Jerrod Jeffries
Founder and CEO of Beaker Health
Q: Can you tell us about your career journey from being a college student to your current role?
A: Absolutely, my journey has been quite a ride! It all started when I was just 19 at Indiana University. I had this vision to reduce the time it takes for nurses to practice effectively by harnessing healthcare simulation data to improve learning practices. This curiosity led me to Scandinavia, where I spent a decade working for one of the world’s largest healthcare simulation providers. During my tenure there, I worked as a global product manager, creating innovative software systems and platforms used in 8 different countries. After several successful launches, I was headhunted by Wolters Kluwer, a prominent healthcare curriculum provider in the United States. During my time with them, I managed to grow my healthcare education software portfolio to a staggering $41 million in just five years. My second product line, focused on nursing partnerships and community education, soared from $0 to $1.3 million in a mere 15 months. It was a thrilling journey that exposed me to the global landscape of healthcare education.
Q: Can you share more about the project you’re working on with Beaker Health?
A: I currently serve as the founder and CEO of Beaker Health, a dynamic community education platform. Our platform sources content from professional organizations, which we then offer to both external users and academic institutions. This innovative approach benefits professional organizations by increasing their visibility, enabling them to provide continuing education, and earning revenue. Simultaneously, academic institutions receive a more personalized curriculum, just-in-time learning, and access to the most up-to-date information in their respective fields. It’s a win-win situation for both sides.
Our initial success was found in Europe, particularly in the compliance field. We developed software that empowers any community member to share information, with the added ability for peer review and verification by administrators. This unique proposition gained traction with larger organizations. We primarily work on a business-to-business (B2B) basis, often white-labeling our technology, which means we’re not widely recognized as our technology operates behind the scenes. However, as a major U.S.-based group started using our platform, we expanded our reach to thousands of users across 26 countries. We have interns helping with marketing and enhancing our social media presence, as well as exploring individual state landscapes in terms of regulation and compliance. These efforts are crucial to educating potential businesses about how we can help them with content dissemination, visualize impact, and save time.
Q: What is it about precepting that you find fulfilling?
A: Precepting holds a special place in my heart because it allows me to contribute to molding the future generation of professionals. In academia, we often shy away from celebrating mistakes or failures. Yet, in the real world, it’s those very failures that drive our growth and help us reach our full potential. By providing a safe environment for students to make mistakes without severe consequences, we allow them to build confidence and prepare to make a significant impact on the world. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness students grow and learn in such an environment.
Q: Can you share your motivation for serving and giving back to future generations?
A: My educational journey began at the Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, where I completed my undergraduate and MBA studies many years ago. I firmly believe that Beaker Health and our success wouldn’t have been possible without the support and knowledge passed down from those who came before us. It’s this invaluable foundation that drives my desire to give back to future generations. I want to help not only the students but also my alma mater, ensuring that the cycle of support and growth continues. It’s a way of repaying the debt of knowledge and opportunity I owe to those who came before me.
Connect with Jerrod on LinkedIn!