“We can’t change aging or cure catastrophic illnesses, but we can make the journey easier and provide peace of mind to our clients. When I see how our families are impacted by our care, this is the reward and reason for PyxisCare.”

–Mindy Jones, PyxisCare Management Founding Principal, MS, MBA, CSA

Mindy Jones, Founding Principal of PyxisCare Management, created the company after seeing a gap in how families and individuals navigate our complex healthcare system. Learn more about what inspired her to create the PyxisCare concept.

Tell us about yourself. I grew up in a military family, was born in Germany and attended eight different schools across the US and abroad. Despite the challenges of growing up in the military and being the new kid on the block, I experienced a global, diverse world that taught me to think outside the box. From a young age I excelled in science, and earned a biology degree from Indiana University, and then a Masters in Horticulture Studies from Purdue University. Later I earned an MBA from UT Dallas.

After college I worked as a florist, a chemist, and in a greenhouse. I loved using my horticulture degree, but my entrepreneurial spirit drove me to a career in pharmaceutical sales and marketing management. Through this experience of learning more about the wide range of complex medical needs, I knew I would someday own and operate a company that helped people manage their healthcare experience.

Being involved in my community is important to me and to the culture of our team. I serve on the board of Texas Wall Street Women and the Timberview High School Band Booster Club. I am the fundraising chair for two Scout troops and I teach Bible study at our church.

How did PyxisCare get started? I was fortunate to live close to my grandparents while pursuing my master’s degree at Purdue, and I spent time helping them navigate a health care system none of us understood. They were part of the Greatest Generation; my grandfather served in World War II. I researched how they could

best utilize our complex Medicare system. What does it cover? How does it work? This experience planted the seeds for PyxisCare.

After this and my pharmaceutical experience, I felt called to create a business that could help people like my grandparents. I noticed a gap in our complicated health care system. Frustrated patients and families struggle to figure out where and how to get the care they need. Our current system does not take a holistic approach to care, meaning it doesn’t consider financials, family, spirituality, and emotional health. This inspired me create a business model that would bridge these gaps.

It was important that PyxisCare would hire only the most qualified team. Nurses make the best consultants and are the most trusted professionals. The understand the emotional challenges and they also understand the complexity of healthcare coverage. The first nurse I hired came from a strong psychiatric hospital background, with a long career caring for patients with mental health challenges and brain injuries. At PyxisCare, she impacted so many patients and their families, meeting them where they were with compassion and grace. It was inspiring and I continued to be awed by this work.

The purpose of PyxisCare from the beginning was to investigate, assess, and determine the needs of our clients’ and then craft a plan of action to help them. What do I need to do to assist? Where are the best resources on behalf of this client? Our care is patient-centric, patient-driven and unique to each client.

What are your responsibilities at PyxisCare? As the chief brand ambassador, I oversee all facets of our company from clinical expertise and integrated care coordination to recruiting and business development. I communicate daily with existing stakeholders, collaborators and potential resources on behalf of our clients. We provide the highest level of service and expertise to help our clients so they can find best healthcare solutions for themselves and their loved ones. This is why PyxisCare exists. I am passionate about this and have published papers on the topic of lack of preventative care and how it negatively affects care costs and overall health outcome.

What is the most important change you’ve seen in the industry? The healthcare industry has changed and costs have soared beyond imagination. This has affected not just individuals but companies large and small. A few years ago, PyxisCare expanded to support companies and their leaders with strategic health plan management and with onsite care coordination through our Personal Health Nurses. Developing these programs with CEOs, CFOs or COOs has been transformative for the companies and also for my team. We have been fortunate to be on the leading edge of innovation, problem-solving and compassion that helps recruit, retain and preserve profits.

What brings you joy about leading PyxisCare? We often meet our clients at an important inflection point: individual clients when they are at their most vulnerable, and our corporate clients when they are making strategic decisions that affect people and profits. This is a huge responsibility that I take seriously.

A business must make money, but what motivates me every day is working for a company that creates jobs, impacts change, and compassionately serves people where they are. Seniors and people struggling with mental health and debilitating illnesses can’t advocate for themselves. Our team listens to their struggles, and we involve family members to advocate and support them. Our employees comfort, build trust and serve families and individuals struggling to cope with serious medical challenges. Our magic is in the customer service we bring to families.

We can’t change aging or cure catastrophic illnesses, but we can make the journey easier and provide peace of mind to our clients. Our corporate clients see financial and organizational benefits; it’s hugely satisfying to help a small or mid-sized company support their workforce and become more profitable.

But what sparks our joy is still the personal impact we have on people. This is what makes PyxisCare special.

“Our more mature clients have had the opportunity to reflect over
their lives, and I have compassion for their stories and experiences.
It’s an honor to provide resources and guidance to these clients.”

Stephanie Cook, PyxisCare’s newest Nurse Client Advocate, brings more than 16 years of teaching experience along with the ability to see the humanity and unique needs of every person she works with. She can take a complicated medical process and deliver it in understandable terms and easy-to-follow instructions, knowing that clients are not medical professionals.

What lead you to pursue a nursing career? I grew up close to my dad, and he encouraged me to pursue a nursing career. I have such respect for him, it was an easy choice to pursue a bachelor’s degree in this field. After I graduated and began working, I quickly realized this was God’s calling for me and my dad was right. For 24 years I’ve treated patients in med surgical, cardiac ICU, home health, and nursing homes. Additionally, I’ve taught nursing and medical classes at a junior college for 16 years.

Tell us about your role at PyxisCare As a Nurse Client Advocate, I first meet with families to understand their situation. Our medical system is complicated and difficult to navigate. I serve as a bridge to our messy system and collaborate with the PyxisCare team to find whole-person integrated solutions, meeting clients where they are. We serve families in five areas: medical, environmental, financial, psycho-social, and legal. Some families need help in all the areas and some in just one or two areas.

I particularly like that PyxisCare pairs clients with team members who can best serve their needs. My specialty is adults and geriatrics, but I’m also qualified to serve in other areas. To best support our clients, we partner with other team members with specialties such as mental health, pediatrics, and hospice. This ensures that clients are getting the best expertise for what they need.

Can you give us some examples of how you help families? We help families understand how they can get services such as Medicaid, assistance with meals and groceries, and finding a caregiver. If they need a ramp or other home accommodations, we find solutions. Often clients don’t understand what’s available to them. For example, a client came to us with a health issue that surgery could correct. The family did not realize surgery was an option and we explained how surgery could help and researched surgeon options.

What do you love about nursing and what unique skills do you bring to PyxisCare? Our older clients have had the opportunity to reflect over their lives, and I have compassion for their stories and experiences. It’s an honor to provide resources and guidance to these clients. Sometimes our clients are challenged with loss, grief, financial issues, and loneliness, and this can be difficult. Our team cares for each person holistically and provides the care and support they need.

Facing the end of life can be overwhelming and hard to understand. With my teaching experience I know how to break down medical terminology into easy-to-understand language. I have taught students who know nothing about nursing to students who know the basics. These skills help me meet families where they are as it relates to their situation. I communicate compassionately, seeing their humanity in all that I do. I am grateful to work for a company that exemplifies these values.

When a family first calls PyxisCare Management for help, they will likely hear the clear, kind voice of PyxisCare’s Relationship Manager, Meagan P.

Tell us about your role at PyxisCare . I serve as a liaison between the services our company provides and the client. When I chat with a family, I first listen and understand their needs. Sometimes families come to us in crisis, and they need emotional support in addition to the health-related services they receive. We are sometimes contacted for assistance with a less urgent need, such as planning for future healthcare decisions or making a long-term plan for living and estate planning. It’s my responsibility to ensure all their needs are met by the right expert on the team.

How does your position work with the rest of the PyxisCare team? After I meet with a family, I explain the full range of resources available to them, and then I collaborate with our team to tailor services for their specific situation. For example, do they need legal support or help managing a chronic illness? What benefits such as Medicare and disability are available? We offer benefits analysis, end-of-life care, psycho-social support, and much more. With my experience, I can assist parents seeking guardianship of their special needs child when they turn eighteen. PyxisCare offers holistic solutions to often complex situations.

— Shannon H., PyxisCare Special Education Advocate

Shannon Howell has a comprehensive background in education and advocacy, with a focus on special education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation studies and a master’s degree in special education, with an emphasis on emotional and behavioral disorders. With over 22 years of experience, she’s worked extensively as a classroom teacher, special education teacher, and school counselor across various educational levels. Currently, she serves as a district specialist, providing support to students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and overseeing compliance with the 504 programs.

Shannon’s decision to pursue advocacy aligns with her lifelong commitment to
supporting students with special needs. Recognizing the importance of ensuring educational
equity, she emphasizes the legal and ethical obligations schools have to provide services
outlined in IEPs and 504 plans. Drawing from personal experiences and familial connections to
special education, she highlights the necessity of leveling the playing field for all students,
regardless of their challenges or disabilities. Her expertise and passion drive her advocacy
efforts, aiming to bridge the gap between policy mandates and practical implementation in
educational settings.

Shannon underscores the critical role advocates play in navigating the complexities of
special education systems. She stresses the significance of advocacy in holding schools
accountable for meeting legal obligations and ensuring that students receive appropriate
support and accommodations. Shannon explains “Students and families deserve an equitable
education. It’s my goal to ensure each student has every opportunity to succeed.” Through her
work, she aims to empower parents by providing them with the necessary knowledge and
support to advocate effectively for their children. Her dedication to staying informed about
evolving laws and regulations reflects her commitment to advocating for the rights of students
with special needs. Overall, her tireless efforts contribute significantly to improving the
educational experiences and outcomes of students with disabilities.