In addition to our fun facts about new staff story each month, we also feature our long-time co-workers. This month we’re featuring:
Curtis Stratman, Director, Product Management
How did you get into the industry?
I started my career in health care with Cerner Corporation in 2001 as a technology architect in the client services organization. Finding my way to Cerner was rather happenstance. While I was looking over a map during the career fair at my undergraduate school, their recruiter tapped me on the shoulder. I grew up in Missouri, so their headquarters in Kansas City was local to my family though they had me traveling 48+ weeks each year.
How long have you been working at UPMCE?
Before joining Enterprises, I worked for eight years at a portfolio company. Then, I joined UPMCE in 2016. My wife has nine years at UPMC Children’s Hospital, so between the two of us, we have been in the UPMC family for 20 years.
What’s changed the most since you started here?
The biggest change I have noticed is a shift across the industry from the needs of individual user groups to ones connecting interactions across them.
Thinking about your work, what is the funniest thing you used to use tech-wise that you don’t use anymore?
In 2001, dial-up internet was still common. My role at Cerner required remote access to client systems often in the off-hours. I had a 100-foot phone cable to let me work from my couch with the plug two rooms away.
My Cerner role also required being on call. Throughout the time there, I carried a 2-way text pager. With only six buttons, you could actually type out and send an email!
What’s your favorite part about working here?
The opportunity to engage with clinical leadership. Working within the walls of UPMC provides an extraordinary environment to gain insights from the diverse array of buyer and user perspectives. Coming from previous experience at vendors, such access to candor is appreciated.
Do you have an unusual talent or hobby?
Perhaps not unusual, but one of my favorite hobbies is playing the violin. I performed through college in various symphony orchestras, quartet groups, and musical pit orchestras. My 10-year-old daughter plays too, so now we practice and perform together.
Share any fun fact.
During the summer of 2005, while taking a tour of the United Nations Headquarters, Kofi Annan walked by and took a moment to greet our group.
