In 1996 Wheeler started FirstGuard, a subsidiary of Model Cities Health Corporation of Kansas City, in response to the state of Missouri’s plans to privatize health care. A former emergency room nurse and one of the first women to work as a health care management consultant, Ms. Wheeler has  grown the company from zero to annual revenue exceeding $230 million. She is quick to credit the one hundred ten employees who are committed to the company’s success and compassionate toward those they serve.

FirstGuard has developed many highly innovative programs such as creating an employee Ambassador Team which helped define the company’s “Credo and Promises”policy which outlines the company’s philosophy of commitment and care toward customers and co-workers. For example, every client who calls FirstGuard is addressed by name. In addition, most insurance companies direct their customer service personnel to limit calls to a specified time period regardless of whether the customer’s concern was resolved. Not so at FirstGuard. Too often just lip service, customer service is a top priority at this company.

In 2001 the business was named the winner of the Kansas City Business Ethics Award for small businesses and finished second nationally for the 2002 American Business Ethics Award. In addition, Joy was named a finalist for the 2001 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Ms. Wheeler is a devoted mother to son Korey and serves on the board of trustees of the Central Exchange, Prime Health Foundation and on the board of directors of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

What is a typical day at your office like?
I’m rarely in the office all day. I’m blessed with high energy and spend my days in and out of the office. The office is just a staging and communications center for me.

What is the most challenging thing about your job?
The most challenging thing about my job right now is working in health care at a time of state and federal budget constraints. I am concerned about the growing lack of access to health care for the under-served who rely upon federal and state programs.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
What I find the most rewarding is that I’ve been able to create a workplace that people want to come to; where both their personal and work needs are being addressed.

What is the one item in your office that you feel you could not do without?
The most important would be my assistant, Jeanne Anne. The second would be my planner.

When you were a child, what did you dream of doing with your life?
I always wanted to help people. I wanted to be a nurse and my parents encouraged that. They would tell me that one day I would be “a leader of nurses.”

Who is your mentor and what is the most valuable thing you learned from that person?
 I don’t really have a mentor, but do admire women who are strong but also caring like Barbara Bush.

If you had to list the top three reasons for your success, what would be on the list?
The top three reasons would be energy, sensitivity and honesty. And, I try to always do the right thing even if it’s a tough decision.

What do you do to relax?
I don’t relax enough, but right now I’m trying to play more golf. Otherwise, I like to spend time with friends and people I really care about.

What do you consider to be your best professional achievement?
I think my best professional achievement has been building this company on a foundation of moral and ethical values including honesty and caring and having it succeed. In spite of what some might say, it is quite possible to be financially successful and do the right thing.

What was the lowest point in your professional life?
The lowest point was when the most exciting opportunity of my career coincided with the most difficult time in my personal life.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?
I’m a night owl.

What is the last book you read?
The last book I read was the DaVinci Code but I also read a lot of books on the subject of management and leadership the latest being Execution.

What is your favorite movie?
I like human interest stories like Sea Biscuit and Miracle. These are stories of people who teamed together to win against all odds.

Are you more likely to dine out, order in, or cook?
I mainly dine out, but I also love to cook for my friends and family when there’s an occasion to celebrate.

What is your favorite vacation destination?
We have a time share in Cancun where my son and I have been going since he was two.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
The one thing I would change is how people treat children. There is a lot of abuse and lack of appreciation for them as people. Many have no health care and lack access to education.

What is your personal philosophy?
My philosophy is that you should always try to do the right thing. You have to strive for that or you stop getting better and you stop doing good.

What do you believe is the most critical issue facing Missouri?
I think that the most critical issue is that we don’t have the leadership needed to meet the challenges that we face.

What is your advice for young women just starting their careers?
My advice is for young women and young men both. You should focus on your values and know who you are and then select a career that is in alignment with you.

Why did you want to do this interview with Flourish?
I think that women who have been successful have an obligation to help other women be successful too.

Article Source: http://www.flourishmagazine.com