Dear friends, colleagues, and healthcare champions,

I’d like to take a moment to share with you the origin story of ShiftRx, a journey that has been shaped by personal challenges and a deep-rooted desire to make a difference in healthcare.

When my co-founder, Leann, and I embarked on this path, we didn’t imagine ourselves leading a tech venture. What brought us together was a shared purpose—rooted in our own experiences within the healthcare world. Leann’s father’s battle with colon cancer and my years serving in the U.S. Navy deeply influenced how we viewed healthcare, both as patients and professionals.

Leann’s time working as a pharmacy technician revealed to her the immense pressures and frustrations healthcare workers endure. Meanwhile, my own journey led me to recognize the importance of teamwork and support, especially during difficult times. Both of us were drawn into healthcare by a desire to give back—to offer the kind of help we wished had been available to our own loved ones.

But as we entered the healthcare system, we quickly realized the field was more complex and burdened than we had anticipated. Leann and I watched as our colleagues—dedicated professionals—were pushed to their limits by staffing shortages, overwhelming workloads, and the isolation that comes from an unsupportive system. The people we looked up to were struggling, and it became clear that something had to change.

My perspective shifted even further when my own mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Suddenly, I found myself on the other side of the healthcare experience, advocating for a loved one through a maze of confusing processes and communication breakdowns. That period was incredibly difficult, but it also opened my eyes to the gaps in patient care and the burnout healthcare professionals face every day.

These experiences reinforced a deep sense of urgency in both Leann and me. We had to do more than just participate in the system—we needed to find a way to improve it. The turning point came when we realized that if other industries were using technology to solve major challenges, healthcare could do the same.

And so, ShiftRx was born. Our vision was to build a solution that directly addresses the struggles healthcare providers face, allowing them to focus on patient care. We saw the potential of AI to ease the administrative burden, streamline staffing, and ultimately support the people who dedicate their lives to caring for others.

Leaving behind stable, corporate roles was not easy, but the memory of those exhausting days and the faces of burned-out healthcare workers drove us forward. We knew we had to try.

Today, ShiftRx is more than just a concept. It’s a real solution designed by former healthcare professionals who understand firsthand the challenges of the system. Our mission is to support the healthcare community in the ways they deserve, so they can focus on what truly matters—helping their patients.

To every healthcare provider reading this: we see you, we hear you, and we’re committed to making sure you no longer have to face these challenges alone. Your voices will always be at the heart of what we do at ShiftRx.

Where We Are Now

Today, ShiftRx is more than an idea. It's a growing reality, powered by AI and driven by a deep understanding of healthcare providers' challenges. In just over a year, we've made significant strides:

• Operating in Texas, Florida, and California, working with over 150 pharmacies and 3,000+ providers
• Developed AI-driven onboarding and workflow integration tools
• Built a waitlist of tens of thousands of facilities and providers across the remaining 48 states

Our vision extends beyond geographical growth. We're committed to evolving our AI capabilities to address the broader healthcare staffing crisis, potentially expanding to roles like x-ray technicians, medical technicians, and lab technicians.

As we grow, we promise to never lose sight of why we started this journey. Every decision we make is rooted in our personal experiences and our commitment to supporting the healthcare community.

A Personal Note

To every healthcare provider reading this: we see you. We understand your challenges because we've faced them too. ShiftRx is built for you, and your voices will always guide our path forward.

And to Leann's dad, who we lost to cancer, and all those affected by it, including my mother: your fights weren't in vain. They inspired a mission that we hope will make a difference in countless lives.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, we can create a healthcare system where no provider feels alone, where the focus returns to patient care, and where the passion that drives so many to enter this noble profession can thrive.

With heartfelt gratitude and hope for the future,

Autumn-Kyoko Cushman Co-founder and CEO, ShiftRx