40 Under 40: Health care leader Sandy Nesin took career inspiration at an early age
Photo / Soubanh Phanthay
Sandy Nesin wears multiple hats in the health care field.
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Significant professional accomplishment: I consider my past work as part of the team of leaders at Community Care Partnership of Maine and now CEO as my most significant professional accomplishment. It is a great source of pride to have played a role in expanding CCPM into a statewide Accountable Care Organization that unites over 20 not-for-profit health care organizations, including Federally Qualified Health Centers and community hospitals, serving nearly 250,000 patients annually.
Our mission-focused model ensures equal representation for all member organizations. This approach has resulted in CCPM achieving over $60 million in Medicare savings, and the development of a network committed to improving patient care and community health outcomes.
Current state of mind: Cautiously optimistic, with a constant sense of urgency. I am inspired by the dedicated work of my colleagues in health care and energized by the increased focus on patient-centered, value-based care.
However, I remain acutely aware of the significant challenges we face, including antiquated reimbursement models, workforce instability and inequitable access to care. I am grateful to work with collaborative leaders who seek out and support solutions to such challenges.
Passion project: I enjoy partnering with my husband, Jason, to renovate and design homes. There’s something incredibly satisfying about transforming a space and breathing new life into it, and I love the challenge of envisioning how a property will evolve.
Recently, we had the opportunity to purchase and renovate a camp, built by my grandparents in the 1960s. It was a great way to honor my family’s past while creating something new and beautiful.
‘Lightbulb’ moment: It was more of a gradual illumination, sparked by a childhood steeped in health care and community service. Growing up, I spent many Saturday mornings hanging in our local hospital’s nursing station while my dad rounded and cared for patients.
My parents chose to raise us in a small rural town in need of a family doctor, just as my grandfather had done. I witnessed first-hand the profound impact that family doctors, like my father and grandfather, could have on a small community. Their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of their patients and serving their communities ignited my desire to make a similar difference.
I entered law school with aspirations of becoming a juvenile defense attorney, influenced by my experiences working in youth homeless shelters across the state. But during my first health care law class, and while externing at the Maine Medical Association, I realized I could combine my legal skills with my deep-rooted passion for health care. My career path became clear: to use my legal expertise and passion to drive positive change in health care, and make even a fraction of the difference I had seen my father and grandfather make in their communities.
Audacious goal: I would love to deliver an impactful TED talk someday!
Favorite quote: “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it” — Rabbi Tarfon
Influential book: My all-time most influential pick would be “Man’s Search for Meaning,” by Viktor E. Frankl. Two more recent influential reads: “Four Thousand Weeks,” by Oliver Burkeman, and “Compassionomics,” by Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli.
Favorite podcasts: “This American Life,” “Serial” and “The Next Big Idea”
Best way to recharge: I recharge by spending time with my friends and family. Their support is incredibly important to me, and they keep me humble! I also love to read and spend time at the lake.
At age 60: Spending my days traveling, reading, volunteering and surrounded by family and friends.
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