Our Story
Exclusively RNs was founded by Anne Afshari and Laura Hagler in 2002. The story goes like this: It was a very busy day on the L&D unit. Every room in the OB triage was full with admissions. The offices had just closed for the day. Pagers were going off non-stop. One doctor in particular, Dr. Kevin Weary, was admitting patients, attending deliveries and consulting in the ER all while fielding phone calls from patients, which prompted the question, “why don’t you have someone to take your patient calls for you when you are on call?” That is how Exclusively RNs was born. Not only do we still work with Dr. Weary, we work with many OB/GYN providers across the country.
STAFF
Anne Afshari | Laura Hagler | LeeAnn Thornton | Rebecca Bugala | Kristin Bess
Anne Afshari, RN BSN
Co-Founder & Joint CEO
Anne has an extensive background as an entrepreneur and senior executive in the healthcare industry. Before building Exclusively RNs alongside Laura, she put years in as a bedside nurse. In both private, hospital-owned organizations and large scale community health systems, Anne gained valuable experience in every area of Women’s Health. Anne’s vast experience makes her uniquely qualified to manage the clinical content associated with nearly 1,000 customized protocols for our vast network of providers. As an expert in protocol authoring, Anne’s clinical experience couples with her logic driven brain to provide a powerful tool for Telehealth.
Anne’s career with Exclusively RNs centers around managing the clinical content and maintaining the tech stack that has brought Exclusively RNs into the forefront of emerging Telehealth markets by providing a seamless, unique experience for patients.
Anne earned her Bachelors Degree in Nursing from Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Science of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Prior to and in conjunction with her nursing career, Anne has served, chaired and headed a variety of service organizations in the local community. Anne is a speaker for local schools and programs, where she enjoys community outreach and encouraging young women to pursue higher learning opportunities.
Outside of her work with Exclusively RNs, Anne enjoys supporting her husband and three daughters with their family activities and college needs. Anne enjoys hiking, finding the perfect cup of coffee and spending time exploring local establishments in the historic district of Colorado Springs.
Laura Hagler, RN BSN
Co-Founder & Joint CEO
Laura is one of the Co-Founders and Joint CEOs of Exclusively RNs and has been with the company since inception in 2001. Before building Exclusively RNs, Laura began her nursing career as a bedside nurse in the intensive care nursery. Like Anne, Laura’s bedside career followed a similar path, allowing her to gather experience in both private, hospital-owned organizations and large scale community health systems. From nursery to antepartum and postpartum to circulating in the operating room, Laura’s clinical experience and background in childbirth education and lactation support, provide the unique patient centered teaching that is pivotal to Exclusively RNs.
Currently, Laura’s career with Exclusively RNs centers around managing the Human Resources and accounting sides of the business. Laura also has primary roles with supporting staff, education and in-servicing and periodic review of policy, clinical content and client files.
Over 20 years ago, Laura earned her Bachelors Degree in Nursing from Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Science of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Laura is deeply involved with the public school communities of Colorado Springs as well as private club gymnastics. Laura enjoys her time outside of her nursing career and, as a board member and event organizer, believes that critical thinking and organizational skills learned as a clinical nurse have completely ingrained life skills of time management, multi-tasking and interpersonal communication.
Outside of her work with Exclusively RNs, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. On any given weekend, you might find Laura attending athletic events, traveling or enjoying time in the fresh mountain air.
LeeAnn Thornton, RN BSN
Manager of Training and Staff Development
LeeAnn leads training and staff development at Exclusively RNs. Prior to joining Exclusively RNs, LeeAnn worked as a clinical nurse in several Women’s Health areas, earning high praise from her patients and administration. Within the Exclusively RNs organization, LeeAnn wears a hat as a senior Registered Nurse, with more calls logged than another other RN with similar tenure. She also functions in an administrative role, where she assists with day-to-day operations, in-servicing, growth and consulting. Providing cutting edge continuing education and maintaining licensing are other specialty areas where LeeAnn shines.
Outside of her work with Exclusively RNs, LeeAnn is a military wife and mother of two daughters, sits as a member of the local school board, is an assistant cross country coach and serves as the squadron commander’s wife, organizing and implemented programs on base. LeeAnn describes her time with Exclusively RNs as the perfect career for a military wife, as she has been able to relocate with her military family nearly a dozen times over the past several years. LeeAnn holds a Bachelors in Nursing from Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Science of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
Rebecca Bugala, RN MSN
System Administrator
Rebecca Bugala serves as a System Administrator at Exclusively RNs, where she brings over 16 years of experience in Women’s healthcare as a bedside nurse and triage specialist. In conjunction with the others on the leadership team, she is responsible for driving operations in the after hours setting.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Science in Nursing, both from St. Louis University, where she studied with an emphasis as a Perinatal Nurse Specialist and Nurse Educator.
Kristin Bess, RN BSN
System Administrator
Kristin Bess serves as a System Administrator at Exclusively RNs, where she brings over 19 years of experience in Women’s healthcare as a bedside nurse and triage specialist. In conjunction with the others on the leadership team, she is responsible for driving operations in the after hours setting.
Kristin holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Science of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.