BEST OF HEALTH CertiStar Founder Shandee Chernow
As a result of discovering her own personal severe food allergies in her late 20s, Phoenix-based, Shandee Chernow, founded CertiStar in 2017 to help the millions of people around the world who suffer from food allergies to have a more safe and easier dining experience.
CertiStar™, Inc. is on a mission to protect and improve the safety and dining experiences of men, women or children vulnerable to food allergies and intolerances. Our patent-pending MenuStar™ restaurant software allows you to identify food allergy threats for your customers with just one 3-second search. All your recipes and food allergy information in one place.
Our MenuStar™ restaurant software allows you to create and upload recipes, educate and empower your staff and store your allergen and nutritional information in one, easy to use platform. That’s menu innovation that saves lives.
Shandee Chernow studied Computer Science and Mathematics at Vanderbilt University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. After joining MicroStrategy, she was instrumental in the design of several key products in the business intelligence product line.
She worked at MicroStrategy in sales both on the technical and account management sides, being awarded President’s Club status eight consecutive years. Continuing her career in data, business intelligence and data science, she went on to assist Hortonworks and Tableau in building out their Desert region territories before founding CertiStar™.
A mom of two boys, Shandee suffers from food allergies and saw a problem in the marketplace that wasn’t being solved well or being addressed properly by the industry. She created CertiStar™, a user-friendly technology platform that provides enjoyable dining out experiences for men, women and children vulnerable to food allergens.
Shandee’s passion, besides keeping food allergy sufferers’ safe in restaurants and in schools (for now), is flexing her creativity further through her love of painting. Her work is represented in several art galleries throughout her current hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, where Shandee runs CertiStar™.
Follow CertiStar™ on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
WHY BEST OF HEALTH?
I am a Physician Assistant who has been caring for patients for over 20 years and Family Practice (cradle to grave) is my specialty.
Following the footsteps of three generations of family practice physicians (my father, grandfather and great grandfather) this was a natural and genetic calling that I do not regret.
Given this, I have a unique perspective and it’s time to share that perspective through Ask the PA. As a health care provider, teacher, business owner, patient, and advocate for my family and friends throughout the years, it has been painfully apparent there are disconnects within the current state of health care in the US and throughout the world. It can be confusing and frankly very scary.
It is my goal though this series, Best of Health, to bring people together that are passionate about their roles in the business of health care… and yes, whether or not you want to hear that it’s a business, it is — and that’s the fact. I will introduce to you great, dedicated practitioners and people with a passion for getting the word out about their personal journeys and causes. I will provide information about navigating through a confusing system, asking the right questions and share ways for saving money and time along the way.
It’s time to create change by partnering, empowering, and focusing on the patient, their families and their providers of care. It’s time for you to take the driver’s seat rather than leave your health care solely in the hands of entities such as insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry.
Stay tuned. Here’s to your Best of Health.
~ Barb
ABOUT BARB
Barb is a Physician Assistant (PA) and a primary care provider with a passion for education and advocacy. Prior to becoming a Physician Assistant (PA), Barb was an accomplished musician and teacher. In 1992, Barb made the conscious decision to leave teaching and her musical career in pursuit of a career in medicine. She graduated from AT Still University’s first PA class in 1997 with a Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.
Barb has spent several years working in clinics and family practices. Currently, Barb works for Premise Health at Insight Enterprises in Tempe, AZ as a solo practitioner providing primary care to employees and families on campus. She was also a partner in Renaissance Medical Group and Renaissance Medical Properties in Chandler and Maricopa, AZ and had a dual role of Chief Operations Officer and practicing PA for 14 years.
Along with being a PA, Barb is the author of the book Surviving the “Business” of Healthcare, Knowledge is Power! She is a certified Medical Professional Legal Consultant and Patient Advocate, speaker and influencer for change in healthcare for the patient, provider and family members. Barb is also certified by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants and is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
In her spare time, she loves to travel, maintaining an active lifestyle that includes running, biking, swimming. She loves to spend time outdoors with her family and friends, whether it’s walking on the beach or hiking in the desert.
For more information about Ask the PA and to connect with Barb: