Leading the Way in Physician Freedom

Pg.28

Dextrocardia: What It Means When Your Heart Is on the Right Side

Pg.42

How Are Digital Twins Quietly Rewriting the Healthcare Playbook

The Undeniable Math: Why Your Hospital’s Future Is ‘Buy,’ Not ‘Build’ Pg.52

Dr. Xunda Gibson

How One Doctor Traded Burnout for the Soul of Medicine

EDITOR’S LETTER

Medicine Unbound: Your Life, Your Terms, Your Cure.

DearReaders,

Thestethoscopewasnevermeanttobeashackle.Yet,fortoolong,wehaveaccepteda narrativethatsaysbeingasuccessfulhealerrequiressacrificingyourpersonallifeto administrativeburnout,risingoverhead,andshrinkingmargins.Wearetoldthatstabilityonly existswithintherigid,fluorescent-litwallsoftraditionalemployment.Thisisalie.True stabilitycomesfromowningyourtimeandyourtalent.Inthisedition,“LeadingtheWayin PhysicianFreedom,”wearebreakingthesilenceonwhatispossiblewhenmedical professionalsrefusetosettleforthestatusquo.Wearespotlightingthepioneerswhorealized thattotrulysavetheirpatients,theyfirsthadtosavethemselvesfromthesystem.

OurcoverstoryfeaturestheremarkableDr.XundaGibson,FounderofSolMDTravel Doctor,whoturnedtheconceptofstabilityonitshead.Afteryearsoffeelingslowly suffocatedbythe“noise”andrelentlessbusinesspressuresofasolopractice,Dr.Gibsondid theunthinkable:shewalkedawaytofindhersoul.Throughherjourneyasatraveldoctor,she discoveredthatthe“risk”ofleavingtraditionalemploymentwasactuallyagatewaytopeace. Shedidn’tjustfindajob;shebuiltaliferaftforothers.BylaunchingSolMD,sheprovidesa blueprintforphysicianstotradeburnoutforflexibility,provingthatyoucandeliverworldclasscarewithoutlosingyouridentitytothegrind.

Thisrevolutionofindependenceisnothappeninginisolation.Weareproudtofeatureother visionariesredefiningtheirfields,includingGoldeanLowe,CEOandClinicalDirectorat ABAClassroom;LaVerneCollins,FounderofNewSeasonsCounseling,Training,and Consulting;KimberlyLangdon,FounderandInventorofCoologics;andDr.NedaaAl Jasim,CEOandfounderofApexMedicalDeviceDesignLLC.

Readon,andremember:thedoortothecageisunlocked.Youjusthavetowalkthroughit.

Sincerely,

Simran Khan Project Editor

10 Dr. Xunda Gibson (Cover

Story)

Dr. Xunda

Gibson

Thenoiseofamodernmedicalpracticeisa

specifickindofcacophony.Itisnotjustthe beepofmonitorsortheshuffleoffeetina hallway;itistheinvisible,crushingstaticof administrativeduties,thehumofrisingcosts,andthe relentlesspressureofasystemthatdemands everythingandpromisesverylittleinreturn.For fifteenyears,Dr.XundaGibsonlivedinsidethat noise.Shedideverythingshewassupposedtodo.She attendedmedicalschoolattheUniversityofKansas. SheflewsouthtothehumidheatofMiamiforan internshipatJacksonMemorialHospital,andthen westtothecoastalcalmofSantaBarbaraCottage Hospitalforherresidency.ShebecameBoardCertified inInternalMedicine.Shewascapable.Shewas established.Shewassuccessful.

Andshewasdrowning.

Itwasn’tadramaticdrowning,flailingarms,and screamingforhelp.Itwasthequiet,professional drowningofadoctorwhorealizesthattheverything Dr.Gibsonsetouttodo: help people, form relationships, and heal.However,itwasbeingslowly suffocatedbythebusinessofmedicine.Shehadasolo practice,theAmericanmedicaldream,butthemargins wereshrinking.Reimbursementsweredecreasing.The costofkeepingthelightsonwasrising.Itcamedown, asitsooftendoesinthefracturedlandscapeof healthcare,toacashflowdecision.

How One Doctor Traded Burnout for the Soul of Medicine

Stop ignoring your intuition. It is always speaking and guiding you. ʻʻ

LocumPhysicianAdvisor&Liaison SolMDTravelDoctor

Cover Stor y

So,Dr.Gibsondidtheunthinkable.Shesold thepractice.Shewalkedoutofthebuilding, awayfromthepoliticsandtheendlesscharting, andsteppedintoavoid.Shedidn’tknowyet thatshewasn’tjustleavingajob;shewas walkingtowardareclamationofherownsoul.

TheArchitectureofSilence

WhenDr.Gibsontalksaboutthatperiodnow, thereisacalmnessinhervoicethatsuggestsa stormthathaslongsincepassed.Shespeaks withtheprecisionofascientistbutthe introspectionofaphilosopher Aftersellingher practice,shedidn’timmediatelyrushintothe nextfranticthing.Shetooktimeoffand allowedherselftositintheuncertainty.

Itwasduringthispausethatsherealized somethingprofound:shecouldfinallydowhat shetrulyloved,butshehadtostripawaythe scaffoldingof“traditional”medicinetofindit.

SheacceptedatravelassignmentintheU.S. VirginIslands.

Itwasthere,perhapsbetweentheshiftin latitudeandtheshiftinattitude,thatthereboot happened.TheU.S.VirginIslandsofferedmore thanjustachangeofscenery;theyoffereda changeingravity.Dr.Gibsonfoundthatthe crushingweightofadministrationhadlifted. Shehadtime.Shecouldmentallyprocessher lifewithaclaritythathadbeenimpossiblein thefluorescentglareofherpreviousexistence.

Forthelasttenyears,Dr.Gibsonhasworkedasatravel doctoracrosstheUnitedStatesanditsterritories.Shefound thatwhensheremovedthegoldenhandcuffsofownership andemployment,shedidn’tlosestability.Shegainedit.She foundshehadmoretimewithherpatients,lessadministrative stress,and,crucially,theflexibilitytoactuallylive.

Butasshemovedthroughthesespaces,apatternemerged. Everywhereshewent,otherphysicians,tired,burnedout, lookingforanexitramp,wouldcornerher.Theylookedather lifenotjustwithenvy,butwithadesperatecuriosity Theyall askedthesamequestion: “How do you do it?”

Sherealizedthenthatshewasn’tjustsavingherself.Shewas prototypingaliferaft.

TheMeaningofSol

In2023,establishedinFlorida,Dr.Gibsonlaunched SolMDTravelDoctor Thenameisnotaccidental.Itisa linguisticandspiritualtriptych.

“Sol” istheLatinwordforsun,thesustainerofalllifeon earth.Itisthelightthatburnsawaythefog.But“Sol”isalso anodtothespiritual “soul” oftheindividual,thepartofus thatrequiresalignmentwithahigherpowertofunction.And then,thereisthethirdlayer,onedeeplyrootedinheridentity InAmericanculture,“soul”referstoagenreof music—gospel,rhythmandblues—rootedinBlackculture.It isasoundthatcarriesanunderlyingthemeofresilience.

Life.Spirit.Resilience.

Thisisthe“Why”thatdrivesDr.Gibson.Itisnotmerelya staffingagencyoraconsultancy.Itisapermissionstructure.

Balance, peace, joy, and freedom are awaiting you on the other side of the unknown possibility

Cover Story

Dr.Gibsonobservedthatthecurrentmedicalmodel isdesignedtokeepphysicianssobusythattheydo nothavetimetothinkforthemselves.Itisasystem thatthrivesonexhaustion.Hercounter-movewasa shiftinmindset.Sherealized, “I am an intelligent woman with a variety of experiences… Use it.” And,perhapsmoreradically: “Stop being so busy.”

SolMDwasbuilttobetheresourceshewishedshe hadwhenshewasstandingatthecrossroads.Itisa platformdesignedtohelpotherphysicianstrade burnoutforfreedom,providingaclear,step-by-step blueprint.Itstripsawaythemysteryofthebusiness sideoftravelmedicine,teachingdoctorshowto organizethemselvestomaximizesuccess.

TheMythofStability

Thereisapervasivefearinmedicinethattoleave theemployedmodelistocourtdisaster Weare taughttovaluethefamiliardiscomfortoverthe unknownpossibility.Dr.Gibsonchallengesthis fearwithdataandexperience.

Shearguesthatthetraveldoctoractuallypossesses more stabilitythantheemployedphysician.An organizationcanterminateanemployeeatanytime, subjecttobudgetcutsorcorporaterestructuring.Asa traveldoctor,Dr.Gibsonexplains,youarenever terminated.Yousimplychoosetoreneworexitthe assignment.Thepowerdynamicshiftsfromthe institutiontotheindividual.

Sheadvisesdoctorstoworkwithtwoorthreelocumor traveldoctorcompaniessimultaneously This diversificationcreatesamenuofoptions.Itallowsa physiciantoscheduleshiftsaroundtheirlife,around theirchildren’sschoolbreaks,aroundfamilyvacations, aroundtheneedtojustbreathe,ratherthansqueezing theirlifeintothegapsleftbythehospitalschedule.

Shehasspentyearsdebunkingthethreegreatmythsof theindustry

Mythone:Traveldoctorsdon’thavestablework.The truth,shesays,isthatthereisstableandcontinuous workavailableforthosewhoknowwheretolook.

Mythtwo:Itisimpossibleunlessyouarehighly specialized.Thetruthisthatanydoctor,withtheright guidanceandnetwork,canmakethistransition.

Myththree:Itcan’tbedoneifyouhaveafamily This isperhapsthemostdamagingmyth.Dr.Gibsoninsists itcanbedone,whetheryouareamother,father, guardian,orcaretakerforagingparents.Theresources exist;thelogisticalsupportisthere.Itjustrequiresa differentkindofplanning.

ServicethroughPresence

WhenweaskwhoDr.Gibsonisserving,theansweris twofold.Sheisservingthephysician,yes,byoffering themakeytothecage.Butthroughthem,sheisserving thepatientinawaythattraditionalmedicineoftenfails todo.

Inthechurnofahigh-volumeprivatepractice,adoctor isoftenthinkingaboutthenextpatient,theinsurance paperwork,andtheoverhead.Asatraveldoctor,Dr Gibsonfoundshewasmorepresent.Thatpresence createsanalmostinstantconnection.

“Patients text me for input even when my assignment has ended,” Dr.Gibsonnotes.

Whentheadministrativeburdenisremoved,whatisleftisthe doctorandthepatient.Itisareturntotheprimaryatomicunit ofmedicine.Byservingherownneedforbalance,she becameabetterservanttothesick.Dr.Gibsonprovedthatit ispossibletogiveexcellent,cost-effectivecaretopatients whilemaintainingpersonalbalance.Whenthesecomponents align,theresultisafulfilledphysicianwhoisactuallythere, inthemoment,withthehumanbeinginfrontofthem.

TheQuietMorning

Dr.Gibsonisnowaleader,anentrepreneur,andamentor,but shesafeguardsherpeacewiththeferocityofaguardian.Her routineisnon-negotiable.Shereadsforpleasure.Shetakes longwalks.Shespendsqualitytimewithclosefriendsand family

Heradvicetothedoctorswhofeeltrappedinthegrind,who arestandingwhereshestoodfifteenyearsago,isdeceptively simple.Itdoesnotrequireagrandgestureoranimmediate resignationletter

“Take 30 minutes each day to sit in silence,” she advises. “Preferably in the morning. After that silent period ends, write down any insights that come to you. This is your subconscious nudge.”

Shebelievesthattheanswersemergeonlywhen wegiveourselvesthespacetojustbe.She quotesLisaNichols: “We are more committed to a familiar discomfort than to an unknown possibility.”

Dr.Gibsonbelievesthatbalance,peace,joy,and freedomarewaitingontheothersideofthat unknownpossibility.Sheseestheroleoftravel doctorsgrowingexponentiallyinthenextfiveto tenyearsashealthcaredemandsevolveand globalmobilityincreases.Shetellsthenext generationoffemalephysicianstostopignoring theirintuition. “It is always speaking and guiding you,” shesays.

