The healthcare industry is always on the move, constantly evolving with new ideas and advancements that change how we think about treatment. One therapy that’s making an impact is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). This innovative approach has shown incredible promise in healing and recovery, helping everything from stubborn wounds to cognitive function. However, getting HBOT into the mainstream hasn’t been easy; it’s been a journey filled with challenges. It takes passionate leaders who truly understand the healthcare domain and are dedicated to bringing these advanced treatments to those who need them most.
One such leader is Erika Jordan, the driving force behind the Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center. Her story is inspiring—she started as a medical student and has now created a welcoming space where people can find hope and healing. Erika’s commitment to her patients shines through in everything she does, and her entrepreneurial spirit has helped her center become a go-to destination for those seeking effective therapies, especially when traditional options have fallen short. Under her guidance, the center is not just a place for treatment; it’s a community where patients feel supported and empowered on their healing journeys.
As a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Emergency Medical Technician, Certified Hyperbaric Technologist, and Safety Director, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role. But beyond her impressive credentials, it is her personal journey—rooted in compassion and a deep connection with her patients—that truly sets her apart.
Let’s delve into Erika Jordan’s story, exploring the origins of Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center, the challenges she has faced, her successes, and her vision for the future of hyperbaric medicine!
From Humble Beginnings to a Visionary Path
Erika’s path to founding Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center is as unique as it is inspiring. Her interest in hyperbaric oxygen therapy was sparked during her early career, but not in a way one might expect. It began when she applied for what she thought would be a simple babysitting job but found herself working as an office assistant for a physical therapist specializing in HBOT for brain healing. This experience proved to be a turning point, as she witnessed firsthand the profound impact HBOT could have on patients recovering from severe brain injuries.
“At that time, I was going to school at night for Diagnostic Medical Sonography,” she recalls, “and while working at his office, I saw how many brain-injured patients went from critical stages to significant recovery.” This exposure to the healing power of HBOT planted the seeds of a lifelong passion. Erika found herself deeply connected to the patients and their families, sharing in the joy of their progress and the hope this innovative therapy offered. This experience shaped her career path and instilled in her a profound sense of purpose.
After completing her degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Erika was offered a position as Safety Director and Manager of the clinic where she had started her journey. This role was a significant milestone, providing her with the experience and confidence needed to take the next big step—founding her hyperbaric center. “I truly felt it was where I needed to be,” she says. “I am so happy I took that step for the many strides we have made so far in my career.” This leap of faith led to the creation of Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center in 2017, where she could fully realize her vision of providing accessible, high-quality HBOT to those in need.
Building a Legacy of Care and Excellence
From its inception, Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center was built on the principles of safety, accessibility, and patient-centered care. Erika’s vision was clear: to offer a cost-effective and safe medical treatment option to all who needed it. However, turning this vision into reality was no small feat. She knew that the key to success lay not just in providing the therapy but in ensuring every aspect of the patient’s experience was handled with the utmost care and professionalism.
One of the first challenges Erika faced was scaling the center to meet the growing demand for HBOT without compromising on quality. “My scariest thought about growing was losing the quality of care our patients receive,” she admits. To address this, she focused on building a team of like-minded individuals who shared her commitment to the center’s mission. By carefully selecting and training her staff, she maintained the high standards of care that her patients had come to expect. “What worked best for me was hiring like-minded individuals who genuinely care about our mission and strive to do whatever they can to keep us growing and our patients well cared for,” she explains.
The growth of the center surpassed Erika’s initial expectations. While her original business plan had anticipated expanding to three or four chambers by the fifth year, she had already achieved this goal by the second year. By the fourth year, the center had opened a second location, further extending its reach and impact.
Prioritizing Safety in Every Step
As a Certified Hyperbaric Technologist and Hyperbaric Safety Director, she ensures the center not only meets but exceeds industry standards. “Hyperbaric facilities are only as safe as the ones operating them,” she emphasizes. The center implements a rigorous schedule of checks and maintenance for its chambers, including daily, weekly, monthly, semiannual, and annual inspections.
In addition to equipment maintenance, Erika has equipped the center with more than the required medical safety equipment for both adult and pediatric patients. These include an on-site AED (Automated External Defibrillator), pneumothorax needles, blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, thermometers, and glucometers for diabetic patients. These tools are meticulously sanitized and calibrated for quality control, reflecting the center’s commitment to patient safety.
However, it is not just the equipment that ensures safety; it is the people. Erika understands that the effectiveness of safety protocols hinges on the competence and readiness of her team. “And most important of all is our team safety training,” she notes. New hires undergo comprehensive training that includes emergency and medical drills before they are allowed direct patient care. Moreover, all departments participate in regular safety drills, far exceeding the industry standard of one fire drill per year. “The facility is only as safe as the ones operating it,” she reiterates.
