College of Nursing Alumni Lead Three Gator100 Companies
Three UF College of Nursing grads made the 2024 Gator100 list of the fastest-growing, alumni-led businesses.
Started 10 years ago by the UF Alumni Association, the Gator100 shines a spotlight on the entrepreneurial spirit and success of University of Florida graduates. The final rankings were announced during a celebration held at the O’Connell Center on April 20.
The College of Nursing was represented by RN Enterprises Infusion Services, Rad Wear, and Yunique Medical Spa. It was the first time three companies tied to the college were included in the Gator100.
No. 24: RN Enterprises Infusion Services, Inc.
Founded by Rodney G.B. Clements, (BSN 1996), RN Enterprises contracts with local, regional, state, and national pharmacies providing home infusion therapy to patients. With a team of more than 400 experienced infusion nurses in 28 states, the company specializes in providing home infusions.
A former medical officer in the Nurse Corps for the U.S. Navy and Marines, Clements focused on pediatrics and emergency medicine after his service. He then specialized in infusion therapy and saw a need for qualified home infusion nurses. He founded RN Enterprises in 2018 and is based in Jacksonville. Clements serves as CEO and president.
The company made its Gator100 debut this year.
“It’s an honor. I am a proud Gator,” Clements said.
When he started the company, he hoped to get enough business to keep him busy. He quickly discovered the true need for services.
“Hospitals are transitioning infusion therapy to the home instead of in the facilities. The need for qualified infusion nurses is growing,” he said. “We’re doubling every year now. It’s been quite a ride. Not too long ago, I was on night shift in the ER.”
No. 75: Rad Wear Inc.
In 2010, Jennifer Ruland (BSN 1998) and Radley Ruland, (BS 1996) started Rad Wear, a promotional products and branded apparel company. Based in Gainesville, the company now includes 16 employees and is ranked in the top 1% of distributors in the country. Rad Wear offers thousands of products suitable for personalization from pens to name-brand gifts.
Before starting the company, Jennifer Ruland spent eight years as a NICU nurse at UF Health Shands. Radley Ruland was working for Cox Media, selling advertising. Rad Wear first made the Gator100 in 2018 and 2019.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and business tanked.
“We took a beating, but we’re glad to be back,” Radley Ruland said.
Jennifer Ruland said making it back on the list was more rewarding than the first time around.
“To be back on the Gator100 really means a lot. It’s so special. It feels really good,” she said.
And while she is no longer actively working as a nurse, she recently renewed her nursing license.
“There is no way I am going to let that lapse. I worked too hard for that,” she said.
No. 83: Yunique Medical Services LLC
Yunique Medical was founded by Larry Siegel (BSN 2001, MSN 2008) in 2018 and now boasts locations in Ocala, Fruitland Park, and Port Orange. The company is dedicated to maintaining the optimal health and wellness of its clients. Using customized treatments, Yunique Medical strives to improve the effects of aging on energy, concentration, libido, and more.
Siegel, who serves as CEO for Yunique, previously worked as an ICU nurse for eight years before working as a nurse practitioner at an urgent care center. He also spent six years developing HCG and lipotropic programs for a national weight-loss company as a nurse practitioner. It is the third straight year for Yunique on the Gator100.
“It’s always an honor to be recognized as a Gator100 business,” Siegel said. “The College of Nursing is not typically known as an entrepreneur path, but I think that is changing.”
With nurse practitioners now able to practice independently, it opens avenues unavailable before.
“You don’t have to go work for a physician or work for a hospital. You can start your own thing,” he said. “I hope that happens more in the future.”