‘Making an impact on people's lives is the most important thing we can do’

Al Hernandez developed a strong work ethic after immigrating to the United States from Cuba with his family as a young teenager, eventually leading him to enter the health care industry later. He saw the chance to join a field that makes a difference and has utilized his commitment and persistence to ride the industry’s waves of change over the course of his career. In his downtime, Al spends considerable time with his extended family, and shared insights about how his background helps him make an impact both at work and in his community. 

Hernandez, Regional Vice President–Southeast, always looks for opportunities to remind young people about taking advantage of the freedoms our country affords. He now helps companies choose robust health benefits while contributing to the communities he serves, particularly in education, because he believes it’s the key to succeeding — no matter what challenges may lie ahead.

Al is one of many Humana employees making a difference in people’s lives and health on a daily basis. To learn more about working at Humana, visit careers.humana.com.

If you would like to learn more about Humana's employer group benefits or discuss customized coverage that meets your business needs, don't hesitate to reach out to Al Hernandez at ahernandez20@humana.com.

What is most rewarding about your work in health care? 
Hernandez: The people. We’re giving back to the community and impacting their lives daily. We touch every single segment of society — the families in need, the veterans, the elderly, the school kids. Making an impact on people’s lives is the most important thing we can do. When we started providing our wellness benefits and services, we saw people making lifestyle changes and taking charge of their health — managing their weight and chronic illnesses. We got emails and letters from clients and customers all over the place, saying, “You guys have changed my life. I can now do things that I used to do when I was younger.” Being able to enjoy time with your family because you’ve done things to make a difference in your health, that’s the kind of impact that goes down to the individual level. So whatever product or health benefit we put in the marketplace, it's with the mindset that there is an individual on the other side of that who benefits from it. 

How has Humana evolved to better serve customers? 
Hernandez: We try to provide an effective way for people to receive health care, no matter where they are. By providing telehealth and teledentistry, people can get the services they need right away, 24/7. It’s a convenient, easy way to get access to health care. Another thing we’ve done is bringing dental care and vision care to employers on-site through strategic initiatives with other companies to ensure employees have accessible options to get the care they need, when they need it. 

Many people have limited knowledge or preconceived notions about dental and vision health insurance. What is something you wish people knew about it? 
Hernandez: Oral health has such a direct link to your overall health, and providing those benefits can really make a difference in employee retention and well-being. What dental and vision both can do is help you understand other key indicators of your health, close the gap on lost work productivity and reduce dental emergency room visits. 

How has your personal background impacted your career? 
Hernandez: My strong work ethic allows me to see and achieve the extraordinary. I think my drive comes from understanding that you can have it all and you can lose it all. Coming from a different country, I am able to see that we have so much, and yet we take so much for granted. It's important that we remind our youth that we have opportunities that we don't have in some countries, and they need to take advantage of that. That's why I serve as a trustee for a college, because every time I have an opportunity to mentor and speak, I remind them of the opportunities and privileges of today. 

How can persistence help someone advance their career? 
Hernandez: I am a walking example that determination does pay off. This is a rewarding industry, but it's also a very challenging one with constant changes. Mentoring is absolutely key — it’s important that you mentor others and that you get a mentor, too. I encourage my team to be passionate and to be true to themselves as they discover who they are as an individual and what they want to bring to the table. No matter what happens, however the industry changes, you need to be able to help carry others along the way, and trust that others will help carry you. 

How have you been able to give back to the communities you oversee, even in your personal time? 
Hernandez: As an immigrant coming into this country from Cuba when I was 13 — my father was a political prisoner there for two years — I saw firsthand how important education is, and that's where I spend time. I have served as a trustee of Pasco-Hernando State College since 2017. I've also been a commissioner for housing in Pasco County, because it's important to understand the biggest challenge any community has. Housing impacts the elderly, veterans, families. I also recently became a member of an organization that takes care of homeless youth to help them be productive members of society. 

What does Humana do to enrich the communities it serves? 
Hernandez: Humana is active in our communities through our Bold Goal mission that brings nonprofit organizations together across different markets. I've been working on Humana’s Bold Goal initiative since 2017 in the Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Broward County markets. Our Bold Goal is to improve health outcomes and address the unmet social needs of our members and one way we do that is by bringing local non-profits together to maximize their impact in the community. One example is working with colleges to educate various segments of the population about nutrition and wellness services in different counties. A significant portion of our community doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from. We’re partnering with organizations to mitigate some of these challenges. 

What does a typical Saturday morning look like for you? 
Hernandez: Family, family, family. Our kids are grown now — my son is in his second year of law school, and my daughter is getting ready to start at the University of South Florida. You can usually catch us going out to eat, going to the parks or enjoying the beaches. My parents and siblings are in town, as well, so we spend a lot of time with them.