Dedicated to Care: Inspiring Stories of Pediatric Care from the Propelus Team
A Tribute to National Children’s Health Month National Children’s Health Month, observed every October, is a wonderful moment to reflect on the incredible impact that pediatric care and children’s hospitals have on our lives. At Propelus, we are deeply committed to protecting vulnerable populations and supporting healthcare professionals. This month, we celebrate the remarkable work being done in pediatric care by sharing personal stories from our team members. Through these narratives, we aim to honor the dedication and compassion of those who work tirelessly to care for our youngest patients, celebrating the resilience and profound impact of pediatric care on our communities. Propelus stories A Mother’s Gratitude: Finding Comfort in My Son’s Surgery at Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bonnie Cobb, Sr. People Operations Manager at Propelus When my son needed surgery as a one-year-old, I felt so blessed to have Nemours Children’s Health and Wolfson Children’s hospital nearby. They are beautiful facilities staffed by endlessly caring professionals that made the whole experience as easy as possible. I’ll always remember the kindness the staff at Wolfson showed my son, and I especially appreciated how the nurse carried him in her arms back to the surgery area. At that time, my son had never been in the care of anyone other than family. Having her carry him like that gave both him and me the comfort we needed in that moment. Easing Stays for a Frequent Flier: My Childhood Journey at CCH Genevieve Terrall, Group Product Manager at Propelus As a frequent flier of Connecticut Children’s Hospital, I got used to the hospital food, the poking and prodding, and the constant stream of new treatments. However, all of the folks that I interacted with from respiratory techs to nurses to my doctors all showed up with the understanding that in order to make me feel more comfortable, they weren’t going to use big words and weird terms to tell me what was happening – they were going to bring me into the conversation to alleviate the fear around being away from home while not feeling well. It means that every time I’d get sick and have to go back, a little less nerve wracking. Being in the hospital as a little kid is scary. However, each member of the team at CCH validated that it was uncomfortable to be away from home and it was okay to feel sad that you haven’t seen a parent or sibling in days, allowing me to feel heard and hopeful that I would get back home. I had nurses who would remember my favorite popsicles and doctors who would talk to me about what I wanted to do when I was home with my little brothers. Most memorably, the respiratory techs would have me sing songs while wearing my vibrating vest. These professionals consistently go the extra mile to help children remain children while also being patients. Their dedication and care is truly unmatched, and I’ll remain thankful for them for the rest of my life. A Mother’s Heartfelt Thanks: Holistic Support for Our Son’s ADHD & Anxiety at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Stephanie Pavol, Director of Growth Marketing at Propelus Nationwide Children’s Hospital has been a great resource in helping my son with his ADHD and anxiety. The diagnosis process was really in-depth and covered a lot, but they made my son feel comfortable throughout the whole process. And they were able to offer a multi-pronged treatment approach from talk therapy to Occupational Therapy. We’re so lucky to have such an amazing organization for children’s health here in Columbus, Ohio. Their in-depth experience and amount of resources made all the difference with my son’s treatment plan. Nationwide Children’s is a leader in behavioral health, as exemplified by their national On Our Sleeves campaign. Their team was extremely knowledgeable and supportive. My son is healthy and thriving academically, behaviorally and in other areas. A Miracle of Care: My Survival Story Thanks to Kansas City’s Research Hospital Kevin McNeall, Senior Sales Executive at Propelus When I was born I had Jaundice, in 1969, which was more significant than it is today. I also had a collapsed lung. My dad told me that you could see my spine when I would inhale. I was not expected to leave the hospital alive and was baptized in the NICU. Because of new technology at the time and the commitment of the doctors and nurses at the hospital, I survived, and they are the reason I get to share my story. I remember my folks talking about the care and support they felt throughout my illness, and they attributed my survival to their [Kansas City’s Research Hospital’s] care. Grateful for Lifesaving Care: Our Journey as New Parents at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Karen Griffin, Product Marketing Director at Propelus When my oldest son was 8-months-old, he had meningitis. The person who actually first caught it was a student working at our pediatrician’s office. After getting a second opinion from our pediatrician, we were rushed over to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville where he had a spinal tap procedure to verify the diagnosis. It was a very scary experience for us as we were young parents of our first baby. When the results came back positive, he was admitted to the hospital, and we received the best care. I remember the hospital staff was there when we first got all set up in the hospital room and made sure we knew the latest updates to his condition. And, that wasn’t the last time we were at Vanderbilt. A few years later he was again admitted to Vanderbilt for a surgical procedure. Again, we had a great surgical team, and the post-operation care was phenomenal and [the care team] made sure we knew how he was doing in his recovery. From Crisis to Clarity: How Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Saved My Sister’s Life Jessica Dunbar, Chief of Staff at Propelus My sister was 17-years-old when she experienced her first