Sheisnolongerthedoctordrowninginthe noise.Sheistheonestandingontheshore, pointingtowardthehorizon,showingher colleaguesthatthewaterisfine,thesunis shining,andtheyarefreetoswim.

Apex Medical Device Design LLC

Dr. Nedaa Al Jasim

Revolutionizing Curly Hair Care with Science and Ingenuity

Keypoints:

●Dr.NedaaAlJasim,CEOandfounderofApexMedicalDevice DesignLLC,createdCurlRelax™,theworld'sfirstingestible treatmentforrelaxingcurlyhair.

●Asamedicaldoctorwith40+yearsofexperience,shecombined herexpertiseinallergy,immunology,andbiologytoinnovatein thebeautyindustry.

●CurlRelax™targetsanunmetneedintheBlackhaircaremarket, offeringasafer,science-backedalternativetoharshchemical treatments.

S“Scienceisnotjustaboutfindinganswers;it’s aboutaskingtherightquestions.”ForDr.NedaaAl Jasim,thatquestionwasdeceptivelysimple: What if curly hair care could go beyond the surface?

Inanindustrythathasreliedonthesameharsh chemicaltreatmentsfordecades,Dr.Nedaa envisionedaradicalalternative—onethatdelves intothebiologyofhairfolliclesandredefineshow beautymeetsscience.

ThiscuriosityledhertofoundApexMedical DeviceDesignLLC,atrailblazingresearchand innovationcompany Withoverfortyyearsof medicalexperienceandastrongpassionfor discovery,Dr.NedaacreatedCurlRelax™—the first-everingestibletreatmentforrelaxingcurly hair.Unliketheharshchemicaltreatmentsused sincethe1960s,CurlRelax™offersasafe,herbal solution.Thisuniquetreatmentservespeoplewho areoftenoverlookedinthehaircaremarket.

Thisisthestoryofawomanwhoturnedquestions intobreakthroughsandsetbacksintostepping stones.Whetherit’sdecodingthemysteriesofhair folliclesordesigninganext-genbreastimplant,Dr. Nedaa’sjourneyprovesthatinnovationthrives whenscienceandpurposeconverge.

TheUSALeaders:Canyousharemoreabout yourbackgroundandhowitshapedyour passionforresearchandinnovation?

Dr.Nedaa:Iamamedicaldoctorwithoverforty yearsofexperience,specializinginallergyand immunology.Myeducationandprofessional journeytookplaceoverseas,whereIhonedmy skillsanddevelopedakeeninterestinresearch.

Overtime,Inoticedhowsophisticatedtoday’sconsumers are,alwaysasking:whatarethenewoptionsinthemedical aestheticsfield?Theircuriositysparkedmyown,pushing metoexploreadvancementsinthecosmeceuticalfield.

Evenafterretiring,mypassionforscienceandinnovation neverwaned.IfoundedApexMedicalDeviceDesignLLC, awomen-owned,pre-seedstartupfocusedondeveloping science-basedcosmeceuticalproducts.

Thisventureallowedmetocombinemyexpertisewithmy curiosity,leadingtothecreationofpatentedinventionslike DefyGravity™,abreastimplant,andCurlRelax™,thefirstin-classingestibletreatmentforrelaxingcurlyhair.Both inventionsarepatentpendingintheUnitedStatesPatent andTrademarkOffice(USPTO)andinternationally, safeguardingournichemarket.

TheUSALeaders:Couldyouelaborateonthestory behindApexMedicalDeviceDesignLLCandits innovativeapproachtoresearchandinvention?

Dr.Nedaa:Apexisaresearchandinvention(R&I) companywithauniquebusinessmodel.Weinitiatenew productideasgroundedinscience,securepatentsforour innovations,andcollaboratewithcompaniesandresearch centerstobringtheseideastolife.ThestoryofApex MedicalDeviceDesignLLCbeganin2015whenIstarted designingandprototypingtheDefyGravity™breast implant.Thisdesignmimicstheanatomyofayouthful breast,aimingtoenhanceupperbreastfullnessby relocatingthecenterofgravity

Ourpatentlawyeradvisedmetoregisteracompanyasthe patentapplicantattheUSPTO.Followingthissound advice,IestablishedApexMedicalDeviceDesignLLCand namedourfirstinnovationDefyGravity™.Wewere fortunatetoworkwithMichaelG.Monyok,Attorneyat Law,atMeyers,Unkovic&ScottLLPinPittsburgh. Michael’sprofessionalism,knowledge,andpunctuality wereinvaluableduringthepatentfilingprocessand communicationwiththeUSPTO,aswellasinsecuring internationalpatentprotection.

TheUSALeaders:HowdidApexnavigatethe challengesfacedbyDefyGravity™,andwhatledtothe developmentofCurlRelax™?

Dr.Nedaa:Weinvestedsignificanteffortindevelopingthe DefyGravity™breastimplant.In2019,weattendedthe FDApanelforgeneralandplasticsurgerydevices.Wewere

excitedtobeinvitedbytheAmerican SocietyofCosmeticBreastSurgeryto presentDefyGravity™attheir35th AnnualWorkshopinCalifornia.However, theCOVID-19pandemicdisruptedour plans.Itstoppedaestheticsurgeriesand delayedourproductlaunch.TheUS patentforDefyGravity™isstillactive, buttheinventionhasnotyethitthe market.

Inthefollowingyears,Ifocusedonanew projectcalledCurlRelax™.Itisasafe, herbalnanoemulsionmadefromNigella sativaseeds.Ithelpsrelaxcurlyhairfrom theroot,providingauniquesolutionfor theblackhaircaremarket.Istarted decipheringthecomplexbiologyofcell receptorsandmediatorsthatunderliehair typestotacklethisreal-worldproblem.

Thisproductispatent-pendinginthe UnitedStates,givingourcompanya significantfirst-moveradvantage internationally Additionally,the CurlRelax™patentisco-heldbyitscoinventor,NoorAhmed,askilledchemical engineerandagraduateoftheUniversity ofWashington,whoisalsomydaughter.

TheUSALeaders:Theblackhaircare markethasreliedonlegacytreatments fordecades.Canyoushareyour insightsonthechallengesfacedbythis communityandhowCurlRelax™ addressestheseneeds?

Dr.Nedaa:Formanyyears,theblack haircaremarkethasreliedonharsh chemicaltreatmentsforcurlyandcoily hair,datingbacktothe1960s.These treatmentsbreakdownthekeratinprotein inthehairshaft,leadingtodryness,frizz, andsystemicsideeffects.Thiscreates problemsforconsumerswhospendalot oftimeonhaircare,washtheirhair infrequently,andoftenbuymultiple expensiveproducts.Manydescribetheir relationshipwiththeirhairasalove-hate situation,asnotedin“TheTextureGap WhitePaper”byCarraLabs(2023).

Hairlossisanothergrowingconcerninthiscommunity,primarilydueto tightstylingpracticeslikebraids,whichcausetractionalopecia.This unmetmarketneedsparkedmycuriosityandenthusiasmtobepartofa newproductdevelopment.

Toaddressthismarketgap,weneedtounderstandthecurrentmarket offerings.Productdevelopmentinthisfieldtypicallyfallsintotwo domains:thehairshaftdomain,managedbythebeautyandpersonalcare industry,andthehairfollicledomain,whichfocusesonmedicalresearch andpharmaceuticaltreatments.Iamproudtobethefirstmover pioneeringpharmaceuticalandbiologicalresearchintothehairfollicle domainwithinthebeautyindustry

CurlRelax™isasafeherbaltreatmentyoucantaketoimproveyourhair. Ithelpsreducethemechanicalstressonthehairoilglandsandboosts nourishmentandbloodflowtothehairfollicles.Thesebenefitsmakehair careritualseasierandmoreeffective.WithCurlRelax™,youcanenjoy healthierhair Thisproductfillsagapinthemarketspecificallyforthe Blackcommunity

TheUSALeaders:Yourhypothesislinksthecontractionofthe ArrectorPilimuscletohairfolliclecurvature.Couldyouelaborate onthesciencebehindthis?

Dr.Nedaa:CurlRelax™isascience-drivenproductcombiningmedicine, pharmacology,andbiology.Iworkedonittohelpimproveour understandingofsciencethroughwhatIcall“verticalinvention.”This methodbuildsonnewobservationsstepbysteptocreateaclear

understandingthataimstoenhancehumanwell-being. Myworkinvolvedmonthsofgatheringandconnecting bitsofknowledgefromextensiveresearch,alongwith myownexperience,toformanovelhypothesis.

Ihypothesizethatthemechanicalstressoncurvedhair folliclesoriginatesfromthecontractedArrectorPili muscle.Thisisdetailedinmypaper, “Curly Hair Follicle is Sculpted by a Contracted Arrector Pili Muscle: A Hypothesis with Treatment Implication” (DOI: 10.36648/2393-8862.11.S1.01). Smoothmuscles, whichregulateorganfunction,arecentraltothis concept.Myearlierresearchonhypersensitiveairways andsmoothmuscledilators,combinedwithmy husband,Dr.Zuhair'sdermatologicalexpertise,ledme toinvestigatetheroleoftheArrectorPilimuscleinhair curvature.

Iproposethat“selective”smoothmusclerelaxerscan effectivelyrelaxcurlyandcoilyhair.By“selective,”I refertotargetingspecificmechanisms,suchasstudying genesregulatingcurlyhairphenotypes,conducting functionalgenomics,identifyingArrectorPilimuscle receptors,andusingartificialintelligence(AI)to identifyplant-basedmoleculesthatinteractwiththese receptors.CurlRelax™istheoutcomeofthis innovativeapproach.

TheUSALeaders:Yourunique3-step manufacturingprocessiskeytoCurlRelax™.Could youpleaseelaboratemoreonthisprocess?

Dr.Nedaa:Thedevelopmentofnewtreatmentscanfall underthe“product-by-process”category,highlighting theimportanceofnoveltyandtheindustrial applicabilityofthemanufacturingmethod.Our patentedprocessfornano-emulsifyingherbaloilutilizes theuniqueextractionkineticsoftheoil,resultingintiny dropletssuspendedinawaterphasecontaining emulsifiers,specificallysaponins.Thismethodallows forspontaneousemulsification,whichreducestheneed forhighconcentrationsofemulsifiersthatcanrender productsunsuitableforhumanconsumption.

Thekeyinnovationofourprocessisthatallthe ingredientscomefromasingleherbthatisnaturally compatible,preventingtheseparationofoilsfrom water Thiscapabilityextendstheshelflifeofthe productandeliminatesthetedioussearchformultiple suitableemulsifiers.Thedevelopmentofthisprocess wasco-inventedbyNoorAhmed.

TheUSALeaders:Beingatthehelmoftheorganization, whatareyourcoreresponsibilities?Also,shareyour notableachievementssofar.

Dr.Nedaa:Asmentionedearlier,Iamasoloinventor workingalongsideaco-inventor.Ontheinventionside,Iam responsibleforgeneratingprojectideas,planningand executingresearch,draftingthepatentapplication, collaboratingwithourcompanylawyertorespondto examinationreportsfromtheUSPTOandtheWorld IntellectualPropertyOrganization(PCT),anddrivingthe patenttowardsthegrantphase.

Onthebusinessside,Imanagethebusinessneedsbybuilding websitesandmaintainingoursocialmediapresencewhile alsosecuringfundingfortheproject.

Itakeprideinthefactthatmypatentsweregrantedafterthe firstexamination.ThisshowsthatIwritemyapplications thoroughlyandintelligently.OurPCTpatentapplicationwent throughaninternationalexamination,whichfoundthatthe claimswerenew,inventive,andpractical.Theapplication waspublishedinthePCTGazetteonJanuary12,2023,and wehavenowenteredtheinternationalphase.Additionally,it waspublishedintheUSPTOOfficialGazette(#US 2024/0307474A1)in2024.Thismeanswewillsoonreceive thepatentgrant.

TheUSALeaders:Howdoyouplantoeducateconsumers andbuildtrustaroundCurlRelax™?

