Inspiring Conversations with Laura Vanston of Inspire Pediatrics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Vanston. 

Hi Laura, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m a pediatric nurse practitioner from Ohio (although I’m a Colorado girl at heart), and I’ve been working with kids and their families for over 15 years. I started my career working for hospitals and clinics, but have always thought I would like to make a larger impact on pediatric healthcare even beyond the hospital. In 2019, I completed my doctorate degree by focusing on improving the treatment of pediatric allergies which motivated me to focus on solving common concerns and problems for families. 

At the same time, I also learned about some exciting advancements in telemedicine. This seemed like a perfect solution for busy families. In both hospitals and clinics, I had often been the person to see patients for something really simple in office, requiring far more effort and time on the part of the whole family than necessary, and I thought that a lot of these concerns could be addressed via telemedicine. Similarly, I was already fielding text questions from my family and friends, such as “What’s this rash?” or “Does this cut need stitches?”. They wanted advice from a qualified professional but didn’t want to go into the office if it could be avoided. I realized that this was a gap in healthcare that I was in the perfect position to fill. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve had to figure a lot out along the way. Before starting my business, I searched for other models to draw inspiration or knowledge from, but there were almost no other pediatric practitioners in that space. Most existing telemedicine services were run by family practitioners (who can see adults and children), but they weren’t focused on pediatrics in specific. So, I decided to just start slow and create it myself! 

Beyond simply answering medical questions, I also wanted to provide a more comprehensive service, which meant both education and classes. So, in addition to my telemedicine offering, I needed to find solutions for both live and on-demand classes. And I’ve been figuring this out all on my own! I’m owner, social media manager, head of marketing, and a health care provider all in one. It’s been exciting but a lot of work! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Inspire Pediatrics is a pediatric virtual care and parent education service. I provide secure (HIPAA compliant) texting and video visits to handle a lot of the day-to-day questions, illnesses, and questions about growth and development that parents have in-between pediatrician visits (or that the pediatrician doesn’t have time to address)! I also offer convenient live online classes such as virtual CPR (I drop off the equipment and we meet on Zoom) and first aid classes, as well as a growing library of on-demand classes (such as introducing solid foods and potty-training basics). What sets my service apart is my dedication to parent convenience and peace of mind. I also operate under the assumption that no question is too small to deserve a well-thought-out answer. And every response I provide comes with references to up-to-date sources and the latest research, so parents can be confident in the answers they receive.! (Telemedicine services only available in Colorado) 

What were you like growing up?
As a child, I was pretty shy and anxious but became much more outgoing in high school. I really resonate with shy and anxious children, because I know how they feel! But I’ve been able to grow into a confident person who even engages in public speaking. I’ve always been interested in a lot of things, including music (I played the clarinet through college), literature, travel, and I grew into more outdoor pursuits like rock climbing, backpacking and skiing into college and graduate school. I think this is why starting my own business is my calling. I’m always learning and growing, and this business allows me to both research to satisfy my curious and academic side, but also allows me to be creative. 

Contact Info:

• Email: laura@inspirepediatrics.com
• Website: http://www.inspirepediatrics.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/inspirepediatrics
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/inspirepediatrics