CXO Outlook – September 2022 – Global Edition – 10 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders to Watch

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Most Influential Healthcare Leaders to Watch in 2022

Head of Advisory Board

Dr. Manoj Varghese, Ph.D

Managing Editor

Sarath Shyam

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Dr. Johny Andrews Andrew Scott Joseph Alex

Naomi Wilson Stanly Lui Emma James

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Charlie Jameson

Sales & Marketing

Jennifer Anderson Rachel Roy Monica Davis Anna Elza

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THE MOBILE ISSUE

The Guardians of the Modern World

Atrue leader emerges during crisis times. Their judgment, decision-making, and actions are crucial for an organization, especially when it goes through a challenging period. For healthcare leaders, the pandemic was our generation's most extensive global test. The spread of COVID-19 worldwide exposed the causes of supply disruptions for system-critical medical products and pharmaceuticals. It revealed the consequences of fundamental leadership deficits in hospital personnel management, professional profiles and ethics, professional policies, and procurement management. Now, healthcare organizations looking at new ways to advance leadership positions that were historically based on the candidate’s academic or clinical accomplishments with no regard to their other competencies, including finance, team building, communication, and emotional intelligence.

An online, probability-based Gallup Panel survey conducted in the initial stages of the COVID-19 spread found that only 54% of healthcare employees feel well prepared to do their job. It said, even fewer (37%) feel very confident they'll be able to successfully do their job if the outbreak continues. Unfortunately, only 44% of healthcare workers strongly agree their organization cares about their overall wellbeing, according to Gallup's Panel data. However, there were heroic healthcare leaders around the world, who have identified and removed barriers to wellbeing by maintaining ongoing dialogue and reaffirming their

commitment to their employees. Therefore, we can say that the healthcare industry's post-pandemic leadership needs more agile, data-driven decisionmaking and empathy.

In this issue, we celebrate the success of healthcare leaders around the world by identifying the 10 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders to Watch in 2022. On the cover, we feature Elena Ratner, M.D., MBA

Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Ratner has dedicated her career to researching chemotherapy, cancer resistance, and drug development. She strongly believes the future of cancer care is not necessarily cancer cure or even early detection of cancer but cancer prevention. Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

Leadership Periodic

Elements of a Leader

Century

Sandeep Goel, MD, Strategy and Operations, Moglix

of Nutraceutical Industry and regulation in India

Anish Desai, MD Nutraceutical Physician, Founder and CEO, IntelliMed Healthcare Solutions

Switzerland

MY VIEW

THE LEADERSHIP PERIODIC TABLE: ELEMENTS OF A LEADER IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Sandeep Goel, MD, Strategy and Operations, Moglix

Of all the elements in the period table, tungsten reigns supreme in terms of tensile strength, fluorine has the highest electronegativity, and hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. As you go from left to right on the periodic table, the acid-base character of elements goes from basic to acidic. Can leadership be defined in the context of the chemistry laboratory setting? Is there a litmus test for leadership in an organization? Let’s discover it through the lens of the Indian cricket team.

A major cricket event dated March 23, 2003, at Johannesburg in South Africa

is a testament of acidic leadership in a difficult circumstance. On this day, the Indian cricket team lost the World Cup final. However, this day is momentous for primarily two reasons. First, nobody had expected the Indian cricket team to reach the finals. Second, it inspired a generation of Indian cricketers to switch from a defensive mindset to a highly competitive one. The cricket pitch had turned into a battleground, courtesy of Sourav Ganguly; a leader with “acidic” elements had resulted in the formulation of a new brand of Indian sports. The Indian cricket team had found

Each leadership opportunity is unique and demonstrates the presence of at least one or more elements of human behavior

A computer science post-graduate from the Indian Institute of Science with experience in Digital transformation using Mobility, Analytics, Industrial IoT and Artificial intelligence, Sandeep Goel has over 21 years of experience in setting up, managing, acquiring, and integrating businesses. He has extensive leadership experience of working across diverse industry verticals like investment banking, FMCG, CPG and process manufacturing.

a leader who was willing to trust them with heavy duty roles and the license to extinguish fire with fire.

From leading the team to the final of the World Cup in Johannesburg, to scripting a memorable Indian Summer at Lord’s to keeping the captain of a world-conquering opponent team waiting for the toss in the

iconic 2001 Border Gavaskar Trophy Test match at Eden Gardens, Sourav Ganguly had fundamentally transformed the ‘bhadralok’ (gentle person in Bengali) tag associated with Indian behavior in sports to taking a more aggressive outlook in their game.

What lies beneath this base to acid transformation is a display of multiple elements in leadership among individuals with diverse natures: acidic, basic, and inert. It is also a catalysis of controlled experiments to trigger responses and movements to achieve targeted outcomes.

Three Key Leaders of Team India and the Chemistry They Brought to the Dressing Room

Through the early and mid-nineties, Indian cricket fans remained glued to their television sets to watch one cricketer deliver their hopes and dreams: Sachin Tendulkar. He let the bat do the talking, bonded with the rest of the team, and developed new emotional connections with fans. Cricket, like any other competitive sport, has always involved fierce rivalries and in some instances the aggression from the other end is “over the top”. Whether it was a compliment or an occasional volley of sledges, stares, and some banter from the opposition, it was always met with a tap of the bat on the pitch; nothing more.

Giving the master blaster good company was his perfect foil and the wall of Indian cricket. Rahul Dravid had the saintly quality of being unperturbed by the words and deeds of the lesser mortals around him; so much so that a barrage of sweet chin music, an occasional stare in the eye, and the brute strength of someone steaming in from the boundary line were all dealt with a straight bat copy book defense right out of the cricket coaching manual. A lone warrior for the Indian cricket team on many occasions, especially in test cricket, he had the concentration levels to rival a monk. Watching him bat was no less than a pure transcendental meditation.

