Q&A With Compass Health’s New Chief Financial Officer, Janet Carbary

We’re excited to welcome Janet Carbary as Compass Health’s Chief Financial Officer.

When it comes to a lifetime of service, Janet is one of the most dedicated individuals in the field. From working hands-on with individuals with schizophrenia in one of the first intensive outpatient program models to serving as CFO, COO, and CEO of healthcare and medical organizations, she has honed her skills in acute care and managing complex operations, and we’re looking forward to seeing her thrive here at Compass Health.

We sat down with Janet to learn more about her experience, what drives her in the behavioral health care industry, and her plans for the future of Compass Health.

Q: How did you get started in this field?

Janet: I’ve always been interested in mental health and caring for those who struggle with behavioral health disorders. In the 70’s, I started working with the schizophrenic population at Spokane Community Mental Health. While I was there, I worked in a 3-year intensive outpatient program, funded by the state, with the goal of helping clients find a place to live after leaving the hospital. It was one of the first models of its time – very similar to the IOP we have at Compass Health currently.

After gaining hands-on experience working directly with clients, I transitioned to executive-level positions, working as CFO for numerous healthcare organization and eventually ended up as CFO for Carlsbad Medical Center in Carlsbad, New Mexico. During my tenure, I also served as COO and CEO. I later relocated back to the Pacific Northwest, where I held the position of CFO as Pacific Physicians Lab, followed by roles at One Mind for Reasearch, Genelex and YouScript, and Integrated Rehabilitation Group.

If I can’t take care of the clients directly, I’m going to take care of the people that care for the clients.

Q: Why did you choose to work at Compass Health?

Janet: The vision, mission, and values of Compass Health resonate with my own goals and what I’ve devoted my career to doing. While I wasn’t necessarily looking for a new position, the work Compass Health does to transform the behavioral health care industry in Washington is something I’m incredibly passionate about, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of it.

With my experience in acute care and working in medical settings, I’m excited to apply my knowledge to the programs here and help improve the amazing processes and operations already in place. My goal is always to elevate and approach systems with a proactive mindset. I can solve problems, but I want to focus on preventing them from even occurring.

Compass Health is also at a pivotal moment in their lifetime as an organization. Everyone, from the executive team to the clinicians working on the front lines, is learning how to be better leaders and caregivers, and I’m honored to join them.

Q: Are there any initiatives or programs at Compass Health that you’re excited to be a part of?

Janet: I’m most excited for Phase II of the Broadway Campus Redevelopment and look forward to when the facility is open and ready to serve our community members in Everett. I have a special place in my heart for the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), as somebody who helped form the model, as well as the Wraparound Intensive Services (WISe) program. In general, I’m eager to learn more about the full spectrum of services we provide and do my part to remove the stigma around behavioral health.

From a CFO standpoint, I’m also looking forward to refining the cohesion of our organization so that our various service lines and departments can better work in tandem with each other.

Q: What do you wish people knew about Compass Health?

Janet: I wish the public was aware of all the services we have to offer. There is a huge range of diverse programs that our clinicians and client-facing staff offer, and it’s one of my goals to ensure that we make this better known to the community.

Q: Tell us about yourself outside of your work

Janet: I’m passionate about what I do—this isn’t a job for me, this is my calling. I get very engaged in my work and take great responsibility for it. But outside of that, I love spending time with my family. I have a daughter and two grandkids who live in the area, so spending time with them is one of my priorities. I also love travelling, reading, and enjoying wine. Luckily, we live in the best area for wine. I also genuinely love meeting new people and mentoring young women in their professional careers. That’s something I highly value. I graduated college at 40 and was CEO by 50. I always tell people it’s never too late to do what you love.