Kimberly Knight


Mayo Clinic Labs @Work

Thousands of people in hundreds of different roles work at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. Mayo Clinic Labs @Work offers a glimpse behind the scenes into this busy reference laboratory, featuring staff from throughout the organization talking about what they do and why they do it.

1.

What brought you to Mayo Clinic, and how long have you worked here?


Almost eight years ago, we had a corporate-level business contraction at my previous employer, and I was laid off. Since it was the kind of place where people worked until they retired, I was very concerned I wouldn’t be able to find another environment like that. It took months because I was intentional in finding the right place to land and grow versus just getting another job. That decision paid off BIG time. Mayo Clinic is everything I was looking for and so much more.

Kimberly Knight

2.

What’s your current role and what does a typical workday look like for you?


I’m currently a national accounts executive. Basically, I’m tasked with engagement and strategic alignment between health system C-suite leadership and Mayo Clinic Laboratories. I work with our internal teams and our clients to see where and how we can connect in different ways to secure new or support ongoing business relationships. More simply put, our team helps our clients see why laboratory testing is incredibly important at the highest levels of the organization, and more specifically, “Why Mayo Clinic Laboratories” when they’re looking at their budgets.

3.

How do you think your work benefits providers and patients?


My role is very solutions focused. Our clients have complex problems, and my role is to find ways to make that complexity simpler and leverage our amazing teams to provide tangible solutions. I get to connect so many patients to Mayo Clinic via testing. And we get to deliver the best care in the world in partnership with our clients without patients ever having to leave their hometown.

4.

Is there anything about you or your job that others might find surprising?


It takes a lot of work to prepare for 60 to 90 minutes of time with a client. Lots of research, meetings, and going down every possible road in case a client brings up a specific question, concern, or interest. A bunch of scripting and then pulling it all back to give the client room to speak and share what matters most to them. Also, I’m an introvert in a sales role. I never saw that coming but here we are.

5.

Which part(s) of your job is the most challenging, and why?


They’re constantly changing, but the biggest challenges are tied to helping clients see the value of the investments they make in their laboratory at a time when financial and human talent struggles are affecting just about every health system in our country.

I view our challenges as puzzles to be solved. Some days there are barriers outside of our control that make the puzzles difficult to work through, but I believe they can be tackled in some way. The solution may not be what we initially thought, but I’m focused on finding a win for both the client and for Mayo Clinic Laboratories every time.

6.

What gives you meaning and purpose in your work?


The patient and our team. I get to do this job and I have the best support in the world. It’s a privilege to represent Mayo Clinic Laboratories every time I engage a client. I’m so proud of what our team does, and I always try to find a way to highlight the dedication that our staff in Rochester devotes to treating every sample as a real Mayo Clinic patient. I don’t brag about standings — I brag about all of you and what you do every day. Thanks for making that easy and fun.

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