Meet Kiera Moore of Monarch Home Healthcare in Downtown Houston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiera Moore.

Kiera, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My love for nursing started at a young age. Even as a little girl, I admired nurses. At 17, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Clients looked forward to visits, and we became family. On my off days, it wasn’t unusual for me to call or check on clients who had no family nearby.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from North Carolina Central University (NCCU), I became a Registered Nurse (RN), and for the next four years worked at Duke University Medical Center in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) caring for infants with a wide range of conditions including prematurity, heart conditions, respiratory distress, and sepsis (infections).

I then decided to embark on a new journey: travel nursing to assist with nursing shortages in NICU units. I did this while taking an online program at Simmons College to obtain a master’s degree in nursing.

A few years ago, I relocated to Houston after falling in love with the city during a nursing assignment in the NICU at Texas Children’s Hospital. During clinical, I developed a strong passion for caring for the underserved and uninsured communities.

I received a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) so I could impact lives in an influential way. The reduction of health disparities and the promotion of health are my primary goals.

I currently practice in a primary care office, treating and managing acute and chronic illnesses, performing physical examinations, well woman examinations, and small procedures. Many patients I care for are affected by health disparities. I love being able to touch the lives of pediatrics and adult patients who need healthcare providers to advocate for them.

Although my career as a Family Nurse Practitioner is extremely gratifying, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and so I’ve returned to my roots. As an owner of a home care agency, I aim to reduce factors that contribute to disparities in home care and provide better access to care within the home.

Has it been a smooth road?
I was raised in a single-parent home, and needed to obtain student loans to pay for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Doing so caused me to accumulate over $93,000 in student loan debt. Although graduation was an exciting accomplishment, the experience was overshadowed by the excessive debt. But after much sacrifice and budgeting, I was able to pay it in two years.

Another hurdle involved learning the many state and federal regulations for my business. And now I find it challenging to find any time for leisure.

I find it amazing, though, how life delivers obstacles, but with determination, those challenges can be overcome. A bright spot was the great mentors and networking groups I connected with, which made business development easier. Although I’ve had many challenges, I feel rewarded by serving my clients.

Tell us more about the business.
My business is a non-medical, home care agency. We care for people of all ages within their homes. Most of our clients are elderly who require assistance with personal care, transfers, housekeeping, errands, medication reminders, and even companionship. We offer compassionate, tailored services for each client. We understand that most individuals do not prepare for the expense of personal care services that may be needed with aging. We offer affordable home care services so people can live a quality life.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think clients are becoming more conscience about their health, particularly since the pandemic, and are interested in living as healthy a lifestyle as possible. My goal is to host quarterly community events such as health fairs promoting health and wellness.

Image Credit:
Charming Charlton

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