On March 13, the UC Office of the President, or UCOP, announced the naming of Sharon Adesokan as its first Health Care Facilitator, or HCF.

UC Health allows members to choose from six coverage options, and the HCF helps members navigate this process. As experienced and educated counselors, HCFs help UC employees understand UC healthcare plans. HCFs assist employees with any issues that arise with billing, Medicare, plan coverage, patient rights and any other healthcare-related issues they may face.

HCFs work as representatives and advocates for people with complex medical needs, those requiring help understanding healthcare, and all UC employees generally. They work one-on-one with employees to provide assistance free of charge.

The UC system is one of the largest employers in California with over 141,000 benefit-eligible employees. HCFs support this vast employment, as well as retirees, faculty, survivors and eligible family members.

“Navigating through health care plans and understanding the complexities can be challenging,” Adesokan explained in the UCOP press release. “In addition to providing clarification of how the plans work, I will partner with the UCOP community by offering an empathetic ear, guidance and resources.”

Ryan King, UCOP Associate Director of Media Relations, noted that each university campus has an HCF, but Adesokan is the first HCF at UCOP.

Adesokan was named UCOP’s first HCF after seven years as a benefit analyst for UCOP. As a benefit analyst, Adesokan worked primarily on UC employee retirement benefits.

Adesokan said she is excited to have the opportunity to focus on health and welfare as the HCF.

“I enjoy meeting new colleagues and learning about their families and other interests,” Adesokan said in the press release. “What inspires me is the gratification I receive in knowing I have made a difference by providing peace of mind to my community.”