We are the connectors of possible: Selling Solutions to Community Hospitals

On any given morning, you might find Elizabeth LaPorte drinking an iced vanilla latte with almond milk and cinnamon. Later that evening, she might be dining out at the nearest Mediterranean restaurant in Nashville.

The self-professed coffee and restaurant connoisseur is getting used to her new home base since moving from Illinois to Tennessee in January 2024. Elizabeth serves as an Account Executive for Community Hospitals, supporting the sale of Pyxis^TM Medication Dispensing Solutions and BD Alaris^TM Pump Modules for 75-bed-or-less hospitals located in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana.

“I love what I do at BD. BD was my first role after graduating from college and I started in the Inside Sales Program, which was so valuable for someone who had zero sales experience. Today, I support small, rural hospitals and it feels great to sell such beneficial Med Tech solutions that I know can help elevate not just the efforts of the staff, but help patients with better care as well,” Elizabeth explained.

Set up for success due to Inside Sales Program

Elizabeth was originally on the path to become a pharmacist. In fact, her original major at Loyola University in Chicago was chemistry. But after five years of working as a pharmacy technician during high school and through part of college, she found the role was not quite the right fit.  

“I pivoted to finance [as her major] because after some time, I realized the retail pharmacy space wasn’t really for me. I enjoy helping and working alongside people and I had a feeling that sales was likely the right career choice, and I was right,” shared Elizabeth. “What I do appreciate about my finance background is that it helps in supporting the customer pricing strategy, but I truly love selling because it marries my interest in healthcare with my finance degree.”

She is quick to call out the advantages that she obtained from the company’s Inside Sales Program, also known as the Sales Development Program.

“For someone new to sales, the program was an amazing experience. I felt supported by my teammates and valued for the work I accomplished even though I was still learning. I continue to learn so much from more experienced salespeople on the team and feel grateful for what they’ve taught me. I find it very fulfilling interacting with customers and performing demos for them,” she noted.

We are people who give possibilities purpose

In addition to loving her role, Elizabeth says the BD culture and collegial environment are a huge plus, as well as nearly limitless opportunities to keep growing and learning.

“I’ve seen others in the organization take on new roles, stretch assignments and more, and it demonstrates just how much possibility is here career-wise, which I appreciate. Everyone is so supportive of one another, it’s amazing,” she shared.

Thinking through attributes an individual requires to be successful in sales at BD, she considers confidence and problem-solving to be top of the list.

“It feels great when I meet with C-Suite members across some of these smaller hospitals and explain the benefits and advantages of our Med Tech solutions. I am very confident in our products, and I know that comes through in the interactions I have. I’m not sure I could be as confident if I did not believe in our products 1000%,” Elizabeth said.

Healthy mind and body

In her spare time, in addition to savoring coffee and a fine meal, she also is passionate about fitness. As a certified Pilates instructor, she is always looking for a new class or gym to satisfy her desire to remain healthy and centered.

“I love working out. I like to call it my third space. I’m still finding my way around the gyms and classes in and around the local area but I am excited about this move and the ability to continue to work in sales at BD,” she concluded.