The third leader in the Indian cricket team, who a worthy opponent from Lancashire referred to as “Lord Snooty.” When Sourav Ganguly captained the Indian side on the field, he had a message for his opponents: “Either you respect Team India out of your volition, or we will make you respect us.” A team of meritorious but well-behaved pushovers started looking at the opponent in the eye; the trademark of an organization that is hungry to win. Sourav’s trademark aggression and intensity spread like wildfire and rubbed off on the other players in the team. They imbibed a clear learning

from Sourav: The only way to earn respect is to be competitive and play with everything you have.

One Broken Glass and Three Different Reactions: When Elements of Human Behavior Come to Life

Consider a room with three leaders and two glasses on a table. Now imagine if one of the two glasses falls on the floor and breaks into pieces. Here is a plausible set of first reactions from each of the three leaders. The first leader may claim that he did not drop the glass, thereby indicating a defensive nature. The second leader may enquire about the wellbeing of the other two, thereby demonstrating elements of empathy and care. The third leader may decide to put the second glass in a safe place to make sure that it does not break, thereby showing a more process-oriented nature. None of these reactions are wrong. Similarly, in the context of cricket, a VVS Laxman would have gone into recovery mode with cruise control. A John Wright would have asked for the well-being of the players first. An Anil Kumble would have put a process in place to stop the recurrence of the event. In fact, each leadership opportunity is unique and demonstrates the presence of at least one or more elements of human behavior.

A team of meritorious but well-behaved pushovers started looking at the opponent in the eye; the trademark of an organization that is hungry to win

Is it possible to apply the template of the periodic table of human elements of behavior to a real-world laboratory setting of organizational leadership development in the same way as the Indian cricket team discovered its next big leader, Mahendra Singh Dhoni?

Testing the Elements of Human Behavior in the Laboratory of Organizational Development

The base to acid transformation of Indian cricket was not a one-stop event. Prakash Poddar, a former captain of the West Bengal state cricket team in the nineteen sixties saw a young cricketer from the Jharkhand state team play in a match in Jamshedpur in 2003? What were the parameters on which Poddar, and the team management had assessed this new find? What elements of human behavior did they see in that

young cricketer? How did the co-existence of contradictory elements impact the formation of his personality? In the absence of any classical or operant conditioning, from where did he imbibe leadership elements? Is it possible to apply the template of the periodic table of human elements of behavior to a real-world laboratory setting of organizational leadership development in the same way as the Indian cricket team discovered its next big leader, Mahendra Singh Dhoni? The answer is hidden in the elements of the periodic table and the behavioral patterns they form.

C

ancer diagnosis in women, especially gynecologic cancer, can be very stressful. Cancer diagnosis and treatment are almost always kept on the back burner until it reaches the final stages, drastically diminishing the quality of life. While this domain may boast of technological advancements and surgical innovations with improved chemotherapy, the success rate drastically drops when diagnosed at the final stages. Prevention should be the ideal approach to be implemented before cancer diagnosis and treatment. In tandem with this, personalized treatment procedures and effective painless care programs play a pivotal role in making the cancer treatment journey a more manageable one. But most of the signs and symptoms of cancer are so vague that many women do not acknowledge/notice them or seek help. And when help is sought from healthcare providers, most doctors blindly attribute the symptoms as a result of menopause or hormones.

With a fiery passion for not just cancer prevention but rather cancer advocacy, Elena Ratner, M.D., Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale University School of Medicine, is bringing this much-needed change. “I strongly believe the future of cancer care is not necessarily cancer cure or even early detection of cancer but cancer prevention. So I do a lot of advocacy for women to listen to their bodies and to know the signs or symptoms of cancer and to make sure they get the care that they deserve,” explains Dr. Ratner.

I strongly believe the future of cancer care is not necessarily cancer cure or even early detection of cancer but cancer prevention

Ensuring Better Cancer Care

Ensuring healthcare providers are equipped to better cater to their patients, Dr. Ratner also does a great deal of advocacy with medical providers, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and chiropractors. This movement assures that the medical community is aware of the signs or symptoms of the cancers with an early diagnosis, thus providing women with the required care and helping prevent cancer.

In conjunction with this, Dr. Ratner has dedicated her career to researching

chemotherapy, cancer resistance, and drug development. Drugs specific to a particular female patient are developed, making them more effective for particular cancers and also less toxic so that it allows healthcare providers to preserve the quality of life. “I treat people of course but I also believe in the prevention and identification of women who are at risk of cancer and then advocating for them and the medical community as to how those cancers can be prevented,” adds Dr. Ratner.

She goes on to explain to us how having cancer can hamper daily life and result in

I treat people, of course, but I also believe in the prevention and identification of women at risk of cancer and then advocating for them and the medical community as to how those cancers can be prevented

psychological effects that may gravely affect the role they play in the family and society itself. Keeping this in mind, she developed a program on sexuality, menopause, and intimacy that caters to supporting these women for survivorship during and after treatment.

Continually striving to better the gynecologic cancer community, Dr. Ratner, holding one of the leadership positions in this domain, guides the patient throughout the journey right from the time of diagnosis, through the surgery, chemotherapy sessions, right up till the patient is cured or till the end of their lives,

the journey is made as comfortable as possible. “What makes me a leader is my passion and commitment toward women and their better care. I am incredibly dedicated to this field of cancer surgery and cancer care, particularly with women. I am not just committed to their survival but their quality of life,” elucidates Dr. Ratner.

Never too Late to be Better Equipped!

