Community Voices: Nurse Practitioners of Florida: Talk with the Business Resiliency Team and feel better in the morning

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One of the “symptoms” of Covid-19 for many business owners has been insomnia. Ronsha “Shay” Brown, APRN-C and founder of Nurse Practitioners of Florida says, “I couldn’t sleep. I was up all night, thinking ‘What can I do to save my business?’” 

Last year, Brown fulfilled her childhood dream of owning a medical practice. Nurse Practitioners of Florida (NPF) opened in South St. Pete with the mission of providing everyone with the highest quality medical care while still being cost-effective. The three nurse practitioners, each of whom has a Master of Science in Nursing degree and additional specialty certifications, provide wellness exams (for women, men, and children), screening for hypertension and diabetes, immunizations, electronic prescriptions, and a wide range of other services. In response to the pandemic, they offer telemedicine appointments and immune-boosting IV hydration therapy, and have just started Covid-19 testing.

At the grand opening of her business Brown said, “We’re going to make this business a success, we’re going to give back to the community, and we’re going to have fun doing it.” Coronavirus knocked a huge hole in those plans. Business slowed, and Brown’s sleeplessness grew until she connected with Kim Vogel, co-manager of the Greenhouse, who also served as a navigator on St. Pete’s Business Resiliency Team. 

Brown and Vogel first prioritized Brown’s needs, primarily in insurance contracts and marketing, and developed an action plan. Vogel says, “In setting a goal itself, it becomes more achievable.” Brown and Deborah focused on outreach to insurance carriers, and secured contracts with several additional carriers. Vogel is also working with NPF on improving their signage for greater visibility in the community and in finding an experienced medical billing resource.

Perhaps most importantly, Vogel introduced Brown to Lauren Davenport, founder and CEO of The Symphony Agency, a healthcare communications firm. Davenport volunteered for the Business Resiliency Team’s “Give Us 5” program, in which professionals like coaches, accountants, marketers, and tech gurus volunteered to donate five hours to working with BRT clients. After meeting with Brown, Davenport talked with her team and the agency decided to take on NPF as a pro bono client. Davenport and Symphony client experience consultant Olivia Taaffe are working with Brown and NPF to develop a five-year strategic plan focused on NPF’s target audiences, and how the nurse practitioners will serve them not only in the immediacy of Covid, but in the years to come. “The interaction with them is awesome – they’re energetic and have great ideas,” says Brown. “They are helping us get our foundation set and solid.”

Brown says after working with the Business Resiliency Team, “I am definitely feeling more positive. Now I can go to sleep at night.”

Nurse Practitioners of Florida is open Monday through Friday at 3551 42nd Ave S. in St. Petersburg and via tele-medicine appointments. NPF is in the Skyway Marina District, not far from the 34th Street Walmart. Visit https://nursepractitionersfl.com/ to make an appointment and follow NPF on Facebook or Instagram.

The Business Resiliency Team is St. Pete’s emergency response team for small business. It is a collaborative model for assisting small businesses throughout St. Pete. The BRT’s focus on one-on-one connections with business owners and using data as a tool for ensuring equity helps build a stronger, more resilient St. Petersburg. For more information, visit stpetegreenhouse.com/about/navigation/