Dr.Nedaa:Thecurrenttrendistoeducateconsumers throughsocialmedia.Wewillcollaboratewithfocused groupsinterestedinourfield,includingtheBlackcommunity andthecosmeticindustry.Iwillalsobepublishingmore researchpapersinmedicalandscientificjournals.

Akeydiscussiontopicisunderstandingthatcurlyhairis shapedinthefollicle,withapproximately100,000hair folliclesonthehumanscalp.Theoptimalwaytotreatcurly hairisthroughaningestibleformula.Scientificadvancements shouldmeetcustomerneeds,soletusembracethechanges thatfulfillourrequirementsanddesires.

TheUSALeaders:Managinganinnovativebiotech projectisnosmallfeat.Couldyousharethechallenges youfacedandhowyouovercamethem?

Dr.Nedaa:Theprimarychallengesinmanagingthisproject werethelimitationsintimeandresources.Yearsof painstakingresearchwererequiredtoachievetheresultswe

Ask yourself: how strong is your passion? You’ll need it to sustain years of effort “

seetoday Thisprojectismultifaceted,lengthy,anddemanding, butIwascommittedtomaintainingmomentum,especiallyto securepatentsthatwouldprotectthemarketmonopoly.

Aturningpointcamewhenmycousin,BanAl-Kaisi,asked, “Whydon’tyoupublishyourinventioninamedicaljournalto reachabroaderaudienceandstartworkingonsocialmedia?”I hadn’tconsideredthatbefore,butIactedonhersuggestion. ThehypothesiswasfirstpublishedonPreprints.org,a multidisciplinaryplatformthatisn’tpeer-reviewedbutallows feedbackfromreaders(DOI: 10.20944/preprints202409.1791.v1).

OnNovember5th,Ireceivedacongratulatorymessagefrom Preprints.orgforachieving99downloads,andtheyofferedto promoteitfurtheronsocialmedia.Thisexposureledtobeing contactedbythe American Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, aprestigiouspublicationknownforitshighqualityscientificcontent.Theirreviewdescribedmy hypothesisasscientificallyintriguing,innovative,andthoughtprovoking.

Now,Iamhonoredtobefeaturedinthe“InnovativeWomenin Biotech:LeadingtheFutureofHealthcare”issueof The USA Leaders, aleadingplatformforentrepreneursandbusiness leadersintheUSA.

TheUSALeaders:Howdidyourfamilycontributeto overcomingthesechallengesandadvancingyourproject?

Dr.Nedaa:Asasoloinventor,Ireliedheavilyonmyfamily forsupport.Whentheideawasstillinitsinfancy,Idiscussedit withmyfather,aprofessorofbusiness.Hetoldme,“Thisidea allowsyoutocreatevalueforthecompany,shareholders,and consumers.Toprotectyourcompetitiveadvantage,goandfile apatent.”Hisadvicebecamethefoundationofmystrategy

Duringthisdifficulttimeinmyinnovationjourney,mysonAli, atalentedchemicalengineer,wasalwaysinspiringand supportiveallthewaythrough.Throughoutthisjourney,my sisterHayfaandbrother-in-lawDr.NumanMd.,bothmedical associateprofessorsworkingoverseas,servedasmyscientific advisors.Theirexpertiseandencouragementwereinvaluable.

We aspire to be the leading pharma company to revolutionize the black hair care relaxing and nourishing market by developing ingestible, safe herbal products “

Moreover,myfamilyinvestedintheproject financiallyandemotionally,providingsupport everystepoftheway.Iwasalsosupportedbymy bestfriendMayada,withwhomIdiscuss everydayissues.

TheUSALeaders:WhatisApex’splanto bringCurlRelax™tothemarket,andhowdo youaimtosecureresourcesforits development?

Dr.Nedaa:Apex’sprimarygoalistolaunch CurlRelax™andconductproof-of-concept studiesusingartificialintelligence(AI).However, asapre-seedcompany,weneedfinancialsupport tocontinuethisjourney Weareactivelyseeking partnershipswithphilanthropistsandangel investors.

Additionally,weaimtocollaboratewithmajor R&D-focusedcosmeceuticalcompaniesthatoffer opportunitiesforboldinnovatorsand changemakerstartupsinthefieldofbeauty science.CompanieslikeL’Oréal,whichfoster partnershipsforinnovativebeautytechnologies, areprimeexamplesofpotentialcollaborators.

TheUnilevercompanyhassupportedtheonly publishedresearchonthebiologyandgeneticsof curlyhairintheSouthAfricanpopulation (Westgateetal.,2017).Unileverexpertsare pushingtheboundariesofscienceandshapingthe futureofinnovationbyleadingcutting-edgefields suchasbiotechnology Theyarepioneeringways toadvancesciencewithouttestingonanimals.

Wearealsoopentoworkingwithtechnology incubatorsthatspecializeindevelopingand launchingfirst-to-marketbeautytechnologies createdbystartups.Alternatively,wemaypartner withcontractmanufacturingorganizations (CMOs)toproduceCurlRelax™.

Specifically,wearelookingforCMOsthat manufacturestandardizedherbalproductsoroverthe-counter(OTC)productswithfermentation capabilities.Thesefacilitiesmustadheretogood manufacturingpractices(GMPs).Forexample, theSami-SabinsaGroupofferscustom developmentandcommercial-scale manufacturing,makingitapotentialpartner

TheUSALeaders:HowwillAIplayaroleinCurlRelax™’s developmentandresearch?

Dr.Nedaa:AIwillbeintegraltoourproof-of-conceptresearch.The bestapproachinvolvesconductingcomputer-aidedtarget identification(insilicoprotein-proteininteractionstudies)toanalyze curlyhairfolliclesandunderstandtheinteractionbetweenthe ArrectorPilimuscleandherbalsmallmolecules.Thesestudieswill enableustoidentifyspecifictargetsandrefinetheefficacyof CurlRelax™,pavingthewayforgroundbreakingadvancementsin haircareinnovation.

TheUSALeaders:Whatareyourthoughtsonwork-lifebalance? Howdoyouachieveit?We’dalsoliketoknowaboutyour hobbiesandinterestsbeyondthecabin.

Dr.Nedaa: Iamamotheroffourkidsandagrandmotherofsix whomIloveandcareabout.Icommunicatewiththemfrequentlyon socialmediaandaskabouttheirstudiesandinterests.Theyconsider meastheirrolemodel,myeldesttwograndkidsareinmedical schoolandthethirdisinterestedalso.

Formylastbirthday,theyboughtmeanOscarBestMotherSouvenir andacrownforbeingthebestmom.Ikeepavividrelationshipwith myfriendsandbiggerfamilybycallingandsharingpersonaland generalnewsonWhatsApp.

Myhobbiesincludecapturingbeautywhereitisunexpected.Iama loverofnature,andlove“close-upphotography”,sowhenIseea beautifultree,Igoandphotographasingleleafandsearchforthe beautyinthisclose-uppicture.Ialsoliketophotograph“nature arrangements”whenflowersandtreesarearrangedineye-catching harmonyandcomposition.

TheUSALeaders:Whatadvicewouldyouoffertoyoung inventorsembarkingontheirjourney?

Dr.Nedaa:I’dliketoshareafewtipsthatI’velearnedalongthe way.First,taketimetounderstandyourinnerstrengths.Forme,it wasthepowerofobservationandakeenattentiontodetail,which allowedmetoretaininformationforyears.

Askyourself:howstrongisyourpassion?You’llneedittosustain yearsofeffort.Also,considerwhetheryourpassionisbackedby sufficientknowledgeandexperienceinyourchosenfield.

Theinternetwillbeyourprimaryresourcewhenstartingout,so chooseyoursearchtermscarefullytogetpreciseanswers.When you’rereadytofileapatentapplication,rememberthattheUSPTO offersprogramslikethePatentProBonoProgram,whichprovides freelegalassistanceforinventorsandsmallbusinesses.

Dextrocardia What It Means WhenYour Heart Is on the Right Side

Mostpeoplehavetheirheartpositionedonthe leftsideofthechest.Butinrarecases,aperson isbornwiththeheartontherightside,a conditionknownasdextrocardia.Youmusthavecome acrossatleastasinglepersonwiththiscondition.

Eventhoughdextrocardiaisextremelyrare,itoccursin about1in12,000peopleglobally.Itoccurswhentheheart's apex(thepointedlowertip)facestherightinsteadofthe left.

ItsnamecomesfromLatinwords dextro (right)and cardia (heart). Althoughsomepeoplewithdextrocardialive healthyliveswithoutsymptoms,othersmayexperience complicationsdependingonhowtheirorgansandheart structuresdeveloped.Mostcasesareidentifiedatbirthor duringachestX-raylaterinlife.

Thisarticlebreaksdownwhatdextrocardiais,itscauses, complications,diagnosis,andtreatment.

(Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalised advice.)

Let’sUnderstandDextrocardiaMore

FormsofDextrocardia

1.DextrocardiaSitusInversus

Inthistype,theheartisontherightside,andotherinternal organs,suchastheliver,spleen,andstomach,arealso reversedlikeamirrorimage.Thisiscalledsitusinversus,a completeorganreversalthatoftencausesnosymptoms.

2.IsolatedDextrocardia(SitusSolitus)

Here,onlytheheartisreversed,whileotherorgans remainintheirusualpositions.Thistypehasahigher chanceofbeingassociatedwithheartdefects.

3.Dextroposition

Thisisnottruedextrocardia.Instead,theheartistothe rightduetoanothercondition,suchaslungdiseaseor abnormalitiesinthechestcavity.

WhyDoesDextrocardiaHappen

Dextrocardiadevelopsveryearlyinfetalgrowth,within thefirstfewweeksofpregnancy.Duringthisperiod,the hearttubeloopsandrotatestotheleft.Indextrocardia, thislooprotatesabnormallytowardtheright.

Theexactcauseisnotalwaysknown,butidentified factorsinclude:

1.GeneticCauses

Somecasesoccurduetogeneticmutationsaffecting earlyorgandevelopment.Forexample,defectsingenes thatguideorganplacement(left–rightpatterning)can leadtoorganreversal.

2.AssociatedGeneticSyndromes

Somepeoplewithdextrocardiahaverelatedsyndromes suchas:

●Kartagenersyndrome,whichincludeschroniclung infectionsandsinusproblems.

●Primaryciliarydyskinesia(PCD),where malfunctioningciliaaffectorgandevelopment.

3.UnknownCauses

Inmanycases,noclearcauseisidentified,andthe conditionisconsideredsporadic.

WhataretheSymptomsofDextrocardia

Noteveryonewithdextrocardiaexperiencessymptoms. Peoplewithdextrocardiasitusinversusoftenlive normalliveswithoutknowingtheyhave thecondition.

However,othersmayexperience:

●Breathingproblems

●Chronicsinusinfections

●Heartmurmurs

●Fatigue

●Cyanosis(bluishskin),incaseswithcongenitalheart defects

●Digestiveissues(rare)

Thepresenceandseverityofsymptomsdependonwhether theheartandotherorgansdevelopednormally.

HowDextrocardiaIsDiagnosed

Diagnosisusuallyhappensthroughroutineimaging,often whenahealthcareprovidernoticesheartsoundsontheright side.

Testsinclude:

1.ChestX-Ray

X-rayshelpidentifythiscondition,showingtheheart shadowontherightside.

2.Electrocardiogram(ECG)

Here,theelectricalpatternsappear“reversed,”akeyclueto thiscondition.

3.Echocardiogram(HeartUltrasound)

Inthistest,heartstructuresandbloodflowcanindicate abnormalities.

4.CTorMRIScans

ToolslikeCTorMRIscansprovidedetailedimagesof organplacement.

5.GeneticTesting

ItisusedwhensyndromeslikePCDorKartagener syndromearesuspected.

CanDextrocardiaCauseComplications

Onitsown,dextrocardiaisnotalwaysdangerous.Many individuals,especiallythosewithdextrocardiasitus inversus,haveanormallifeexpectancy.

However,whenassociatedwithcongenitaldefects,itmay increasetheriskof:

●Heartvalveabnormalities

●Holesintheheart(septaldefects)

●Complexstructuralheartissues

●Respiratoryproblemsduetociliarydisorders

Amongpeoplewithcompletesitusinversus,only5–10% developcongenitalheartdefects,muchlowerthanin dextrocardiawithoutorganreversal.