In fact, to better meet the needs of her patients, Dr. Ratner realized she needs to expand her knowledge and skillset. She proceeded to

go back to Yale and study MBA because she believed being a surgeon was not sufficient and needed a business degree to understand how she can help with early detection on the industry side and figure out different ways for advocacy. Taking on MBA I what gave her the added boost to create a kind of advocacy for women where the women are catered to and educated directly. More importantly, through this initiative, she can educate healthcare providers on the signs and symptoms to help them detect these cancers at an early stage. “I felt I needed additional skills and expertise to be able to have a better approach to cancer care as research and surgery by themselves were not enough. More approaches are needed to target this problem,” opines Dr. Ratner.

Shattering the Glass Ceiling!

When quizzed about milestones in her career, albeit there are several, she believes paving the way for women in leadership in the medical

sector is one of her biggest milestones. Women in medicine itself is can be very challenging, women in medicine in a leadership position can prove to be an arduous task due to various aspects including that many women feel like they have to wait to have children and a family and so keep their career on the back burner. Dr. Ratner always felt very strongly that she wanted to have a family and at the same time wanted to pursue her dreams and goals of being in specialty. As she kickstarted her career, she was the only woman in the division. She was also the first and youngest ever clinical chief of the department. She is a supporter of women, believing that they do not have to give up on their dreams to have a family and do not have to wait to do so. “These were incredible milestones personally but were also milestones for women who come after me because I hope that they see that I was able to accomplish these professional goals without giving up on my personal goals. So much of the culture

I am incredibly dedicated to this field of cancer surgery and cancer care, particularly with women. I am not just committed to their survival but their quality of life

that needs change will slowly change,” adds Dr. Ratner.

She is slowly but surely changing the narrative that women are meant to be at home taking care of families and do not deserve to hold a leadership position in their careers. Women do not have to give up on their dreams to have a family nor do they have to wait to do so. She leads by example of how when she had her children during training, it was relatively unheard of. She normalized it. She even normalized breastfeeding where in between surgeries she would go to the room and pump milk for her child. “I like being a woman and being very good at my job. I am very effective, efficient, and strong as a surgeon and I think that is the balance we as women need to establish. This culture of maledriven leadership will change. Extremely dedicated to her work and the change it brings about, Dr. Ratner works 120 hours a week with surgeries commencing at 7 in the morning till 11 at night. On days when she consults patients, she is in the office from 8 in the morning to 10 at night. Despite a tough schedule, she unplugs herself from any work stress by spending time with her four children and traveling. Before the Coronavirus pandemic struck, Dr. Ratner traveled across the globe to countries like China, Jamaica, and Russia for surgeries and several outreach programs.

I like being a woman and being very good at my job. I am very practical, efficient, and strong as a surgeon, which is the balance we as women need to establish

Promoting Equality in the Healthcare Domain

Despite the progress made in this sector, there are so many cultures right now that need improvement in this segment and so, all her efforts made in this sector are because she is of the idea that if the balance between men and women in leadership and power is improved, then the culture will be better for it. “My biggest advice to women is, do not settle nor blindly accept what we are told. We are so valuable and strong! We just need to keep pushing ahead and fighting for ourselves, for women at our level, and for the women that come after us. So much of what I have done professionally is what I have done not just for myself but for generations to come. Every accomplishment of mine is for every woman that comes after me,” responds Dr. Ratner on advice for women looking to carve a niche in the top management space.

On the road to revolutionizing cultures and the role of women in them, Dr. Ratner intends to take on more leadership roles and have a broader impact on healthcare and the culture of healthcare.

Peering down what the future at Yale holds for Dr. Ratner, she reveals her intent to increase her involvement in leadership in the women’s health department and take on bigger challenging positions in the field. Currently, she holds several leadership positions, not just in the field of women’s health, research and the department. She is also deeply invested in the field of robotics and automation in the field of surgical robotics. She aims to continue this leadership in the field of robotics across the state in order to improve the care of patients, and become more cutting edge and minimally invasive.

THE ROLE OF DATA IN THE EVOLVING DYNAMICS OF THE RETAIL INDUSTRY

Gib Bassett, Solutions Marketing Director, Alteryx

Gib Bassett joined Alteryx to lead marketing for supply chain, retail, CPG, and manufacturing industry solutions. He is passionate about helping business and technology leaders and their teams overcome challenges to achieving best-in-class outcomes with analytics. Prior to Alteryx, Gib worked in customer success at Salesforce, where he supported several top retailers throughout their cross-cloud digital transformation journeys. In prior roles he led go to market for retail and consumer goods big data analytics at Oracle, and global CPG retail and manufacturing industry marketing at Teradata.

The COVID pandemic continues to pose significant challenges for supply chains globally. The Food Supply Chains and COVID-19: Impacts and Policy Lessons highlighted that consumers were left with empty shelves and prices were rising for retailers because of shipping disruptions, thereby raising freight costs due to expediting, and resulting in shortages of essentials. It was an inability to pre-emptively sense demand shifts while ensuring open supply lines that led to many retailers suffering financially.

However, there is a class of analytics solutions tailor made for the types of supply chain decisions dependent on moving quickly and confidently even in disruptive conditions.

Drastic Digitization of Retail Businesses

According to the 2020 McKinsey report on Perspectives on Retail and Consumer Goods, 96% of consumers have upgraded their buying habits, and 60% are predicted to switch to online shopping in the run-up to the holiday season and do so

LEADER’S

Analysing customer data can help personalise the customer experience and better recommend products and services that align with their interests

The pandemic, which caused an increase in e-commerce and expedited digital transformation, resulted in a paradigm shift in consumer behaviour toward online shopping for both essential and nonessential categories

indefinitely after the pandemic. The pandemic, which caused an increase in e-commerce and expedited digital transformation, resulted in a paradigm shift in consumer behaviour toward online shopping for both essential and nonessential categories. Due to the changing business environment, retailers in all sectors and of all sizes are forced to rethink, adapt, and provide a cohesive consumer experience both physically and digitally.

