Today we’d like to introduce you to Johanne Pierre.
Johanne, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, let’s see where do I start? So, a little over a decade ago, I graduated with my first undergraduate studies in Accounting with a minor in Business Administration. For one reason or another, I wasn’t this super excited, entry level accountant who was eager to take on the world of analysis and reporting. In fact, I absolutely dread the 9-5 grind. I knew I had to switch gears and I had to do it fast. So much so that I barely practiced with my newly minted accounting degree before I decided to return to school to pursue the career my mother wanted me to do first: Advanced Nurse Practice.
I went back to pursue my second undergraduate degree in nursing, voluntarily terminated my administrative job at this Fortune 500 company I worked at for three years and transitioned to Home Health as a Home Health Aide while completing my studies. It was a HUGE step down in both title and compensation, but it was a short-term sacrifice I was willing to make to eventually end up to where I am today. Since then, I have climbed the career ladder in the professional field of nursing, first as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), then as a Registered Nurse (RN) and now as a candidate for Advanced Nurse Practitioner (NP).
It was during these transitional periods that I became exposed to the many health disparities that exist among underserved communities. As a Home Health Aide, I have worked in the homes of low-income elderly adults who experienced significant limitations in functioning due to lack of access to community resources, which ultimately led to a decrease in their quality of life. Likewise, as a CNA working in a healthcare organization, I readily noticed that hospitals and nursing facilities located in low-income, high minority neighborhoods, typically provided poorer quality of care than hospitals located in affluent areas. This discrepancy in economic status often led to poorer health outcomes for individuals experiencing acute or chronic health conditions. And now, as a RN working in a variety of clinical settings, I have become privy to the systemic bias in care that is rampant in the medical field and leads to disparities in healthcare among groups.
When I left my corporate position ten years ago, it was with the understanding that I would one day operate my own healthcare business. In the latter part of the decade, I set my gears in motion and founded Jovama Health, Inc., with a goal of helping to close the gap in health disparities between those with the most and the least opportunities for good health.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nope. Absolutely not. And anybody that says otherwise when it comes to entrepreneurship has not done the work. For me, I can tell you, it certainly hasn’t been the smoothest road. For one, I manage a tax exempt entity that is service-oriented and comes with a lot of red tape. I have a contract with the Texas Department of State Health Services and bill Medicaid for some of the services I provide. Anybody that’s anybody knows that dealing with the government in any capacity can be a pain. Rules, Policies, Regulations. You name it. But truth be told, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I absolutely love what I do and get paid to do it. I’m at the top of the organization making sure that we maintain compliance with government regulatory guidelines and I am in the trenches with my team, performing outreach activities, intake and referrals, assessments and follow up visits with my clients. It’s truly the best of both world.
Please tell us about Jovama Health
Jovama Health is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that primarily provides case management services for pregnant women of any age with health risk(s) and children, 20 years and younger, who have health conditions and medical-related needs. The company was incorporated in 2017 and our unique name comes from the first two letters of each prominent members on the team, i.e.; (Jo -Johanne, Va-Valerie Pierre, and Ma-Margarette Edouard, who are officers of the executive team).
In the role of case management, we typically do more than just provide referral services. Instead, we initiate our services with a comprehensive need assessment to identify deficiencies in access and care. We then complete a service/care planning document with the client and begin working on connecting the clients with the services they need. We do face to face and/or telephone follow up visits to monitor service provision and ensure that all needs identified in the assessment are being addressed. Once our client needs are satisfied, we close the case.
In addition to case management services, we also participate in community outreach activities and health and wellness initiatives, some of which are unrelated to our case management program and therefore span a broader scope of clientele. Our efforts are almost always directed at implementing interventions to address disparities in healthcare access and quality.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I keep a small circle and typically surround myself with people who are compassionate to the plight of others, loyal, practical, hardworking and honest. Oh wait, that’s me! Ok, well, my teammates are just the same. I have an amazing support system and I’ll start by naming the people who have been instrumental in moving the company forward including Cynthia Coulange, ESQ, Nevein El-Haddad, and Margarette Edouard, RN. My right hand woman, Valerie Pierre, RN is as dedicated as I am and blindly trusted in the vision from the moment I communicated it to her. She continues to make significant personal and professional investments in the business. Marc Pierre, RN, Michelle Marfo and Crystal Akah, FNP have been adamant supporters. I am grateful for all of them.
Credit also goes to SCORE Houston, the Executive Service Corps of Houston team (ESCH), the Office of Entrepreneurial Initiative at Houston Community College and BakerRipley Kauffman FastTrac program for affording me the resources I needed to establish and manage my entrepreneurial venture. These organizations were instrumental in providing the guidance I needed and are available to all in the community who are beginning their journey in entrepreneurship.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.jovamahealth.org
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