Childrenwithdextrocardiahaveahigher-than-average chanceofcongenitalheartdisease,especiallyifsitus inversusisabsent.

WhatIstheTreatment&Management

Thereisnocureforrepositioningthehearttotheleftside, andthisconditionitselfusuallydoesnotneedtreatment.

Instead,treatmentfocusesonassociatedconditions:

1.ManagingHeartDefects

Childrenwithstructuraldefectsmayneedtreatmentsinthe formofmedication,catheter-basedprocedures,andsurgery.

2.TreatingRespiratoryProblems

ThosewithKartagenersyndromeorPCDmayrequire treatmentssuchasairwayclearancetherapy,antibioticsfor infections,andregularlungmonitoring.

3.PreventiveCare

Theavailablepreventivecareincludesroutineheart evaluations,screeningfororgan-relatedissues,and monitoringduringsurgeryoremergencycare(asorgan positionsdiffer).

LivingWithDextrocardia

Peoplewithdextrocardiacanlivenormal,healthylives, especiallyifnosignificantdefectsarepresent.

However,it’simportantto:

●Informhealthcareproviders,especiallyintimesof surgeriesandemergencies.

●Stayupdatedwithcardiaccheck-ups

●Monitorforrespiratorysymptoms

Conclusion

Dextrocardiaisararebutfascinatingconditionwhere theheartsitsontherightsideofthechest.While manyindividualsexperiencenocomplications,others mayfacechallengesdependingonheartstructureand organdevelopment.Withmodernimaging,early diagnosis,andspecialisedcare,peoplewith dextrocardiacanenjoyfull,healthylives.

Ifyoufoundthisarticlehelpful,shareitwithothers; youmighthelpsomeoneunderstandararecondition betterandfindthissecretabouttheirheart.

Building a Classroom of Hope on the Shores of Maui

Don't be afraid to question what everyone else accepts. Don't be afraid to take responsibility for yourself and your community.

ThestoryofGoldeanLoweandABAClassroomdoesnotbegininasterileclinicor auniversitylecturehall.ItbeginsinthebrilliantHawaiiansun,besidethe chlorinatedblueoftheLahainapublicpoolandintheopengreenoflocalparks.It washere,in2016,ontheWestSideofMaui,thatGoldeanfirstbeganherworkwithchildren withAutismSpectrumDisorder.ShewasanewlyarrivedBoardCertifiedBehaviorAnalyst inacommunitywithadesperate,unmetneed.ABAtherapyhadonlyrecentlybecomefunded byhealthinsurance,andformanyfamilies,itwasadistant,abstractconcept.Theyhadno clinic,noresources,andnoclearpathtothekindofsupporttheirchildrenneededtothrive. SoGoldeanmetthemwheretheywere,transformingpublicspacesintomakeshift classrooms,herpracticedefinedbyequalpartsscientificrigorandheartfeltcreativity.

Whenshefinallyfoundasmall,700-square-footclassroom,itfeltlikeasanctuary This space,nowtragicallylosttotheLahainafires,becametheofficialhomeofABAClassroom,a namethatbeliedtherevolutionaryscopeofwhatwouldhappenwithinandfarbeyondits walls.ForGoldean,aclassroomwasneverjustaboutfourwalls.Itwasalaunchpad.Itwasa placetobuildthefoundationalskillsofcommunicationandbehavior,buttherealtest,thereal therapy,happenedoutside:inthePacificwavesonasurfboard,intherhythmofaHuladance, intheresponsibilityofcaringforanimalsonafarm,inthedisciplineofanAikidodojo.

Sheisaleaderwhowakesat4:30a.m.formantrameditationbeforebeginninganintense14hourworkday.Sheisatrauma-informedtherapistwhounderstandsthataparent’sstresscan mirrorthatofacombatsoldier,andascientist-practitionerwhohasseenchildren,through comprehensivetreatment,losetheirautismdiagnosisentirely.Herjourneyhasbeenoneof profoundchallenges,fromaglobalpandemicanddevastatingfirestointernalcrisesthat testedherresolve.Throughitall,shehastakentheroad, “less travelled,” buildingapractice andaculturethatdarestoask, “Why set the bar low when inclusion is possible?”

TheWindingPathtoaCalling

Goldean’spathtobecomingaleaderinABAtherapywasawindingintellectualandpersonal journey.Herearlyuniversitystudiesfrom1994to2000exploredPhilosophyand EnvironmentalStudies,hintingataminddrawntocomplexsystemsanddeeperquestionsof humanexistence.Thisbroadfoundationeventuallyfocusedonapassionforhelpingyoung people,leadinghertoaBachelorofArtsinChildandYouthCarefromtheUniversityof Victoriain2006,whereinternshipsinschoolsandyouthempowermentorganizations solidifiedhercommitment.

HeracademicjourneycontinuedwithaMasterofArtsinCounselingPsychologyfromCity UniversityofSeattlein2009,whereshespecializedinTrauma-InformedCare.Shepursued furthertraininginhighlyspecificandcompassionatemodalities,including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Response-Based approaches.These frameworksemphasizeaclient-directedprocess,engagingfamiliesandusingMotivational Interviewingtosupportindividualsthroughtheirownstagesofchange.In2013,she completedherformaltraininginBehaviorAnalysisattheUniversityofBritishColumbia, fusingherdeepbackgroundinpsychologyandtraumawiththepragmatic,evidence-based lensofABA.

Thisrich,layerededucation,whichalsoincludescompetenciesinaddressingbereavement, grief,anxiety,anddepressioninchildren,informseveryaspectofherworktoday.Sheisnot justabehavioranalyst;sheisaclinicianwhounderstandstheintricateemotionalworldsof thechildrenandfamiliessheserves.

Change takes courage and persistence, but when we live with integrity and compassion, we become the leaders we’ve been waiting for.

AClassroomwithoutWalls

WhattrulysetsABAClassroomapartisitsunshakable commitmenttopushingtheboundariesofwhatABA therapycanbe.Whilefirmlygroundedinthescienceof precisionteachingandaVerbalBehaviorCurriculum developedover30yearsbypioneersinthefield,Goldean’s visionextendsfarbeyondtheclinic.

“Children don’t just practice skills in isolated settings,” she explains, “they gain fluency through real-world experiences.” Thelistofactivitiesherlearnersparticipate inisavibranttestamenttothisphilosophy TheylearnHula andukulele,participateintheatre,andplayvolleyball, basketball,andmartialarts.Theylearntobike,skateboard, swim,andevenworkoutatTheBlock,alocalgym.The naturalclassroomofMauiiscentraltotheirgrowth,with ocean-basedactivitieslikesurfing,stand-uppaddle boarding,snorkeling,andboogieboardingbuildingboth courageandphysicalskills.

Theprogramalsotacklespracticallifechallengeshead-on. Pickyeatingisaddressedthroughhealthyfoodexploration. Prevocationalskillsaredevelopedthroughhands-on internshipsandfarmwork.Thegoalisholistic:tobuild confidentcommunication,competentworkhabits,anda well-roundedlifefilledwithleisureandrecreation. “By setting high expectations and fostering independence,” Goldeansays, “we equip our learners to step into adulthood with the skills they need to live happy, healthy, and self-reliant lives.”

Theresultsofthiscomprehensiveapproachhavebeen profound.Inafieldwhereprogressisoftenmeasuredin small,incrementalsteps,Goldeanhaswitnessedlifealteringtransformations. “Three of my clients have even lost their autism diagnosis after comprehensive, consistent treatment,” sheshares.Thisremarkableoutcomeisa powerfulaffirmationofherbeliefthatbyapplyingscience incollaborativeandcreativeways,childrencanbe launchedintolivesofindependenceandjoy.

TheFamilyattheHeartofthePlan

AtABAClassroom,parentsarenotobservers;theyare essentialpartnersintheirchild’sjourney.Goldeanoperates withadeepempathyfortheimmensestressfamiliesface, citingstudiesthatshowparentsofchildrenwithautism oftenexperiencecortisollevelscomparabletothoseof combatsoldiers.Thisunderstandingshapesherentire approachtofamilytraining.

“We approach families with the highest respect and empathy, always adjusting the pace of change to match their readiness,” shesays.Thefirstpriorityistostabilize thehomeenvironmentbyreducingstress.Thismeans addressingfoundationalchallengesfirst:medical concerns,poornutrition,sleepdisruption,anddifficult behaviors.Onlywhenafamilyfeelsmorestableinthese areascantheyeffectivelyengagewithmoreintensive teachingroutinesliketoilettraining,communication development,oracademicreadiness.

Theprocessishighlyindividualized.Usingthe“Stagesof Change”model,Goldeanandherteamfirstassessa family'sreadiness,meetingthemwherevertheyareonthe spectrumfromprecontemplationtoaction.Thisallows themtoco-designtherapyplansthatfeelrealisticand sustainable.Earlywinsarecrucial. “When families see immediate, positive changes,” shenotes, “they gain confidence in the process and become more invested in long-term implementation.”

EveryplanisanchoredinSMARTgoals(Specific, Measurable,Achievable,Relevant,andTime-bound), bringingclarityandaccountabilitytotheprocess.But beyondthestrategiesandgoals,theultimateaimisto strengthentheparent-childrelationship,creating opportunitiesforjoyandconnectionthatmayhavebeen lostamidstthestressofmanagingchallengingbehaviors. Familiesarecoachedtomaintainconsistency,withthe gentleencouragementthattheycanalways“getbackon thetrain”afterasetback.Itisthispatient,empathetic, andcollaborativeapproachthatempowersfamiliesto becometheconfidentarchitectsoftheirownsuccess.

AnEcosystemofCommunitySupport

Goldeanbelievesthatforachildtotrulythrive,theentire communitymustbepartoftheirsupportsystem.ABA Classroomhasintentionallybuiltarobustnetworkof collaborationsthatcreateaholisticecosystemofcare, ensuringthatlearningandgrowthhappeninevery environment.

Along-standingrelationshipwiththeABAPediatricteam atKaiserPermanenteensuresthatmedical, developmental,andbehavioralcareplansareseamlessly aligned.Localcommunitypartnersprovideinvaluable real-worldlearningarenas.AtMauiAnimalFarm, learnerspractiseresponsibilitybycaringforanimals.At LahainaRecCenterandwithKindermusik,theybuild socialskillsthroughrecreationandmusic. recreationand

PartnershipswithLahainaAikidoandTheBlockgymintroduce structuredfitnessandself-discipline.KahakukahiOcean Adventuresopensuptheworldofwatersports,whilea collaborationwithBrewHut–SoilRegenerationprovidesolder learnerswithvitalprevocationalinternshipexperience.

Regularcommunicationwithschoolteamsensuresconsistencyin strategiesandreinforcementsystems,helpingchildrentransition smoothlybetweensettings.Together,thesepartnershipscreatea webofsupportthatenvelopseachchildandfamily,reinforcing progressandfosteringinclusionineverydimensionoftheirlives.

ACultureofDignityandKindness

Beyondthesepartnerships,Goldeanhasspearheadedcommunity campaignsaimedatshiftingtheverycultureinwhichherlearners live.The “No More Silence. No More Bullying.” initiativeisa powerfulexample,bornfromtheunderstandingthatmanyofthe childrensheservesstruggledeeplywithsocialbelongingand formingfriendships.Whenbullyingispresent,thosechallenges growexponentially Thecampaignismorethananawareness effort;itisacallforacollectivecultureofdignity,kindness,and accountability

Itencourageschildrenandadultsaliketoaskprobingquestions abouttheirownbehavior:

●Whydopeoplebully?

●Whydowesometimestreatinsultingothersasaformof entertainment?

●Areweteachingrespectandhonesty,orarewereinforcing gossipandexclusion?

Thesequestionsaredesignedtoinvitepersonalresponsibilityfor theimpactofone’sactions.

