Finding hope & meaning to transform DME ordering in a difficult year

2021 was an intense year for the world, the nation, and at Parachute Health. We observed with great concern as our clinician and facility partners navigated the COVID-19 pandemic on the front lines, struggling with burnout and a seemingly endless stream of complex patient needs. We felt a new urgency in our drive to improve healthcare, yet also faced deeply personal challenges as we dealt with the pandemic’s impacts on virtually every aspect of our lives.

Against that backdrop, we chose to think about small ways to honor the season and to reflect on sources of meaning and gratitude from the past year. Here's a closer look at some of the challenges, triumphs, values, and joys that fueled us in our mission to transform DME ordering as we gather momentum for 2022.

We find special ways to make the most of the season

Dustin, SVP, Partnerships: Growing up in Ohio, I lived for snow days! My six-year-old daughter doesn't really have snow days, but my wife and I like to build snowmen and go sledding with her over winter break. It's a great way to share my childhood traditions.

Sunayana, Patient Advocate: So surreal that it’s 2022, but I’m incredibly grateful for the people that make me smile, the new things I’ve been learning recently, the new Spiderman movie, and bread. And books. Books are wonderful.

Heather, Technical Writer: I live in upstate New York, where winter days are short on easy beauty. It’s a chance to look a little closer: to see the geometric beauty of bare trees, find meaning in what we’ve accomplished, and lean into the warmth of relationships that sustain us.

"I love having the opportunity to look back on all the challenges overcome and progress made, then prepare for the exciting growth and opportunity that lies ahead!"

David, CEO: My favorite thing about this time of year is the combination of reflection on the year that just went by mixed with anticipation for the year ahead. I love having the opportunity to look back on all the challenges overcome and progress made, then prepare for the exciting growth and opportunity that lies ahead!

We’re passionate about the the technology we build and the people it helps

DJ, Senior Product Designer, UX: So many tech companies claim they’re making the world better (love the show Silicon Valley’s parody of this), but Parachute Health doesn’t need to exaggerate to show the importance of our work. The value we provide is real, and we encounter it daily through our customers’ success stories.

Rob, Growth Operations Manager: It’s amazing to have a front row seat to watch the ripple effect the Parachute Platform creates. When we help healthcare providers work better, their DME suppliers deliver better, and patients get what they need to live their fullest lives.

Dave, VP of Product: Health tech fuels me because there’s never a lack of important problems to solve, and our work has a real, positive impact on patients' lives.

Alaysha, Patient Advocate: Before joining Parachute Health, I never knew how the hospital beds arrived to my grandmother's room as she was in and out of hospice, or how much paperwork was lost in the process. Here, I can see just how impactful the work we do is for everyday people who need medical equipment.

Felicia, Data Analyst: I’m excited to support our mission from a data perspective. We’re currently building internal dashboards to hold accessible 'North Star' metrics to help build a shared understanding of where we are now and where we want to be, to ensure we’re doing the best we can for our customers.

"I’ve personally experienced the helplessness and fear of being unable to access crucial DME. It’s deeply empowering to promote a technology that can help millions of human beings like me."

Diana, Manager, Strategic Communications: I’m disabled and I rely on mobility devices to function. I’ve personally experienced the helplessness and fear of being unable to access crucial DME. It’s deeply empowering to promote a technology that can help millions of human beings like me.

We value what makes us connected and human across remote, distributed teams

Linda, Engineering Manager: I’m grateful that I get to hang out remotely with a great, connected team, which is so much better than working alone in the void.

Jacob, Merchandising Associate: I appreciate the small joys and laughter I find in my daily work. The best part is I get to do all this with an inspired group of individuals who help me grow in everything from my professional skills to my punchline delivery.

Brandon, SVP, Strategy: I’m grateful for the impressive, passionate, caring people I get to work alongside every day. For the people who share their puppy pics or their Spotify jams, for everyone who makes Parachute a great place to work, especially remotely.

"When people ask me about my job, I tell them that my work and the people I work with are a big source of joy in my life."

Tony, Product Manager: It’s super humbling to work with extremely smart and caring teammates. When people ask me about my job, I tell them that my work and the people I work with are a big source of joy in my life.