Lena Esmail is a trailblazer in healthcare management, devoted to creating fairness and accessibility in medical providers. Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Lena grew up on the town’s North Aspect, working in almost each enterprise on Belmont Avenue throughout her early life.
She graduated from Liberty Excessive College in 2004 and pursued increased schooling regionally, incomes baccalaureates in Nursing and Biology from Youngstown State College (YSU). Her superior levels embody a Grasp’s in Nursing from Ursuline School, a post-master’s certificates in important care from YSU, and a Doctorate in Nursing Follow from Kent State College. She is the CEO of QuickMed, a rising healthcare group that operates pressing care and in-school clinics all through Northeast Ohio. Lena can also be a passionate advocate for empowering girls in healthcare and bridging gaps in group well being.
On this unique Q&A, Lena shares her distinctive insights into management, group affect, and the way forward for healthcare.
What impressed you to dedicate your profession to addressing healthcare inequities in your hometown?
Rising up on the North Aspect of Youngstown, I witnessed firsthand how healthcare disparities impacted folks in my group. I labored at so many locations on Belmont Avenue, and I noticed the limitations folks confronted when it got here to accessing fundamental medical providers. I knew that if I needed to make a distinction, I needed to begin proper right here within the Mahoning Valley. For me, it’s private—my coronary heart is right here. Seeing the constructive affect QuickMed is having on lowering inequities has been one of the vital rewarding experiences of my life.
QuickMed has grown quickly throughout Northeast Ohio. What units your healthcare mannequin aside?
QuickMed was based on the concept healthcare ought to be accessible, community-based, and tailor-made to the wants of the folks we serve. We use a sophisticated follow supplier mannequin, that means sufferers are cared for by extremely expert nurse practitioners and doctor assistants. This strategy permits us to ship high quality care in areas that may not in any other case have it. Our clinics are strategically positioned in faculties and underserved communities as a result of these are the locations the place entry is required most. It’s not nearly treating sickness—it’s about creating belief and lasting relationships with the folks we serve.
As a frontrunner, how do you empower girls in healthcare?
Empowering girls begins with recognizing their potential and creating pathways for his or her success. At QuickMed, we prioritize mentorship and management coaching. I’ve personally mentored girls to tackle extra superior roles inside our group, and I encourage them to embrace their voices on the decision-making desk. Girls carry a novel perspective to healthcare management, one that’s compassionate, collaborative, and solutions-oriented. By fostering a tradition of help and steady studying, we be certain that girls in our group really feel assured to steer and innovate.
What challenges do you suppose girls face most in healthcare, and the way can they overcome them?
The largest challenges are systemic—gender bias, unequal pay, and restricted illustration in management roles. Girls make up over 70% of the healthcare workforce however maintain solely a fraction of senior management positions. Past that, work-life stability generally is a important impediment, particularly for girls who additionally shoulder household tasks. To beat these challenges, we have to create extra versatile work environments and management pipelines which might be deliberately inclusive. Mentorship is essential too. Girls want entry to seasoned professionals who can information them and advocate for his or her progress.
What recommendation would you give to somebody seeking to begin a healthcare initiative of their group?
Begin by listening. One of the best ways to create significant change is to grasp the particular wants of the group you need to serve. What works in a single space might not work in one other. Construct relationships and earn belief—that’s the muse of any profitable initiative. And don’t be afraid to dream massive however stay grounded within the actuality of what’s achievable. Ardour will take you far, however perseverance will make sure you make a long-lasting affect.
How do you stability your roles as a CEO, a nurse, and a mom of six?
Stability is a day by day follow, and I gained’t faux it’s at all times straightforward. However I’ve realized to deal with what really issues and let go of the remaining. My household retains me grounded—they’re my best supply of pleasure and inspiration. At work, I delegate to a robust crew that shares my imaginative and prescient for QuickMed. I additionally prioritize self-care. As a nurse, I perceive the significance of well being and well-being, so I find time for basketball and quiet moments with my household to recharge. It’s about displaying up totally in every position, even when it’s not all on the similar time.
What’s your imaginative and prescient for the way forward for healthcare within the Mahoning Valley and past?
My imaginative and prescient is easy: equitable entry to high quality healthcare for everybody, no matter the place they reside or their monetary scenario. I need QuickMed to proceed increasing into underserved areas, making certain that nobody has to journey far for the care they want. Past that, I hope to see extra girls in management roles, driving innovation and systemic change. Healthcare isn’t nearly treating sicknesses—it’s about constructing more healthy, stronger communities. That’s the legacy I hope to depart behind.
