HIT Like a Girl Pod: Empowering Women in Health IT

In this episode, Joy welcomes Doral Fredericks, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs Strategy at Dermavant Sciences, to discuss her extensive experience in the biotech industry and the innovative dermatological product, VTAMA 1% cream, designed for adult plaque psoriasis. Doral emphasizes the critical role of medical affairs as a bridge between clinical development and product commercialization, while also shedding light on the importance of patient education and advocacy. Throughout the conversation, she shares valuable insights on skin care, the significance of proactive patient involvement, and practical tips for maintaining skin health, including the necessity of sunscreen and hydration.

Episode Highlights

[00:02:55] Role of Medical Affairs in Biotech

[00:03:40] Understanding Psoriasis and Skin Care

[00:04:30] Importance of Sunscreen in Skin Health

[00:05:15] Overview of Psoriasis Symptoms

[00:06:50] Resources for Psoriasis Patients

[00:10:00] The Role of Healthcare Providers in Patient Education

[00:12:30] The Need for Patient Advocacy

[00:15:00] The Impact of Timely Medical Intervention

[00:18:04] Importance of Patient Proactivity

[00:19:12] Tips for Being a Good Patient

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In this episode, Joy engages in a compelling conversation with Nadja Mannowetz, a pioneer in the development of a non-hormonal contraceptive pill for men. They discuss the innovative approach of this new product, which aims to provide an effective alternative to traditional hormonal birth control methods that have been predominantly available for women since the 1960s. Mannowetz shares insights from her extensive research on male fertility, including the rapid onset of the pill's effectiveness and the timeline for sperm recovery after discontinuation. The conversation also delves into the societal implications of male contraception, the challenges of building trust with potential users and regulatory bodies, and the importance of education in bringing this groundbreaking product to market within the next five to seven years.

Episode Highlights

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In this episode, Joy Rios and Dr. Brittany Barreto engage in a dynamic conversation recorded live at HLTH Europe in Amsterdam. They explore the significance of authenticity in content creation, particularly on platforms like TikTok, and discuss the groundbreaking advancements in Femtech, including the integration of gendered medicine into educational curricula. Brittany shares her innovative approach to writing her book, "Unlocking Women's Health," utilizing AI to enhance productivity and clarity. The discussion also delves into the critical need for policy changes in women's health, emphasizing the importance of education and advocacy in creating lasting impact.

Episode Highlights

[00:00:12] Introduction to HLTH Europe in Amsterdam

[00:02:10] The Importance of Authenticity in Content Creation

[00:09:02] Exciting Developments in Femtech Education

[00:10:29] Utilizing AI in the Book Writing Process

[00:24:36] Advocating for Policy Changes in Women's Health

[00:25:04] The Legacy of Education and Policy in Femtech

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In this episode, Joy Rios talks with Laura Okafor Crain, the founder and CEO of Perry, a leading platform dedicated to supporting women through the often-overlooked phase of perimenopause. They discuss the critical role of community in navigating this transition, emphasizing the importance of peer support and access to vetted information. Laura shares insights about the resources available through Perry, including a physical journal designed to help women track their symptoms and emotions, as well as the most frequently asked questions from the community. The conversation highlights the emotional and physical challenges of perimenopause, the transition to menopause, and the need for increased awareness and education to empower women during this significant life stage.

Episode Highlights

[00:00:41] Meet Laura Okafor Crain: Advocate for Perimenopause Education

[00:01:22] The Role of Community Support in Navigating Perimenopause

[00:04:00] Resources and Tools for Managing Perimenopause Symptoms

[00:08:20] Common Questions and Concerns in the Perimenopause Journey

[00:16:21] Understanding the Transition from Perimenopause to Menopause

[00:18:15] Promoting Awareness and Connection Among Women

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In this episode, Joy Rios delves into a profound discussion with Carolyn Starrett, CEO of Flatiron Health, unveiling the intricate puzzle of healthcare and the pivotal role of data in transforming cancer patient care. Carolyn shares insights on Flatiron Health's mission to improve and extend lives by leveraging real-world patient data to drive advancements in clinical treatment decisions and therapy development. The conversation explores the founding principles of Flatiron Health, the challenges and opportunities in healthcare data management, and the empowering impact of sharing patient stories for research and learning. It further discusses how data-driven solutions are shaping the future of personalized healthcare and enhancing patient outcomes.

