“Keep going, stay positive, and trust that every effort moves you closer to your greatest achievements.”
These words are the cornerstone of a journey built on perseverance, hope, and an unwavering belief in the power of persistence—the journey of Erika Jordan (DMS, EMT, CHT, CHS), Founder and Director of the Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center.
For anyone reading her story, this quote is a lens to view Erika’s entire career. Each step she’s taken, every obstacle she’s overcome, ties back to this simple yet profound belief: no effort is wasted when you’re working toward something greater.
Today, Erika Jordan stands as a pioneer in her field, leading with compassion and a clear mission: to make hyperbaric therapy not just a specialized treatment, but a standard in healthcare. Her story, like her mantra, is one of resilience. It is a narrative that underscores the importance of staying positive and trusting the process, no matter the odds.
Let’s delve deeper into Erika’s story and discover how she turned her vision into reality, the challenges she faced along the way, and how her leadership continues to inspire both her team and the healthcare community.
The Making of a Visionary Leader
Erika’s journey in healthcare began more than ten years ago. A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer and Emergency Medical Technician by training, Erika built her career from the ground up, starting in the private sector before moving to the hospital world.
“I decided to climb the corporate ladder in the hospital sector in the Hyperbaric Department,” she shares. Over the years, Erika not only mastered the technical aspects of her role but also took on the responsibilities of managing safety protocols, becoming the Senior Hyperbaric Safety Director at a major hospital.
It was this experience that revealed a critical gap in healthcare services, sparking the idea of opening her own center. “I was able to see the lack of available treatment options firsthand,” Erika recalls, explaining how her time in the hospital sector highlighted the need for better care and safety protocols for patients requiring hyperbaric treatment.
“After 10 years in the Hyperbaric Field, I decided to open my own center,” she explains. And so, in 2017, the Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center was born—a facility designed to provide patients with access to a form of therapy that Erika passionately believes in.
Her journey from working at hospitals to opening her own clinic wasn’t just about filling a market gap. It was a mission born out of empathy and an unshakeable belief in the power of hyperbaric therapy.
“My vision is to start offering HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) as a standard of care and not just for major medical conditions,” she says. For Erika, hyperbaric therapy isn’t only a treatment to be administered after someone is already sick. “Why wait until you’re sick to heal?” she asks. “You can use HBOT to stay healthy and keep your body strong and working at maximum potential.”
Innovation in Hyperbaric Therapy
Erika’s belief in hyperbaric therapy goes beyond its traditional applications. What started as a treatment primarily for conditions like decompression sickness and carbon monoxide poisoning has, under her leadership, expanded into a comprehensive care option for a range of health issues. Her clinic is at the forefront of treating patients recovering from radiation therapy, an area where hyperbaric therapy has recently made significant strides.
“When I first started in this field, it was unheard of to put a radiation patient in a hyperbaric chamber,” Erika notes. “The medical community believed it would feed cancer and cause it to grow.” However, research has debunked that myth, and today, hyperbaric therapy is recognized as a valuable tool in treating radiation injuries. “Medicare and most commercial insurance companies cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy for patients with radiation,” Erika explains. This, she believes, is a game-changer. The fact that most insurance companies cover up to 60 treatments per year opens up new possibilities for patients, particularly cancer survivors.
At her clinic, Erika has witnessed firsthand the healing power of this therapy. “We successfully healed many breast tissue and other tissues affected by radiation,” she shares. But beyond just healing existing damage, hyperbaric therapy is now being approved for preventative care as well.
“Some commercial insurance companies are approving preventative hyperbaric for patients who have had previous radiation and are undergoing elective surgery to reduce or eliminate post-surgical risks related to blood flow.” This is a significant development, one that Erika believes will only grow as more patients and healthcare providers realize the full potential of hyperbaric treatments.
