Most young professionals today hop from job to job, weaving in and out of different roles, even different industries. What’s not so common? Returning to earlier workplaces. Yet, IMO Health boasts many employees who have stepped away to chase different opportunities, only to find themselves lured back by our supportive culture, innovative solutions, and world-class leadership.
Recently named one of Built In’s 2025 Best Places to Work—earning spots on both the Best Mid-Sized Places to Work in Chicago and 100 Best Places to Work in Chicago lists—IMO Health is committed to fostering a meaningful, inclusive, and rewarding workplace.
But don’t just take our word for it. Keep scrolling to hear from three “boomerang” employees who left and later returned—more than once in some cases.
“The leaders I’ve worked for here really drew me back. To have the opportunity to learn from leaders like Julie Diaz, John Laursen, Matt Cardwell—it was a no-brainer.”
– Justin John
When Justin John, a Strategic Channel Partnerships Manager, first joined IMO Health, he was fresh out of college and eager to use his background in biomedical engineering to advance the healthcare industry.
“It was phenomenal to work for such an impactful company, especially around the time when ICD-10 first came live,” he said.
Motivated by a personal tragedy, John left after a few years to work in the financial assistance space supporting patients in need. While the experience was rewarding and opened his eyes to the varied roles within healthcare, it also reinforced what he valued most about working at IMO Health—the leadership. So, when the opportunity to return presented itself in 2023, he didn’t hesitate.
“The leaders I’ve worked for here really drew me back,” John shared. “To have the opportunity to learn from leaders like Julie Diaz, John Laursen, Matt Cardwell—it was a no-brainer.”
Since coming back, John has been able to appreciate just how much the company has evolved. Specifically, how it has morphed from a small business with a “startup vibe” to a robust organization with unparalleled mentorship and a “win together” mentality.
“The culture here is incredible from the top-down,” he said. “You can tell everyone’s so hungry to move, and I love that.”
John’s role has also expanded since his return. Shifting into a Customer Success Director position, he’s gaining new insights into customer dynamics, including how to navigate negotiations, and learning key tips from experienced leaders.
“It’s not always easy, but it is awesome when we get to run together, and our leaders are right by our side to help us succeed,” he said. “No matter where I end up, the time I have here right now is going to be such a differentiator for me.”
“The more I talked to people, the more I realized IMO Health had maintained that approachable, supportive culture that was so deeply ingrained when we were just 50 people. It’s not easy for a company to maintain that open-door nature as they grow.”
– Christopher Nagorny
If there were a superlative for most likely to return to IMO Health, Christopher (Chris) Nagorny would take the cake. Nagorny, a Client Success Director, has worked at the company not once, not twice, but three separate times. Why? Because for him, IMO Health isn’t just a workplace—it’s home.
“IMO Health always felt like family,” he said.
Nagorny first joined IMO Health over a decade ago as a Client Associate, dipping his toes into the world of healthcare IT and electronic health records (EHRs) during the transition to ICD-10 coding. But like many young professionals, he left to grow his career.
“I undervalued the culture part of a company,” Nagorny confessed, “and I guess I got homesick… fortunately, I had built strong relationships and left on good terms, so I was able to come back into a role that was really cool and that I loved.”
After leaving for a second time in 2019, fueled by changes in the account management team, Nagorny joined a growing start-up, enabling him to “flex his wings.” Further down the road, he completed a master’s program he had begun a while back to advance his expertise in the healthcare industry.
“That time gave me a new perspective on life and work-life balance,” he explained.
It also allowed him to complete an internship in data analytics and revenue cycle management, giving him a 360-degree view of the healthcare space. When IMO Health reached out in 2024, Nagorny was not actively seeking a new opportunity but was intrigued by the prospect of returning. His interest grew throughout the interview process.
“The more I talked to people, the more I realized IMO Health had maintained that approachable, supportive culture that was so deeply ingrained when we were just 50 people,” he said. “It’s not easy for a company to maintain that open-door nature as they grow.”
Now, as a Director of Client Success, Nagorny uses the skills and insights gleaned from past roles to guide non-provider clients.
“When I came here nearly 14 years ago, I wasn’t married, didn’t have any kids,” he expressed. “Now I’m married, we’ve got three kids… It’s been cool to see how everyone’s grown and evolved, and the new people we’ve brought in have adopted that same mentality that we always had.”
For John Marisie, a Client Success Director, returning to IMO Health was an easy decision—no other company quite measured up.
After working at IMO Health for three years, Marisie left to join a larger, globally recognized social media business, drawn by the opportunity to be a part of a newly formed healthcare team. But in November of 2024, he found himself back where he started, albeit with a new title.
“Ever since leaving, I was always looking for an organization that had solutions and people like IMO Health,” Marisie shared. “Our solutions solve so many challenges in the market, and I just can’t think of anybody else that can create them like we do.”
Marisie’s time at a larger corporation gave him valuable experience but also a stronger appreciation for IMO Health’s close-knit, collaborative environment.
“Here, you can have an impact on literally everything—even outside of your role,” he said.
When asked if the culture at IMO Health has changed over time, Marisie laughed, saying, “Yes and no.”
“There are people who have been here for 15, 20 years and haven’t skipped a beat, and the new hires are similar in the sense that everyone’s just trying to help each other,” he commented. “Everyone’s generally funny too, which makes the day go by easier.”
These days as a Client Success Director, Marisie helps clients maximize their experience with IMO Health solutions, ensuring that they’re using the products appropriately, receiving the value they expect, and being supported through any challenges that arise.
“The organization is actively investing in its clients and continuing to invest in its people,” he said. “I think that’s the most awesome thing to see from when I left to where we’re at right now.”
