March 15 is World Social Work Day! Having a social worker is an important part of the multidisciplinary care the Thompson Center offers its patients. Shelby Beckman is the full-time social worker on our staff. Read more to learn about her role at the Thompson Center!

How long have you worked for the Thompson Center?

I have been with the Thompson Center for three years.

What are your main job duties at the Thompson Center?

I help families get connected with needed resources. I work with families in our medical clinics and post autism diagnosis. I am also Social Work and Self Advocate faculty for TIPS 4 Kids.

Where are you from?

I grew up in Quincy, Illinois and currently live in Columbia, Missouri.

What is your educational background?

I have a master’s degree in social work from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

What did you do before you came to the Thompson Center?

I was finishing up my master’s degree. This is my first job out of graduate school.

What is your favorite thing about working at the Thompson Center?

My favorite thing about working at the Thompson Center is the patients and families that I work with.

What got you interested in working with people with autism?

I was interested in working with people with autism because I want to help individuals gain access to needed services and supports.  

What do you wish more people knew about social work?

Social work is a versatile job and can be found in many different settings!

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned in your time working at the Thompson Center?

The most valuable thing that I learned at the Thompson Center is the importance of family-centered care. I love that I work with a team of nurses, doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists that works to treat the variety of needs in each situation. 

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

I love to crochet and send time outdoors.

It takes a lot of planning and coordination to support the variety of operations at the Thompson Center. Our Business Team is one of the behind-the-scenes groups that makes it all possible! Over the last few weeks, we’ve been spotlighting the members of this team and looking into how they keep the Thompson Center running. In our final Business Team spotlight, we will meet the Thompson Center’s Business Manager, Marie Heuer.

How long have you worked for the Thompson Center?

I have been with the Thompson Center for 9 years.

What are your main job duties?

I am responsible for the annual budget, assisting with pre- and post-award grant management, and overseeing HR, fiscal, insurance authorization, and building tasks. 

Where are you from?

I grew up in Glasgow, Missouri.  I currently live in Hallsville, Missouri.

What is your educational background?

I received my master’s degree in business management from Columbia College.

Where did you work before you came to the Thompson Center?

I started my career with the University System working part-time in the Treasurer’s Office.  I then transferred to the School of Medicine where I was a Fiscal Analyst and Senior Fiscal Analyst.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned in your time working at the Thompson Center?

One of my favorite things about working at the Thompson Center is knowing that each person that works here is helping make a difference in our patients’ lives.

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

I like to read, spend time with my family, and attend my children’s sporting events.

It takes a lot of planning and coordination to support the variety of operations at the Thompson Center. Our Business Team is one of the behind-the-scenes groups that makes it all possible! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting the members of this team and looking into how they keep the Thompson Center running. In this spotlight, we will meet Danielle Perrigo, an Office Support Assistant IV for the Thompson Center.

How long have you worked for the Thompson Center?

I started working at the Thompson Center at the beginning of this year.

What are your main job duties?

As an Office Support Assistant IV, I place orders and stock office supplies, handle reimbursements, and assist with any other day-to-day business needs for the Center.

Where are you from?

I grew up in Columbia but now live in Hallsville.

Where did you work before you came to the Thompson Center?

I did billing for University Physicians before starting at the Thompson Center. Before that, I worked down the road at Central Missouri Dermatology where I scheduled patients, put together charts, and whatever else needed to be done to prepare for appointments.

What is your favorite thing about working at the Thompson Center?

My coworkers at the Thompson Center make a great team! I have only been here for a few weeks, but I feel like I have worked here forever.

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

My two sons keep me very busy with their extracurricular activities. Brock is involved with FFA, golf, and shooting sports. Tison plays baseball, track, football, and wrestling. When we get a break in our sons’ schedules, my husband and I enjoy drag racing.

It takes a lot of planning and coordination to support the variety of operations at the Thompson Center. Our Business Team is one of the behind-the-scenes groups that makes it all possible! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting the members of this team and looking into how they keep the Thompson Center running. In this spotlight, we will meet our Business Operations Associate II, Cameron Burton.

How long have you worked for the Thompson Center?

I have been with the Thompson Center for just over eight years now. I have worked as an Office Support Assistant, Executive Assistant, and now Business Operations Associate.

What are your main job duties?

My job involves a little bit of everything! As Dr. Sheinkopf’s assistant, I coordinate meetings and manage appointments. I put together metrics for a variety of reports, process improvement projects, and whatever other tasks the business team needs done.

