Since 2022, Susan B. Idicula, MBA-HM, has excelled as the director for value-based care and care coordination at UMC Health System in Lubbock, Texas. In this role, she oversees a team of five registered nurse care coordinators and remains responsible for delivering value-based care education across 21 primary care clinics each month. Her responsibilities include updating providers on quality metrics and performance benchmarks, reviewing data and analytics to guide provider engagement, and coordinating with clinic managers to address questions and needs. Under her leadership, the department has achieved improvements in Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set and Star quality ratings. Ms. Idicula considers building relationships with providers and earning their trust to be her most notable achievement, recognizing that regular face-to-face interaction is essential for fostering collaboration and driving positive change within the organization.
Prior to joining UMC Health System, Ms. Idicula found success as patient revenue cycle lead at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center from 2010 to 2015. During this time, she was recognized as Employee of the Month in 2014, reflecting her dedication to excellence in healthcare administration. Her earlier career began at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, where she worked as a laboratory client service specialist from 2002 to 2009 while pursuing her undergraduate studies. During her tenure at Covenant Medical Center, Ms. Idicula received the Pride Star of the Month Award multiple times between 2004 and 2007, highlighting her commitment to service and operational efficiency.
To support her professional ambitions, Ms. Idicula pursued an education at Texas Tech University, from which she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with minors in chemistry and human development studies in 2009. She subsequently concluded her formal studies at Western Governors University in 2022, graduating with a Master of Business Administration in health care administration and management. Ms. Idicula credits her academic achievements with equipping her with the analytical skills and foundational knowledge necessary for navigating the complexities of healthcare management.
Faith in God has served as the cornerstone of Ms. Idicula’s resilience, especially during challenging times when circumstances were beyond her control. The unwavering support of her husband along with encouragement from her mother and extended family, have played pivotal roles throughout her journey. Ms. Idicula believes strongly in treating others with kindness and goodwill, fostering reciprocal support within both professional and personal circles.
In addition to her primary work, Ms. Idicula is actively involved in civic organizations throughout Lubbock. She serves on the board for Ballet Lubbock and participates as a volunteer reader through United Way Lubbock Area programs. Her commitment to community service extends to volunteering with Trinity Church, South Plains Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House Lubbock and South Plains Children’s Shelter. At UMC Health System, she is also a member of the underwriting committee for the annual UMC Gala, which raises funds for the hospital and surrounding community.
As a testament to her stellar accomplishments, Ms. Idicula was presented with Level Five Leadership Award from UMC Health System in 2023. She was previously celebrated as the Employee of the Month at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in 2014. Moreover, Ms. Idicula was recognized with multiple Pride Star of the Month Awards at Covenant Medical Center between 2004 and 2007.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Ms. Idicula enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband and their twin daughters. The family values travel as an opportunity to expose their children to different cultures. At home, Ms. Idicula manages daily routines while supporting her daughters’ interests in orchestra and choir. She finds relaxation through flower arranging and has created arrangements for family weddings and special occasions upon request.
Looking toward the future, Ms. Idicula aims to leave every role better than she found it for those who follow after her. She aspires to advance into a vice president position or higher within healthcare administration while continuing to set an example for her daughters by balancing professional growth with family life. Ms. Idicula also hopes to maintain her ongoing commitment to further developing as a leader and maximizing the impact of value-based care within the hospital system through continuous learning and improvement.