Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) might not always make the headlines, but for those who have experienced its transformative effects, it’s nothing short of life-changing. Behind this silent revolution stands Erika Jordan, the dynamic Founder and Hyperbaric Director of the Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center (HHTC). With a pioneering spirit, Erika has carved a niche in a specialized medical field, providing cutting-edge treatments to patients of all ages. At HHTC, her focus goes beyond conventional medical norms, delivering natural and effective solutions to a broad spectrum of health challenges.
Moved by her inspiring leadership and the stories of recovery emerging from HHTC, we reached out to Erika to delve deeper into her journey and the vision driving her forward.
Below are the excerpts from the interview:
Erika Jordan, you’ve had an impressive career trajectory, from Diagnostic Medical Sonographer to Hyperbaric Safety Director and now Founder of Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center. What inspired you to take the leap into entrepreneurship, and how did your previous roles prepare you for this?
I have always considered life a journey in which you must do what makes you happy. Once you find what you love, keep growing, and work will never feel like work. I am so thankful for the path that led me into my career, as all the knowledge and hands-on experience I gained have helped me better treat and understand my patients.
In my first degree as a diagnostics medical Sonographer, I was trained in echocardiography, general, obstetrics, and vascular. We had to know everything normal and abnormal about the body as we had to document what we saw during the exams. As a licensed EMT, I was trained in emergency medicine, safety, and patient assessment. Working in high-pressure situations prepared me to lead my team in safety training better.
My education and work experience led me to my Hyperbaric license, which I obtained while working in the private Hyperbaric sector over 17 years ago. I am dual licensed by the top nationally recognized Hyperbaric boards. I took both licenses so I could better lead those on my team. Being able to relate to the training and work it takes to become licensed helps implement better training protocols at my centers. After 8 years in the private sector, I decided to venture out to the corporate hospital field ready to grow our field for acceptance and safety standards.
After 10 years of working in all areas of the hyperbaric field, I realized my medical peers highly respected me. Many then mentioned, “You’ll be running your own clinic one day.” Physicians in the hospital would go out of their way to seek my advice on protocols for various conditions, so I felt confident in my ability to venture out on my own and offer the best of what I’ve learned in all the areas I’ve worked in.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is still a relatively niche field. Can you explain how HBOT works and why it’s so effective for such a wide range of conditions, from neurological disorders to sports injuries?
HBOT may be considered a niche field, but it is the one drug that everyone needs. Without oxygen, there is no life, so it is beneficial for us all to strive for the best health.
HBOT is a therapy that has been around for over 100 years. Most know of it for treating scuba divers or non-healing wounds in the hospital sector. It’s a therapy that involves enclosing a patient in a hyperbaric chamber filled with medical-grade oxygen at the highest purity. Then, pressure is increased to various depths to assist in healing. There are currently 14 FDA-approved indications that are covered by most insurance companies.
In addition to these 14 conditions, we know that the root of most medical conditions is a lack of blood flow or oxygen. So, at our center, we offer hospital-grade therapy to all patients, providing treatment for insurance indications and off-label conditions for those seeking treatment.
After working in hospital settings with limited treatment options, what challenges did you face in offering HBOT to a broader range of patients, and how did you overcome them?
Both of my centers are in locations where we are currently the only private free-standing Hyperbaric center, so a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to keep growing. Some would say if it is so suitable for those conditions why isn’t it covered by insurance? At this time, the conditions covered by insurance fall under the criteria as there could be loss of life, limb, or function prior to them considering it for coverage. In my mind, why are we waiting to get that sick before seeking natural treatment?
Unlike most hospitals, we offer out-of-pocket packages so that patients don’t have to wait to fall into slim criteria for coverage. With this mindset, we are seeing an increase in younger patients without major medical conditions who seek treatment for overall health, athletes for performance and recovery, and patients of all ages recovering from minor surgeries to reduce pain and swelling. This increase in awareness in the community continues to grow our field.
You’ve treated patients with diverse diagnoses, including veterans with TBI/PTSD and children with hypoxic birth disorders. Can you share a particularly impactful success story from your practice?
At my center, I am honored to assist in the healing of many diverse diagnoses. As a mother of two, I love getting results for the babies we treat. The youngest child I have treated was 7 ½ weeks old, and I take pride in my experience safely treating pediatric patients over the years of my career. Most don’t know that it is almost impossible for children to have hyperbaric treatment, as most studies have been on adults, and most facilities don’t feel comfortable treating pediatrics.
