---
title: Press | DOCPACE in the News | Shelby Sanderford | DOCPACE | Helping providers see more patients by making patient visits more timely and efficient
description: Press | DOCPACE in the News | Shelby Sanderford | DOCPACE | Helping providers see more patients by making patient visits more timely and efficient
---

# Press

 

#### **Metairie-based health tech company, maker of scheduling software, lands big customer **

> Metairie-based health tech startup DOCPACE® just landed one of its biggest wins yet — a major partnership with Access Health Louisiana. With a patented AI tool that reimagines how appointments are scheduled, Docpace is helping clinics across 16 parishes cut wait times, reduce staff burnout, and improve patient flow. Here’s how founder Shelby Sanderford Dabelich is playing “Tetris” with healthcare — and winning. 

*NOLA.com*

[Read More ](https://www.nola.com/news/business/innovation/metairie-based-health-tech-company-docpace-maker-of-scheduling-software-lands-big-customer/article_d2351483-5ba4-4247-8afa-8acf7124e279.html#tncms-source=the-latest)

![Blue and White Modern and Clean Gradient with Photoframes Event Registration Announcement LinkedIn Sponsored Content](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Canva%20images/Blue%20and%20White%20Modern%20and%20Clean%20Gradient%20with%20Photoframes%20Event%20Registration%20Announcement%20LinkedIn%20Sponsored%20Content.png?width=1200&height=627&name=Blue%20and%20White%20Modern%20and%20Clean%20Gradient%20with%20Photoframes%20Event%20Registration%20Announcement%20LinkedIn%20Sponsored%20Content.png)

###### **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

###### **Access Health Louisiana and DOCPACE® Partner to Streamline Operations, Reduce Patient Wait Times, and Improve Patient Access Across Louisiana**

**NEW ORLEANS, La. – May 21, 2025** – Access Health Louisiana, one of the largest networks of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in the state, and DOCPACE®, the only patented AI-powered schedule optimization platform for medical practices, announced a strategic partnership to improve operational efficiency, increase patient access, and reduce patient wait times across Access Health Louisiana’s network.

Navigating day-of health care logistics is often difficult for patients, particularly in underserved communities. At the same time, front-desk teams are managing hundreds of scheduling changes, manual phone calls, and time-sensitive updates. These operational challenges contribute to longer wait times, unpredictable schedules, and increased staff burden.

To address this, Access Health Louisiana has implemented DOCPACE® to deploy a smarter, more adaptive approach to managing patient volume—without compromising care quality or increasing staff workload. The AI-powered platform consolidates fragmented data sources into one centralized dashboard, enabling teams to coordinate daily operations more smoothly, standardize scheduling practices across locations and surface actionable insights.

“DOCPACE® allows our operations team to view productivity data by clinical location and by provider in real-time,” says Chenier Reynolds, Access Health Louisiana Senior Vice President of School Health and Strategic Media. “Instead of our team having to sort through multiple reports, we obtain all of the data in one convenient dashboard allowing us to make more strategic decisions to improve both patient care and our health care delivery.”

DOCPACE®’s intelligent scheduling platform supports Access Health Louisiana’s efforts to:

- **Reduce No-Shows:** Appointment stacking keeps patients informed of delays or reschedules in real-time, helping reduce no-show rates and last-minute gaps.
- **Increase Visit Completion:** Dynamic optimization ensures more patients can be seen each day by adjusting to real-time changes and minimizing idle time.
- **Improve Operational Efficiency:** Automated communication and schedule insights allow staff to stay focused on patient care while eliminating manual coordination.

“Access Health Louisiana is leading by example in transforming how care is delivered at scale,” said Shelby Dabelich, Founder and CEO of DOCPACE®. “Our technology is designed to eliminate friction, reduce missed visits, and give both patients and providers more control. We’re honored to support their vision with tools that improve day-of operations and long-term impact.”

Together, DOCPACE® and Access Health Louisiana are building a more responsive, efficient and patient-centered care experience—strengthening health care delivery for communities across Louisiana.

***Editor’s Note: ***[***High resolution images and logos are available here.***](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/1zggojcjuaq0bl1s384e0/AE1LvH-KHYt8HDmQ5_OqXyQ?rlkey=b6bj6l2ngttbqkgf6uuthazr7&st=kjvs8by0&dl=0)*** ***

**About DOCPACE®**

DOCPACE® builds data-centric solutions that optimize provider schedules to maximize revenue—without adding hours or overhead. Patented appointment stacking technology enables real-time schedule adjustments, helping health care organizations reduce no-shows, increase throughput, and deliver a smoother, more predictable patient experience. By automating day-of logistics and streamlining patient communication, DOCPACE® empowers staff to focus on care while uncovering new operational efficiencies. As an official athenahealth partner, DOCPACE® integrates seamlessly within the EMR to support scalable, systemwide impact.  Learn more at[docpace.com](https://docpace.com?hsLang=en).

