IDEAL for Healthcare

Today, IDEAL is incredibly grateful for the inspiring women making a difference in healthcare. Your dedication, compassion, and strength are truly admirable. ?? Let's continue to inspire and empower one another. Together, we can achieve great things. Happy Thanksgiving! ?? #turkeyday #IDEAL #leadership #diversity #grateful

Sometimes dreams need to adjust to reality, and that’s okay. When I founded IDEAL for Healthcare a few years ago, my vision was bold: to bring women and men in our industry together, encourage meaningful dialogue, and drive positive change—particularly around equity and pay gaps. I poured my heart into it because I believed (and still do) in the power of connection and shared experiences to catalyze change. But let me be honest. As life moved forward, juggling all my responsibilities became too much. When you try to do it all, something inevitably falls, and for me, it meant pausing to reassess what I could realistically take on. Being a mom, wife, and leader in my full-time role at FirstLight Home Care are my core priorities. Those roles demand and deserve my best—and I’m deeply honored to serve my family and the amazing entrepreneurs in our franchise network. Does this mean I care less about IDEAL? Not at all. It means I’ve learned to prioritize and pivot. That’s why I’m so excited to share that IDEAL is still very much alive, and we’re hosting our 2nd Annual IDEAL Event this January in collaboration with the incredible team at Lincoln Healthcare Leadership. ?? When: January 18, 2025 ?? Where: JW Marriott Marco Island ? Time: 2:00–5:00 PM It’ll be an intimate, living room-style discussion with light snacks, wine, and about 50 attendees—mostly women but open to anyone who supports our mission. This is a space to celebrate our unique journeys, learn from each other, and explore how we can continue building equity together. ?? Register link in the comments ?? And stay tuned—I cannot wait to announce our amazing speakers and moderator next week! Trust me, you won’t want to miss this incredible lineup. IDEAL is a community rooted in collaboration, allyship, and growth, and I feel grateful to continue this important work in a way that fits my reality. I hope to see many of you there as we honor our shared experiences and chart the future together. Let’s keep driving change—one conversation at a time. #IDEAL #WomenInLeadership #EquityInHealthcare #HC100 Home Care 100 Michelle Pickering Teresa Harbour Leah Shlyakhov Carmen Perry Morgan Kircher Keri Lamont Stacy Olinger, MSN Kristen Avellanosa Jennifer Stewart

IDEAL is thrilled to announce our annual event (FREE event), sponsored by Lincoln Healthcare Leadership, taking place on January 18 from 2-5 PM at the JW Marriott Marco Island prior to Home Care 100. This exclusive gathering celebrates inclusion, diversity, equity, and leadership in the care industry, bringing together passionate professionals committed to driving meaningful change. Everyone is welcome! We’ll be unveiling an incredible lineup of speakers and sponsors soon. If you are interested in sponsoring please reach out to Kristen Duell. With only 50 seats available, now is the time to secure your spot. Save your seat here: https://lnkd.in/evwTYMKH Let’s come together to inspire, connect, and lead. We can’t wait to see you there! #Leadership #DiversityInCare #IDEALEvent #HomeCare100 Picture from last year ??

? Today is Juneteenth ?? We come together to honor and recognize the significance of today in our nation's history as it marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, and reminds us of the ongoing fight for equality. Let's make the most out today to: ?? Educate ?? Engage in meaningful conversations ?? Actively work to dismantle systematic racism Together, as allies, friends, family, and colleagues -- we must commit to creating a future where freedom, justice, and equality prevail. ?? ??

?? June is Alzheimzer's & Brain Awareness Month?? This month we recognize the incredible women who selflessly care for loved ones facing this disease. Your strength, compassion, and dedication inspire us everyday. We see you, honor you, and are here to support you. To all the healthcare professionals who balance caring for their own families while providing exceptional care to others facing Alzheimer's or other brain diseases ... your resilience and strength is remarkable. Thank you for all you do ?? #AlzheimersAwareness #BrainAwarenessMonth #WomeninHealthcare

Being a woman in male-dominated industries hasn't always been easy for me or my career.?However, it has taught me some incredibly valuable lessons. Many of you know I began my journey in a predominantly male industry, construction. During this time, I learned the importance of having a tactical approach and developing “thick skin”. One key lesson I gained from this experience is that being direct, assertive, and confident can help women be taken more seriously in these environments. This lesson was crucial in preparing me for the opportunities that followed, including my current role as VP of Sales. Unfortunately, as women, we often have to work harder to prove ourselves and be taken seriously for new opportunities and upward mobility in our careers. Despite this, I've found that staying focused on my goals and holding firmly onto my motivation to set a strong example for my daughters has enabled me to overcome many challenges. This has not only helped me stay resilient but also grow stronger. My advice to other women in similar situations is to stay strong, stay focused, use your voice and never let anyone deter you from your goals.? How have you navigated being a woman in male-dominated spaces?

This Memorial Day, IDEAL proudly honors the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. We remember their courage and dedication. Let’s take a moment today to reflect on their legacy and the freedom we cherish. From all of us at IDEAL, we wish everyone a peaceful and reflective Memorial Day. #MemorialDay #rememberandhonor

?? Exciting News!?? Lincoln Healthcare Leadership is hiring, and IDEAL is excited to share these new opportunities for greater reach! If you or someone you know is looking to join a team that’s dedicated to healthcare innovation and excellence - apply today!???

As we conclude WHM you now know 31+ women in healthcare who are making an impact. The purpose of IDEAL is to help keep women in our industry and attract top talent by lifting one another. Becoming a safe space to talk about topics that have historically been taboo. IDEAL is made up of men and women who are dedicated to our industry. Speaking up alone can feel impossible, but iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another. Together, we can transform, just as iron transforms into steel. Happy Women’s History Month! ?? IDEAL Board ?? Kristen Duell Michelle Pickering Stacy Olinger, MSN Teresa Harbour Jnon Griffin Leah Shlyakhov Carmen Perry-Tevaga Morgan Kircher Kaishauna Guidry, MD, HMDC Keri Lamont Brandy Sparkman-Beierle Kristen Avellanosa #weareideal #womenshistorymonth

Today we also lift up Emily I.. She holds herself to such high standards and really exemplifies the qualities needed to propel our industry forward! She operates with a combination of coaching, empathy, and accountability that creates the motivation and confidence for her team and clients to grow. #womenshistorymonth #weareideal