Meet HealthNet's New COO
Tell us more about you.
I was born in a little town called Helena, Arkansas. We moved to Kansas City for my father to pastor our church when I was two. Before Indianapolis and HealthNet, I lived and worked in Palm Springs, CA.
My parents are Rev. C.L. and Wilma Bachus. They’ve been married for 58 years. I am the youngest of five children. Two of my brothers are pastors, one is a retired firefighter and my sister is CEO of a FQHC in Chicago.
Mother of two adult sons, Darrian Flint 27 and DeAris Flint 24. Grandmother of two: Darrian Flint Jr. age 5 and Niyla Flint age 3 (both Darrian’s children).
Where did you grow up, and what was the best part of growing up there?
I grew up in Kansas City, KS. The best part of growing up there was and still is my church. My father is a pastor and my life literally revolved around my church and activities that stemmed from there and sister churches.
Where did you go to college, what did you study/get a degree in?
I graduated from Washburn University, Topeka, KS with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. My master’s degree in Health Law is from Loyola Law School in Chicago, IL. I didn’t go to law school when I finished college as my dad encouraged me to because I had two small children and needed to start working so the health law degree allowed me to connect my healthcare career to one of my strong areas of interest.
When you’re not at work, what are friends and family most likely to find you doing with your spare time? Why?
Reading. I started reading constantly when I was in grade school and have never stopped. Now I am almost always reading three books at one time. One fiction, one spiritual and one career/work related.
Why did you choose this line of work?
After working in banking and mortgage financing for many years, I worked on a project for Swope Health Services while actually working full time in hospital staffing and absolutely fell in love with community health. When the VP, Operations (Jimmy Brown) needed a project coordinator, I went to work there full time and knew within a few months that I wanted to be a healthcare operations leader long term.
Why did you choose HealthNet?
I came to HealthNet after working in for profit healthcare for several years to broaden my healthcare experience. I knew that my heart was in community health and when I had the opportunity to come back home to community health at HealthNet it was a “must do”. It is one of the best career and life decisions I’ve made. HealthNet is such a phenomenal organization and we change lives every day. I am truly blessed to carry out my mission through the work I do here with the talented providers and staff we have here.
What would people at work be surprised to know or learn about you?
I try not to drive a car or do much of anything on Saturdays. This is the one day I have for myself and I try to take advantage of it and get some rest and renewal for the week ahead.
Did you ever seriously consider another career path? What was it?
I knew in high school that I wanted to pursue a business degree although I considered going to cosmetology school first and getting the business degree second. I changed my mind and decided to get the degree first.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
If I could learn to do anything it would be to learn to sew and design clothes. This would have to be done in my spare time because my career is my true passion.
Favorite movie or TV show?
My favorite TV shows are Property Brothers on HGTV and Chopped on Food Network. I love home decorating and cooking.
Favorite snack food?
Chips and Salsa. (all day every day)
Favorite genre of music, song or artist?
My favorite music types are Gospel and R&B.
Current obsession or guilty pleasure?
SHOES!!!!
Where do you want to be in 5 years, and what do you want to be doing?
In five years, I hope to be still helping lead HealthNet. With all of the continued changes and challenges in healthcare, I hope to be on the front line in navigating us through those changes.
What are your favorite things to do around town?
I like to take walks downtown and I also like to try new and different restaurants.
If money was no object, what would you be doing?
I would still be working at HealthNet but I would also have a non-profit home for single mothers who need a home with full support to pursue their dreams. I suddenly became a single parent when my sons were 2 and 5, and I was fortunate to have a family that was in position to support me through finishing college and pursuing my career goals. I would love to be able to give that freedom and support to young mothers who don’t have the type of support system I was blessed to have.