**About Access Health Louisiana**

Access Health Louisiana (AHL) is the largest Federally Qualified Health Center Network in Louisiana with health care providers across the state committed to delivering high-quality, affordable care to all, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. With community health centers and school-based health centers in 16 parishes across the state, AHL serves over 60,000 patients annually across primary care, behavioral health, and specialty services. With a mission rooted in improving the health care of Louisiana communities, AHL is advancing access to care through innovation, compassion, and a commitment to population health. Learn more at[accesshealthla.org](https://accesshealthla.org/).

**Contacts**

For DOCPACE®, *abbi@docpace.com***

For Access Health Louisiana, *creynolds@accesshealthla.com*

>  

[Get in Touch! ](mailto:abbi@docpace.com)

[![AccessHealth](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AccessHealth.jpg?width=550&height=215&name=AccessHealth.jpg) ](https://accesshealthla.org/)

#### **Meet the Winners – Shelby Sanderford**

> In our Meet the Winners series, we’ll be speaking with some of those who walked away from the 2022 Digital Revolution Awards with one of our sought-after trophies. Winner of the Rapid Business Innovation Champion, Shelby Sanderford is the founder of DOCPACE, an artificial intelligence revolutionizing appointment cycle management system.

*Digital Revolution Awards*

[Read More ](https://www.digitalrevolutionawards.com/blog/meet-the-winners-shelby-sanderford/)

![Shelby Sanderford](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/Rapid.jpg?width=1080&height=1080&name=Rapid.jpg)

#### What Are You Waiting For?

> In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt DeCoursey and Shelby Sanderford, Founder & CEO of DOCPACE talk about the hesitations that come along in the entrepreneurial journey, and the benefits to adopting the hurry up and fail mindset.
> 
> * - Guest on Startup Hustle with Host Matt DeCoursey*

[Listen Now! ](https://omny.fm/shows/startup-hustle/what-are-you-waiting-for)

![Matt DeCoursey](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/SH+Feature+Image_What+Are+You+Waiting+For_.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=SH+Feature+Image_What+Are+You+Waiting+For_.png)

#### **Rapid Business Innovation Champion **

> This integrated cloud platform uses advanced data science, historical data processing and real-time monitoring to solve patient management and coordinate inefficiencies in healthcare. As well as recovering 10-20% of lost patient time, DOCPACE adopted a virtual waiting room during the pandemic, giving users the safer option of queuing outdoors instead of crowded indoor spaces.

*Digital Revolution Awards *

[Read More ](https://digitalrevolutionawards.com/2022-winners/)

![Rapid Business Innovation Champion](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/Digital+Revolution+Award+-+winners+graphic+-+Shelby+Sanderford%2c+DOCPACE+-+Instagram.png?width=1000&height=1000&name=Digital+Revolution+Award+-+winners+graphic+-+Shelby+Sanderford%2c+DOCPACE+-+Instagram.png)

#### New Orleans TOP Startups, 2022

> No one likes to spend more time in a doctor’s waiting room than necessary. DOCPACE aims to solve that pain point. Essentially a queue management software, DOCPACE uses predictive analytics to increase scheduling efficiency and decrease staff workload.
> 
> *- Startup Hustle*

[Read More ](https://startuphustle.xyz/blog/new-orleans-top-startups-2022/)

![New Orleans TOP Startups](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/New+Orleans+Top+Startups.jpeg?width=1536&height=1536&name=New+Orleans+Top+Startups.jpeg)

#### **EP29: “The Evolution of the Digital Health Movement” **

> Catch the latest episode of The Drift on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎙to hear from Shelby Sanderford, Founder and CEO of [DOCPACE](https://www.docpace.com/?hsLang=en)

*Guest on The Drift with Podcast host Eloiza Tecson *

[Listen Now! ](https://www.eyventuresgroup.com/thedrift/episode/36622d8d/ep29-the-evolution-of-the-digital-health-movement)

![The Evolution of the Digital Health Movement](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/Quotes+from+Podcast+Features.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=Quotes+from+Podcast+Features.png)

#### How to deal with Expectations for Digital Apps and increase access to On-Demand Care

> Listen in for Shelby Sanderford in conversation with This Week in Health Tech Vik Patel.
> 
> * - Guest on This Week in Health Tech*

[Listen Now! ](https://www.thisweekinhealthtech.com/767912/9518913-how-to-deal-with-expectations-for-digital-apps-and-increase-access-to-on-demand-care)

![How to deal with Expectations for Digital Apps and increase access to On-Demand Care](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/Screenshot_1.jpg?width=506&height=507&name=Screenshot_1.jpg)

#### **Eliminating Patient Waiting Rooms **

> Listen in for Shelby Sanderford in conversation with Passionate Pioneers Mike Biselli.

