The Creation and Work of TAFEC

The recipient of a degree in nursing from Lee College, Jeanne Shipp is an experienced RN who co-founded both Hospitality Health ER and Patients ER. Complementing her role as administrator at both emergency rooms, Jeanne Shipp holds membership with the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC).

Texas was the first state in the US to grant licenses for independent emergency rooms. This was made possible in 2009 following the passage of House Bill 1357, which was sponsored by Sen. Bob Deuell, MD (Greenville) and Sen. Carl Isett (Lubbock) and originally proposed during the 81st Texas Legislature. Several freestanding emergency care centers opened soon after, but it was clear there was a need for a unified voice to represent these operators. As a result, TAFEC was established to serve in that regard, as well as to ensure fair regulation and uniform standards across all freestanding emergency centers.

TAFEC is now composed of more than 120 facilities owned by more than 30 member companies. Among its advocacy and legislative victories is HB 3085, a House bill that reduced administrative costs by extending the licensing period from one to two years.

Goose Creek School District Offers Innovative Teaching Grants

An entrepreneur and a registered nurse, Jeanne Shipp cofounded the Hospitality Health ER chain of freestanding emergency rooms and Patients Emergency Room (Patients ER) in Baytown, Texas. In August of 2018, Jeanne Shipp and the Patients ER team supported local educators and students through a $15,000 check to the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District (GCCISD).

The donation was part of Patients ER’s sponsorship of the GCCISD annual All-Star Gala. GCCISD’s mission is to support educational excellence with the aim of enhancing student achievement by funding educational programs and activities that have traditionally not been funded or have been underfunded.

GCCISD also offers Innovative Teaching Grants to recognize and encourage staff excellence and reward creative instructional approaches that contribute to meeting educational objectives. Given to teachers or teams of teachers who directly instruct students, the GCCISD Educational Foundation first awarded the grants in May of 2010. The awards are funded by contributions from the community, individuals, civic organizations, and businesses.

The Funding Priorities of the Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation

Jeanne Shipp is a former emergency room nurse who serves as the principal of Hospitality Health ER and Patients Emergency Room in Texas. A supporter of her community, Jeanne Shipp and Patients Emergency Room have donated to the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District (Goose Creek CISD) Education Foundation.

The Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation provides resources that enrich teaching and opportunities that promote education excellence for students enrolled at school campuses within the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District (Goose Creek CISD) in Houston, Texas. An independently-organized nonprofit, the foundation operates for charitable purposes and directs its initiatives and funding according to three priorities.

This includes improving community involvement from civic organizations, individuals, and businesses, while another is facilitating skill development and achievement among Goose Creek CISD students. The Goose Creek CSID Education Foundation’s third priority involves acknowledging and encouraging staff excellence.

In support of the latter two priorities, the foundation manages programs that recognize academic achievement and teacher excellence. It also runs the Innovative Teaching Grant Program to motivate staff to excel and reward teachers who utilize innovative and creative instructional approaches. These grants provide financial aid for educational activities and programs that are not fully funded through the district’s normal operating budget.

Factors to Consider When Launching a Healthcare Start-Up

After earning a degree in nursing, Jeanne Shipp spent four years working as an emergency room nurse. As a co-founder of three freestanding ERs, Jeanne Shipp has successfully launched a healthcare start-up.

As innovation and technology move healthcare in new directions, the opportunities to open any type of business in the healthcare industry are numerous. However, entrepreneurs in this industry should take into consideration a few factors:

1. People launching a healthcare start-up must support the need for their product or service with scientific research.

2. Unless the founders are financing the venture personally or through a bank, they will have to seek funding from investors.

3. As with any business, the founders have to make sure customers (patients) exist for their product or service. Start-ups must determine which healthcare services are in high demand.

4. The healthcare industry is characterized by licensing and certification. Making sure the company has all of the necessary licenses and certifications is vital.

Because launching a healthcare start-up involves much bureaucracy, the founders will not see a profit until much later. Waiting for the start-up to grow will require patience.