Many retailers have invested in alternative digital solutions to quickly respond to shifting market conditions in an effort to innovate and provide customers with the finest service. India Brand Equity Foundation’s studyIndian Retail Industry Analysis states that the online penetration of retail is expected to reach 10.7% by 2024 versus 4.7% in 2019. This would eventually lead to more storing and processing data on products, services,

and consumers. This equips retailers with the opportunity to make use of their customer data and refine it further to get the insights necessary to future-proof their plans and emerge stronger and more flexible.

In order to take advantage of this data, smart retailers have adopted Analytics Automation solutions as a means to equip data workers embedded in supply chains with the ability to respond quickly to changing market conditions. In this way, supply chain processes as diverse as demand planning and procurement benefit from improved visibility, responsiveness, and repeatability.

Data Analysis Extending Roots in Retail

Retailers collect various kinds of data: customer, transactional, operational, and inventory and pricing information. The same merchants, however, frequently struggle to use this resource practically to guide decisions, support market adversity strategies, and uncover possibilities to fulfil customers' ever-changing tastes. Data science is crucial in this situation because it can be used to translate unprocessed data from e-commerce baskets or point-of-sale data into consumer behaviour insights. All retailers can produce data-driven insights by applying data science and analytics to this information. Businesses can use these insights to better understand the performance of product lines, develop individualised promotions to increase sales, or even create a more engaging and rewarding customer experience throughout the entire buying journey.

Moreover, the use of external data to augment and inform all manner of supply chain decisions is associated with top retail performers. Unless overcoming the fundamental use of internal data,

it’s not possible to leverage external data signals to gain a finer understanding of customer needs and behaviours, to say nothing of supplier capacity. Analytics Automation solutions provide a means to this end.

Boosting Business through Data Analysis

Retailers can benefit from adopting Analytics Automation software to optimize their inventory and evaluate the extent to which the supply chain supports a great customer experience. For example:

a.Tracking Supply & Demand

To boost efficiency throughout their supply chain, for instance, companies might use past projections to help train predictive models that can optimize inventories and reduce wait times. Taking this a step further and looking outside to external data sources can greatly enhance the quality of a supply chain decision. Building this supply chain visibility can assist merchants in making backup plans, such as locating other suppliers in the event that their primary source is compromised. The focus needs to be on developing techniques to promote resilience, to anticipate demand and enhance supply.

Considering recent disruption, it is now more crucial than ever to guarantee that goods are delivered on time, every time. To achieve this goal, it is essential to integrate analytics into procedures and operations throughout the whole supply chain. This will help to ensure that goods move swiftly from the manufacturer to the logistics partner and then to the client. These analytics can provide recommendations and other options to enhance delivery performance on both a micro and macro

All merchants, in one way or another, have access to data that can be utilized to get insights that have a big impact on business choices

understanding customers’ behaviours, it is possible to predict not just the shopping trends but also how they affect the current demand and supply of products and services. A customer's searches, wish lists, and previous purchases all make up customer data. Additional information like geographical location and purchase frequencies helps build a customer profile. Analysing customer data can help personalise the customer experience and better recommend products and services that align with their interests. This approach to utilising customer data can maximise sales in the present and help build a loyal customer base in the long haul.

The Road Ahead

All merchants, in one way or another, have access to data that can be utilized to get insights that have a big impact on business choices. This data may come from point-of-sale data or may even be as simple as counting the number of customer inquiries that come in. A misconception is that one needs enormous amounts of data to draw good conclusions, while many projects use tiny datasets to produce enormous value - quality over quantity.

level, as well as help predict whether a product will reach its destination on time.

b.Customer Shopping Experience

Data analytics and automation play an important role in every step of the customer journey. From

Retailers must harness and use the power of data in their decision-making if they want to strengthen their business and to build that competitive edge in this digital era. Many companies are sitting on a goldmine of data, even though they may not be aware of it. The ability to access, analyse, and democratize this data will be crucial for maintaining the fundamental contract between buyer and seller. It is now, more than ever that retail needs to maximise the use of the digital boom to effectively grow their business and stay relevant.

Watch out for these 5 in 2022: Tech Trends Transforming iGaming

Dmitry Belianin, Chief Commercial Officer, Parimatch International

Dmitry Belianin is the Chief Marketing Officer at Parimatch International. Experienced marketing strategist and leader in the sports betting industry, Dmitry has over 13 years of experience in both marketing and gaming. He has a proven record in building global teams, growing profits, and implementing highgrowth marketing, digital, and product development strategies within the biggest gaming companies.

The pandemic forced everyone to figure out distractions to best fight off boredom.

Many kept themselves happily occupied by playing games. In fact, the explosion in online, virtual and digital gaming was enabled by the worldwide lockdowns and hastened by the speed at which technology was advancing. Today, gaming is less about that ‘game’ on your screen and more about the player experience, in which individual skills join up with storytelling, visuals and sound to present a bundle of sensory delights.

Overall, iGaming is one of the world’s biggest and most lucrative domains, and not just in the entertainment space. So, what’s the limit? Can artificial intelligence, for instance, help anticipate and analyse player behaviour, giving gaming companies insight into what they can do to enhance a gamer’s experience? Well, it is already happening. This is not the snakes-and-ladders board game of our childhood, or even the Nokia snake game (remember that?) of the Noughties. This is a whole new world!

Here, then, are five tech trends that are transforming the iGaming industry:

Casino overdrive: Playing for higher stakes

Always wanted to experience the buzz of playing with chips in Monaco? Well, now you can, via the magic of virtual reality. Then, there are online casinos fighting for customers and virtual real estate, as live and video streaming grab ever more eyeballs. You can catch live action from the tables but also play remotely, connected real-time to a dealer. This latter iGaming trend scores high because it offers a genuine casino experience, one that facilitates a more authentic rapport between player and dealer.