*Passionate Pioneers Interviews *

[Listen Now! ](https://www.docpace.com/press#)

![Eliminating Patient Waiting Rooms](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/_div+style=_width_+100%3B+height_+170px%3B_+frameborder=_no_+scrolling=_no_+seamless+src=_https___player.captivate.png?width=1400&height=1400&name=_div+style=_width_+100%3B+height_+170px%3B_+frameborder=_no_+scrolling=_no_+seamless+src=_https___player.captivate.png)

#### Meet Shelby Sanderford, CEO of DOCPACE, the AI-driven digital platform that revolutionizes day-to-day healthcare

> "We are using advanced data science to manage care coordination for Healthcare Providers, which ultimately helps maximize patient throughput and minimize patient wait time."
> 
> *- *Guest on HealthTech Hour

[Listen Now! ](https://www.ukhealthradio.com/blog/episode/meet-shelby-sanderford-ceo-of-docpace-the-ai-driven-digital-platform-that-revolutionises-day-to-day-healthcare/)

![Meet Shelby Sanderford](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/HealthTech+Hour+Guest.jpeg?width=1638&height=1536&name=HealthTech+Hour+Guest.jpeg)

#### **Is the Waiting Room In Healthcare Dead? **

> Listen in for Shelby Sanderford in conversation with Healthcare IT Today’s John Lynn.

*Healthcare IT Today Interviews *

[Listen Now! ](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2endgmzunwMgYVGVLNJypz?si=3ab4347454614ecb)

![Is the Waiting Room In Healthcare Dead](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/patient+throughput.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=patient+throughput.png)

#### TOWARD ELIMINATING PATIENT WAITING ROOMS - SHELBY SANDERFORD, FOUNDER AND CEO, DOCPACE

> Most people know what it's like to wait in a doctor's office. It's one of the key drivers of patient dissatisfaction, but we've come to think of it as a necessary evil. Shelby Sanderford, founder and CEO of DOCPACE, believes sitting in a doctor's office is completely unnecessary. Listen as she describes how doctors may be able to eliminate waiting rooms altogether.
> 
> *- The Healthcare Solutions Project *

[Listen Now! ](https://anchor.fm/healthcare-pod/episodes/Toward-eliminating-patient-waiting-rooms---Shelby-Sanderford--Founder-and-CEO--DOCPACE---Episode-47-eq4nlq)

![TOWARD ELIMINATING PATIENT WAITING ROOMS - SHELBY SANDERFORD, FOUNDER AND CEO, DOCPACE ](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/docpace_patient_waiting_rooms.png?width=794&height=794&name=docpace_patient_waiting_rooms.png)

#### **DOCPACE FOUNDER SHELBY SANDERFORD DISCUSSES VULNERABILITY AS STRENGTH ON THE WONDER WOMAN TECH PODCAST **

> Listen in for Shelby Sanderford in conversation with Wonder Woman Tech founder Lisa Mae Brunson.
> 
> *- Wonder Woman Tech Podcast *

[Listen Now! ](https://open.spotify.com/show/3Jf8Fhk8s0n07UfvqEp4qw)

![DOCPACE FOUNDER SHELBY SANDERFORD DISCUSSES VULNERABILITY AS STRENGTH ON THE WONDER WOMAN TECH PODCAST](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/Screen+Shot+2020-12-22+at+10.30.08+AM.png?width=1094&height=1088&name=Screen+Shot+2020-12-22+at+10.30.08+AM.png)

#### $50,000 AWARDED TO DOCPACE AT NEW ORLEANS ENTREPRENEUR WEEK’S IDEAPITCH WINTER SHOWCASE

> “Founder Shelby Sanderford said, “It was a joy to share the progress DOCPACE achieved this year at the IDEApitch Winter Showcase. I see DOCPACE as a channel to help people; a path through which medical logistics and outcomes can be improved for Doctors, staff and patients.”
> 
> *- Silicon Bayou*

