Amy Wrightsel
Chief Executive Officer
Quick Takes:
- Industry Trend to Watch: Continued consolidation across workers’ compensation services, paired with an aggressive push toward AI and automation. While both can bring efficiency, we cannot lose sight of the fact that we serve people — recovering employees — and their healing must always come first.
- Leadership Philosophy: Lead with integrity, consistency, and accountability. Trust is built by doing the right thing when it’s inconvenient, not just when it’s easy.
- Current Focus: Expanding thoughtfully by adding capabilities, systems, and talent without sacrificing the relationships and service quality that built the business.
- Next Big Initiative: Investing in technology that improves transparency and efficiency while protecting the human expertise and judgment that recovering employees and clients still need.
- Best Career Advice Received: Earn trust first. Growth and titles mean very little if people don’t trust your judgment or your intentions.
- Favorite Way to Relax: Running. It clears my head, builds mental endurance, and reinforces that long-term success comes from discipline and consistency, not shortcuts.
In our latest leadership spotlight, we sat down with our Chief Executive Officer, Amy Wrightsel, to discuss her remarkable journey from client service associate to CEO, her vision for Preferred Medical’s future, and the leadership principles that have guided the company’s transformation into an industry leader.
Professional Journey in 2 Minutes:
"My journey with Preferred Medical began in 2003 when I joined as a client service associate. What started as helping clients navigate workers' compensation challenges has evolved into leading the company's strategic vision. As I took on roles of increasing responsibility—from National Sales Manager to Executive VP of Sales, COO, and now CEO—I've gained perspective from every level of our organization. What's been most rewarding is helping transform Preferred into a recognized industry leader while maintaining our unwavering focus on our customers and their recovering employees. My path demonstrates that deep industry knowledge, combined with a passion for excellence, creates opportunities for meaningful impact."
How Has Your Journey from Client Service Associate to CEO Shaped Your Leadership Approach?
"Starting as a client service associate gave me a perspective that continues to influence my leadership style today. When you've personally assisted clients with resolving workers' compensation issues and heard directly from injured workers about their challenges, it fundamentally changes how you make decisions as a leader. I believe this ground-up experience is our secret weapon at Preferred Medical—we truly understand the day-to-day realities our clients face. It's why I encourage every leader in our organization to stay connected to frontline operations and client interactions. The most innovative solutions often come from those closest to the work. This approach has created a culture where everyone, regardless of title, feels empowered to identify opportunities for improvement. Leadership isn't about having all the answers; it's about creating an environment where the best ideas can emerge from anywhere in the organization."
How Has Preferred Medical's Service Portfolio Evolved Over Time?
"Our evolution has been remarkable—and always driven by listening to our clients' needs. When the company was founded, it was primarily focused on ancillary services, helping workers' compensation payers provide appropriate, cost-effective care. But we quickly recognized opportunities to create more value through integration. In 1998, the company expanded into pharmacy benefit management, becoming early leaders in addressing the responsible management of opioid medications. By 2010, we added Medical Bill Review services, specifically designed to support smaller payers who needed personalized attention that larger providers often overlooked. Today, we offer a comprehensive suite of integrated pharmacy, ancillary, and bill review solutions that work together seamlessly. What makes me particularly proud is that this growth wasn't driven by a desire to simply be bigger—it was about addressing gaps we saw in the market and solving real problems for our clients. Our 'Listen. Respond. Deliver.' mantra has guided every expansion decision. And while we've grown substantially from our humble beginnings in 1997, our core mission remains unchanged: seeing the person behind each claim number and supporting real people on their journey to recovery."
How Do You Envision the Future of Workers' Compensation, and Preferred Medical's Role in Shaping It?
"I believe we're at an inflection point in workers' compensation. I see a future that's increasingly proactive and preventative. Data analytics and wearable technology are already allowing us to identify risk factors before injuries happen, and I expect this trend to accelerate. At Preferred Medical, we're positioning ourselves at the intersection of technology and human expertise. The future of care management isn't about replacing human judgment with algorithms—it's about augmenting expertise with insights. As a company that grew from humble beginnings to a comprehensive service provider, we understand that evolution is constant. Our role in shaping the industry's future comes from our unique perspective: we see the entire recovery journey, from pharmacy to physical therapy to durable medical equipment, and beyond. What excites me most is how this integrated approach will continue transforming recovery outcomes—helping injured workers return to their lives and livelihoods faster and healthier than ever before."
What Energizes You Outside Work:
"When I'm not focused on Preferred Medical, I find balance through outdoor activities and spending quality time with family. Running has become my passion. It's where I find clarity and renewal after a busy day of leading the company. What makes it especially enjoyable is combining it with my love for Disney—I regularly participate in runDisney events at both Disney World and Disneyland. There's something magical about running through the parks before sunrise. These races aren't just about fitness; they're celebrations that bring together my love of challenge, achievement, and a touch of Disney magic.”
Coffee Order
“I’m not really a coffee-shop person. At home, I drink a flavored K-cup with half-and-half — I like flavor without sweetness. If I do stop at a coffee shop, it’s a latte with an extra shot, no flavoring. I like my coffee strong, not sweet.”