Attheheartofthecampaignisasimple,profoundtruth:Allwe areisourword Whenwealignourselveswithunkindness,we loseauthenticity.Silenceinthefaceofbullyingisaformof reinforcement,allowingharmtocontinueunchecked.The antidote,sheteaches,istoactwithcouragebychoosing compassionandsurroundingourselveswithpeoplewholift othersup.Thisphilosophyisdirectlylinkedtoherworkasa behavioranalyst,whichinvolvesobservingbehaviorandaskinga criticalquestion:

Is this who I want to be known as? Byshowingupaspeoplewho createdignityandappreciationforothers,shebelieveswecan replacecyclesofbullyingwithtruerespectandbelonging, fosteringacommunitywhereeverychildfeelsvalued andempowered.

ForgedinFire

ThejourneyofABAClassroomhasbeenmarkedbyaseries ofprofoundchallengesthatwouldhavebrokenaless resilientleader.Foundingaclinicin2021,attheheightof theCOVIDpandemic,wasthefirsthurdle.Justtwoyears later,theclinicwasevictedwithonlyonemonth’snotice aftertheirbuildingwascondemned.Thoughtheywereable topurchaseapermanentcommercialsite,providingmuchneededstability,disasterstruckagainjustthreemonthsafter theysettledin.TheLahainaFiresof2023threatenedto destroyeverything. “Walking away from the clinic, I thought it would all be lost,” Goldeanrecalls, “but miraculously it was spared.”

However,themostdifficultchallengeswerenotexternal crises,butinternalones.Agroupofstaffmemberscreateda toxicenvironmentthatunderminedtheclinic’smissionand culture.AddressingthisrequiredGoldeantomakeincredibly difficultdecisions,includingterminatingemployeesand investingsignificantresourcesinlegalcounseltoresolve falseaccusations.

“Through this process, I learned the importance of setting clear expectations, upholding a strong Code of Conduct, and addressing issues of negativity or competitiveness immediately and directly,” shesays.Theseexperienceswere painfulturningpoints,buttheyultimatelystrengthenedher resolvetobuildateamculturerootedinrespect,cooperation, andsharedpurpose.Today,sheissurroundedbyateamshe deeplyappreciates,knowingfirsthandthatapositive, supportivecultureisvitaltothemission.

TheRoadLessTravelled

Goldean’slifeoutsidetheclinicisasintentionaland disciplinedasherprofessionalpractice.Her80-hour workweeksarebalancedbydailymeditationandyoga, bodywork,andtimespentwithfamily,friends,andher PortugueseWaterDog,Rishi.Sheco-hostsmeditationand women'ssupportgroups,nurturingcommunityandshared resilience.Eachyear,shetakesamonth-longtriptoIndia, workingremotelywhileimmersingherselfinpracticesthat refreshhervisionandconsciousness.

Whenaskedtoshareapieceofwisdom,Goldeanoffersa long,poignantquoteaboutthecourageittakestochallenge acceptedtruthsandtaketheroadlesstravelled.Itspeaksof howuntruths,repeatedlongenough,canbecomecultureand tradition,andhowittakesrareindividualstoquestionwhat everyoneelsepassivelyaccepts.

“If someone tells a lie loud enough and long enough, others begin to accept it as truth. When enough people are convinced by that ‘truth’ it becomes a culture. If that culture is somehow transmitted to the next generation, it becomes a tradition. Such traditions, and the worldviews and behaviors they espouse, become etched into society, followed by millions, usually without question. Our weapons of mass instruction—educational systems, media powerhouses and community structures—reinforce these traditions, causing untruth to perpetuate over decades and centuries. Blind leading the blind, all completely oblivious to the illusion. Amidst the mass of people are some unique individuals who begin to challenge what everyone else passively accepts. It takes courage to question, intelligence to search, and determination to change. Beware… going against the grain is risky business! It’s much easier to go with the flow and tread the path of least resistance. The world has its preconceived notions—what’s acceptable and what’s not—and most people seamlessly fit right in. Yet some just can’t. The excitement, intrigue and hunger to find out what lies beyond the ‘safe’ path in life drives them to embark on the road less travelled.”

“This resonates deeply with me,” shesays, “because in both life and in my work, I’ve had to take the road less travelled, sometimes at great risk.” Building ABAClassroomthroughfires,relocations,and internalturmoilhasbeenatestamenttothatcourage. Itwouldhavebeeneasiertoacceptthestatusquo,to offeramoreconventional,limitedformoftherapy. Instead,shechosetostandfirmlyforhonesty, kindness,andamodelofscience-basedcarethatisas creativeandboundlessasthechildrenitserves.

Hermessageisanencouragementtootherstofind thatsamecourage. “Don’t be afraid to question what everyone else accepts,” sheurges. “Change takes courage and persistence, but when we live with integrity and compassion, we become the leaders we’ve been waiting for.” Inthelush,resilient landscapeofMaui,GoldeanLowehasdonejustthat, becomingaleaderwhoisnotjustchanginglives,but isquietly,profoundly,changingtheverydefinitionof whatispossible.

You’renottheonlyversionofyourselfanymore.

Somewhere—inaserverfarmyou’llnevervisit,running codeyou’llneversee—yourdigitaldoublequietly watchesyou.Itlearnsfromyourbloodwork,your medicalhistory,yourheartbeat.Itdoesn’tsleep.It doesn’tforget.Andit’snotjustrecording.It’sprojecting.

Thisistheworldofmedicaldigitaltwins.Andifyou’re stilltreatingthemlikefuturisticnovelties,you’relate. Thisisn’taboutgadgets.Thisisaboutleverage.Thekind ofleveragethatCEOsuseintheboardroomto outmaneuvertheircompetitors.Thekindofleverage hospitalswillneedtosurviveaworldwherepatients behavelikeconsumersanddatadriveseveryclinical decision.

Let’sbeclear:digitaltwinswon’tjustenhance healthcare.Theywillreplacetheguesswork.

WhatExactlyIsaMedicalDigitalTwin?

Stripawaythetechlingo.Here’sthetruth.

Amedicaldigitaltwinisyourbiologicalreflectionincode.It’s avirtualversionofyou—fedbyyourgeneticprofile, wearables,bloodtests,imagingscans,andmore.Itruns simulations.Itwatchesfordeviations.Itruns“what-if” scenarioslongbeforeyourbodybreaksdown.

It’snothypothetical.It’smathematical.

Builtwithmachinelearningmodelsandreal-timephysiological data,thetwincansimulatehowyourbodymightrespondto differenttreatments,diets,drugs—evenfuturediseases.

Thisisnolongeralabprototype.It’sbeingdeployedrightnow inpilotprogramsfromBostontoBarcelona.Andtheearly signals?They’renotjustpromising—they’redecisive.

Here’s

WhatYou’reMissingIfYou’reNot PayingAttention

Mosthealthcaresystemsstilltreatpeoplelike theyliveinsidespreadsheets.Age,weight, BMI.Baselines.Averages.Thesearen’t insights—they’reshortcuts.

Adigitaltwindoesn’tcareaboutaverages.It models you—downtothecellularlevelif needed.

Andhere’sthestrategicshift:

Withatwin,doctorsstopreacting.Theystart anticipating.

CaseinPoint:TheHeartThatWarnsYou BeforeItFails

AttheBarcelonaSupercomputingCenter, researchersdidn’tbuildatool.Theybuilta revolution:adigitaltwinofthehumanheart calledAlyaRed.

100millionvirtualheartcells.50equations percell.Ittakes10hourstosimulate10 heartbeats.Whydoesthatmatter?

Becausethisheartcanspotfailuresbefore symptomsshowup.Itseeswhatmedication willfixyou before youneedthemedication. That’snottheory.That’strajectory.

Imagineyou’reacardiacpatient.Wouldyou ratherwaitforchestpain—orseeasimulation flagdeterioratingbloodflowinreal-time?

ThisiswhatAlyaReddelivers.Strongflows appearasredandorange.Sickzonesglow blueandgreen.Thecolortellsthestory. Doctorsdon’tguess.Theyact.

Let’sTalkStrategy:WhatDigitalTwins ActuallyChange

1.TheyKilltheStandardProtocol

Yourtreatmentisn’tbasedon population-leveltrialsanymore.It’sbased onyour ownfuture.

CEOstalkabout“precisionstrategy.”Thisis “precisioncare.”It’sthesameprinciple. Understandthelandscape,simulateoutcomes, executetheoptimalplay

2.TheyFliptheHealthSystemIncentives

Today,providersprofitwhenpeoplestaysick longer.Buttwinsenableearlyintervention.That onlyworksinavalue-basedcaremodel.Soif you’renotshiftingyoursystemnow,you’re bettingagainstthetrend.

3.TheyEmpowerthePatient—andForce Transparency

Patientswhoseetheirdigitaltwindon’tstay passive.Theyaskquestions.Theywantreal answers.Andtheycanseewhensomething doesn’taddup.Ifyou’reaprovider,thismeansno morevagueadvice.Yourdatawillbematched againsttheirs.

WhattheSmartSystemsAreDoingRightNow

Let’smakeitreal.

Here’swhatthetop-tierhealthsystemsand tech-forwardclinicsaredoingtodaywithdigital twins:

· RiskMapping:Usingpersonaltwinsto simulatehowlikelyapatientistodevelop diabetes,cancer,orstroke—before any symptomsarise.

· TreatmentSimulation:Tryingoutfive differentchemoregimensonthedigital versionofacancerpatienttoidentifythebest option—before startingasingledose.

· SurgicalPrecision:Pre-testingsurgical proceduresinthevirtualbodytoreducepostopcomplicationsandlowermalpracticerisk.

Thisisstrategydisguisedascare.Anditworks.

ButThere’saCatchNoOneTalksAbout

Digitaltwinsdon’tworkinisolation.Theyneed infrastructure.Cleandata.Securesystems.A clinicalteamthatknowshowtouseinsights—not justcollectthem.

Mostprovidersaren’tready.Andtheoneswhoare? They’renottalking.Becausewhenyougetthisedge, youdon’tbroadcastit.Youscaleit.

Andthatbringsustotheuncomfortabletruth:

Digitaltwinswon’tdemocratizehealthcare.They’ll weaponizeit—forthosewhoprepare.

TheHardQuestionsYouNeedtoAsk

Ifyou’readecision-makerinhealthcare—clinical, operational,orstrategic—askyourself:

· Isoursystemstructuredtotreatpatternsorpeople?

· Doourcliniciansknowhowtointerpretsimulation data?

· HaveweinvestedintheITbackbonethatsupports twin-basedcare?

· Arewestillreactingtodisease…or anticipatingit?

Thewinnersinthenextphaseofhealthcarewon’tbetheones withthebestslogans.They’llbetheoneswhoknowwhat’s coming—becausethey’vealreadyseenit.

FinalWord:ThisIsn’ttheFuture.It’sAlreadyHere.

Thephrase“personalizedmedicine”hasbeenaroundfortwo decades.Butnow,itmeanssomethingveryreal.Itmeansyour body,renderedindata.Simulated.Projected.Protected.

InthewordsofoneCTOataleadingbiotechfirm:

“Westoppeddesigningtreatments.Westarteddesigningfutures.”

That’sthedifferencedigitaltwinsmake.

Andifyou’restillthinkingofthisasatechnologystory,you’re missingthebiggerplay.

Thisisastrategystory.Acontrolstory.Asystems dominancestory

Kimberly Langdon,M.D.

Redening Women’s Healthcare with Innovation and Vision

Sometimes, the simplest answer is the most effective one

Keypoints:

● KimberlyLangdon’sownbattlewithamedicalcondition inspiredhertodevelopanatural,drug-freedevicetotreat vaginalinfectionseffectively

● Hercompany,Coologics,usespatentedcoolingtechnologyto treatinfectionsfaster,safer,andmoreeffectivelythan traditionalmedicines.

● Kimberlybuiltapowerhouseteamofexperts,including specialistsinintellectualpropertyandmedicalpractice,to bringhervisiontolife.