[Read More ](https://siliconbayounews.com/2020/12/22/50000-awarded-to-docpace-at-new-orleans-entrepreneur-weeks-ideapitch-winter-showcase/)

![$50,000 AWARDED TO DOCPACE AT NEW ORLEANS ENTREPRENEUR WEEK’S IDEAPITCH WINTER SHOWCASE](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/DOCPACE+winner+ideapitch.png?width=1294&height=1310&name=DOCPACE+winner+ideapitch.png)

#### **The Virtual Waiting Room **

> Listen to learn more about The Virtual Waiting Room on the Outcomes Rocket podcast.
> 
> *- Outcomes Rocket*

[Listen Now! ](https://outcomesrocket.health/docpace/2020/07/)

![The Virtual Waiting Room](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/Shelby+Sanderford+Outcomes+rocket+Podcast.png?width=1202&height=1192&name=Shelby+Sanderford+Outcomes+rocket+Podcast.png)

#### STARTUP SPOTLIGHT: DOCPACE, A QUEUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

> “As a result of low Patient Satisfaction scores, organizations can lose millions of dollars through their Medicare Reimbursement. I was shocked. Even more surprising was the fact that wait time was the largest contributor to the online rating/scoring platforms. Eliminate wait time and increase satisfaction… save a lot of lost revenue. It seemed so obvious.”
> 
> *- Silicon Bayou*

[Read More ](https://siliconbayounews.com/2020/03/31/new-orleans-startup-docpace-working-to-stopthespread-of-covid-19/)

![STARTUP SPOTLIGHT: DOCPACE, A QUEUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS](https://www.docpace.com/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/Shelby+Sanderford+DOCPACE+founder.jpg)

#### **The Cure for Wait Times **

> DOCPACE is The Cure for Wait Times on the latest episode of Medvale Radio.
> 
> *- Medvale Radio*

[Listen Now! ](https://medvale.com/radio/the-cure-for-wait-times/)

![The Cure for Wait Times](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/Screen+Shot+2020-12-23+at+3.14.11+PM.png?width=1200&height=1158&name=Screen+Shot+2020-12-23+at+3.14.11+PM.png)

#### Women Leading Through COVID-19

> “In this, our annual women’s issue, *Biz New Orleans* is honored to share the efforts of six local women who are leading their organizations with the goal of not just surviving, but helping others weather the storm. Whether its pivoting to provide protective gear, petitioning lawmakers for change, or gathering the efforts of a whole industry to help some of the hardest hit, these women are leading with compassion, courage and ingenuity in a time that’s trying not only our region, but the world.”
> 
> - Biz New Orleans

[Read More ](https://www.docpace.com/press#)

![Women Leading Through COVID-19](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/Screenshot_2.jpg?width=671&height=678&name=Screenshot_2.jpg)

#### **New Orleans Startup DOCPACE Working to #STOPTHESPREAD of Covid-19**

> “As New Orleanians, the DOCPACE team wants to help local healthcare providers navigate this uncertain time and help [#StopTheSpread](http://twitter.com/hashtag/stopthespread) of this horrible virus in our community,” revealed the company. “We want to do our part to address the unprecedented crisis that faces us.”
> 
> *- Silicon Bayou*

[Read More ](https://siliconbayounews.com/2020/03/31/new-orleans-startup-docpace-working-to-stopthespread-of-covid-19/)

![New Orleans Startup DOCPACE Working](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/Screen+Shot+2020-04-08+at+3.43.59+PM.png?width=787&height=521&name=Screen+Shot+2020-04-08+at+3.43.59+PM.png)

#### Coping With Covid-19: N.O. Business Leaders Share Their Insights

**“Shelby Sanderford of DOCPACE:** COVID-19 has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and it is so alarming to see that New Orleans is one of the “hot spots” for the virus nationally. Being a health-tech company during the pandemic is an interesting place to be. We are actively trying to get our product into the hands of doctors and hospitals for free in order to enable them to directly communicate with their patients. Our technology has been updated to include a pathway for hospitals to send COVID-19 screeners to their patients via text.”