But more than offering gamblers extra chances to indulge, technology is making waves in other ways. For instance, artificial intelligence is proving very handy in the running of casinos, especially when it comes to keeping watch on suspicious behaviour; through constant tracking, AI and facial recognition can help prevent fraudulent activity on the tables. Meanwhile, crypto-casinos

player’s preferences, link slot machines with individual gaming servers, and use big data for real-time communication with gamblers (data that is also helpful for casinos and game developers).

Reality of the AR and VR kind

We have been hearing of AR and VR for some time but it’s only now that these encounters of the computer-assisted and interactive kind have gone mainstream. Apply them to the world of gaming—even to eSports—and you get to thrill in an experience like none other. VR gaming got a headstart over AR gaming and is gradually shedding its niche tag; its Eureka moment was the launch of Oculus Rift in 2013, while recent years have seen the likes of Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto take off. AR gaming hit gold in a shorter span of time after the stunning success of Pokémon Go in 2016, though it has struggled to follow that up. However, as the tech becomes more affordable and accessible, both VR and AR gaming stand on the cusp of something special.

promise quicker payouts, more robust security, and anonymity, powered by blockchain tech. There’s also the Internet of Things (IoT), which assists gambling companies to be more creative in their use of data. Besides, the industry can use IoT to customise experiences that tie in with each

Augmented reality games, incidentally, superimpose a digital ambience on the user’s realtime environment, while virtual reality games plunge the user into an alternative environment via headsets. And with the price of headsets falling, the feeling is that VR gaming’s time has arrived. Incidentally, each of the AR and VR gaming markets is expected to grow at 18.5% CAGR between 2021 and 2026, and according to one forecast, the overall worth of both markets could reach upwards of US$25 billion by 2026.

Videos on the Cloud

This is as convenient as it gets. Instead of users having to constantly update their consoles or

Augmented reality games, incidentally, superimpose a digital ambience on the user’s real-time environment, while virtual reality games plunge the user into an alternative environment via headsets

computers, spending money trying to stay ‘in the game’ and stay in touch with the latest releases, all they need is a single device to play. Because, games today can be accessed via remote cloud servers or streams—no more downloading of heavy games onto your PC or console. All the big players in video gaming are offering their games through a cloud-based subscription service. Additionally, as more users embrace high-speed 5G, it is being predicted that the cloud-gaming ecosystem will expand by almost 30% in the next three years.

Alongside, iGaming is upping the immersive experience for players by taking inspiration from video games. So, prepare yourself for a ride featuring a higher quality of visuals, enhanced interaction, added role-playing elements and themes, and more gameplay loops. Some of these games, in fact, have an arcade-like vibe about them, including Aviator by Spribe, a social multiplayer game inspired by the universe of video games.

The esports windfall

Esports is like the next coming of video games but promises the emotions of ‘real’ sport—including leagues, tournaments, salaried professionals, prize money and live crowds. Only difference being, you’re right in the heart of the action. eSports generated more than US$1 billion in revenue in 2021, chiefly through media rights and sponsorship, and will touch US$2 billion as 2023 comes around. To stick with the ‘real’ sport comparison, some 73 million viewed the League of Legends World Championship in 2021, proving that eSports has become a spectator sport just like any other. Further, eSports offers an increasing number of opportunities to gamble,

and players can now punt on games like FIFA and Dota 2, across consoles, personal computers and mobile platforms.

Gaming (and gambling) on the go

The sky’s the limit for mobile gaming as smartphone technology gets ever more cuttingedge. Users aren’t constrained by time or space, and they can access an amazing variety of games, from straight-up simple to packed with strategy and enough complexity to keep your grey cells preoccupied. Multiplayer mobile games too have been gaining in popularity, and growth in this segment is unlikely to let up. While the trend might have been driven by the rise of eSports and the insanely viral PUBG Mobile, the format has tasted success on the back of the competitive environment (and the sense of achievement) it offers its participants. Meanwhile, across markets, and aided by the convenience and speed of 5G, over 50% of users are placing bets using their mobile devices; in some markets, that figure is closer to 90%. So, don’t be surprised to see the big tech companies jumping in to boost access for mobile betting apps.

Conclusion

Among non-tech trends, expect to see big leagues like those in the US (as well as media companies) embrace iGaming as they look to capture a generous slice of the industry pie. Yet, iGaming players too are expanding, by buying tech companies to get their hands on the software, or entering new markets flush with dollars, to better access licences and local regulation knowledge. This is a fast-moving industry where the action is comparable to that in a game—you just can’t take your eyes off it.

Dr. Chad A. Perlyn

About the Company:

About the Company:

Daniel Etra

Dr. Elena Ratner, M.D., MBA

Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine

Vice President of Dental Hygiene Operations, 123Dentist

https://medicine.yale.edu/obgyn/

Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

About the Company: Yale University School of Medicine integrates outstanding reproductive science research with cutting-edge, high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered clinical care to advance women's reproductive health.

https://www.123dentist.com/

Headquarters: Burnaby, Canada

About the Company: Co-founded in 1993 in Vancouver by Dr. Amin Shivji, 123Dentist has grown to over 250 practices, 3,200 team members serving 2 million patient visits annually with support centres in Vancouver and Toronto.

John Norris Lonnie Buchanan

Founder and CEO, Safely2Prosperity

Headquarters: Massachusetts, USA

About the Company: S2P's powerful cloud-based solution automates the management of workplace vaccinations, therapeutics, testing, quarantines, and exposure tracking.