Founder and Inventor

Kimberly

KimberlyLangdon,M.D.,thefounderandinventor of Coologics,isatrueinnovator.Herworkisnotjustaboutsolving problemsbutcreatingnewwaystothinkaboutthem.Like Santiagoin The Alchemist,whofollowedthesignstofindhis treasure,Langdonfollowedherinstinctstochallengeoldideas andfindbettersolutions.HerjourneyfrombeinganObstetrician andGynecologisttoamedicaldeviceinventorisastoryof purpose,persistence,andthepowerofsimplicity

Theturningpointinherlifedidn’thappeninamedicallabora corporateboardroom.Ithappenedathomewhenshewasdealing withaconditionthatregulartreatmentscouldn’tfix.Insteadof relyingonstandardmedicines,shelookedforananswerbasedon howthebodynaturallyworks.ThisidealedtoCoologicsandits flagshipproduct:afirst-of-its-kindvaginaldevicethataddresses infectionsfasterandmoreeffectivelythantraditionaldrugs.

ThisstoryisabouthowKimberlyusedheryearsofmedical knowledge,strongwill,andclearvisiontochangewomen’s healthcare.Fromcreatingsafe,drug-freetreatmentstobuildinga teamofpeoplewhosharehergoals,Kimberlyshowsuswhatis possiblewhenscienceanddeterminationcometogether.

TheUSALeaders:Whatinspiredyoutopursueacareerin medicine,particularlyobstetricsandgynecology?

Kimberly:Interestingly,Iinitiallywantedtobecomea veterinarian.However,Idiscoveredthatgainingadmissionto veterinaryschoolrequiredexperiencewithlargeanimals,whichI didn’thave.Whilestudyingonaswimmingscholarshipatthe UniversityofCincinnati,Ibegantoreassessmycareerpath.

Afterearningmydegree,Iworkedforanairlinebutfelt unfulfilled.Iwantedtopursuesomethingmoremeaningful. Throughself-reflection,mentorship,andexploration,Irealized thatmedicinewasmytruecalling.Specifically,Iwasdrawnto obstetricsandgynecologybecauseofmynaturalinterestin women’shealth.

WhatappealedtomemostaboutOB/GYNwasitsmultifaceted nature.It’safieldwhereyoudeliverbabies,performsurgeries, andofferpreventativeandeducationalcareduringofficevisits. Thatcombinationofdynamicresponsibilitiesandtheopportunity toimpactlivesonmultiplelevelssolidifiedmydecision.

Innovation isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about rethinking them entirely to find better, smarter solutions

Eachstepinmyjourney—from exploringdifferentcareersto findingmentors—helpedshapemy path,leadingmetowhereIam today.It’sbeenarewarding experiencethatcontinuestoinspire medaily.

TheUSALeaders:Brieflyshare theoriginstoryofCoologics. Whatwasthepivotalmoment thatsparkedtheideafor Coologics?

Kimberly:Theideacameduringa personalexperiencewithanacute onsetofayeastinfectionathome whenIhadnomedicationavailable. Idecidedtocreateaspecialized coldpack,inspiredbywhatIoften recommendedtomypatients.But insteadofrelyingontheusual frozenpeasorcorn,Itookitastep further ThespecificdetailsofhowI developedthecoldpackaretop secret,butitwasagame-changer forme—iteliminatedthe symptoms,andIneverneeded medicationafterward.

Thatexperiencemotivatedmetodelvedeeper intounderstandingwhyitworked,howit worked,andhowIcoulddevelopitintoa devicethatnotonlyrelievedsymptomsbut alsoaddressedtheinfectionitself.

Theprocesswasn’teasy.Myfirstchallenge wasdecidingwhatmaterialstouseand figuringouthowtomanufacturethedevice.I wentthroughsixprototypestoperfecttheir size,aesthetics,functionality,andeaseofuse. Eachiterationbroughtmeclosertocreatinga productthatcouldtrulymakeadifferencefor othersfacingsimilarchallenges.

It’sbeenanincrediblejourney,combining medicalinsightwithinnovationtocreate somethingbothpracticalandtransformative.

TheUSALeaders:Couldyouprovidea briefoverviewofyourinnovativeproduct, VLISSE?Howitworks?

Kimberly:VLISSEisbuiltonpatented, controlled-coolingtechnologydesignedto treatlocalizedinfectionseffectivelyand safely.Ourfirstproductisadisposable vaginaldevicethatisusedfor30minutes, bringingtissuestoasafecoolingtemperature whilethewomansitsorliesdown.This innovativemethodaddressestheinfectionand symptomssimultaneously,offeringfaster reliefandbetteroutcomes.

WhatsetsVLISSEapartisitsmultifaceted action.Thedevicecuresinfectionsby returningfungalhyphae—therootcauseof yeastinfections—toadormantstatewhile killingthefungusoutright.Italsonormalizes pHlevelsbyencouraginglactobacillus growth,whichthrivesincoolertemperatures. Additionally,itreducesbiofilmsthroughthree mechanisms,leadingtofasterrecoveryanda significantlylowerrecurrencerate.

Incomparison,traditionaloraldrugs,which wereoncenearly100%effective,nowonly offera60-75%successrateduetorisingdrug resistance.Thesedrugscomewithsystemic risks,sideeffects,anddelayedsymptom relief.Physiciansoftenhesitatetoprescribe

Coologics device

them,asyeastinfectionsarelocalizedconditionsbettersuitedfortopical treatments.However,topicalcreamshavebecomelesseffectiveover timeandoftencauseseveresideeffects.

VLISSEisagame-changer,deliveringresultsfasterthandrugs—bya factorofnearly100-200%—andwithnearly100%effectivenessagainst bothyeastandbacterialinfections.Unlikedrugsthatrelyonasingle mechanismofactionandarepronetoresistance,VLISSEusesfour mechanisms,makingitarobustandreliablesolution.

Additionally,ourfuturedevicesforconditionslikefungalnailinfections anddiaperrashwillhavetheirownspecificconfigurations.

TheUSALeaders:ThedevelopmentofVLISSEmarksa breakthroughinhealthcare.Canyouwalkusthroughthe manufacturingprocessandtheinnovativethinkingbehindits creation?

Kimberly:VLISSE’sdesignandmanufacturingarerootedinproven technologies,usingmaterialscommonlyfoundinfluid-filledbaby teethers,sportsmouthguards,andteeth-whiteningtrays.Thematerials andmanufacturingprocessareproprietaryandrelyonmultiplestepsto ensuresafetyandefficacy

Therealbreakthrough,however,wasrethinkingtheconventional relianceondrugsastheonlysolution.Sometimes,thesimplestansweris themosteffectiveone.Coolinghasbeenusedforoveracenturyto

alleviatesymptomslikeitching,burning,swelling,and pain—commonlyappliedtoinjuriescausedbyphysical trauma.However,infections,too,causebiochemical changesthatdamagetissue,primarilythroughimmune responses.Coolingdirectlyaddressesthistypeoftissue damage,makingitapowerfulyetunderutilized approach.

Byapplyingcontrolledcoolingtotreatinfections,we’re leveraginganatural,side-effect-freesolutionthat addressesbothsymptomsandtherootcause.Thisshift inperspective—movingbeyondmedicationstoembrace simpler,saferalternatives—hasbeenkeytoVLISSE’s success.

TheUSALeaders:Buildingasuccessfulventure ofteninvolvesassemblingtherightteam.Howdid youapproachfindingtheexpertswhobecame pivotaltoCoologics’sjourney?

Kimberly:Oneofmyprimaryresponsibilitieshasbeen identifyingandcollaboratingwiththerightexpertsto bringthisvisiontolife.Earlyon,Iknewthatsecuring strongintellectualpropertyprotectionwasessential. ThatledmetoDaleHunt,Ph.D.,amolecularbiologist, andanexceptionallytalentedIPattorney.Dalenotonly believedinthenoveltyofVLISSEbutalsohadthe expertisetoarticulateitsmechanismofaction.His confidenceintheproduct’spotentialwassostrongthat hehandledallthepatentworkinexchangeforequity, whichspeaksvolumesabouthisbeliefinourmission.

Asthejourneyprogressed,IconnectedwithDr.Nicole Williams,anOB/GYNwhobeganusingVLISSEinher practice.Theoutstandingresultssheobservedwithher patientsweretransformative.Herenthusiasmforthe productanditsimpactmotivatedhertojoinusasChief MedicalOfficer

Bringingtheseexpertsonboardhasbeeninstrumental inshapingVLISSEintothegroundbreakingsolutionit istoday Theirdeepexpertiseandsharedpassionfor innovationhavemadeallthedifferenceinourjourney.

TheUSALeaders:Navigatingregulatoryapprovalis criticalformedicalinnovations.Howhasyour experiencewiththeFDAshapedCoologics’s developmentjourney?

Kimberly:OurinteractionswiththeFDAhavebeen constructiveandinsightful.They’veguidedustoward

theDeNovopathwaysincethereisn’tapredicatedevice. Thispathwayisappropriatefornovelmedicaldevicesthat arelowtomoderaterisk,similartointravaginaldeviceslike tamponsandmenstrualcups,whicharetypicallyclassified asClassII.

Tomeettherequirements,weneedtoconductjustone clinicaltrialtodemonstratesafetyandefficacy Encouragingly,wealreadyhavepromisingdata.Over35 womenhavesuccessfullyusedVLISSEforyeast,bacterial, orcombinedvaginalinfections,andwe’vealsoachieved positiveresultsfrommousestudies.

Thesemilestonesreinforceourconfidenceintheproduct’s potentialtomeetregulatorystandardsandaddressa significantunmetneedinwomen’shealth.Thejourneyhas beenchallengingbutincrediblyrewardingaswemove closertomakingthisinnovativesolutionwidelyavailable.

TheUSALeaders:Whatweresomeofthechallengesyou facedwhiledevelopingyourproduct,andhowdidyou overcomethem?

Kimberly:Oneofthebiggestchallengeswasconvincing engineers,mostlymale,thatasimplesolutionwasoftenthe bestone.Therewasatendencytoovercomplicatethe design,butIknewfrommyunderstandingoffemale anatomythatasimplerapproachwouldbemoreeffective.

Ihadtobefirmandinsistonmyvision,evenwhenfaced withresistance.Itwasimportanttotrustmyknowledgeand experienceandnotletunnecessarydesignchangeshinder theproduct’spotential.

TheUSALeaders:What’sthemostsignificantimpact youhopeCoologicswillhaveonwomen’shealth?

Kimberly:Thepastfewyearshavebeenbothchallenging andincrediblyrewarding.BringingVLISSEtomarketismy greatestachievement,asithasthepotentialtoalleviate significantsufferingforcountlesswomenandtheirunborn children.

Whileyeastinfectionsmayseemlikeaminorinconvenience tosome,theycanhaveseriousconsequences.Bothbacterial andyeastinfections,alongwithassociatedinflammation,are linkedtoprematurebirthsandprematuremembranerupture.

VLISSEoffersauniquesolutionthattargetsbothtypesof infectionsandaddressesinflammation.Unliketraditional treatments,itcanreducetheriskofpretermbirthbyupto

66%.Additionally,bytargetingbiofilms andpHimbalances,VLISSEhelps preventrecurrentinfections.

TheUSALeaders:Howhaveyou managedtobalanceyour entrepreneurialpursuitswithyour personallife?

Kimberly:After19yearsinclinical practice,Imadethedecisiontoretire anddedicatemyselffullytoCoologics. Itwasapivotalchangethatallowedme thetimeandfocustodrivetheresearch, networking,andtrial-and-error processesrequiredforthisinnovation. Thedeepunderstandingofthedisease, theintricateanatomy,andthepatient’s perspectivewerecrucialtothis innovation.Noamountofmoneycould havereplacedmyfirsthandknowledge andpassion.

Thistransitionalsogavemethe opportunitytobepresentformy childrenastheynavigatedcollegeand beyond.Balancingpersonaland professionalfulfillmenthasbeena rewardingaspectofmyjourney.

WhenI’mnotworking,Ienjoy spendingtimewithmykids,reading, cooking,traveling,hiking,and swimming.Ialsohaveasoftspotfor animals.

TheUSALeaders:Whatareyournextstepsforbringingyour groundbreakingtechnologytomarket?

Kimberly:OurimmediategoalistobringVLISSEtomarketas quicklyaspossible.We'recurrentlyindiscussionswithseveral companiesthatspecializeinwomen'sandinfanthealth.These companieshaveexpressedsignificantinterestinourtechnology,asit addressesthreemajorareasofconcerninOB/GYN.We'reconfident thatwe'llfindtherightpartnertohelpusbringthisinnovativeproduct tomarketandimprovethelivesofcountlesswomen.

