Elizabeth Lowry, Area Manager, was recently honored as part of Louisiana Comp Blog’s new series “Women in Comp,” which highlights women in the Louisiana workers’ compensation industry. The article shines a spotlight on Lowry’s many facets, including her experience growing up in a traditional Cuban household in New Orleans, her passion for performing opera, and how being a female minority has influenced her career. The self-proclaimed lifetime learner said that her entire life has been in Louisiana and that she strongly identifies with the Louisiana community. Lowry received her bachelor’s degree and masters of business administration at the University of New Orleans. Despite coming from a background of higher education, including serving as Chief of Staff at the University of New Orleans College of Business and then later teaching marketing for the Freeman School of Business at Tulane, a phone call from a recruiter introduced Lowry to the idea of working in workers’ compensation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “…A recruiter called and said, ‘What do you think about workers’ compensation?’ I believe my exact words in response were: ‘I really don’t think about workers’ compensation!’” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lowry joined CorVel and immediately immersed herself in learning the industry. “If there was a continuing [education] seminar, WCAC meeting, or a RIMS event, I attended it!” she said. As an Area Manager, Lowry has built her team strategically based on experience, she said. She also has pride in the office’s relationship with clients. “For a national company, we have a surprisingly small gap between the direct client, injured workers and ourselves, and that’s part of my general philosophy. Whatever the customer needs that day, that’s what needs to happen,” Lowry said. When asked what she believed to be the biggest challenge facing Louisiana workers’ comp system, Lowry pointed to outpatient care, speaking to the issues associated with no guidelines or limits for reasonable charges on provider bills. She emphasized that most insurers and self-insureds “aren’t trying to shortchange providers, but just to get it right – and fair and reasonable.” As for the trajectory of her career, Lowry believes her identify has influenced her motivation. If anything, I have felt discriminated against because of my age. More than anything I have been seen as young for the positions that I have held, and so people want to de-legitimize you. So you have to speak when it matters. I’ve felt that as a woman, as a minority, and as a young person, I’ve had to be very selective in my voice. Otherwise, if you speak too loudly and too often, your voice becomes perceived as noise,” she said. As for the future, Lowry looks forward to continuing to make a difference, hoping to be a “true policy-maker, whether it’s in an Executive-level position in the private sector, or at the state level.” CorVel is excited for Lowry’s future and is proud of her for always asking the difficult questions to help the evolution of their state branch. Lowry is currently on the Board of Louisiana Association of Self-Insured Employers (LASIE) – the only TPA representative – and works closely with PRIMA, RIMS and LABI. To read the interview in its entirety, visit Louisiana Comp Blog’s Women in Comp.
