As both a chief financial officer and chief operating officer, Jane Ellis works hard every day at Lowcountry Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine – not only because she loves her job, but because she wants to set a strong example for her three daughters.
With a background in manufacturing accounting and wealth management, Ellis started at Lowcountry Orthopaedics as an accounting manager in 2017, worked her way up to CFO and now holds a dual role as CFO and COO.
“When I first came to Lowcountry Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, much of my work was behind the scenes with spreadsheets. I still love my spreadsheets, but being a more front-facing member of leadership makes me grateful that it is the work I do that resonates with our practice,” she said.
Ellis finds it rewarding to have seen the practice grow to four locations and a thriving accredited surgery center, with more growth on the way. In fact, helping with the planning and development of the new Nexton location is an experience she considers to be one of her greatest career successes. Nexton features a 40,000-square-foot medical building and 20,000-square-foot, top-of-the-line surgery center. Ellis is excited to see Lowcountry Orthopaedics expand its reach to help even more people in the community.
As the practice has grown, so has the need for skilled experts in the field and staffing the offices with the best doctors, all tasks that Ellis takes great pride in. “Leading the effort to grow our physician group of 13 sports, spine, hip and knee, hand, foot and ankle and pain management specialists keeps me always looking forward,” she said. “We are onboarding some of the best orthopaedic surgeons and pain management specialists in the country.”
For some, bearing the weight of both CFO and COO would be overwhelming, but Ellis has struck a comfortable balance. “I think one of the key areas I succeed in is the ability to approach a heavy workload, differing opinions and growth opportunities with a measured, thoughtful response,” she said.
Likewise, balancing a demanding job with raising a family is something that Ellis approaches with positivity. She explained, “I have three daughters, and I think that it is important that they see that a woman can have a high-level career and have a family. Your family life does not have to suffer because of your job.”
It is this dedication to setting a great example and being a great mom that gives Ellis the best of both worlds. “I work hard, and I love my job. But I still make my daughters’ sporting events, support their academic successes and find time for family,” she said. “As a woman in the workplace, I am trying to set an example that empowers my daughters to pursue their career aspirations and also help them grow and thrive.”
Jane Ellis
Lowcountry Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
lowcountryortho.com