Celebrating One Year as Propelus: A Look Back at Our Progress
Written by Julie Walker, CEO at Propelus One year ago, on August 1, we excitingly announced our new brand, Propelus. This is a defining moment in our company’s history, and it more formally brought our brands – EverCheck, CE Broker, and Immuware – together as one unified company, all with a focused vision, mission, common set of values, and clear, customer-centric strategy. We knew we were on to something really special! A nod to our history We are honored and humbled by our unique history of over 20 years. Our founder’s vision was to help the Florida Department of Health (FL DoH) ensure their continuing education requirements for their licensed professionals were satisfied, which was foundational to our future. The FL DoH partnership was further instrumental in helping us develop and grow over the years to become the most trusted full-lifecycle continuing education management solution for government agencies, licensure departments, boards, and compacts. We embraced the opportunity to continuously evolve, innovate, and deliver meaningful solutions, introducing EverCheck. First, we assisted healthcare organizations in Florida, and soon after that, we expanded to a national footprint with the first-of-its-kind primary source verification and monitoring solution essential for dynamic workforce compliance management and to ensure professionals are Clear to Work®. In early 2023, we welcomed Immuware, a modern, intuitive, and professional-centric solution for Employee Health and safety (EHS) screening and surveillance. Ensuring the entire workforce – employees, vendors, contractors, students, and more–are healthy and safe to work – another critical element of workforce compliance in the broader human capital management ecosystem. Realizing our potential Our customer-centric, values-driven, and innovation-focused approach is core to our organization. Our many trusted professionals and their employers, licensure boards, agencies, and more helped us realize that our organization, as one company, has far-reaching potential with the focus on making a meaningful impact across our broader healthcare ecosystem. So, we stacked hands and set forth on our journey… We came together as one Propelus Team We embarked on this journey much earlier, in 2023. We started with our values. We believe they are our DNA. They are a blueprint that guides every interaction and decision and informs how we behave, operate, engage, and grow. We gathered thousands of inputs from our organization, customers, and other industry experts. We reviewed, discussed, and debated. We stacked hands, and here we are today. We have refreshed values, an even clearer vision, mission, and strategy–focused on powering professionals–connected through modern technology and united by our new brand, Propelus. We have laid an even stronger foundation for modernizing how professionals, employers, regulators, educators, and partners work together. Further, our “propeller” logo accentuates the full spectrum of what we do and the future we envision. Powering our progress We are excited to share a snapshot of our Propelus highlights: We serve more than 5 million professionals across our Propelus solutions. We partner with 400+ healthcare systems and several hundred licensure boards. We verify and monitor 8.3k primary data sources & professions for total workforce compliance. We process millions of license verifications, certifications, and registrations daily. We track more than 30 types of immunizations, screenings/surveillances, and injuries/illnesses. We’ve been honored with three Silver Stevie Awards, the world’s premier business awards, and Best Place to Work awards. We have delivered many exciting innovations for our customers, and even more are coming soon! Sharing our gratitude We are beyond grateful for our customers. They are central to why we exist, what motivates us to do meaningful work, and are vital to our future. Further, I am beyond proud of our Propelus team. We have had an exceptional first year as Propelus, and it is a true testament to our commitment to being a healthy, high-performing organization. One that embodies our values, the hustle & heart, passion & compassion, and determination makes Propelus an exceptional organization with an even brighter future – one that I am grateful and honored to lead. We are grateful for the progress we’ve made, and at the heart of everything we do is ensuring we meaningfully help safeguard our nation’s communities and workforce for safer, more compliant, healthier, and happier professionals. Cheers to Powering Professionals!
