We sat down with Kate Guffey as she reflected on how her past experiences laid the groundwork for her current role, what drew her to Cardamom, and how she’s finding her footing in a highly specialized, rapidly evolving industry. From the challenges of pivoting to a new field to the most rewarding parts of her day-to-day work, Kate shares thoughtful insights for anyone considering a similar transition, or for those who may not yet realize how valuable their skills could be in healthcare.
After earning my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting, I spent 10 years in tax accounting and compliance. While I enjoyed the technical side of the work, I found myself increasingly drawn to data, using tools to identify trends, improve processes, and solve problems. Over time, I realized those skills could apply well beyond finance.
Healthcare has always been part of my life. My sister is a nurse, and my mom has spent much of her career in this industry, so I grew up hearing about hospital systems, patient care, and the ever-changing landscape of healthcare. I didn’t know it at the time, but those conversations planted a lasting curiosity.
A family member recommended Cardamom, and after an early conversation with Adam Dial, I saw an exciting opportunity to apply my background in a new way. Shifting into health IT has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. I’m learning new systems, working with electronic health record (EHR) data, and using my past experiences in a whole new context.
For me, healthcare, and Cardamom in particular, offers the best of both worlds: the chance to make a real human impact while solving complex, system-level challenges. It’s a space where I can grow, contribute, and stay connected to something bigger than myself.
It’s a big pivot, but one I’m genuinely excited about.
Joining a new company is always an adjustment, and making a full industry switch adds another layer. My day-to-day has evolved as I’ve grown in my role and as the company itself continues to grow.
Early on, I focused heavily on onboarding: learning Cardamom’s systems, understanding our customers, and getting up to speed on health IT. Coming in without a traditional healthcare background meant immersing myself in everything from revenue cycle operations to the intricacies of billing applications. It was a crash course, but one I was excited to dive into.
At the same time, I’ve had the chance to contribute to bigger-picture initiatives — especially around how we onboard new team members. Cardamom is growing fast, and we want to make sure we support people from all kinds of professional backgrounds. I’m working on recommendations and resources to help demystify health IT for newcomers, making the transition smoother for others like me.
Every day still includes a lot of learning, but it’s also about building for the future — both for myself and for the teams that will come after me.
Cardamom is a place where you feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow — whether you're new to healthcare or not. Being given time and resources to train, earn Epic certifications, and build fluency in a brand-new domain was refreshing and motivating. The company truly recognizes that valuable skills like process improvement, data analysis, and strategic thinking can come from any industry. That growth mindset is something I really admire.
One of the things I love most is our team-based approach. Everyone collaborates, shares knowledge, and works toward shared goals. It’s so rewarding to roll up my sleeves, ask questions, and grow alongside people who are not only smart and driven, but also kind and deeply invested in the work we do together.
Definitely the people. From my first conversation with Adam, everyone I encountered was kind, thoughtful, and welcoming. That sense of support didn’t stop once I joined. I’ve felt encouraged every step of the way, especially when it comes to learning and growing in my role.
The culture here is incredibly values-driven. People don’t just talk about integrity, purpose, or collaboration — they live it. There’s a genuine commitment to doing work that matters, and that was a huge part of what drew me in.
For me, joining Cardamom wasn’t just a career change, it was a chance to be part of something meaningful. And I’m so glad I took the leap.
If you’re interested in learning more about a career at Cardamom, reach out to our team!