Chief Architect and Executive Security Director, Veracity Solutions

https://www.veracitysolutions.com/

Headquarters: Utah, USA

About the Company: Veracity Solutions helps enterprises, especially those in highly regulated industries, with custom application development and adopting cloudnative technologies as a platform for innovation.

Jennifer Turner

Maria Francesca Aceti Martin-Immanuel Bittner

Website: https://www.delthapharma.com/en/

Headquarters: Rome, Italy

About the Company: Deltha Pharma aims to provide people with effective, innovative, and high-quality supplements that accompany them throughout their lives and ensure good health.

Website: https://www.botimageai.com/

Headquarters: Nebraska, USA

About the Company: BotImage’s software interprets multi-parametric and bi-parametric MRI using random forest with instance weight and MR segmentation by deep learning with holistically-nested networks.

Website: https://www.arctoris.com/

Headquarters: Oxford, United Kingdom

About the Company: Arctoris combines its unique automation platform, Ulysses, with advanced computational approaches and a world-class team of seasoned drug hunters to guide and rapidly progress its wholly owned and partnered drug discovery programs in oncology and neurology.

Website: https://nexus-chili.com/

Headquarters: Dossenheim, Germany

About the Company: CHILI GmbH develops software for PACS and teleradiology and supplies them to their customers, including small, medium-sized and big hospitals, and university clinics.

Dr. Randall W. Jones

Dr. Uwe Engelmann

Chief Executive Officer, Deltha Pharma

Co-Founder and CEO, Arctoris

Founder & CEO, Bot Image, Inc

Founding Managing Partner, NEXUS / CHILI

DR. CHAD A. PERLYN

PRESIDENT, NICKLAUS CHILDREN'S PEDIATRIC SPECIALISTS

A Dynamic Physician Leader, Providing Pediatric Communities with the Best Care Possible

Very few people are fortunate to find their career calling at an early stage, so much so as a 4-year-old boy wanting to become a surgeon, save lives, and make a difference in the community.

Dr. Chad A. Perlyn, President of Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists, not only fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a pediatric surgeon but also has donned numerous hats through his career. From operating on children with complex birth defects, mentoring and educating surgical trainees, leading surgical

trips in developing nations, and now running a large multi-disciplinary medical group as its president, his journey represents how dreams can be achieved and how one can lead with passion, commitment, and purpose.

A Journey from Dreaming to Becoming a Successful Surgeon

As a 4-year-old boy, Dr. Perlyn saw his younger brother fight for his life and almost not survive. He still remembers going to the hospital and watching a pediatric surgeon coming in to comfort

I have been so fortunate to have had the opportunities to become successful at Nicklaus Children’s, and I am honored to now serve in a role to help my colleagues thrive

Dr. Chad A. Perlyn, President, Nicklaus Children's Pediatric Specialists

his parents, explaining that their son was likely going to die and that his only chance was to have an emergency exploratory operation. Fortunately, Dr. Perlyn’s brother made it through the surgery. What left a mark on a young Dr. Perlyn was how the surgeon not only saved his brother but also his family. “From that moment on, I knew I wanted to become a surgeon,” shares Dr. Perlyn. This dream persisted throughout his childhood.

While attending college at Northwestern University in Chicago, Dr. Perlyn read a newspaper article about a surgeon making ears for children born without them. Mesmerized by it, he wrote a letter to the surgeon, Dr. Bruce Bauer, and in turn, received an invite from him to watch him perform one of the surgeries. Dr. Perlyn visited and watched Dr. Bauer perform surgery in awe. From then on, he developed a deep and lasting personal commitment to becoming a pediatric plastic surgeon and worked hard toward fulfilling his aspiration to help children. He hasn’t stopped since that day.

In 2000, Dr. Perlyn received his doctorate from the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine where he graduated with honors. He was accepted to train under one of the USA’s most exemplary plastic surgery training programs at Washington University. He later applied for and received a fellowship from the American College of Surgeons to head to the University of Oxford in England to study why babies were born with certain birth defects. Dr. Perlyn completed his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Oxford in 2006.

A Homecoming

As Dr. Perlyn began looking for career opportunities in his hometown, he heard about a new medical school opening in Miami, Florida, which was to be a part of Florida International University. Intrigued by this he met Dr. Pat O’Leary, the Associate Dean

Dr. Perlyn’s passion for driving success for Nicklaus Children's Health System, commitment to his white coat, and purpose of helping children and serving the community to the best of his abilities make him a thought-provoking and influential healthcare leader

of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University, and joined Miami Children’s Hospital (now known as Nicklaus Children’s Hospital) as Pediatric Plastic Surgeon in 2009. “Dr. O’Leary welcomed me home to Miami, and I was deeply moved - not just that I would be a part of launching a new medical school but that my clinical work was to be at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital - the very place where my brother’s life was saved. I had truly come home,” reveals Dr. Perlyn. After settling into his role, he thought his focus would be on clinical surgery and basic science research; a leadership role was never on his mind. However, destiny had other, bigger plans for him.

On January 12, 2010, a massive 7.0 Mw earthquake devastated Haiti, affecting millions of people. Within days, Dr. Perlyn found himself leading one of the very first groups of pediatric surgeons to Haiti help earthquake victims. His leadership continued in this area for long after his team returned home, as he continued to coordinate

the efforts of dozens of more medical staff members over many weeks. To this day he considers this experience as his proudest achievement to date.

Shortly after the earthquake experience, the Director of Surgical Services at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital announced that he would be relocating to New York and suggested Dr. Perlyn be named as his replacement. This was a massive responsibility for a newly minted surgeon who was not even a year into his practice. However, based on his surgical leadership, both the senior management team of the hospital and his peers, recognized his potential and gave him the opportunity. Now over a decade later, Dr. Perlyn has risen through the ranks to not just lead his surgical colleagues but is also the President of the entire employed medical group at Nicklaus Children’s Health System.