Overcoming Challenges through Astute Leadership
Running a successful clinic is no small feat, and Erika has faced her share of challenges. The road to success wasn’t always smooth, particularly when she decided to open a second location. “One of the most challenging times during my journey was when I was pregnant, living in a trailer away from my family and home while opening our second location,” she reflects. The decision to move two hours away to oversee the launch of the new clinic wasn’t easy. “The stress of opening a new location and becoming a first-time mom was sometimes overwhelming, but I stayed strong and pushed through.”
During this time, Erika had to wear many hats, balancing her personal life with the demands of expanding her business. From doing her own marketing right after the COVID pandemic, to dealing with employee turnover, Erika faced one obstacle after another. “I had to keep up with my Orlando location’s operations while growing a baby,” she says with a smile, a testament to her resilience. Yet, through it all, she emerged stronger, more determined to ensure the success of her clinics.
“My leadership style is running the office like a team,” she explains. Erika emphasizes trust and empowerment, believing that micromanagement stifles growth. “If you micromanage, you will never grow,” she asserts. Instead, she gives her team the freedom to take charge once they’ve completed their training. “Trust is a cornerstone of my leadership style,” she adds. This trust creates a positive working environment for both staff and patients, ensuring that everyone feels supported and empowered to succeed.
Staying Ahead by Adopting Innovation
As someone who is always looking ahead, Erika is particularly excited about the emerging trends in healthcare. One of the most promising developments she has come across is EyeBOX®, a revolutionary medical technology that helps diagnose concussions.
“EyeBOX® takes the guesswork out of diagnosis by combining neuroscience and proprietary algorithms to provide an objective assessment of a patient’s neurological health,” she explains. This technology, which measures abnormal eye movements to detect concussions, is a perfect example of how innovation can improve patient outcomes.
At her clinic, Erika has already seen the impact of EyeBOX® firsthand. One of her patients, who was recovering from a traumatic brain injury, showed significant improvement after undergoing hyperbaric treatments, and EyeBOX® scans confirmed the progress. “I am so excited to say we noticed significant results in his post-hyperbaric EyeBOX® scan,” Erika shares. This breakthrough has only strengthened her belief that hyperbaric therapy, combined with cutting-edge technologies, can transform the future of healthcare.
Looking to the future, Erika has ambitious plans for her clinic. Over the next five years, she intends to expand by adding an additional chamber at her second location and opening a third clinic. Her goal is to continue growing in areas where hyperbaric therapy is most needed. “We will continue to focus on growth in areas of need,” she says, reflecting her long-term vision for the Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center.
Lessons of Perseverance and Leadership
For those aspiring to make a difference in healthcare, Erika has some valuable advice. “Don’t give up!” she says. “Just because it hasn’t been done yet doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It just means someone hasn’t figured it out yet.”
In her view, perseverance is key to overcoming the many challenges that come with leading in the healthcare sector. She also encourages future leaders to embrace failure as part of the journey. “There is a song that states, 100 bad days bring 100 good stories,” she reflects. “This is true in business— the many situations that we face may appear to be so stressful at times yet will soon become funny learning moments and that is what makes us excel in our industry.”
Her career in healthcare has shaped her both personally and professionally. “I’ve learned the importance of having better insight when choosing a doctor or medical facility,” she explains. On a professional level, her years of experience have given her a deep understanding of the operational aspects of medical companies, allowing her to improve upon the systems she now runs in her own clinics.
Rooted in Empathy and Excellence
Beyond her work in hyperbaric therapy, Erika is also dedicated to giving back to the community. She has served with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer committee for six years, starting as an entry-level volunteer and now serving as the Operations Chair. “Working with a large not-for-profit organization which helps the community in so many ways, is such passion-filled work,” she says.
For Erika, being recognized on the cover of “2024 Global Healthcare Leaders: Shaping the Future” is an honor that reflects her commitment to raising healthcare standards. “I strive every day to go above and beyond on many levels,” she says. Her focus remains on improving the quality of care at her hyperbaric treatment centers, ensuring that every patient receives the best possible care.
Erika Jordan’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and a tireless commitment to healthcare excellence. As she continues to expand her clinic and push the boundaries of hyperbaric medicine, she remains a leader to watch. One who is truly shaping the future of healthcare.
