One Year In, We Celebrate QVHS’ First Anniversary and Share Our Appreciation

What was easy, what was hard, what was surprising, and what’s next

By Alison Rein, CEO and Managing Partner, and Susan Donovan, Vice President and Managing Partner

Yes, we know. The big milestone birthday this year was America’s 250th. But here we are, one year after the establishment of QV Health Solutions (QVHS) as an independent small business enterprise, and we’d like to pause, acknowledge, and reflect on this milestone for our company. 

When we launched QVHS, the coincidental timing of our independence didn’t even register. And, while we were amicably separating from a mission-aligned firm with amazing people (quite a contrast from monarchist colonial governance), we were far more focused on the practical elements of business operations - think time sheets, benefits, and payroll - rather than the existential “why” of our transition.  

A year in, we’re now more fully aware of what this shift has afforded, so wanted to share a bit about the journey to date through “4 whats.” Specifically... 

What was easy? 

The people part. Clients, contractors, contacts from our respective professional and personal networks – literally everyone we engaged – was there for us in big and little ways. Every connection, suggestion, resource, offer to help, willingness to listen – all made the transition feel easier, supported, and, not just possible – but solid, good, and exciting.  

When clients responded to the news with comments like “yeah, great; as long as we’re still working with the same people, we’re good,” it was immensely reassuring. Which leads us to the most critical people element – the QVHS team. If folks on the Quantified Ventures Health team (now QVHS) had concerns or reservations, it wasn’t at all evident. What we got were helpful questions, offers to lean in, excellent ideas, stalwart support, and an immense reserve of grace, trust, and good will to make the transition. To Ana, Alana, Kyu, Kamya, Chester, and Rebecca – we owe a debt of immense gratitude. Thank you.  

What was hard? 

To state the obvious, change is hard. That’s especially true when the ideal of what’s being left behind still resonates, and the lessons learned and memories made were so instrumental in forging the future path. That is certainly how we felt about ending our formal connection with Quantified Ventures (QV); saying goodbye to the QV of yore and the ideal (if not actual realization) of an integrated business model   blending financing for climate + health initiatives was not easy. To anyone thinking about the conditions that create health and wellbeing, it’s hard to ignore the significance of environmental factors. And vice versa. And though the opportunities to bring together both in the context of a single project were rare, letting go of that possibility – and the potential of addressing health with a more holistic frame – was, as they say, a real bummer.    

What was surprising? 

Even with a solid track record, we had very real anxiety about truly operating independently – especially in a federal policy climate so hostile to the foundational concept of health equity that drives our work. While it took some additional effort to focus on new (to us) elements of the business, the process of re-examining how we operate – and interrogating that question in every way – was overdue and the results were quite freeing. Sure, we didn’t have an established protocol for everything, but we also had new latitude to consider options and pick paths aligned with our specific needs. At various points, we’d catch ourselves defaulting to that prior standard before saying “oh hey, we get to make the rules now!”  

And a similarly unexpected situation has so far played out on the policy front. Even as our partners and clients experienced deep impact – first in the form of indecision and inaction, and then in the form of resource scarcity and administrative burden - the erosion of status quo revenue and financing structures in Medicaid and other human / social services has forced important and overdue conversations. We are addressing questions about what we value and why, and how to ensure that it can survive – and even thrive - in some form. We have deeply appreciated the opportunity to considerthese questions with partners working – despite the headwinds – to advance sustainable and high-impact program models for traditionally under-served people and communities. 

What’s next? 

While liberating to let go of some priors, we remain committed to increasing capital flows for programs and projects that generate more health and social value than is currently reimbursed. Reflecting this focus on quality and value, we plan to grow at a pace that allows us to engage the exceptional talent we need for this mission-oriented work.  

As we mark our 1st anniversary, it’s thrilling to welcome two new colleagues to the QVHS team in August – Kiera Peoples and Mohammad Salem. Their contributions will support our work in new markets (Colorado, New York, and Washington state this year) and advance our pursuit of projects that align on three essential elements: 

1) Direct Capital to Value Production: Creating the conditions and structures that allocate capital at least partially based on achievement of desired outcomes.  

2) Increase Capacity + Sustainability: Designing investments, providing strategic guidance, and supporting implementation to explicitly promote and enable successful solutions to expand and endure. 

3) Anchor on Positive Impact: Advancing programs and initiatives that explicitly aim to deliver positive social and health impact for individuals and communities. 

No fireworks, no fanfare — just a small but mighty team, one year in, and glad to still be standing (and growing). 

Thanks for being part of it.