Nicklaus Children's Health System: Where Every Child Matters the Most

Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children's is South Florida's only

licensed specialty health system exclusively for children. It is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the south-eastern United States and has been designated as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet® facility. Moreover, Nicklaus Children's Hospital’s five specialty programs have been identified among the best in the nation in the 2022-23 U.S. News & World Report ‘Best Children's Hospitals’ survey results.

Established in January 2015, Nicklaus Children's Pediatric Specialists (NCPS) is the health system’s physician-led multispecialty group with a regional, national, and international presence bringing lifelong health and hope to children and families through innovative, compassionate care. Currently, NCPS employs nearly 300 board-certified physicians specializing in all areas of Pediatric care, many of whom consistently appear on America’s Best Doctors list.

Leading with Passion, Compassion, & Purpose

“I have been so fortunate to have had the opportunities to be successful at Nicklaus Children’s, and I am honored to now serve in a role to help my colleagues,” shares Dr. Perlyn. He understands healthcare from three different perspectives—as a surgeon, a formally trained research scientist, and an MBA/healthcare executive. Integrating these three perspectives into his leadership role truly gives Dr. Perlyn a unique position in the organization and the healthcare community at large.

Beyond all, Dr. Perlyn’s passion for driving success for Nicklaus Children's Health System, his commitment to his own patients, and his purpose of working with his colleagues to improve the lives of children make him a thoughtprovoking and influential healthcare leader. “His drive for operational excellence combined with a true compassion and deep humbleness make

him such a unique figure not just at Nicklaus’s Children’s but across healthcare,” said Dr. Marcos Mestre, Chief Medical Officer at Nicklaus’s Children’s. “We are proud to have him at the helm of our group.”

As the President of NCPS, Dr. Perlyn is responsible for ensuring that his team orchestrates the best pediatric care harmoniously. He regards this as what physician leadership should be all about as together they strive to provide a place for their their patients to flourish and their

the best blessings a child could ever ask for and he credits them for his deep sense of caring and curiosity about the world. Going down memory lane, he simply summarizes his upbringing by a quote from Winston Churchill which his parents hung on their refrigerator door that says, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Going forward, Nicklaus Children's Health System plans to expand its geographic footprints by forming collaborative partnerships with organizations with similar missions and visions to provide the best care to every child

Throughout his journey, Dr. Perlyn has also been extremely grateful to find the right mentors at every step. Be it Dr. Susan Mackinnon (Head of the plastic surgery program at Washington University/ Barnes Hospital in St. Louis) who gave him his first opportunity in plastic surgery, Dr. Jeffrey Marsh (a world-renowned pediatric/craniofacial surgeon) who trained him, or Dr. Gillian MorrissKay (expert scientist at the University of Oxford), who inspired him as a scientist, all of these individuals believed in his dedication and abilities and guided him in the medical arts. Dr. Perlyn also acknowledges Mr. Matthew Love (CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System), who encouraged his administrative interests and supported his decision to pursue an MBA from the Miami Herbert Business School at the University of Miami.

colleagues to thrive. “There are days I still walk through the halls and pinch myself. How did this little four-year-old boy not only have his dream come true to be a surgeon but also have the honor and privilege to lead the team in the very place where the dream began 45 years ago,” shares Dr. Perlyn with a smile.

Finding the Right Mentors at Every Step of the Way

A child’s first teachers are his parents, and the first school is his home. For Dr. Perlyn, his parents are

“I am who I am because of those who believed in and mentored me, and that is why mentoring others is now one of the most important things I do in healthcare today,” asserts Dr. Perlyn.

Challenges Faced by Today's Healthcare Administrators

For Dr. Perlyn, running an extensive multidisciplinary medical group and practicing as a pediatric plastic surgeon keeps him extremely busy. He also comes across numerous challenges for which he has to find appropriate solutions.

“One of the biggest issues we are facing today is physician fatigue. I truly empathize with my colleagues and understand their frustrations, their

needs, and what they long for in the practice of medicine,” states Dr. Perlyn. “Therefore, listening to these issues is very important, and then working to find the harmony between the organization's success and their success becomes the key. This is how you ensure world-class patient care.”

The next big challenge that Dr. Perlyn and his team at Nicklaus Children's Health System face is the escalating costs of providing quality healthcare. He feels that to overcome this issue, healthcare leaders must focus on how to provide the highest quality care in the most efficient ways, and they also need to listen to and welcome the advice of their clinicians on how to make this happen. He further explains, “We need to be looking for how to deliver value in ways that put the patient and family at the forefront but let the clinicians feel a part of the solution in a way that brings value and meaning back to their role as well.”

A Sneak Peek into the Day of a Surgical Leader

A typical working day for Dr. Perlyn begins as early as 6.30 am with scheduled meetings with his colleagues. This is followed by another round of non-stop sessions with his team on subjects such as physician recruitment, practice operations, contracting, and marketing. Next he’ll switch his suit jacket for his white coat to speak to a new patient. Finally, his day ends by catching up with colleagues from other organizations and meeting prospective physicians wishing to join the Nicklaus Children's Pediatric Specialists team. Being a practicing pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgeon, Dr. Perlyn still makes time to go to the operating room several days a month. From operating rooms to boardrooms, his

influence shines across the organization. When asked about the hardest part of his work, he replied immediately saying, “certainly not doing complex surgeries on newborns. That requires much focus but it’s the least stressful part of the week given all the other challenges we face in healthcare administration today.”

The Road Ahead

Going forward, Nicklaus Children's Health System plans to expand its geographic footprints by forming collaborative partnerships with organizations with similar missions and visions to provide the best care to every child. “We cannot all be everything to everyone. However, we can provide pediatric communities with the best care possible through strong partnerships. This is our sole p - to take great care of children in the highest quality way,” states Dr. Perlyn.