The Undeniable Math Why Your Hospital’s Future Is

‘Buy,’ Not ‘Build’

Let’sbedirect.Thatserverroominyour hospital’sbasementisnotanasset.Itisa liability

Youseeitasahubofcontrol,afortresssecuringyour patientdata.Iseeitasagildedcage,amonumenttoapast era.Itlocksupyourcapital,drainsyouroperational budget,andchainsyourbesttechnicalmindstothe thanklesstaskofmaintenance.Whileyourteamisbusy replacingafailedharddriveat3AM,yourcompetitor, whoabandonedthismodellastyear,islaunchinganew patient-facingtelehealthapp.

Fordecades,youoperatedonasimplepremise:tocontrol yourIT,youhadtobuildit.Youboughttheservers,you licensedthesoftware,youhiredthepeopletoboltitall together Thisapproachfeltsecure.Itfeltresponsible.

Today,thatfeelingisanillusion.Thatapproachisnowthe singlegreatestthreattoyourorganization'sagility, financialhealth,andcompetitiveposition.

Thenewmandateissimpler,bolder,andformany,deeply uncomfortable.Youmuststopbuilding.Youmuststart buying.

Thisisnotadebateabouttechnology Thisisa conversationaboutstrategyandsurvival.Overthenext fewminutes,Iwilldismantletheold“build”modeland giveyoutheruthless,value-drivenlogicforthe“buy” model,knownasSoftwareasaService(SaaS).Thisisthe clandestinetechniqueCEOsuse:theyreframetheproblem torevealanobvioussolution.Theycommandinfluencenot withcomplexity,butwithclarity

TheMythoftheFortress:DeconstructingYourOn PremiseLiability

Youbelieveyouron-premiseinfrastructuregivesyou control.Letmeaskyouafewquestions.

DidyoufeelincontrolwhenyourEHRwentdownfor sixhourslastquarterbecauseofaservercooling failure,forcingyourclinicianstoreverttopapercharts?

Doyoufeelincontrolknowingthatyourentiresecurity posturedependsonasmall,overworkedITteam fendingoffstate-sponsoredransomwaregangs?These gangshavebudgetsthatdwarfyourentireIT allocation.

Didyoufeelincontrolwhenyousigneda$2million checkforaserverrefresh,knowingthathardware wouldbefunctionallyobsoleteinthreeyears?

Thisisnotcontrol.Thisistheburdenofownership. Youhaveunintentionallygoneintothedatacenter business,abusinessyouarenotequippedtowin. Insistingonrunningyourownserverstodayislike insistingongeneratingyourownelectricity Thepower gridismorereliable,morescalable,andexponentially cheaper Yourfocusshouldnotbeonkeepingthelights on;itshouldbeonwhatyoudowiththelight.

The“build”modelconsumesyourtwomostprecious resources:capitalandtalent.Thecapitalyouspendon steelboxesandenterpriselicensesiscapitalyoucannot spendonanewMRImachine,anoutpatientclinic,or patientexperienceimprovements.

Thetalentyouemploytopatchserversandmanage databasesistalentyoucannotdeploytoanalyzeclinical data,streamlineworkflows,orinnovateonpatientcare delivery

Youmustescapethiscage.

TheStrategicFlip:FromCapitalBurdentoOperational Advantage

Thecoreofthisshiftisasimpleaccountingprinciplethat hasprofoundstrategicimplications.Youmustmoveyour technologyspendingfromaCapitalExpenditure(CapEx) modeltoanOperatingExpense(OpEx)model.

TheCapExModel(Build):Youmakelarge,infrequent, high-riskinvestments.Youspendmillionsoninfrastructure, hopingyouhaveaccuratelypredictedyourneedsforthe nextfiveyears.Ifyouoverestimate,youhavewasted capital.Ifyouunderestimate,yourperformancesuffers,and patientcareisimpacted.Itisarigid,unforgivingcycle.

TheOpExModel(Buy):Yousubscribetoservices.Your costsbecomepredictable,manageable,monthlyexpenses. Whenyouneedmorecapacity,youadjustyoursubscription. Whenyouneedanewcapability,likeapatientscheduling tool,youaddanewservice.Thisisnotjustanaccounting trick;itisthekeytoorganizationalagility

ImaginethisconversationwithyourCFO.

OptionA(Build):“Ineed$1.5millionforastoragearray refresh.It’sacriticalcapitalexpensewemustmakethis year.”

OptionB(Buy):“Iameliminatingour$1.5millionstorage refreshproject.Instead,wewillsubscribetoaHIPAA compliantcloudstorageserviceforapredictable$20,000 permonth.Wecannowreallocatethat$1.5milliontofund thelaunchofthreenewurgentcarecenters.”

Whichconversationdoyouwanttohave?Thesecond optionmovesyoufromtheITbusinessbackintothe healthcarebusiness.ThisisthestrategicpowerofSaaS.

TheFourPillarsofSaaSDominance

Whenyoushiftfrombuildingtobuying,youarenotjust changingyourexpensemodel.Youareacquiringfour strategiccapabilitiesthatarenearlyimpossibleto replicatein-house.

Pillar1:YouRadicallyAccelerateInnovation

Intheoldmodel,launchinganewservice—apatient portal,abillingsystem,atelehealthplatform—wasa monumentalundertaking.Itinvolvedmonthsof procurement,development,integration,andtesting.

WithSaaS,yousubscribe.Yourteamcantest,iterate, anddeploynewideasinweeks,notyears.Youwantto trialanewpatientengagementplatform?Yousignupfor apilotprogram.Ifitworks,youscalethesubscription.If itfails,youcancelitandtrysomethingelse.Youfail fast,youfailcheap,andyoufindwhatworks exponentiallyquicker Thisspeedbecomesyourprimary competitiveadvantage.Itallowsyoutorespondto patientdemandsandmarketshiftswhileyour“building” competitorsarestilldraftingprojectproposals.

Pillar2:YouWeaponizeYourData

Yourlegacysystemsaredatasilos.Theywerebuiltfora differenttimeanddonotcommunicatewitheachother withoutexpensive,brittle,customintegrations. Interoperabilityisapipedream.

ModernSaaSplatformsarebuiltontheprincipleof connection.Theyuseopenstandards,likeFast HealthcareInteroperabilityResources(FHIR),toshare dataseamlessly YournewSaaS-basedEHRcanspeak directlytoyourSaaS-basedlabsystem,whichcanspeak directlytoyourSaaS-basedbillingplatform.

Thisiswheretheterm“360-degreeview”stopsbeinga buzzwordandbecomesaclinicalandoperational weapon.Whendataflowsfreely,youcanseeinrealtimewhereoperationalbottlenecksarechokingyour revenuecycle.Youcangivecliniciansatrulycomplete patienthistoryatthepointofcare,pullingdatafrom multiplesystemsintooneunifiedview.Youstop hoardingdatainstagnantpondsandturnitintoariverof actionableintelligence.

Pillar3:YouOutsourcetheSecurityArmsRace

Let’sbeblunt.Yourorganizationcannotwinthe cybersecurityarmsrace.Microsoftwillspendover$20 billiononsecuritythisyear.AmazonandGoogleoperate onasimilarscale.Theyemploythousandsofthe world’stopsecurityengineers.Theirentirebusiness modelrestsontheirabilitytoprotectdataand maintaincompliance.

Whenyouuseareputable,healthcare-focusedSaaSprovider, youarenotjustbuyingsoftware;youarebuyingasliceof thatmulti-billion-dollarsecurityapparatus.Youarebuying their24/7threatmonitoring,theirautomatedpatching,their physicaldatacentersecurity,andtheirteamsofcompliance expertswholiveandbreatheregulationslikeHIPAA.

Maintainingcomplianceisnolongerafrantic,manual checklistforyourteam.Itisacorefeatureoftheserviceyou subscribeto,auditedandcertifiedatalevelyoucouldnever affordtoachieveonyourown.Youmovefromapositionof defensetoapositionofoutsourcedstrength.

Pillar4:YouAchieveTrueSystemResilience

Whatisyourdisasterrecoveryplan?Isitasetofbackup tapesinafireproofsafe?Haveyoueveractuallytested afull-systemrestore?Howlongwouldittake?

ThisisascenariothatkeepshospitalCIOsawakeatnightfor goodreason.Formoston-premiseenvironments,true,tested resilienceisamyth.

AmatureSaaSsolutionprovidesthisbydefault.Yourdatais notjustononeserver;itisreplicatedacrossmultiple, geographicallydistinctdatacenters.Ifafloodtakesouta facilityinVirginia,yourapplicationsfailovertoadatacenter inOhio,oftenwithnoperceptibledowntime.Thisisn’tan expensiveadd-on;itisfundamentaltothearchitecture.This resiliencetranslatesdirectlytocontinuityofcare.Itmeans yourclinicianscanaccesspatientrecordsduringapower outage,ahurricane,oracyberattack.

TheNewMandate:YourRoleasaLeader

Thisshiftchangestheverynatureoftechnologyleadership. YourCIOandtheirteamarenolongermaintenancecrews andsystembuilders.Theybecomestrategists,vendor managers,andservicebrokers.

Theirnewjobisto:

1.Vetpartnersruthlessly:Theymustconductdeepdue diligenceonpotentialSaaSproviders,scrutinizingtheir security,compliance,andfinancialstability

2.Negotiateironcladagreements:Theymustmastertheart oftheServiceLevelAgreement(SLA),definingclearterms foruptime,performance,andsupport.

3.Managetheintegration:Theymustensurethatthe servicesyoubuyworktogetherasacohesivewhole, managingtheflowofdatabetweenplatforms.

Thisisamorestrategic,morevaluablerole.Itfocuses humantalentonextractingvaluefromtechnology,notjust keepingitrunning.

TheInevitableFutureIsAI-Infused

ThefinalpieceofthislogicisArtificialIntelligence.AIis notaproductyouwillgooutandbuy.Itisafeaturethatis beingembeddeddirectlyintotheSaaSplatformsyouwill use.

AI-poweredclinicaldecisionsupportwillbeafeaturein yourEHRsubscription.AI-drivenpatienttriagewillbepart ofyourschedulingsoftware.AI-basedanomalydetection willbeacomponentofyourrevenuecyclemanagement tool.

ByadoptingaSaaS-firstmodel,youpositionyour organizationtoabsorbtheseAIadvancementsasthey happen.YoudonotneedtohireateamofPh.D.data scientiststobuildpredictivemodels.Yousimplyneedto enablethefeaturefromthetrustedSaaSpartneryouhave alreadyvetted.ThisallowsyoutoleveragetheR&D budgetsoftheworld’slargesttechcompaniesfora predictablemonthlyfee.

TheChoiceIsYours

Weareataninflectionpoint.Theargumentsfor maintainingyourownon-premiseITinfrastructurehave crumbled.Itisslower,moreexpensive,lesssecure,andit shacklesyoutothepast.

Thepathforwardisclear,logical,andstrategicallysound. Youmustshiftyourmindsetfrom“building”to“buying.” FrameITnotasacostcentertobeminimized,butasa portfolioofstrategicservicestobemanaged.

Thisishowyouwillwin.Youwillbecomemoreagile, moreinnovative,moresecure,andmorefinanciallysound. Youwillfreeyourcapital,yourpeople,andyourfocusto dowhatyouactuallydo:deliveroutstandingpatientcare.

Thechoiceisyours.Youcancontinuetopatchthe crumblingwallsofyourfortress,oryoucanstepoutside andjointhenewera.Yournextleadershipmeetingshould haveonequestionontheagenda:Whatisourplantoget outoftheserverbusinessandfullyintothehealthcare business?

Yourfuturedependsontheanswer

LaVerne Collins Redefining

Mental Health with Culturally Inclusive Care

Founder | New Seasons Counseling, Training, and Consulting

Fortoolong,mentalhealthcarehasoperatedunder a“one-size-fits-all”model,oftenneglectingthe crucialroleofculture.Thishasledto misdiagnosis,ineffectivetreatment,andaprofoundlackof accessformanycommunities.

