Many might wonder, what would someone with 10 college degrees do for a living? The answer: anything they want. In Andrew Bernat’s case, the choice is to serve as Legal Counsel for Liberty HealthShare. Armed with remarkable intellect and a Christlike heart for helping people, Bernat found his way to Liberty HealthShare after successful careers in business and law.
“I love learning and I’ve always done well in my classes,” said Bernat, an Ohio native. “Growing up, everyone told me I would make a good lawyer because I could make a good argument, and I was drawn to defending people who needed help.”
After graduating from high school as valedictorian, Bernat began his undergraduate studies at the University of Akron where he earned four undergraduate degrees in statistics, math, finance, and economics. He continued his academic pursuits at the respected Akron School of Law where he earned a law degree, plus two master’s degrees, one in business administration and a second in taxation.
He began his career in law after passing the bar exam at the Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs law firm where he would serve for more than four years. He later became a Certified Public Accountant. With obvious marketable skills, he was soon recruited to work at Sherwin Williams as Tax Counsel where he would serve for eight years.
It was during this time that Bernat began teaching accounting, finance, and law classes at his alma mater, the University of Akron, and he continues to do so to this day.
“I really like teaching,” said Bernat. “I enjoy working with my students. They come from all different backgrounds and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my love of learning. School has been a huge part of my life and teaching continues that connection.”
While considering a career change, perhaps to opportunities in healthcare or full-time teaching, Bernat decided he would send out one batch of resumes before making a final decision on his next steps. One was sent to Liberty HealthShare, and he received the call.
“I met with people here and my impression was that this was a really good group of people who could use someone with my skill set,” said Bernat.
Bernat joined the Liberty HealthShare team in 2022 and has enjoyed the opportunities to make considerable contributions to the positive trajectory the ministry now enjoys.
“I’m a Christian and believe there is a right way to stand up against governmental overreach,” said Bernat. “It’s a good feeling to stand up for our members and their right to make their own decisions about their healthcare.”
Working a full schedule and teaching classes each semester has not stopped Bernat from finding additional ways to make a difference in our world. He volunteers each week in the emergency room at Akron City Hospital, one of the busiest trauma centers in the region.
“Volunteering in the emergency room, I saw people coming in with gunshot wounds,” said Bernat. “That experience is so far afield from what I have known in my life. Volunteering there is another way I get to help people, sometimes in their most vulnerable moments. I’ve made some wonderful friends there and feel rewarded by helping in this way.”
Bernat gets an equal amount of satisfaction from his leadership role at Liberty HealthShare, relishing victories which help members.
“A really good day is driving home knowing that we’ve overcome a challenge that threatened the experience our members have with our ministry,” said Bernat. “Any win we can achieve for our members provides a lot of satisfaction. I’m dedicated to anything that helps our ministry to be successful.”
Bernat, who also holds an advanced law degree in intellectual property and undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry, is not currently enrolled in courses.
“I’m content with my 10 degrees for now,” he said, “but that doesn’t mean that I am done. If I get inspired to earn additional credentials to serve our membership, I’ll get it done. I feel an immense amount of satisfaction having the opportunity to advocate for their interests. God has blessed me greatly with this chance to make a difference here.”
