Michelle Navarete was first in her immediate family to graduate high school.
She was the first in the extended family to graduate college—twice.
So, while her new job with Correctional Managed Care keeps her busy with training and learning new software, Navarrete is up to the challenges of her new position as quality management analyst.
“I’m still learning a little bit of everything,” Navarrete said. “I’ve worked with the data analysis team so far. Right now, quality management and risk analysis is who I’m currently sort of shadowing, helping and learning what they do.”
Navarrete, who has a master’s degree in health care administration from Texas Tech, started her last job at a psychology practice while she was an undergraduate.
“I started at the very bottom and then ended up as manager, so I could basically step into every role we had,” Navarrete said. “If anyone was ever out sick, I would step in.”
In her position at UTMB, she’s learning new skills with Power BI, a software program that uses organizational data to find insights and build charts and graphs.
“I love the atmosphere here and the fact that you have a say,” Navarrete said. “You can always give your opinion and they're willing to listen. And I like how it's structured. I'm very easily able to get in touch with my supervisor or anyone who is above me. They're all very helpful.”
As the daughter of immigrants—her mother is from Mexico and her father from El Salvador—Navarrete is deeply committed to seeing as much of the world as she can. She’s currently investigating a train trip across Canada and a trip to Maui.
Her passion for travel started when she studied abroad in Spain, and then her parents paid for her to travel in Europe for a few extra weeks. Last year, she traveled with her parents and sister to Greece, France and to her favorite city—Rome.
“I love the people and the food,” Navarrete said. “It’s just very welcoming. There’s always something new to experience there.”
When she’s not traveling, Navarrete spends her free time reading and trying new foods. Growing up in Conroe, Navarrete watched her father go from helper to building his construction business.
“I remember some tough times, but I also know what it’s like now,” Navarrete said. “Education and hard work were just always something they encouraged.”
In her new role, Navarrete will get to help other people going through difficult times, according to Denee’ Robison, regional nurse manager, Quality/Risk Management Operations and youth services director for the Department of Education and Professional Development.
“Michelle’s goal has been to go behind the scenes and be involved in health care delivery, how it can be improved for everyone involved and the latest advances and tools,” Robison said.