This month, we’re proud to spotlight Vanessa Frank, who serves as Assistant Administrator in our Farmington, New Mexico office. Vanessa’s six-year journey at Giving Home has been marked by growth, including her recent promotion taking over the leadership role, effective in August. Her career arc is a testament to her willingness to say yes to new opportunities and her deep dedication to serving others.
Before joining Giving Home, Vanessa had never worked in healthcare, though she’d always been involved with the local Navajo community. Her previous experience included about ten years at a loan company and time at a tire shop where she handled accounting and cashiering. A longtime friend who worked at Giving Home would often come into the tire shop and encourage her to apply – and after almost a year, Vanessa decided to go for it. She landed the position of Administrative Assistant, not knowing it would be the beginning of a transformative career.
That first role involved front desk work where Vanessa learned the ins and outs of the EEOICPA, Department of Labor, and home health care. She was often the first individual patients interacted with during their visit, and her natural ability to connect with people became apparent quickly. After six months, she was promoted to case management. From there came positions as Care Team Lead, Care Team Director, and finally her current role as Assistant Administrator. Each step has expanded her knowledge across clinical and growth sides of the organization, and through it all, Vanessa continues to bring warmth and positivity to her work. “I’m not really a salesperson, but I can relate a lot to people,” she shares. “I want to make people feel comfortable and show them how they can benefit from these programs. No matter what my title is, I’m going to be here to help them.”
Due to the Farmington office’s smaller size, Vanessa wears a lot of hats. She greets patients and answers their questions, handles staffing for high-acuity homes, trains new team members, plans larger events, and manages whatever emergencies arise. She’s also come to know not only the patients but their families and caregivers as well. What motivates her most is knowing that Giving Home is there for former energy workers when no one else is. “Who else would be getting them supplies? Who’s helping them get their compensation? Who’s going to look out for them when no one else is there? For me, that’s the purpose.” Though some days are predictable, many aren’t, and Vanessa admittedly “thrives off the chaos” that comes with her work.
The revival of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) last summer brought fresh momentum to the Farmington office. Being able to assist former uranium miners again, especially younger individuals who now qualify under RECA’s expanded timeline, has been incredibly rewarding for Vanessa and her team. They’re actively helping workers navigate admissions and get their claims approved so they can begin home health care services. “I like to say, ‘Are you tired of us yet?’” she laughs. ‘Good, you’re going to be seeing us more often when you get home health care!’”
Vanessa’s hard work and dedication is balanced with genuine humility. Her supervisor, Suzanne Lewis, “has seen something in me that would be a great leader, even when I never thought that for myself.” That recognition was also reflected in her team’s nomination for the quarterly Giving Heart award, a gesture that moved her deeply. “When they submitted that nomination for me, I literally cried. You never really think people are watching you, but they are.” Many of the Farmington team members have been with her for three years or longer, and she feels grateful that Giving Home has created a culture around opportunities for growth and improvement. As Vanessa steps into her new role, she’s focused on empowering her team and helping them lean on one another for support.
As the only Navajo in Giving Home’s NextGen program, Vanessa sees her position as an opportunity to represent her heritage with intention and pride. Originally from Tohlakai, New Mexico, Vanessa has lived in Farmington for 22 years and has developed deep relationships that inform her work. Through conversations with patients and community members, she’s learned that honoring people’s culture and stories directly impacts how she can serve them better. Many of the patients and individuals she works with are also members of the Navajo community, which makes that shared understanding even more meaningful.
Vanessa is a mom of three (ages 13, 18, and almost 19) and has been married for 21 years. Their household also includes a German Shepherd and two cats who all get along surprisingly well. In her downtime, she enjoys relaxing evenings at home with Netflix and great meals at restaurants, but she also cherishes outdoor adventures with her family. She’s a fan of murder mysteries and true crime stories, whether through books, documentaries, or podcasts. Vanessa has also recently gone back to school to pursue her degree in Human Services, continuing to invest in her own growth.
Thank you, Vanessa, for your compassion, leadership, and commitment to your patients and community. We’re proud you’re part of the Giving Home family!
