Chamber Provides Right Dose of Business Help for Health Care Providers

Health care providers are important to our community because of the essential services they provide. They also are important because they make up a thriving industry sector that has a significant impact on our local economy. They are businesses – from large hospitals to individual practices – that provide vital jobs even in a tough economy.

Many also are Chamber members.  In fact, the medical/health industry is one of the Chamber’s top 10 sectors, with 90 members representing 36,000 employees.

Here’s what three local industry leaders had to say about their Chamber membership.

Dr. Susan Whaley, Optometrist, Owner, Tallahassee Eye Center

“We moved to Tallahassee 10 years ago and essentially didn’t know anybody in town. I joined Leads Group 6 almost immediately and loved it. In addition to the networking, I learned a lot about how to better run my business.

Networking is my favorite aspect of my Chamber membership. I have gotten a good amount of business directly from the Leads Group, but I didn’t do it for that. I did it to get to know the people better and to learn more about what they do and how I could do business with them.

I am very well trained in delivering eye care, but I was not as prepared to handle all the aspects of running my business. What I have learned through Chamber programs and the relationships I’ve made through networking have helped me grow my practice exponentially.”

Paige Mitchell, Director of Marketing, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital

“The Chamber has really helped us get the message out about our facility and the specialty care we provide as a 76-bed rehab hospital. We have hosted events, such as Business After Hours, to open our doors and to stay in touch with other Chamber members.

Through our involvement, we have met other business people and used their services that we didn’t even know about before. The Chamber has been a great resource to help us make those connections.

I was born and raised in Tallahassee, but I still seem to see friends at Chamber functions that I didn’t know were in the Chamber or what they were doing.

I have also really enjoyed the Professional Women’s Forum. I invite the other women in our organization to attend to get all the great information. It really is inspiring.”

Dr. Heather Burch, Orthodontist, Owner, Burch Orthodontics

“After moving here from Panama City, I joined the Chamber to network and to meet people, which was important since I started my practice with one patient.

I was a member of a Leads Group for several years and met a lot of members, which led to meeting other people and serving on boards in the community. Networking through the Chamber is a tremendous springboard.

A big part of my business plan was to become part of the community and serve on non-profit boards and help however I could. It also helped me develop professionally.

It is about getting to know people and letting people know who you are. I really wanted to build trust and confidence within the community, and this was a great way to do it. I am now in my eighth year and have developed a very large practice. I am very blessed.”

To learn how your business can benefit from becoming a member of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, call Amy Linder at (850) 521-3118.

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