Propelus Honored as Silver Stevie® Award Winner In 2024 Stevie Awards For Technology Excellence
Jacksonville, FL – August 21, 2024 -Propelus has been named the winner of a Silver Stevie® Award in the Technical Innovation of the Year – Business Technology category in the first annual Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, “the Olympics for technology.” The Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of individuals, teams, and organizations shaping the future of technology across all industry sectors. Winners of the awards, named the Stevies from the Greek word meaning “crowned,” will be recognized during a gala awards dinner on Monday, September 16 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. More than 600 nominations from organizations of all sizes in 21 nations and territories were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of tech-related categories, including Company of the Year, Educational or Research Institution of the Year, Technical Innovation of the Year, Technology Breakthrough of the Year, and more in a variety of industry groupings including Advertising, Marketing, and PR, Aerospace Technology, Biotechnology, Business Technology, Healthcare Technology, among others. Propelus is a winner in the Technical Innovation of the Year – Business Technology category for the computer software industry. Propelus’ winning nomination for Primary Source Verification (PSV) API has been honored with a Silver Stevie® Award in the Technical Innovation of the Year category. This award recognizes our commitment to transforming the healthcare compliance landscape through innovative technology. The Propelus PSV API automates the time-intensive and error-prone process of verifying licenses and primary source data, ensuring that healthcare organizations can manage credentials with unparalleled efficiency and compliance. Judges praised our submission, noting that the PSV API “automates primary source verification for healthcare organizations, ensuring active, compliant credentials with real-time monitoring and integration into HR systems.” They highlighted the innovative nature of the API, stating that it “impressively automates a traditionally manual process, enhancing compliance and operational efficiency.” “This award reflects the hard work and dedication of our team in developing solutions that not only meet industry needs but also set a new standard for healthcare compliance. We are proud that our modern API is secure and built for enterprise scale. It can verify millions of licenses a day which seamlessly ensures safer and more efficient healthcare operations.” – John Barnes, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Propelus. The Silver Stevie® Award reinforces Propelus’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the healthcare sector, and we look forward to continuing to enhance workforce compliance through our groundbreaking solutions. More than 100 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s honorees. “We congratulate all of the winners in the inaugural edition of the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence for their outstanding performance, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements on September 16,” said Stevies president Maggie Miller. Details about the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence and the list of 2024 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Tech. About Propelus As a leader in dynamic workforce compliance technology, Propelus is modernizing how healthcare professionals and the broader healthcare ecosystem– employers, providers, payers, regulators, and partners–work better together. For over 20 years, Propelus solutions have propelled millions of professionals by providing market-leading technology, essential connectivity, data & insights, and unparalleled strategic partnerships. We power critical integrated governance, risk management, and compliance (iGRC) for a happier workforce, better operations, and safer communities. Learn why Propelus is trusted by 5+ million professionals: https://propelus.com/. About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations and territories. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.
