As we continue our celebration of Black History Month, we’re excited to introduce another Black history maker here at Aveanna. Domerio Martin, Senior Payer Relations Manager, is committed to personal and professional growth and has forged his own path to help our patients and team members.
I'm proud to be an African American male. Understanding the history of the economic, political, and social barriers faced by many, it’s humbling to be in a position where I am in the room where important decisions are made, bringing an element of diversity and a different lens to the dynamic.
I started out at Aveanna in an entry level position as a client services coordinator, shortly after became a client services supervisor, then an operations manager. There wasn’t a regional/area level operations director role at the time, but that’s what I wanted to do. I worked with leadership to create the position SE PA. Then in 2019, I moved into my current role with the new payer relations department and have been helping grow this team.
It's a fun job. I love what I do. I love the services we provide which help all our patients meet their goals and be part of their communities. I’m very fortunate to have been challenged in my work here at Aveanna and be able to create my own way. I went through uncharted territory and carved my own path.
I don’t worry about things I can’t control. I walk into the room with confidence, knowing that I can contribute. I know who I am and what I can do. I can’t control my race, the society I live in, or the racist mindset of some people I run into. But I can control where I put my focus and effort. I believe being successful doesn’t require more energy, it requires focusing on the things that will help you become a higher version of yourself. I focus on why I am here, what I am doing, and how I can help more people. Everything else is just noise.
A lot of people at Aveanna have inspired my journey. The environment of the company itself is inspiring. We’re focused on growing and moving forward. I recently joined the national DEI working committee for Aveanna. To express all sides of yourself at your job is a unique opportunity. We discuss how to create a better, more welcoming and inclusive culture and help others get what they need to move forward. Things are moving, and it’s exciting.
On the surface, inclusion is ensuring a sense of belonging and openness to provide access regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. But my mind goes beyond that to equity. Simply allowing someone in the room isn’t always enough. People have different needs. We must understand those needs and help our team members take the next step. I like what we are building here at Aveanna and I’m excited to move towards a more inclusive equitable future.