One conversation with Eddie Schenck and you'll know: this guy knows how to have fun. Eddie is full of puns and jokes, enthusiasm for life, and a shining spirit that can't help but brighten your day, too.
As a Health Care Concierge with UPMC Health Plan, Eddie’s role is about educating and guiding others to make the right choices for their health care needs. It makes sense that Eddie might gravitate towards a job that involves coaching and assisting others through a process—one of his main activities outside of work is being a coach on a flag football team! But as Eddie shared, being a coach and playing sports is about more than winning—it’s also about helping others, cultivating community, and practicing gratitude.
Eddie gave us more of an explanation about the life he leads and loves, and how his role as a Coach, Connector, and Fisherman infuses his days with fun, purpose, and teamwork.
Coach
“Even as a youth, I never had a problem showing someone my age or younger something that would benefit their game…Helping others become better is a passion of mine!”
I have been playing various sports since I was 5 years old. Did I mention gym was my favorite class?! I enjoyed football, baseball, and wrestling as the main sports that I played growing up. Even as a youth, I never had a problem showing someone my age or younger something that would benefit their game.
I had the ability to coach both city and rural youth football. I currently play for a competitive adult flag football league! Helping others become better is a passion of mine! I can see myself on the sidelines again one day. Remember football is the game of life! Why you ask? One minute you can be up the next minute you’re down. A game of inches.
Connector
“My goal is to be my genuine self in life, so I feel I’m able to get people to do the same.”
I chose the word connector since I live my life trying to make people feel comfortable enough to be their selves around me. My goal is to be my genuine self in life, so I feel I’m able to get people to do the same. People have told me that I can make them feel like they are kids again (we all were once). I have been told many times in the past by friends that they wouldn’t be here at this party if I wasn’t. The funny thing is: you could never tell they had an issue being there in the first place! I believe sometimes you must be the plug in life to get people to come together!
Fisherman
“Even when you don’t catch anything, the weather, waves, sky, animals, trees, and breeze can remind you of how grateful we are to still be on this side of things.”
I grew up fishing with my father who was my best friend. He showed me the patience that it takes. As I mentioned how football is a game of life, fishing is as well. If you’re unlucky like me, then catching shoes, seaweed, and TV guides isn’t all that bad. Almost every day after work, I unplug and head down to the river. Even when you don’t catch anything, the weather, waves, sky, animals, trees, and breeze can remind you of how grateful we are to still be on this side of things. I also worked in the Giant Eagle Market District Seafood department. I guess you can say I was a little bit Sell-Fish!
"Be You, Be UPMC" Means...
“Genuinely being me.”
Being yourself—flaws and all—is a lost art these days. Being yourself means being genuine. We all have things that make us different in unique ways. I believe that being able to express yourself and your ideas in a positive way is how we keep this world moving forward. I remember I had my whole cubicle decked out with horror movie pictures. In any other scenario that might be strange, right!? That small part of me that I brought to work made me more comfortable in that environment to do my best work. Everybody wins when you can genuinely BE YOU!
Being a part of the UPMC team means getting to be YOU in a position that advances your goals and positively impacts your community. You don't need to wait to apply! Today is a great day to come alongside fun-loving folks like Eddie to play your part in UPMC's mission, too. Visit our Careers site to learn more and start your UPMC story!
