The Unsung Hero Award from the Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA) recognizes an individual from across Iowa who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to their health center’s mission and makes meaningful contributions to patients and colleagues, often behind the scenes and without public recognition.
At Promise Community Health Center, one such unsung hero has spent more than a decade making a difference through her expertise, dedication, and genuine care for others. Carrie Vander Schaaf, Promise’s Revenue Cycle Specialist, has been honored with the Iowa PCA Unsung Hero Award for her outstanding contributions to Promise Community Health Center and the patients and communities it serves.
Carrie joined Promise more than ten years ago as a Finance Specialist and has since taken on many responsibilities, growing into her current role in revenue cycle management. While much of her work happens behind the scenes, her impact reaches throughout the organization, helping ensure Promise can continue providing quality, accessible health care to its patients.
Carrie’s exceptional attention to detail and commitment to excellence are evident in every aspect of her work. She has processed hundreds of thousands of claims while maintaining a remarkably low denial rate—the lowest among facilities in the region using the Athena health care management system. Her diligence helps keep Promise compliant, ensures billing processes run smoothly, and supports the financial stability needed to serve the community.
Beyond her daily responsibilities, Carrie is a proactive problem-solver who consistently looks for ways to improve processes and address challenges. She is often the first to identify issues involving Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and works to keep other health centers informed of important developments. Her willingness to share knowledge and develop creative solutions benefits not only Promise but other health centers working through similar challenges.
Her commitment to patients continues to grow. Carrie recently completed the SHIIP Counselor Program for Medicare and plans to begin meeting with patients to help them better understand their Medicare insurance options. She finds fulfillment in helping people navigate complicated health care decisions, making a process that can feel overwhelming more manageable and less intimidating.
Carrie’s caring spirit is also reflected in the time she gives beyond her job. She makes baby bonnets and blankets for Promise’s newborn patients, donating each one as a heartfelt gift. This thoughtful gesture reflects the same kindness she brings to her work every day—a reminder that even small acts of care can make a meaningful difference in a family’s life.
Within Promise, Carrie is much more than a skilled and dependable colleague. She is a trusted friend whose faith, positivity, intelligence, and strong work ethic uplift those around her. She works seamlessly with staff across departments, from the front office and nursing teams to providers and administrators. Her willingness to help, encourage others, and share her knowledge makes her an invaluable part of the Promise family.
Carrie exemplifies what it means to be an unsung hero. Through her behind-the-scenes expertise, dedication to solving problems, and compassion for patients and colleagues, she helps make Promise’s mission possible every day. Her work may not always be visible to the community, but its impact is felt throughout the organization and in the lives of the people Promise serves.