Episode Highlights

[00:01:31] Discussion on Flatiron Health's Impact and Objectives

[00:04:02] Founding of Flatiron Health and Utilization of Data

[00:08:13] Importance of Clinical Trials in Understanding Safety and Efficacy

[00:10:45] Leveraging Real-World Data for Personalized Healthcare

[00:15:20] Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare Data Management

[00:18:50] Enhancing Patient Outcomes through Data-Driven Insights

[00:22:37] Empowerment through Real-World Data and Patient Stories

[00:22:55] Conclusion and Contact Information

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In this episode, Joy Rios welcomes Britteny Matero, Vice President at Innsena, a women-owned consultancy specializing in healthcare technology. Britteny shares her passion for maternal health and discusses the impactful work of Innsena in the healthcare space, focusing on improving patient outcomes and supporting the healthcare ecosystem. The conversation delves into the challenges of the healthcare system, the importance of event notifications for high-risk conditions, and the team's formalized approach to sharing subject matter expertise. They highlight team members' diverse passions, such as reproductive health rights and substance use disorder, emphasizing the power of collaboration and networking for driving positive change.

Episode Highlights

[00:00:36] Britteny Matero's role at Innsena and passion for maternal health

[00:01:06] Impactful work of Innsena in the healthcare space

[00:08:24] Discussion on fixing the broken healthcare system

[00:09:08] Implementation of event notifications for high-risk conditions

[00:16:38] Formalized sharing of subject matter expertise within the team

[00:17:38] Team members' passions including reproductive health rights and substance use disorder

[00:18:12] Emphasis on networking and collaboration for positive change

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In this episode, Joy Rios sits down with Rhonda Collins, a seasoned clinical informatics nurse, now with Kontakt.io, focusing on revolutionizing healthcare safety and efficiency. Delving into the pressing issue of workplace violence and stress faced by healthcare professionals, Rhonda sheds light on Kontakt's innovative solutions, including precise location tracking and duress buttons, aimed at enhancing staff and patient safety. The discussion underscores the practical approach of addressing fundamental operational challenges in healthcare environments to create a conducive workplace that promotes better patient care.

Episode Highlights:

[00:02:18] Workplace Stress and Safety Concerns

[00:03:32] Utilizing Technology for Safety in Healthcare

[00:05:25] Solving Real Problems in Healthcare Environments

[00:08:00] Importance of Precise Location Tracking for Support

[00:21:18] Delivering Relevant Information in Healthcare

[00:22:11] Connecting with Rhonda Collins and Kontakt.io

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In this episode, Joy Rios delves into the intricate world of healthcare with guest Aja Hardy, a seasoned professional with a diverse background in software development, marketing, and regulatory affairs for medical devices. Aja shares her unconventional journey, from initially aiming to become a doctor to finding her niche in the healthcare industry through opportunities like the American Hospital Association fellowship and a pivotal role at Cerner. The conversation touches on the challenges of balancing work and personal life, the significance of visibility and transparency in the healthcare sector, and the evolving landscape of regulatory processes for medical devices.

Episode Highlights

[00:01:23] Aja Hardy's Background and Experience

[00:05:17] Transitioning to Regulatory Affairs

[00:10:32] Balancing Work and Personal Life

[00:15:20] Importance of Visibility and Transparency

[00:20:42] Opportunity with Cerner

[00:25:15] Learning and Contributing in Different Roles

[00:31:37] Connecting with Aja Hardy

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In this episode, Joy Rios interviews Cate Navarrete, the founder and executive director of the Body Positive Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting body positivity and systemic equity for all bodies. Cate discusses the growth and impact of the organization, highlighting the challenges of retention and engagement within the chapters. She emphasizes the importance of knowledge and community in fostering body positivity and social justice awareness. The conversation delves into measuring success in promoting body positivity, and the potential impact of their work on a larger scale.

Episode Highlights

[00:00:00] Introduction by Joy Rios

[00:13:00] The growth and impact of the Body Positive Alliance

[00:13:30] Challenges of retention and engagement in the organization

[00:16:17] Measuring success in promoting body positivity and social justice issues

[00:22:42] The importance of knowledge and community in promoting body positivity

[00:24:50] Potential impact of work on a larger scale

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In this episode, Joy welcomes Julie Frey from Wolters Kluwer Health, who heads the Provider product division. They explore Wolters Kluwer's role in healthcare, focusing on clinical decision support tools like UpToDate, which provide clinicians with timely and accurate information at the point of care. Julie highlights the company's mission to alleviate clinician burnout by empowering them with efficient tools and discusses the future of healthcare, emphasizing the importance of connecting clinicians and patients for holistic care.

Episode Highlights

[00:01:01] Overview of Wolters Kluwer Health and its global presence

[00:02:04] Clinical decision support and patient engagement tools

[00:06:16] Clinician challenges and the importance of patient engagement in healthcare

[00:16:33] Julie Frey's journey into healthcare, starting from corporate strategy to a focus on health division projects

[00:19:34] Julie Frey's motivation and excitement about the intrinsic purpose in healthcare

[00:19:59] Ways to connect with Julie Frey and Wolters Kluwer Health

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