Welcome to The Power Suit Series! With this blog series, we'll be engaging in conversations with influential women in the business world. Our aim is to offer guidance, motivation, and a glimpse into the journeys of women who have achieved success. Our first interview is with Debra Hays, co-founder of ICON Medical Network.
1. Tell me about yourself.
I’ve spent over 25 years in the healthcare industry and co-founded ICON Medical Network, a national healthcare staffing company that received numerous awards including being selected as one of Oregon’s Fastest growing private companies and one of the 100 best companies to work for in Oregon 5 years in a row. We sold ICON to a buyer in Dallas in 2020 and since then I am officially retired.
Since my retirement, I’ve discovered a deep passion for mentoring others, Currently, I’m actively involved with two meaningful organizations. One is Lake Grove Job Seekers, a non-profit dedicated to helping meaningful individuals find employment or navigate through career transitions. The other is Great Life Mentoring, where I provide support to youth who have experienced trauma or face challenging circumstances in their home lives.
Growing up in Wisconsin, my Sundays are reserved for cheering on the Green Bay Packers with my family.
I have a fantastic husband and three amazing stepchildren with whom I relish spending time.
This phase of my life is incredibly fulfilling as I find my balance between my passion for mentoring, family activities and traveling,
2. You have owned and recently sold a very successful company. Can you tell me a little bit about that process? How did you get started? What made you start your own company?
My journey into the world of physician recruitment began when I was 25, starting as an entry-level recruiter with StaffCare in Dallas, TX. Despite having no prior experience in recruiting or office work, my deep passion for helping people, especially those in need, propelled me into this career.
I saw hospitals' pivotal role in addressing people's needs and felt drawn to contribute positively in such a vital setting. Despite my lack of experience, I was determined to learn and make a meaningful impact in the field of physician recruitment.
My initial year was challenging, but I was fortunate to have incredible mentors committed to seeing me succeed. With their guidance, I quickly learned the ropes, and by my 2nd and, 3rd, and 4th years, I was honored with the title of Recruiter of the Year.
In 2006, I decided to take on a new challenge; I moved to Portland to establish a physician recruiting division for an established healthcare company. Under my leadership, the division grew from just me to a team of 10 recruiters, achieving over 3 million in sales.
In 2010, along with a colleague, took a bold step to create our own company. Our goal was to develop a team of employees who emphasized the importance of relationships, recognizing that building connections was crucial for success. The key to our success was always a steadfast commitment to our mission, values, and vision. By recruiting individuals driven by passion, integrity and resilience-rather than focusing solely on degrees, accomplishments or prior experience-we successfully expanded the company’s revenue to 15 million.
3. What were some of the challenges you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?
One of the most significant challenges in my career occurred when I decided to transition from being a flight attendant to an Informational Technology Recruiter. I found it challenging to connect with IT professionals and failed miserably in my first month. To make matters worse, my boss told me I would be better suited as a secretary rather than a recruiter. That moment was a turning point in my life. I took that rejection as a personal challenge and opportunity for growth. I decided to make my next career move in an industry that I was genuinely passionate about- healthcare recruiting.
4. If you could give women out there one piece of advice what would it be?
I am a die-hard green bay packer fan and draw inspiration from a quote from the legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi
“It's not whether you got knocked down; it's whether you get back up.”
― Vince Lombardi
Adversity is a constant in life, but what truly matters is how we react to these challenges. Within our response lies genuine perseverance and, at its core, your true character.