Butwhatifmentalhealthcaretrulyreflectedthediverse tapestryofhumanexperience?Whatifcultural understandingwasnotanafterthought,butthevery foundationofhealing?

LaVerneCollins,founderofNewSeasonsCounseling, Training,andConsulting,isansweringthesequestions. Asaleadingvoiceinmulticulturalmentalhealth,Dr Collinsisdismantlingculturallyinsensitiveapproachesto therapy,pavingthewayforamoreequitableandinclusive systemofcare.

Drivenbyadeepcommitmenttohumanwell-being, LaVernebeganhercareerinmasscommunicationbefore discoveringhertruepassion:bridgingtheculturaldividein mentalhealth.Herpersonalexperiencesandprofessional insightsinspiredhertodevelopinnovativeprogramsthat prioritizeculturalhumilityoverculturalcompetenceand placeracialidentityattheheartofthetherapeuticprocess.

ThroughNewSeasons,LaVerneprovidesdirectcounseling servicesandempowersotherpractitionerswiththeskills andknowledgetodeliverculturallyresponsivecare.Her impactfulinitiatives,includingtheMultiCultural 2 MasterClass(MC)andherthought-provokingpodcast, “TheMultiCulturalMindSet,”areignitingavital conversationaboutthefutureofmentalhealth.

Inthiscoverstory,weexplorehowLaVerne’sworkis transformingmentalhealthnarratives,empowering practitioners,andchallengingdeeplyrootedbiases.Her approachnotonlychangescounselingsessionsbutalso redefinesthesystemsthatsupportthem.

TheUSALeaders:Youareanationalresourceperson formulticulturalmentalhealth.Couldyoubrieflyshare yourcareerjourneyandbackground?Whatinspired youtopursuethispath?

LaVerne:Humanbehaviorhasalwaysfascinatedme.Even asachild,Iwascuriousaboutwhypeopledothethings theydo.Thisdeepinterestinhumanthoughtsandemotions, though,didn’tinitiallyleadmetocounsel.Myfirstcareer wasinmasscommunications,andIstillusemuchofthat knowledgetoday.

Eventually,myfascinationwithhumanbehaviordrewme backtoacademia.IearnedmyM.S.Ed.incommunity counselingandlateradoctorateinChristiancounseling. Afterworkinginthecounselingfieldforsometime,I noticedasignificantissue:manycounselorsstruggledwith cross-culturalinteractionsandoftendefaultedtoa“raceneutral”approach.ItbecameclearthatmonoculturalWhite ideologiesprevalentincounselingandmentalhealth weren’teffectivelyservingBlackAmericans. So,Ibeganincorporatingpracticesthatweremoresuitable andrelationalwithinBlackculturesratherthanadhering strictlytoWhiteculturalnormsincounseling.Theresults wereremarkable.Clientretentionratesandword-of-mouth referralsincreaseddramatically

Thissuccessledmetodevelopcontinuingeducation coursesforcounselorsontheseculturallyrelevantconcepts, whichwentbeyondtheiracademictraining.Iwas essentiallyintegratingaspectsfromBlacksociological studies,andIwassurprisedbythehighdemandforthis kindofcontent.

Thissuccessasatrainerledmetocreateandimplementthe 2 MultiCulturalMasterClass(MC),a12-monthcoachingand 2 mentorshipprogram.MC trainsexperiencedcounselorsto becomeapprovedcontinuingeducationtrainersand consultantsinthementalhealthfield,creatingapipelineof trainersinvestedinculturallyresponsivecounseling.

TheUSALeaders:Howwouldyoudescribethecurrent stateof‘MulticulturalCounseling’intheUSA?What arethebiggestchallengesandopportunitiesyousee?

LaVerne:Oneofthebiggesthurdlestoeffective multiculturalcounselingisthechallengeofdisruptingthe dominantmonoculturalbeliefsaboutwhatconstitutes “normal”and“healthy.”

Historically,entirecultureshavebeenexcluded,denigrated, andevencriminalized,withmessagessuggestingtheir traditions,practices,andevenphysicalfeaturesareinferior tothoseofthedominantgroup.

Whenrace-basedandintergenerationaltraumahistoriesare notconsideredincounseling,andwhenpeopleareblamed forthepainoftheirlivedrealitieswithinunwelcoming systems,wehaveaseriousproblem.

AsRev.Dr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.sopowerfullystated, racismislike“havingyourlegscutoff,andthenbeing condemnedforbeingacripple”or“seeingyourmotherand

fatherspirituallymurderedbytheslingsandarrowsof dailyexploitationandthenbeinghatedforbeingan orphan.”Manytreatmentmodelsinthementalhealth systeminadvertentlyfocusonblamingand“fixing”the oppressed.

Untiloursystemsshifttheirfocustointegrativehealing andsystemicreform,weriskperpetuatingthis 2 superiority/inferiorityparadigm.ProgramslikeMC offera crucialopportunitytobringabouthealingbytraining counselorstobemoreculturallyresponsiveandaddress thespecificneedsofdiversepopulations.

TheUSALeaders:Couldyoupleaseelaborateonyour coreservicesandvalues?Howdothesevaluesinform yourapproachtocounselingandtraining,particularly regardinghistoricalandculturalfactors?

LaVerne:NewSeasonsoffersthreetiersofservice: counselingforadults,continuingeducation(CE)training forlicensedcounselors,andatwelve-monthtraining programforexperiencedcounselorswhowanttobecome approvedCEtrainersorconsultantsinmulticultural sensitivity Allthreetiersshareseveralcorevalues.

First,weemphasize context.Webeginbyacknowledging thattheUnitedStateswasbuiltonstolenlandusingstolen labor.Thishistoricalrealityhashadintergenerationaland oftentraumaticeffectsonIndigenous,Black,andHispanic Americans.Neglectingthiscontextwhendiscussingthe mentalhealthofhistoricallyoppressedpeoplecontributes toadenialoftherootsofracializedlifeintheU.S.By ignoringthepastandportrayingcolonialismasheroic,we overlooktheongoingadverseimpactonthosewhowere exploited.Therefore,mytrainingsbeginwithalandand laboracknowledgmenttorecognizetheinitialand continuingdamageofsystemicexploitation.

Second,weforegroundrace,culture,andethnicityinthe counselingconversation,ratherthanrelegatethese identitiestothebackground.Membersofracialminorities donothavetheprivilegeofsettingasidetheirracial identity.It’srelevanttoeveryaspectoftheirlives. Therefore,theircounselingworkmustbeunderstood throughthelensoftheirracialnarrative.

Finally,weprioritize cultural humility overcultural competence.Insteadofstrivingformasteryorcompetence, counselorsmustacknowledgetheirownbiasesand insensitivitiesandcommittolifelonglearningand acceptanceofotherculturalidentities,aswellastheirown.

MostofmyclientsareBlackAmericanwomen strugglingwithanxietyordepressionrelatedtostress. Often,theirworkwithmemarksthefirsttimethey’ve beenencouragedtoexploretheconnectionbetween theirstressandtheirhistoricalracialnarrative.This explorationisoftenarevelatoryexperienceforthem.

TheUSALeaders:You’veco-foundedEquity TrainingPartners.Canyoutellusaboutthe partnershipandhowyourcombinedexpertise addressesissuesofdiversity,equity,andinclusion?

LaVerne:AtEquityTrainingPartners,I’mfortunateto partnerwithoneofmyclosestfriends,HopeWhylie Cheeks.Wecombinemyexpertiseinmentalhealth counselingwithherknowledgeofhumancapital development.Thisblendallowsustoofferaunique andhighlyeffectivecombinationoforganizationaland behavioralhealthinsights.

Byaddressingbothinstitutionalandinterpersonal perspectivesondiversity,equity,andinclusion,we meetacriticalneed.Thisapproachsetsusapartas providersofcustomizedlearningsolutionsthat promoteasustainable,anti-discriminationculture withinorganizationsandbroadersocietalstructures.

TheUSALeaders:You’veexperiencedaprofound personalloss.Howhasthisexperienceshapedyour perspectiveonmentalhealth,particularlywithin theBlackcommunity?

LaVerne:Iamamother,aminister,andamental healthprofessional.Ialwaysbelievedthatwiththis combination,Icouldofferpeoplehope.However,Ilost my32-year-oldsontosuicidein2019.Thisdevastating lossleftmefeelinglikeIhadfailedinallmyroles—as amother,inmentalhealth,andinministry

Despitemytraining,myexperience,andmylove,I realizedIhadoverlookedorminimizedwhatwasmost importantformyson.Inhindsight,itbecameclearhe hadundiagnosedproblemsandunmetneeds.Entire systemsofcarehadfailedhim.It’softensaidthat Blackindividualsunderutilizetherapy,butwecriticize themfornotusingasystemthatoftendoesn’tworkfor them.It’stimetostopplacingtheburdenontheBlack communitytoadaptandinsteadprovideculturally responsiveservicesthatarebothbeneficialand judgment-free.

Counselors must be able to look at a client and see. Listen to a client and hear.

Sit with today’s client and feel the intergenerational emotional and physical pain of yesterday’s ancestors.

”

Aftermyson’sdeath,Ididn’twanttocontinuecounseling, training,ministering,orconsulting.However,hearing storiesfrompeoplehehadhelpedmademerealizeIhadn’t failed.Ihadraisedanincrediblehumanbeingwhodied fromacomplexmixofco-occurringconditionsand overlookedneeds.

Nearlythreeyearslater,Rowman&Littlefieldaskedmeto writeabook.Theresultis “Overlooked: Counselor Insights for the Unspoken Issues in Black American Life.” It’sthe culminationofcountlesshoursofreadingandresearching theoverlookedidentityissues,historicalfactors,clinical biases,losses,andstrengthsthataffectBlackAmericanlife.

TheUSALeaders:Couldyouelaborateonyourbooks? Whatinsightscanreadersgainfromthem?

LaVerne:My2001book,“TheFruitofYourPain,”which isnowoutofprint,addressedreaderswhoembraced religiousfaithbutstruggledwithangertowardsGodafter tragedyormisfortune.Thebookencouragedareframingof theirexpectations.

Mynewbook,“Overlooked,”servestwoaudiences.Ispeak directlytomentalhealthprofessionalsabouttheunspoken issuesfacedbyethnicallyminoritizedpeople.However,the bookalsoallowsthegeneralpublicto“listenin”onthis conversation.Thisallowscommunitymemberstofind languagethatilluminatestheirownexperiencesandlearn whattoexpectfromaculturallyempatheticpractitioner

TheUSALeaders:Arethereanyupcomingprojectsor initiativesyouareparticularlyexcitedabout?

LaVerne: 2MC isaprojectI’mincrediblypassionateabout. It’screatingamovementofdiversity-informedcounselors whoaremakingarealdifferenceLikeme,thesecounselors wanteveryonetoreceiveculturallysensitive,clinically soundcarefrompreparedclinicians.They’reactively trainingotherstobridgethatgap.

I’malsoexcitedaboutmynewpodcast,“TheMultiCultural Mindset,”onmyYouTubechannel,@lavernecollins.Each episodehelpsmentalhealthprofessionalsshiftawayfrom mindsetsthatdon’tserveraciallydiversecommunities effectively

We’veallbeenunconsciouslyexposedtomessagesthat blamehistoricallymarginalizedcommunitiesforproblems actuallycausedbysystemicracism.We’veoftenadopted

approachesthatfocuson“fixing”peopleinsteadof addressingtheflawedideologiesweweretaught.We’ve alsobeeninfluencedbybiasesthat expect tofindmental healthdeficitswithinBlackpeople,Blacklife,andBlack culture.

“TheMultiCulturalMindSet”podcasthelpscounselors developnew,moreappropriateresponsesintheseandother areas.Theultimategoalistoenhancecounselorawareness andpromotesystemicchangesinthementalhealthsystem, ensuringthatcounselingbecomesasafe,just,andnonjudgmentalexperienceformembersofraciallyminoritized communities.

“

Connect with a client and comprehend the visible and invisible trauma. Then celebrate intergenerational survival down through the years and still through the tears.

USALEADERS THE BUILDING

AMERICA