Empowering Women in Healthcare
In honor of Women’s History Month, we want to take a moment to officially recognize the invaluable contributions of women to the healthcare industry. Women have played a crucial role in shaping the field of medicine, from pioneering groundbreaking medical advancements to advocating for gender equity in healthcare. Today, women make up 67% of the global health and social care workforce and provide essential health services for around 5 billion people worldwide. Let’s take a look at some of healthcare’s pioneers and innovators. The pioneers Elizabeth Blackwell, MD: In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. She co-founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children to serve the poor, paving the way for future generations of women in medicine. Mary Edwards Walker, MD: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker became the first female surgeon in the U.S. Army during the Civil War, despite facing discrimination and challenges due to her gender. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD: Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first black American woman to earn a medical degree in 1864. She cared for freed slaves and published a medical book to share her knowledge. Sister Mary Bernard: In 1877, Sister Mary Bernard became the first officially recognized nurse anesthetist, breaking barriers in the field of anesthesia. The innovators Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton dedicated her life to providing medical care and relief during times of disaster. Gerty Theresa Cori, PhD: Dr. Gerty Theresa Cori became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1947 for her discoveries in glucose metabolism. Virginia Apgar, MD: Dr. Virginia Apgar created the Apgar score for assessing newborns’ health, revolutionizing neonatal care. Loretta Ford, EdD, PNP: Co-founder of the first nurse practitioner program, Dr. Loretta Ford expanded the role of public health nurses to focus on illness prevention and health promotion. Patricia Bath, MD: Dr. Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment, making cataract surgery more precise and less painful. Antonia Novello, MD: Dr. Antonia Novello became the first woman and the first Hispanic to serve as U.S. surgeon general, focusing on public health issues such as AIDS research and domestic violence. Nancy W. Dickey, MD: Dr. Nancy W. Dickey became the first female president of the American Medical Association, advocating for women’s health issues and healthcare reform. The challenges But despite significant contributions, women in healthcare often encounter various challenges that hinder their professional growth and advancement. Those challenges include: Discrimination Women in healthcare often face discrimination based on their gender. Think: being passed over for promotions, receiving lower salaries compared to their male counterparts, and encountering biased treatment in the workplace. Occupational segregation Women in healthcare are frequently clustered into lower-status and low-paid roles, such as nursing and administrative positions, while men are more likely to occupy higher-paying and leadership roles. This occupational segregation contributes to the gender pay gap and limits women’s opportunities for career advancement. Unequal pay Even though women make up a significant portion of the healthcare workforce, they continue to earn less than men (regardless of roles). This disparity in pay not only affects women’s financial well-being but also perpetuates gender inequality in the workplace. Supporting Strategies To address these challenges and empower women in healthcare, we must all make the conscious decision to implement strategies that promote gender equity and create a more inclusive work environment. Promoting leadership development Providing women with opportunities for leadership development can help them advance in their careers and break through the glass ceiling. Leadership programs tailored to women’s needs can equip them with the skills and confidence to take on leadership roles in healthcare organizations. Mentorship opportunities Mentorship programs can be instrumental in supporting women’s professional growth and development. Pairing women with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, advice, and support can help them navigate the challenges they face in their careers. Networking initiatives Creating networking opportunities for women in healthcare can help them build valuable connections, expand their professional networks, and access new career opportunities. Leveraging technology Technology can be a powerful tool for women in healthcare to manage their careers more effectively, especially for those balancing work and family responsibilities. Tools such as telemedicine, electronic health records, and online learning courses for continuing education can help women stay connected, access resources, and advance their skills. Women in healthcare – the wrap up Empowering women in healthcare is not just about recognizing their achievements but also about addressing the challenges they face and advocating for gender equity in the workforce. At Propelus, our mission is to ensure healthcare professionals reach their full potential, which includes giving them the best tools to achieve professional compliance. Women have made immense contributions to the field of medicine, from pioneering groundbreaking advancements to advocating for better healthcare practices. Together, we cam help all women advance their healthcare careers. This Women’s History Month (and every month), let’s celebrate the accomplishments of women in healthcare and continue working toward a future where gender equity is the norm. Here’s to creating a more equitable and inclusive healthcare workforce for all.
