2003
Network Journal 40 under 40 Achievement Award Winner
More than a celebration of the extraordinary lives
of 40 black men and women. TNJ’s Annual 40-Under-Forty
Achievement Awards is public testimony to the black
community’s safeguarding of its young. We take
note and make a loud noise when our youth are good,
just as we take note and make a loud noise when our
youth are bad. This year’s list of honorees boasts
22 men and 18 women, ranging in age from 24 to 39. They
represent the cream of individuals in a wide swath of
public and private sector professions and entrepreneurial
endeavors. As usual, we were besieged with nominations,
not to mention the number of inquiries and pleas for
consideration that came in well after the submission
deadline, which, of course, we could not entertain.
Then number of entries has grown exponentially since
the first 40-Under-Forty Awards six years ago, and the
achievements of the entrants have become even more jaw
dropping. It is almost presumptuous to choose winners,
for clearly there are no losers among these candidates.
We salute them all-those who made the 40 list and those
who did not.
Rosalind McLymont, Editor in Chief
Vanessa Best
President & CEO
Precision HealthCare Consultants
Baldwin, N.Y.
Age:38
Vanessa Best dreamed of working in an industry where
she could “reach out and help people.” As
president and CEO of Precision HealthCare Consultants,
she is living that dream. “Through teaching and
consulting, I receive satisfaction from helping aspiring
entrepreneurs and seasoned health care professionals
to become more effective in their business.” she
says.
Best is determined to continue sharing her knowledge
and expertise with her community, family and other industry
professionals. As a fledgling entrepreneur, however,
her biggest challenge is establishing recognition, credibility
and a presence in the industry with her fledgling company.
In the face of such challenge, she has learned the importance
of a good support system of family, friends and other
associates. “It helps you to accomplish goals
and also helps you to keep your balance, “she
says.
Precision HealthCare Consultants offers on-site consultation,
development of health care professional office management
services and customized plans and programs to comply
with new health regulations. Best has expertise in all
areas of claims processing, software sales, training
development and billing services. Earning credentials
and certification from the American Health Information
Management Association and the American Academy for
Procedural Coders are among her most significant achievements,
she says.
Honesty and integrity, her guiding principles, increase
her self-worth and allow her to provide the best service
for her customers, she says. Her late mother, “a
single parent who worked hard and instilled dedication
and moral character in her children,” was her
role model.
The terrorist attacks in September 2001 reinforced her
appreciation of life and reminded her to keep events
in perspective. Her husband, who was in Tower Two of
the World Trade Center, escaped death, but she lost
many neighbors and friends.
Best is most proud of the recognition Black Enterprise
magazine gave her in designating her keynote speaker
at the 1999 Nations Bank/Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs
Conference. “Reach for the stars, but don’t
forget to reach back and help others striving to maintain
a level of success,” she tells herself and others.
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