Operations Manager, Sr. Site Manager and competitive ice hockey player, Scott Fulsom leads teams at Cognosante and on the ice. See why giving back to the Veteran community is so important to him and how he leverages sports to help transitioning service members.
1. Tell us a little bit about the work you do at Cognosante. Can you attribute any skills learned in the military to your success?
I have been with Cognosante since September 2015, and currently fulfill two roles. As the Operations Manager for the 1095-A Consumer Disputes work stream supporting the ER&R/1095-A Market Place contract, I manage the operations that support the teams conducting casework to help correct data discrepancies. As consumers identify potential issues with their Federally Facilitated Marketplace health insurance, I help the team escalate issues to project leadership and our CMS partners, as needed. As the Sr. Site Manager for the Nashville location, I work with workstream leads and the facilities team to ensure the site runs efficiently and effectively while maintaining corporate compliance and industry operating standards.
Much of my 10 years spent in the Army were as a non-commissioned officer, responsible for leading a team. The Army instills training to mold individuals as effective leaders. I attribute much of my success here at Cognosante, as well as in other areas I have worked, to the training experienced in the Army.
2. In your opinion, why is philanthropic work worthwhile? What organization(s) are you actively involved in and why is it fulfilling?
Philanthropic work provides an opportunity to give back to the communities in which we work and live. If I can help someone get to the root cause of an issue and help improve their wellbeing, that is gratifying to me. I am a firm believer that everyone is entitled to quality of life.
Outside of work, I devote a lot of time to an organization called 7Element. My involvement in this organization is fulfilling because of my own military experiences and struggles in transitioning from military to civilian life. Helping someone else navigate similar struggles or helping them improve their wellbeing or outlook on life is important to me. In the Army, you always take care of your own and this mindset has never changed for me.
3. Can you briefly describe why the work of 7Element is valuable?
7Element is a 501(C)(3) charitable organization that supports active duty military, veterans, and first responders. Its mission is to provide members with a healthy mental outlet, to provide them with a sense of purpose, and to close the civilian/military divideāall through the power of sports. Sports provide a place for members to feel needed and joins those who have sacrificed for our communities and community members, together. By pairing service members with those who have endured similar circumstances, 7element creates an environment that helps warriors cope with changes and enables them to share experiences as they transition to civilian life.
The military instills āEspirit De Corpā, a feeling of pride, purpose and common loyalty shared by the team. When you transition out of the military, you go from being part of a team to feeling alone and disconnected. For a lot of people, the transition can be difficult and dauntingā7element gives them a team to be a part of, holds them accountable, and helps and encourages them.
4. How did learn about 7Element and why did you choose to get involved?
I have been involved with 7Element since the planning stagesāand all because of a pick-up hockey game. I knew I wanted to be part of this organization because of what it stood for and how it used hockey to bring veterans together, much like our military days. It provided veterans, especially those struggling in their own ways, a team to be a part of.
5. How has 7Element impacted you, specifically?
I am a combat veteran who has seen the horrors of war and I have had to deal with my own struggles in transitioning out of the military. In 2005, I was hurt and eventually released from the Army on disability in 2006. I did not actively seek veteranās assistance, instead I felt that was for service members worse off than me. Being a part of 7Element has helped me realize that I am not alone in my struggles. While everyone looks forward to our weekly games, it is much more than thatāit is therapy and provides time to bond as a team.
6. Do you have any tips for transitioning service members?
If I can give any advice to transitioning veterans, it would be to take advantage of available transitioning programs. They are meant for all veterans and finding the right one for you can impact your life, greatly. I am proud to be a part of 7Element, as it has done so much for veterans and first responders in its short existence. I am also proud to work for Cognosante who does so much for veterans as well.
Click here to read a recent article published by a local sportswriter to learn more about 7Element.
Visit www.7element.org to get involved.
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