athenista Spotlight: Meet Tom Cady
He heads the team responsible for giving clients a strong start with athenaNet®. But you can also catch him on the hockey rink year-round, at Friday family movie night, or dreaming about an Alaskan cruise with the whole family. Meet Tom Cady, this month’s featured athenista.
athenaPulse: Tell us about your position at athenahealth.
Tom Cady: I lead the Professional Services team. Our team helps clients implement athenaNet from the time they sign on with us until about 30-60 days after they go live. At that point, they get transferred to Client Operations for any support they need.
aP: What do you do in a typical day at work?
TC: There are always meetings. I meet with other athenahealth leaders to manage the overall operations of the company. I also do forecasting, meet with staff internally, and talk to clients on a regular basis. For example, this afternoon I have a standing phone call with a client to review progress on the implementation.
aP: What was the most challenging project you worked on at athenahealth?
TC: I’ve been at athenahealth for over five years. Before my current role, I was the Regional VP of Northeast Sales. One of my most challenging projects was a 20-month-long bid for a client’s business. They were (and still are) one of our biggest clients. The best part – after the client signed the contract – was coming back to the athenahealth office and being greeted by a group of people and a bottle of champagne.
aP: If someone gave you a million dollars, how would you spend it?
TC: This is probably boring, but first I’d take my whole extended family on a vacation of a lifetime. Maybe a cruise somewhere we’ve never been, like Alaska. Then I’d make sure my kids were set up for college. It’s still early, since they’re 12, 11 and 8 years old. If I had any left over I’d probably pay my house off.
aP: What was your first job (ever)?
TC: When I was 16 my brother got me a summer job as a shipper/receiver for an industrial supplier. It was backbreaking work. I moved huge gears, wheels, blades... all equipment used by heavy industry. And I vividly remember my first paycheck: $96. Yes, that was per week.
aP: If your office were on fire, what is the one thing you would grab on your way out?
TC: I have a little radio that’s shaped like a knight in armor. My grandmother gave it to me for Christmas when I was 7 or 8. It has sentimental value – and it’s right by the office door so it would be easy to grab!
aP: Your favorite “athenahealth moment?”
TC: I have so many. But my first one was about 3 weeks after I started in 2002. We were at the company’s retreat in New Hampshire. After dinner, Todd Park (one of athenahealth’s founders) did a passionate toast/story about why we’re in this business that really moved everyone. I realized right then that I had come to work for the right company.
aP: Favorite way to unwind after work?
TC: In the beginning of the week, I play in a hockey league. It’s a lot of fun. At the end of the week, I look forward to Family Movie Night. We do it with popcorn and beanbag chairs – I really enjoy it.
