Today we’d like to introduce you to Mayra Makabi
Hi Mayra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and moved to California when I was 10 years old. From a young age, I had a passion for healthcare. Whenever someone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said I wanted to be a nurse or a doctor. This passion was ignited during my senior year of high school when I enrolled in a volunteer program at a hospital, working in the medical records office. Being in the hospital environment confirmed my desire to pursue a career in nursing.
Growing up in the Coachella Valley, we had only one community college, and the nursing program was so saturated that there was a waiting list. In the meantime, I continued to volunteer in the medical records office as a front office clerk. My curiosity and eagerness to learn led to my first job as a birth certificate clerk, and I quickly advanced through various positions.
After a few promotions, I received an offer that changed my career path from nursing to becoming a coding specialist. I decided to pursue this new direction and attended Loma Linda University, where I graduated with a BA in Health Information Management. I passed the state exam, received my coding license, and began working as a coder at the same office where I had started as a volunteer. Along the way, I was fortunate to have the support of my supervisor, Eve Walsh, my mentor, Becky Hudson, and my family, who played crucial roles in my journey.
Today, I am proud to be the Coding Manager at Adventist Health, a position I have held for over 15 years. My work involves ensuring that my team accurately reviews patient records and assigns standardized codes for each diagnosis and procedure, which are used for billing and insurance purposes. That creates revenue for the hospitals through the insurance companies by the services rendered. What I am most passionate about as a manager is providing a safe work environment for my team and helping them advance in their careers and reach their full potential. Looking back, it’s incredible to see how far I’ve come.
Although I am happy with my role as a Coding Manager, I have also discovered a profound passion for my second career as a lymphatic massage specialist, which I started a year ago. I enrolled in massage therapy school while continuing to work at Adventist Health, and being a full-time mom to my two daughters. I have always loved the feeling I get stepping into a spa and the peacefulness as soon as I enter. It’s a way of calming me down from my very busy days. In massage school, I learned various techniques, including Sports Messages, Deep Tissue, Swedish, Prenatal, and lymphatic massages to name a few. I became particularly fond of lymphatic massages because they not only relax the body but also offer numerous health benefits, aiding in faster recovery for post-op patients, injuries, and oncology patients. This led me to take an extra course to become a lymphatic drainage massage specialist.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has certainly had its ups and downs. While there have been many rewarding moments, it hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning a second language at the age of 10, when I started the 5th grade. I remember not wanting to go to school because I couldn’t understand a word of English. I had to stay after school with a tutor and listen to English tapes to help with pronunciation and writing. Homework was very challenging, but I was determined. Little by little, I started catching up, and it became natural. My teachers began to notice, and I received many awards and Honor rolls.
Growing up, you experience a lot of ups and downs, but knowing what I wanted to do in life and working towards that goal helped me early on. Now as an adult, the challenges are even more stressful and demanding, but at least I have the experience to cope and find solutions to my problems. No matter how difficult or insurmountable a problem or obstacle may seem, there is always a way to overcome it.
Currently, I’m trying to balance both of my jobs, spend time with my family, and find some time for myself to do things I enjoy outside of work and family. One struggle I often face is not being able to attend some of my daughter’s school events. However, I make sure that the time I do spend with them is well worth it and memorable.
Another significant hurdle is staying on top of what is new in the health industry, whether it is for my coding job or my massages. I often have to keep up with what is new innovations when it comes to medicine and massage techniques. Navigating through this requires keeping up with continued education, attending seminars, and taking new courses to always stay on top of the industry. These experiences taught me valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of perseverance. But this is also why I love what I do because it’s always changing and nothing is ever the same.
Despite these challenges, each struggle has been a steppingstone, helping me grow both personally and professionally. They have shaped my journey and made my successes even more meaningful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am currently doing lymphatic massages as a Lymphatic Drainage Massage Specialist at Elite Performance Clinic located in Sherman Oaks. I specialize in post-operative care for liposuction and mommy makeovers, injury recovery, and oncology client support to reduce their lymphoedema and applied short stretch wraps. I’m a firm believer that post-operative care is as crucial as the surgery itself to achieve the best results.
One of the aspects of my work that I am most proud of is developing a comprehensive post-operative care program for our Clients at Elite Performance Clinic to reduce swelling, improve circulation, and enhance the body’s natural healing process. This accomplishment was particularly meaningful because it significantly improved patient recovery times and overall satisfaction. By integrating personalized lymphatic drainage massage techniques and collaborating closely with medical professionals, we were able to create a holistic approach to healing. This program not only enhanced the physical well-being of our clients, but also provided them with emotional support during their recovery journey.
What sets me apart from others in my field is my holistic approach to patient care and my deep understanding of the body’s healing process. My extensive knowledge of various treatments, such as cavitation, radio frequency, wood therapy, suction cups, body contouring and buccal massage, combined with lymphatic massage for the face or full body, allows me to customize treatments according to each client’s needs and achieve amazing results in just one session. I believe that empathy, continuous learning, and a client-centered approach play a crucial role in delivering exceptional results. Additionally, my ability to effectively collaborate with medical professionals, solve complex cases, and lead with compassion has been instrumental in my success.
Overall, my passion for healthcare and wellness drives me to continuously improve and innovate, ensuring that I can make a positive impact through my work. Whether it’s through my role as a Coding Manager or as a Lymphatic Drainage Massage Specialist, I am committed to enhancing the well-being of my clients and colleagues. My dedication to learning and adapting new techniques, combined with my empathetic approach, allows me to provide exceptional care and support to those I serve.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Throughout my journey, I have been incredibly fortunate to have the support of many amazing individuals who have played a significant role in my success. I owe a great deal to my mentors, Betty Ariga, System Coding Sr. Director, Mary Jo Lavalley, Director of Acute Coding, and Eva Walsh, HIM Manager, who provided invaluable guidance and wisdom. Their experience and insights helped me navigate through some of the toughest challenges and inspired me to push beyond my limits. Their support and encouragement were particularly instrumental in my professional growth, and I am deeply grateful for their mentorship.
My family and friends have been my biggest cheerleaders. Their unwavering belief in me, especially during difficult times, has been a constant source of motivation. They have celebrated my successes and lifted me up during setbacks.
I have also had the privilege of working with several strong advocates for my work, including Dr. Ehsan Bashi PT, DPT, and Sash Khoshabeh President from Elite Performance Clinic. Their support opened doors to new opportunities and helped me build important connections in the industry. Each of them provided unique insights and encouragement that have been instrumental in my professional journey.
My clients and teammates have also been instrumental in my journey. Working with such talented and dedicated individuals has not only made my work more enjoyable but also pushed me to strive for excellence. Their collaboration and feedback have been crucial in achieving our shared goals. The trust and respect we have built together have been the foundation of our success, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such inspiring people.
Each of these individuals has contributed to my success in unique ways, and I am deeply grateful for their support. Their belief in me and my vision has been a driving force behind my achievements.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @silhouettebymayra
Image Credits
None.. all my own pictures
