frequently touch surfaces to eliminate germs.
- Give your immune system a boost by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, drink lots of water, and eat nutritious foods.
Get Vaccinated
Vaccines are effective in preventing the flu. Serious cases of the flu can result in hospitalization or even death, which is why it's so important to get your annual vaccination. Vaccines work. The CDC reports that, in the United States during the 2022-2023 flu season, vaccines prevented an estimated:
- 6 million flu-related illnesses.
- 2.9 million flu-associated medical visits.
- 65,000 flu-related hospitalization.
- 3,700 flu-related deaths.
The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu shot each year.
This cold and flu season, keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy by getting vaccinated and slowing the spread of germs.
The CDC notes that COVID-19 infections are growing in South Carolina. As we approach the fall season, we are likely to see the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise. If you are concerned about COVID 19, ask your doctor about preventive or treatment options.
The center for Disease Control and Prevention is an independent organization that provides health information you may find helpful.