Delivering Personalized Care Amidst Growth
As the center grew, maintaining the personalized care that patients valued became a central focus. Erika and her team developed strategies to ensure each patient received consistent, high-quality care regardless of which location they visited. This was particularly important as many patients divided their treatment between the two locations. “By implementing processes from onboarding to ongoing communication with our team, we ensure everyone receives the same care at either location,” she explains.
One hallmark of the center’s approach is its flexibility in tailoring treatments to individual patient needs. This is particularly evident in cases involving vulnerable patients, such as children or those with complex medical conditions. Erika shares the story of a young boy with hypospadias, a congenital condition requiring multiple reconstructive surgeries. The child faced significant risks during his recovery, but the team at the center developed a personalized HBOT protocol that was both safe and effective. “After careful evaluation of the current medical status, our medical director made a protocol that was deep enough to heal him and long enough to compare it to current studies,” she says.
This personalized approach extends to ongoing monitoring of patients throughout their treatment. Licensed and trained medical professionals closely monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood glucose, and oxygen levels, to ensure each patient’s body responds well to the therapy. If necessary, the medical director adjusts the protocol to optimize outcomes. This careful attention to detail ensures that the center provides effective treatment in a manner that prioritizes patient safety and comfort.
The Ritz Carlton of Hyperbaric Facilities
Erika has often described her facility as the “Ritz Carlton of hyperbaric facilities,” reflecting the premium level of care and attention to detail that patients can expect. This premium experience begins from the moment a patient walks through the doors and continues throughout their treatment journey.
“Our elite team of medical professionals is the core of our company,” she asserts. The staff’s dedication is evident in every interaction, from the first phone call to the final discharge.
The center’s environment is carefully designed to enhance healing, featuring calming colors, Florida highwaymen artwork, and healing stones. “Each of these additional layers of healing were carefully thought of and designed in both of our buildouts within our centers,” she explains. This holistic approach to care, combining expert staff with a thoughtfully curated environment, sets the Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center apart in the field.
Advancing the Field of Hyperbaric Medicine
Erika recognizes the importance of proper training and education in ensuring hyperbaric therapy is administered safely and effectively. As a result, she is actively involved in mentoring the next generation of hyperbaric professionals. “This is important to me as I grow in my field,” she says, “and I aim to be there as a mentor to the upcoming era of Certified Hyperbaric Technologists (CHT) and Certified Hyperbaric Specialists (CHS).”
One challenge she has identified is the growing number of unlicensed individuals opening hyperbaric facilities. These operators often cut costs by foregoing proper maintenance and hiring untrained staff, which can lead to unsafe conditions for patients. Erika is committed to raising awareness about the importance of licensing and proper training in the field. She shares information on operations, protocols, and training with others in the industry, helping to promote best practices and ensure the safety of patients across the board.
Her efforts extend beyond the United States. Through platforms like LinkedIn, she has connected with hyperbaric professionals worldwide, sharing knowledge and insights that help advance the field globally. One of her most rewarding experiences was being contacted by the first licensed CHT in China, who sought her advice on treating a radiation patient. “Through the translation feature, we had an enjoyable conversation about patient care, and I’m happy to report the patient had great results!” she recalls.
Staying Ahead of the Curve in Hyperbaric Medicine
Erika is diligent about keeping herself and her team informed about new research, protocols and safety practices. She uses tools like Google Alerts to receive daily updates on hyperbaric-related topics, which she then shares with her team in monthly briefings. “This tactic is also super useful for safety,” she notes, highlighting the importance of staying informed about safety events in the field.
Her commitment to safety is evident in her proactive approach to learning from the experiences of others. If a hyperbaric-related safety event occurs anywhere in the world, she investigates it to see if there are lessons to apply to her center. Even if the event could not happen within her facility due to strict safety protocols, she believes it is important to be prepared and informed. This level of diligence ensures her center is not only a leader in patient care but also in patient safety.
Expansion and Innovation
As Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center continues to grow, Erika remains focused on expanding its reach while maintaining the high standards that have become its hallmark. The center’s success has led to plans for further expansion, with a new location in the works to accommodate the increasing patient flow. “The busier we get, the more people we are helping, and this is the most exciting part,” she says. This growth is a clear indicator of the center’s impact and the trust that patients place in its care.
Erika is also excited about the future of hyperbaric medicine and the potential for new innovations in the field. As research continues to uncover new applications for HBOT, she is eager to integrate these advancements into the center’s offerings. Her vision for the future is one of continued growth and innovation, where the center remains at the front of hyperbaric medicine, providing life-changing treatments to an ever-growing number of patients.
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