Rosa M. Garay: Positive, Caring And Lifelong Learner

Everyone knows when Rosa M. Garay , Claims Adjuster , arrives at the Orlando office of the Florida League of Cities (FLC). She turns on the lights and says, “Good morning, everybody!”

Having a positive attitude is how Rosa, age 66, lives her life, according to her co-workers.

“There are days I might have started the day on the wrong foot, and it seems that nothing is going right, but all it takes is a short motivating conversation with Rosa, and all the negative energy disappears,” said Maura Soler, Workers’ Compensation Claims Manager

Nelly Vera , Workers’ Compensation Claims Service Representative, agrees. “She’s always happy, and if she hears music, she’ll start singing and dancing without hesitation.”

Rosa’s love of music means she greatly enjoys participating in the worship group at her church. When someone she knows is going through a difficult time, she invites them to join her at church. But her faith isn’t displayed only on Sundays. Her home has provided refuge for family members, friends and people in her church community. For people who have been displaced due to financial hardship or other circumstances, Rosa and her husband have taken them in and provided them with a place to sleep and eat while they get back on their feet, Maura said. Rosa and Carlos have been married for 27 years.

Rosa’s caring personality is evident, according to her co-workers. “Rosa is the type of person who would not hesitate to give someone a helping hand,” Nelly said. Vernell K. Goodridge, Director of Claims, said she’s “genuine and passionate, and it shows in the way she interacts with others.”

She has a passion for learning, Nelly said. For example, when Rosa learns a new word, she’ll think of different ways to use it for the next couple of weeks to ensure she doesn’t forget it. Vernell added, “She is always wanting to learn something new, learn a better way to complete a task, always taking a course to better herself.”

Rosa, who has worked at the League for more than 11 years, sat outside Vernell’s office for several years. He was always impressed with how she dealt with members and injured workers. Rosa’s responsibilities include calling members who have a new Notice of Injuries to investigate and determine compensability. She also handles calls with members and injured workers. “I knew they were in good hands with her,” Vernell said.

Her other responsibilities include evaluating claims for reserve review, paying any indemnity benefits that apply to the claim, filing electronic data interchanges (EDIs) and completed forms and approving medical bills and invoices for payment. She is a certified workers’ compensation litigation adjuster and a certified insurance representative. In 2015, she won the first Subro award, a one-time award when the subrogation program was rolled out. “She is one of the hardest-working people that I know in the industry!” Vernell said.

Rosa stands out because of her dedication to her work, her family and her community, her co-workers said. “She is one of those people that I’ve met in life whom I will remember forever,” Vernell said. “Personally and professionally, she is one of a kind.”