Empowering Women: A Journey of Resilience and Success

Amanda Panell, SHRM-CP

Director, Human Resources, West and LifePoint Groups

As we approach Women's Equality Day, TeamHealth proudly reaffirms its commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace where every voice is valued and every contribution is celebrated. This day reminds us to recognize the trailblazing women who have paved the way for progress and to honor the everyday heroes who continue to champion gender equality in their roles. Amanda Panell, SHRM-CP, Director of Human Resources for the West and LifePoint Groups, recently reflected on the significance of this day. She shared her journey of overcoming significant challenges to earn an MBA. Amanda's story exemplifies resilience and determination in the face of personal loss and unexpected hardships.

Reflecting on Women's Equality Day

What does Women's Equality Day mean to you personally?
Women's Equality Day is a chance to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the women who fought for our right to vote and pave the way for the opportunities we have today. It's a day to celebrate how far we've come.

Professional Insights

Has your role shaped your perspective on equality?
As a woman in leadership at TeamHealth, this day is a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality in the workplace. It motivates me to continue advocating for fair pay, promotion opportunities, and dismantling bias. I am also grateful for the chance to mentor other women and help them achieve their full potential.

As a wife and mother, Women's Equality Day reminds me of the importance of setting a strong example for my family. I want my son to grow up in a world where gender doesn't limit dreams. It's a day to celebrate the strength and contributions of all the influential women in my life, including my family, mentors, and coworkers.

Academic Achievement and Motherhood

What life events and challenges shaped your educational and career path?

As a high school senior, I was excited to visit colleges and make plans for my future. My plans changed when I learned that I was expecting my oldest son, Hayden. Suddenly, my priorities changed to being the best mother I could be and providing the best start for him, which ultimately led to attendance at Cleveland State Community College vs. going away for school, primarily so that I had support from my parents and extended family.

After two years at Cleveland State, juggling work, school and motherhood became increasingly difficult, even with full support from my family. I decided to focus on work full time and began work as an ER Registrar at a local hospital.

Time passed quickly, and although my employer changed, I loved the healthcare industry and continued to postpone my education to accept a Practice Management role for a Knoxville-based physician group. I eventually landed at TeamHealth and quickly learned that my undergraduate work in Sociology paired well with my growing healthcare experience. I was hired as an HR Coordinator in 2007 and have earned increasing responsibility throughout my career at TeamHealth. In 2015, I studied for and passed the SHRM-CP exam, earning me additional credence as an expert in Human Resources.

Throughout this time, I always intended to go back to school, but something always seemed more important. I prioritized my husband and children, and by now I had two sons: Grayson was born in 2012. My priority was to focus on what they needed, as well as supporting my husband through two Navy Reserve deployments.

In 2016, my oldest son passed away unexpectedly, a devastating loss and unimaginable tragedy that still affects me greatly. The sudden loss of Hayden changed my perspective on grief, the power of love through grief, the fragility of life in general, and the importance of living every moment in our lives to the fullest. The strength of my community, including my TeamHealth family, was a lifeline of support during this time.

Suddenly, I became keenly aware of how quickly the best-laid plans can change, and how uncertainty in the future can help us treasure and appreciate life and time with our loved ones more.

Navigating Support Systems

How did you overcome obstacles to achieve your educational and career goals, and what inspired you to continue pursuing your studies despite challenges?

I attended the Tennessee SHRM Conference in 2018, where I learned about Western Governor's University (WGU) and its program to assist working adults in completion of a Bachelor's degree. I knew that with two previous years of college, I was close to an Associate's degree, and met with an advisor at Pellissippi State Community College where I learned about the Tennessee Promise Scholarship, a program that allows TN students to attend community colleges at no cost to them. I quickly completed the three classes left for me to earn my Associate's Degree and graduated in December of 2018.

I intended to apply to WGU in January 2020 but was thrilled to be promoted to Director of Human Resources for TeamHealth's West Group in late 2019. I was excited to focus my attention on this new role, which was a personal career goal for me. Soon after, the COVID pandemic changed our workplace and personal lives in a way that no one expected, and my academic goals were again delayed.

I applied to WGU in 2021 and graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Human Resource Management in December of 2022. 2022 was filled with late nights, early mornings, and almost all my free time was consumed with coursework. I am so thankful for the support of my husband, my manager, Nancy Nagdeman, my team, and my extended family for gifting me with the time I needed to accomplish this goal. I could not have completed my degree without their support.

Shortly after graduation, I still felt the familiar tug to further my education, although I had never dreamed of a graduate degree in my future. The WGU community is incredibly supportive, and I knew that it was possible given the experiences of other women like me, working mothers and wives with extensive responsibilities outside of attending school.

I am proud to say that I graduated with my Master of Business Administration this year, having accomplished an educational goal that I could not have fathomed as a young woman. Throughout this process, making my children proud was a deeply personal motivating factor, and I was pleased to give Grayson an example of meeting personal and professional goals after experiencing unexpected hardships and life-changing events.

Learning to live with loss and finding ways to persevere can be a testament to the human spirit's resilience. I am proud that I never gave up on my dream of continuing education, even though the road was long, winding, and filled with obstacles. If I can do it, anyone can, and I hope my story provides hope for anyone with personal goals that have been delayed due to life's circumstances.

Advancing Equality Together

This day is not just a moment to reflect on the strides we've made towards gender equality but also a call to action for the work that remains. At TeamHealth, we believe that when women thrive, our entire organization and community benefit. Our Women in Leadership Resource Group is dedicated to supporting and mentoring employees toward professional and personal success. Join us in celebrating the achievements of women past and present, and in advocating for a future where equality is not just an aspiration but a reality.

Learn more about TeamHealth's commitment to equity and diversity.

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