*- Biz New Orleans Magazine*

[Read More ](https://www.docpace.com/press#)

![Coping With Covid-19: N.O. Business Leaders Share Their Insights](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/DOCPACE+COVID+RESPONSE.jpg?width=800&height=421&name=DOCPACE+COVID+RESPONSE.jpg)

#### **12 Startups Selected for Idea Village Accelerator Program**

> “The 12 companies selected for VILLAGEx [including DOCPACE] will be mentored throughout the four-month program by three entrepreneurs in residence who have extensive experience in starting companies and finding the resources necessary to scale.”
> 
> *- Biz New Orleans Magazine*

[Read More ](https://www.docpace.com/press#)

![12 Startups Selected for Idea Village Accelerator Program](https://www.docpace.com/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/DP_SHELBY_LEADERSHIP.jpg)

#### [The Idea Village Kicks off Another Entrepreneurial Season](https://siliconbayounews.com/2020/01/08/the-idea-village-kicks-off-another-entrepreneurial-season/?MessageRunDetailID=1383911246&PostID=11826237&utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io)

> “The mission of the program is to help businesses that have already proven some success take that success to the next level, benefitting not only the founders and their employees, but also the New Orleans economy and job market as a whole.”
> 
> The twelve ventures in the VILLAGEx this year include: Addiguru, Block Lawncare, Blockpad, Culturalyst, DOCPACE, Gilded, Oh Shoot, PeakSeason, Rx Interactive, Inc., SafePush, Unlock’d, and Youni Company.
> 
>  
> 
> *— Silicon Bayou News*

[Read More ](https://siliconbayounews.com/2020/01/08/the-idea-village-kicks-off-another-entrepreneurial-season/?MessageRunDetailID=1383911246&PostID=11826237&utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io)

![DP_SHELBYThe Idea Village Kicks off Another Entrepreneurial Season_MACHINE_LEARNING](https://www.docpace.com/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/DP_SHELBY_MACHINE_LEARNING.jpeg)

#### [New Orleans startup aims to minimize hospital wait times](http://freemanblog.tulane.edu/2019/03/12/new-orleans-startup-aims-to-minimize-hospital-wait-times/)

“Our goal is to communicate office wait time to patients via text messaging and waiting room monitors to help eliminate wait time for patients,” Sanderford said. “Very similar to what airlines do for flight status, we’re doing for appointment status.”

> *- Tulane University, Freeman School of Business *

[Read More ](http://freemanblog.tulane.edu/2019/03/12/new-orleans-startup-aims-to-minimize-hospital-wait-times/)

![New Orleans startup aims to minimize hospital wait times](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/shelby.jpg?width=750&height=1125&name=shelby.jpg)

#### [New Apps You Should Know ](https://www.docpace.com/press#)

> “There was an inability to reach patient satisfaction scores, and that causes these big health systems to lose millions of dollars every year through their Medicare reimbursement,” she says.
> 
> *- Biz New Orleans Magazine*

[Read More ](https://www.docpace.com/press#)

![New Apps You Should Know ](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/Text+Update+1.png?width=750&height=1148&name=Text+Update+1.png)

#### [Profiles in Health 2019](https://www.docpace.com/press#)

> Shelby Sanderford knows firsthand the issues communication missteps can cause in a hospital—after working in one and seeing the problems arise, she knew there was a solution.
> 
> *- myNewOrleans.com*

[Read More ](https://www.docpace.com/press#)

![Profiles in Health 2019](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/0D9DD1C0-F53F-49AF-B9EC-2ADA71D1DBED.jpeg?width=750&height=1125&name=0D9DD1C0-F53F-49AF-B9EC-2ADA71D1DBED.jpeg)

#### [Passion Ignited by a Purpose](https://www.technology-innovators.com/docpace/)

> “Access and efficiency, stemming from misalignment of interests between Providers and Consumers are two of the biggest challenges that exist in the current healthcare market,” says Shelby Sanderford, Founder of DOCPACE. Providers aim to see more patients and patients would like to be seen on time. “The two interests work against each other, so what DOCPACE is doing is allowing Providers to see X number of patients per a day by providing a platform to notify patients of delays in appointment start time. It’s a win-win.”
> 
> *- Technology Innovators, Top 50 Healthcare Technology CEOs of 2019*

[Read More ](https://www.technology-innovators.com/docpace/)

![Passion Ignited by a Purpose](https://www.docpace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Docpace_April2024/images/logo.jpg?width=483&height=499&name=logo.jpg)

---

 

### What Doctors Are Saying

 

“Patients really appreciate their doctor taking steps to save them valuable time that often gets lost in waiting for appointments. I highly recommend using DOCPACE for any physician clinic.

It has proven to silently improve both patient care and efficiency (think profitability)! At the same time patients that are promptly served usually tell others about their finding.

Unless your practice is not taking new patients, I highly recommend your using DOCPACE.”

— Dr. Jim Beckman  
Plastic Surgeon  
CEO/Director R&D Therapon Skin Health