Thank you so much for
taking the time to learn more about me and Children’s Specialized Hospital. I’m
Amy Mansue, President and Chief Executive Officer at Children’s Specialized Hospital,
the nation’s largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital. I have the privilege of
working with an extremely talented team of staff, clinicians, and therapists
who provide specialized care for children.
Why Children’s
Specialized?
Children’s Specialized
really found me, not the other way around. While serving as President & CEO
of HIP of New Jersey, I worked with one of the Children’s Specialized Board
Members. They recruited me to the Board in 1996 and I served until 1999.
In 2003, Children’s
Specialized Hospital faced a devastating loss—the current CEO, Charles (Rex)
Riley passed unexpectedly. They began to search for his replacement, and I was
told by many that there was no way they would hire anyone who didn’t have children’s
hospital experience. I still wanted to take a shot at it because I so believed
in the work done at Children’s Specialized and I don’t like being discounted
before I have a shot to prove myself.
So, I took a shot. I
listened to what kind of person they were looking for. The hospital had just
undergone major organizational changes in both culture and structure, and they
were looking for someone who would lead and guide, not make more
changes.
That’s where I came in. I
knew that the talent and mission were here, and I wanted to find a way to help. And here I am – 11 years later – working among an
amazing group of people.
The College Days
I started my college
career as a political science major, but received my bachelor’s degree in
social welfare and master’s degree in social work, planning, and management
from the University of Alabama. It’s not uncommon to see me wearing my Alabama
gear during the football season, as I’m a HUGE college football fan. Roll tide!
I had a huge passion for
public policy – how laws were developed and how they impacted people,
especially the people whose life were directly impacted by those laws. I began working with the elderly and people with
disabilities and knew this is what I was
intended to do.
Career History
I have public sector
experience at both the federal and state level. Previously, I’ve worked on Capitol
Hill for then Congressman Jim Florio as a Legislative Assistant, and then in
his policy office when he became Governor Jim Florio. My primary focus was with
human service and health issues. This
position really set the stage for everything I’ve done after, and the
connections I made continue to make an impact on my life today.
In 1993, I oversaw
programs for children, people with developmental disabilities, mental health,
and Medicaid as a Deputy Commissioner in the New Jersey Department of Human
Services. In addition, I served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor James
McGreevey.
I also worked for a non-profit HMO, HIP/NJ which had the best quality and
customer satisfaction scores of any HMO in the state, but we got into
businesses that were not our core business and we ended up losing a lot of
money by doing the right thing – covering people’s claims. Once the losses
came, we couldn’t keep up. That is one of the reasons I am so driven to ensure
we always balance all of the sides of the equation – quality, cost, and satisfaction
─ because when you can’t pay your bills no one cares how good you are.
Recognition
While I can list many
awards—one of the 100 most powerful people in New Jersey business, one of the
top best 50 women in business by NJBIZ, inducted into the Class of 2014
New Jersey Business Hall of Fame and the Trenton YWCA Class of 2013 New Jersey
Women’s Hall of Fame, and honored by Modern Healthcare as one of the top
40 executives under the age of 40—but I have to tell you, I am recognized externally as the face of Children’s
Specialized because of the work you do every day. I’ll never have the chance to
influence our families like you do, and it’s because of you that I get to share
our amazing story and our incredible work with the public.
In addition to my role
at Children’s Specialized, I serve on the Boards of the New Jersey Chamber of
Commerce (1st Vice Chair), Rutgers University Board of Trustees, New Brunswick
Development Corporation (DEVCO), Middlesex Water Company, and Children’s
Hospital Association (Treasurer).
Why I Love My Job
It’s all about the kids!
Every single day is a gift, and there is nothing more gratifying to me then
speaking with you guys, a family, or a child and knowing that the work we do
here has helped them. Each of you helps to create a place where they can reach
their maximum potential.
I am truly blessed to be
able to do what I do, to wake each morning knowing that I’m coming to a place
where talented people work so hard to make a difference in a child’s life. We
do great things at Children’s Specialized.
Thanks for choosing to be part of Children's Specialized and I look forward to creating a world where every child can reach their maximum potential.