My most recent pediatric success story is a sweet young boy with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Before treatment, he only spoke a few words, was unable to process words, and had difficulty focusing. After completing a series of treatments, his behavioral therapists noted a significant improvement in him over the 8 weeks he was with us. Upon discharge, he was able to communicate more effectively. He was pointing out colors and telling us he loved us which was so sweet. Besides his therapist reporting changes, his mother was ecstatic over the results gained from the natural medicine.
How do you educate the public and medical community about the benefits and applications of HBOT, especially for conditions beyond the commonly approved indications?
Educating the community is crucial for growth in our field. I share the latest updates by having in-services at various medical clinics. I send monthly email newsletters with the latest updates to those who sign up. And get out into the community as much as possible. You never know who you will meet at these various events, but the one thing I keep in mind is everyone I do meet needs oxygen as even if it’s not for them to receive treatment at my center, they will know of it and may look into treatment options wherever they live at their location hospital.
Beyond treating individuals, how do you see your work contributing to the broader healthcare landscape, especially for underserved or marginalized communities?
Outside my clinic, I can reach other healthcare professionals through social media outlets and my website. I can share my hands-on experience and patient results to further improve care outside of our office. My favorite source for this is LinkedIn. I am always on LinkedIn speaking with other hyperbaric professionals, in many languages I don’t speak. Thankfully, through auto-translate, we are able to communicate and have valuable conversations.
Years ago, the first CHT of a new major hospital in Hong Kong contacted me. He was about to treat his first radiation patient and had questions. I was able to assist with his questions, and he gave me a post-treatment follow-up, stating that the patient tolerated the treatment well without concerns and ended up healing completely. To know that I helped this patient in another country was very heartwarming.
My most recent worldwide outreach was to the father of a 5 y/o boy who contacted my office and was persistent to speak with me. When I spoke with him, he explained he had to travel across the border to have treatment as no one in his country would treat children. While undergoing treatment there, the father had many questions regarding safety, protocol, and aftercare. I was able to answer his questions and give guidance. Being a parent myself, it was very rewarding to help this child whom I have and may never meet. After the call, he posted the following on my Google review:
“The team and Erika are wonderful people dealing with the utmost respect and consideration and also helping people across continents. I have only wonderful words about this treatment center. Their pieces of advice, videos and help to me are priceless.
If you want treatment with hyperbaric come to their center it is worth it I assure you.”
What advancements do you foresee in the field of hyperbaric medicine, and how is your center preparing to integrate these developments?
Growing awareness is the most significant advancement I foresee in the hyperbaric field. The industry is getting so much attention these days, and word is spreading fast through many outlets, such as peer-reviewed research publications, major celebrities undergoing treatment, and professional athletes.
Having these high-profile celebrities bring awareness to the field opens the eyes of many to the benefits oxygen has to offer. This is bringing growth to both on-label and off-label hyperbaric indications.
At HHTC, we are prepared for this growth by offering treatment options in our 7 chambers in 2 locations. As the field continues to grow, we plan to keep up with this by expanding current hours and opening another center in the future.
As a female leader in a specialized medical field, what advice do you have for other women aspiring to make impactful contributions to healthcare?
As a female leader in a specialized male-driven field, the best advice I can give is not to let your gender, age, or even being a mother be a disadvantage. These should be looked at as valuable assets. We can bring additional cultures into the field that enhance growth and innovation.
As women, we bring on extra layers of strength, experience, point of view, empathy, love, and positivity. Youth bring in energy, out-of-the-box thinking, and determination for growth. Mothers bring in a new sense of handwork, dedication, communication, and understanding.
Of course, it is important to learn everything you can about a new field before entering it. Listen carefully to peers; they will teach you much more than textbooks; they have valuable hands-on experience. Then, lead your team with positivity.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave through your work at the Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center, and how do you envision the future of patient care in your specialty?
The legacy I would like to leave is being a true example of following your dreams, as your hard work will pay off. I started at the very bottom of my field while attending school for a different medical degree. I quickly fell in love with a field that was new to me and unheard of to others. I saw the major impact this medicine has on all who undergo it, and then I was determined to grow as much as I could and let others know the benefits.
I would like HHTC to be known as a center that offers a natural drug administered by elite trained medical professionals to patients of all ages who want to receive treatment in a safe medical center.
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