Jennifer Rae Schoenig, MBA, is the executive director at Long Island Spine Specialists in Commack, New York, where experienced spine experts who are fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeons and multi-board-certified physiatrists specialize in interventional pain management. With Ms. Schoenig at the helm of business-related operations, the team focuses on spine-related issues, including traumatic injuries and deformities, and possesses extensive expertise in all spinal conditions.
A proven leader for most of her career spanning more than 25 years and counting, in her current position at Long Island Spine Specialists, Ms. Schoenig is responsible for human resources, clinical management, and front-end research. Moreover, she reports to the board of directors and manages the practice’s finances while having a vital hand in marketing, payroll, insurance, and vendor contracts, holding monthly leadership meetings, and focusing on internal growth and mentorship, in addition to working to update the systems. Previously, Ms. Schoenig was a revenue cycle co-manager, team lead project management, and director of operations at Health Plus Management LLC for four years, during which she honed her invaluable and transferable project management and revenue cycle operations skills.
Even with everything she has accomplished, Ms. Schoenig views herself as just getting started. With a desire to continue her professional development, she hopes to advance her career at Long Island Spine Specialists and expand her professional reach overall within her industry. Her existing affiliation and solid rapport with a local hospital system allow her to interact with other executive colleagues, including presidents, chief executive officers, and chief marketing officers. She believes this exposure will offer valuable learning experiences and help her achieve her future goals.
Devoted to helping others achieve their dreams as well, Ms. Schoenig advises young aspiring and emerging professionals to develop a strong sense of self and avoid trying to become something they are not. To achieve true interpersonal understanding in professional settings, she also recommends treating others fairly by putting oneself in the other person’s position during conflicts and engaging accordingly. Other familiar jewels of wisdom she shares: “Think long term.”; “Sometimes you need to lose the battle to win the war.”; “You just do what you need to do to make a success out of yourself.”; “The only limits on life are the ones that you put on yourself.”; and “If you want it bad enough, you can make it happen!”
Preparing herself through higher education slightly later in her life to achieve greater professional success, Ms. Schoenig earned a Master of Business Administration in health care services management and business analytics from Hofstra University on Long Island in New York in 2024 after securing a Bachelor of Science in economics from the same institution in 1997. Impressively and with determination, she returned to school after three decades to earn both degrees, juggling full-time work with her studies. Ms. Schoenig recalls that she “kind of fell into her profession.” When she was a freshman in college, she applied for a receptionist position in a medical office. She later took on and excelled in other responsibilities. She felt health care was a stable field in which to work, because it is not as easily impacted by economic fluctuations. At the time of her graduation, the company offered her a full-time position she embraced and upon which she continued to build a career.
For all of her accomplishments, Ms. Schoenig is the most grateful to her mother, whom she says came of age when career choices for women were very limited. In this vein, Ms. Schoenig’s mother often emphasized the importance of education and self-reliance to instill in Ms. Schoenig from her youth the value of learning, acquiring skills, and never depending on anyone for financial stability. As the first person in her family to earn a four-year degree, she hopes to set a similar example for her two daughters. To maintain balance away from work, Ms. Schoenig cherishes spending time with her daughters and enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and working out.