Meet Leafwell’s Patient Success Manager, Jaradd McDougal
Article written by
Mike ReddyContent Strategist
We sat down with Jaradd McDougal, a patient success manager, to discuss Leafwell’s unique approach to support, how patients can avoid the most common snags in the medical card certification process, and more.
In this exclusive look behind the Leafwell curtain, McDougal shares how her drive to help people find relief inspired her to enter the cannabis industry, why working with the support team is the most rewarding part of her job, and what others can do to launch a career in cannabis.
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What Does a Patient Success Manager Do?
Every day is different, but a typical day includes verifying that we have proper coverage and clearing up tickets that need manager responses.
I’ll also collaborate with leaders on the support team to improve our operations and work with other departments to achieve shared goals.
The support team’s job is to support the patients. My job is to support the support team in any way I can. Ultimately, every day requires you to be agile and think on your feet.
What Are Some of the Most Common Issues Patients Face, and How Can They Be Avoided?
One of the most common problems for patients is not having all the items they need to see their provider.
That may include medical records, an accepted and non-expired form of ID, and even a patient number in the states that require them, such as Pennsylvania and Maryland. Having those can prevent so many hiccups in the certification process.
Fortunately, Leafwell does an excellent job of providing information on our website about what’s needed in each state.
And if anybody ever has questions or concerns, they can contact us via call, chat, or email.
What Would You Say Is the Most Rewarding Part of Your Job?
The team.
In my role, I’m lucky to be very hands-on with recruiting and hiring. I’m meeting people who have a true passion for cannabis and are grateful to have an opportunity to put a pinky toe into this world, whether that’s just for the interview or to pursue cannabis as a career.
Watching people grow and hearing how they feel when they help a patient who found relief with the plant is so rewarding.
What Inspired You To Work in the Cannabis Industry?
Born and raised in North Carolina, I didn’t have a lot of opportunities to experience things that weren’t considered acceptable in the Bible Belt. But I’ve always wanted to see what else was out there.
Of course, when I first found out about cannabis, I found the “Reefer Madness” version of it. Only later did I hear more about its holistic and medicinal potential.
Seeing how cannabis offers an opportunity for people to find relief made me interested in sharing that. I’ve always wanted to help people in a way that could assist them in their lives.
I wouldn’t do well in med school because I don’t handle blood well. But plants? I can handle plants.
So, learning about plants and science is what fueled my want to learn more about cannabis.
What Advice Would You Offer to People Interested in Breaking Into the Cannabis Industry?
Read a lot about cannabis.
There are so many articles out there, especially on our website. We share our research, and you should take in as much information as you can.
Also, be open to learning more than just what you’re already familiar with. There are so many cannabinoids out there beyond THC and CBD.
So, just be open to learning and reading a lot about it.
Final Thoughts?
We are always willing to help. Our website and app have a ton of information. Utilize leafwell.com. It’s a fantastic resource.
We’re not just a company geared toward getting patients certified. We want to educate patients, too.
So, explore. Get nosy on our site because there’s a lot to learn.
But also, don’t be shy about reaching out to the support team because we are happy to help you. We just want to make sure that everyone feels supported throughout their cannabis journey.
This interview has been lightly edited for concision and clarity. Stay tuned for more Behind the Leafwell Curtain interviews, and check out our patient stories series on YouTube to hear medical marijuana patients talk about their journeys with cannabis in their own words.
Get your medical marijuana card
Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.