Jessica Dunbar, Chief of Staff of Propelus, Wins Silver Stevie® Award for Maverick of the Year
Jessica Dunbar, Chief of Staff at Propelus, has been honored with the prestigious 2023 Silver Stevie® Award for Maverick of the Year in the 20th annual Stevie® Awards for Women in Business. This accolade is a testament to her exceptional contributions to Propleus. The Stevie® Awards for Women in Business honor the achievements of women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the companies they run– worldwide. The Stevie Award has been hailed as the world’s premier business award. Maverick of the Year, a Stevie® Awards for Women in Business category, celebrates female professionals who have instigated positive change within their companies and industries. Dunbar’s strategic foresight in acquiring and implementing Immuware and her dedication to upholding and evolving the company’s culture and values exemplify her role as a transformative leader and a beacon of positive organizational change. “I am deeply honored to receive the Silver Stevie Award for Maverick of the Year. This recognition is not just a reflection of my own efforts but a testament to the incredible team at Propelus and their unwavering dedication to innovation and excellence. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our organization’s success and proud to be part of a community that celebrates and empowers women leaders. Thank you to the Stevie Awards for this tremendous honor.” – Jessica Dunbar, Chief of Staff at Propelus “As CEO of Propelus, I couldn’t be more proud of Jessica Dunbar’s remarkable achievement in winning the Silver Stevie Award for Maverick of the Year. Jessica’s leadership as Chief of Staff has been instrumental in driving Propelus’s success and shaping our organizational culture. Her innovative thinking, thoughtful urgency, and dedication have propelled us to new heights, and this recognition reaffirms her outstanding contributions to our company. Jessica embodies the values of excellence and perseverance that define Propelus, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team. Congratulations, Jessica, on this well-deserved honor. Your achievement fills us with pride and inspires us all to continue striving for greatness.” – Julie Walker, CEO at Propelus Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie® Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 200 business professionals around the world, working on six juries. Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie® Awards, said, “In its 20th year, the Stevie® Awards for Women in Business received an outstanding body of nominations from women in organizations of all types in 26 nations. We are gratified by how meaningful it is to women to win a Stevie® Award and how impactful it can be on the futures of their careers and their organizations. We congratulate all of this year’s Grand, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie® Award winners for their achievements.” Details about the Stevie® Awards for Women in Business and the list of winners in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Women. Entries for the 2024 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business will open in May. About Propelus Propelus is modernizing how professionals, their employers, regulators, and associations work better together. For over twenty years, Propelus has propelled millions of dedicated professionals on successful career journeys. Our market-leading, dynamic workforce compliance management technology, full-lifecycle continuing education management software, and unparalleled access and automation of vital primary source verified data simplify total professional management for a happier workforce, better operations, and safer communities. Learn why Propelus is trusted by over 5 million professionals: https://propelus.com/. About the Stevie® Awards Stevie® Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie® Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.
Propelus Welcomes New Chief Financial Officer with Extensive Healthcare Industry Expertise
Propelus, a leading dynamic workforce management company in the healthcare, government, and education sectors, is delighted to announce Samantha Young as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Young brings a wealth of deep financial and industry experience to the role, making her appointment a significant milestone for the company. With over 15 years of relevant industry experience and a strategic financial leadership track record within healthcare organizations, Young is strongly positioned to steer Propelus’s financial strategies in this dynamic sector. Before joining Propelus, she held instrumental executive-level and financial positions at respected healthcare technology organizations. “Samantha possesses strong financial expertise, aligns well with our company culture, and has a keen understanding of the critical intricacies involved in healthcare workforce compliance,” said Julie Walker, CEO at Propelus. “She will be invaluable in driving financial strategies and navigating the unique complexities that ensure Propelus is the most trusted dynamic workforce management solution to power our nation’s critical compliance programs and safeguard our communities.” “I am thrilled to join Propelus at this inflection point in the company’s trajectory,” said Young. “Propelus has garnered the trust of state regulators, professionals, and employers due to its deliberate focus on innovation, security, and user experience. Its impressive ecosystem provides immediate value, ensuring the safe and compliant onboarding and continued management of professionals. I look forward to collaborating and partnering with the entire team to accelerate growth.” Young holds a Master’s in Business Administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon, and a CPA. She is dedicated to applying her extensive healthcare industry experience to Propelus’ vision and mission and to promote workforce GRC excellence. About Propelus Propelus, a workforce management technology leader, is modernizing how dedicated professionals, their employers, regulators, and partners work better together. For over 20 years, Propelus’ solutions — CE Broker, EverCheck, and Immuware — have propelled the careers of millions through its Dynamic Professional Management platform, which provides workforce and talent management solutions. Our innovative technology ensures a safer workforce, streamlines operations, and helps connect the complex workforce ecosystem, powering access to vital data, services, and support with unparalleled strategic partnerships to power our nation’s critical compliance programs and safeguard our communities. Learn why Propelus is trusted by over 5 million professionals: https://propelus.com/.