Where are you from?

I grew up in Centralia, MO, where I still reside with my partner and son.

What is your educational background?

I have a bachelor’s degree in health science from Mizzou.

Where did you work before you came to the Thompson Center?

I was a Patient Service Representative at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center.

What is your favorite thing about working at the Thompson Center?

Making a difference, our amazing providers, and my coworkers!

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

I like to read, spend time with my family, and do puzzles.

It takes a lot of planning and coordination to support the variety of operations at the Thompson Center. Our Business Team is one of the behind-the-scenes groups that makes it all possible! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting the members of this team and looking into how they keep the Thompson Center running. In this spotlight, we will meet Megan Cook, an Office Support Assistant IV for the Thompson Center.

How long have you worked for the Thompson Center?

I have been at the Thompson Center for three years. I started as a Patient Service Representative at the front desk and then later joined the Business Team as an Office Support Assistant IV.

What are your main job duties?

As part of my job, I take care of all of the Thompson Center’s HR tasks, including onboarding for new employees and managing payroll. I also help with reporting for grants. Like most of the people on our team, my day-to-day duties can look very different based on the Thompson Center’s needs at the time!

Where are you from?

I grew up in St. Charles, MO and currently live in Higbee, MO.

What is your educational background?

I have an AAS in business administration with an emphasis in accounting.

Where did you work before you came to the Thompson Center? What did you do there?

I started working for MU Health Care at South Providence Family Medicine in the phone room.

What is your favorite thing about working at the Thompson Center?

My favorite thing about the Thompson Center is how willing everyone is to help each other with projects and encourages each other to be the best they can be.

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

I stay pretty busy with my three young boys! My husband and I enjoy working on projects for our woodworking/crafting business.

It takes a lot of planning and coordination to support the variety of operations at the Thompson Center. Our Business Team is one of the behind-the-scenes groups that makes it all possible! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting the members of this team and looking into how they keep the Thompson Center running. First up is Jackie Jiordano, our Prior Authorization Specialist.

How long have you been with the Thompson Center?

I started at the Thompson Center as an intern in 2015, moved to a student position, then was hired on full-time at the front desk five years ago. I became the Prior Authorization Specialist as part of our business team about three years ago.

What are your main job duties?

As the Prior Authorization Specialist, I make sure that authorizations are complete with insurance companies before all psychological evaluations and ABA therapy appointments. I also run estimates for families and do my best to answer insurance questions that come up. I am also always happy to jump in wherever is needed, so you might see me up at the front desk occasionally as well!

Where did you grow up / where do you live now?

I was born and raised in Columbia where I am now married and raising my family!

What is your educational background?

I have a bachelor’s degree in general studies with an emphasis in psychology/sociology, social work, and infant and toddler development. I also have a minor in multicultural studies. I like to say that I studied “families.”

Where did you work before you came to the Thompson Center? What did you do there?

This is my first full time position! Before this I just worked in a church nursery and did occasional babysitting, pet-sitting, or house-sitting gigs.

What is your favorite thing about working at the Thompson Center?

The family-friendly work environment and my coworkers! It is so nice knowing my coworkers are there to support me through any situation–whether it is work-related or family-related.

What got you interested in working with people with autism?

I knew nothing about autism when I interviewed to be an intern here. Over the years I have met some of the most amazing families. I love hearing success stories of how our services have helped families while they navigate so many different systems. Now that I have learned more about autism, I can’t imagine not working in this field. As the Prior Authorization Specialist, I advocate for insurance coverage for services needed by our patients, as well as make sure families know what is going to be covered by their insurance so they can plan accordingly.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned in your time working at the Thompson Center?

Being flexible in everyday life is a must. Between working with families of special needs kiddos and the chaos that is insurance, I have learned that you have to be willing and able to be flexible with how your day is going to go. There are some days where I am able to call insurance companies and get information within 20 minutes and others where it can take 2 hours of being on hold before someone is able to answer my questions. We also do our best to fill any last-minute cancellation spots for evaluations, so I have to be able to stop what I am doing and prioritize those patients so insurance will cover them.

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

Reading, cross-stitching, playing games and watching movies with my family, and spending time with my many animals (a dog, four cats, a snake, and a lizard)!

I hear you have some exciting changes coming your way?

Baby Girl Jiordano will be arriving in February! While I am spending time with my family on maternity leave, the rest of our business team will be working on prior authorizations and helping to answer any insurance questions you may have.