In light of this, Nicklaus Children's Health System recruited over 70 world-class physicians from around the globe last year and plans to do the same this year too. The hospital is also working on establishing four institutes of excellence, including ones in cardiac, neurological, orthopedic, and oncologic care which would best serve the community in the years ahead.

On a personal note, Dr. Perlyn is excited about returning to global surgery and reuniting with his true love of mentoring surgical residents from other countries. “We will be going to volunteer in Peru this summer and I am looking forward to re-engaging with my colleagues around the globe,” shares Dr. Perlyn. When asked what’s next in his leadership career, he replied with a big smile, “I’m curious to see where the second half of my journey goes. While I don’t know where the road leads, as long as it involves advocating for children, families in need, and my outstanding colleagues I know I’ll be on the right path. ”

How Mental Health Apps Create Stigma-free, Anonymous Space

Yash Malhotra (Founder and CEO) & Shevantika Nanda (Co-founder & COO) - Mimblu

Yash Malhotra

Shevantika Nanda

Rahul Ranganathan, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at NuGenomics is a man on a mission. A mission to get people to ‘manage’ their health better with an intuitive analytic platform powered by genomics. Rahul’s desire to seek out the new had him pursuing an MBA in Human Resources Management/ Personnel Administration at XLRI Jamshedpur.

For long, mental health issues have been a “closed-door pandemic” that is affecting our well-being. In fact, nearly 800 million people worldwide - which is 11% of the global population - live with a mental health condition. What hasn’t helped is the two odd years of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has, in fact, exacerbated mental health concerns around the world, triggering a rise in the prevalence of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms and stress and, in turn, a decline in mental well-being. India alone witnessed a 20 per cent increase in reported cases of mental health conditions within a week of the first lockdown in 2020. Not just that, but the number of patient queries about mental health has grown noticeably during and after the pandemic outbreak.

However, it is not easy for many to reach out for help, thanks to countless hurdles that exist in this sphere. These include lack of time, financial resources, and privacy. In fact, in India, intersectionalities of socio-economic conditions, gender, regional geographies, caste, class and religion often act as barriers to accessing even healthcare, let alone mental healthcare. Add to this mix the stigma attached to mental health that further discourages people from attending a consultation. And this is especially true in a country like India, where mental health is often viewed through a lens of shame as well as misleading preconceptions and notions.

Truth is, many in our country and the world at large have questions and concerns about their mental health. They even want to get answers to their questions. The catch being - they also want to remain anonymous. Consequently, a digital disruption began that drastically evolved the mental healthcare landscape, paving the path

ABOUT Yash Malhotra,

Founder and CEO of Mimblu

Yash Malhotra is the Founder and CEO of Mimblu - India’s first text-based app that enables affordable and accessible mental health care via texting, sharing voice notes or scheduling video calls with the right professional therapist as per convenience. However, before this crucial turning point in his professional career, Yash’s rich experience includes a six-year-stint at Zomato till 2018, followed by leading the Asia Pacific team for Expedia Local Expert till 2020. What led to the founding of Mimblu in 2021 was his determination to build easy access mental health care after observing several around him dealing with mental well-being issues but unable to access care due to an incredible number of barriers.

for the emergence of virtual care and mental health apps. And while these digital apps tend to transcend the restrictions of geographical boundaries and time constraints, one of their most crucial benefits is that they also keep things anonymous. Owing to this, these apps allow you to seek professional mental health resources like therapy which is hard to access, especially in countries and communities where it is stigmatised. Not just that, but they are also a respite for those who were initially avoiding in-person therapy as they could not afford the time or the resources to avail help for their emotional needs.

As a matter of fact, mental health apps truly help create a space that provides anonymity, in turn, making the entire process nonjudgemental and stigma-free, thanks to its many burgeoning benefits. These include –

Accessibility

A. Your first step

For many, even being aware of their own mental health condition and well-being - be it the need for active self-care, prioritising their happiness, addressing their vulnerabilities or acknowledging their pain - is in itself a bit of a privilege. And for those, who do recognise that they need mental healthcare, they don’t know what the first step is. This is where mental health apps come into play.

B. No more referrals or a heavy search for therapists

There most definitely exists a shortage of competent psychiatrists and psychologists. India itself has just 0.75 therapists for every 100,000 people in the country - where the minimum number should be anywhere above 3.

ABOUT Shevantika, Co-Founder and COO of Mimblu

A trained psychologist with diverse experience in the mental healthcare space for over 9 years now, Shevantika has pursued her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of St Andrews in the UK before completing her Master’s in Psychology from the University of Delhi. While she took her first few steps in the industry as a research intern at the University of St Andrews, it was her internship stint at VIMHANS in Delhi that truly opened her eyes to the

And this makes finding a competent, qualified and verified therapist a burdensome process.

Generally, people rely on word of mouth to find the right fit and often, finding the right fit means going through multiple therapists. However, when it comes to mental health apps, they do the leg work for you. All you need to do is select the therapist that feels right for you and get good quality help. All this while remaining anonymous.

C. Quick connect to therapists

Those looking for therapists near them might not necessarily find one. And even if they do, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to get a session as soon as they would want. Additionally, there also exists a lack of access to physical and mental health professionals beyond large urban centres. Unfortunately, more often than not, we tend to give up on mental healthcare at these different

touch points - due to the stigma attached as well as the obstacles to accessing mental healthcare. But having an app on your phone makes it significantly easier to access mental healthcare from anywhere in the world. You don’t need to go through the back and forth or the usual waiting period before a time slot can be agreed upon with your therapist and then show up for the appointment. These apps can connect users across the country with the right therapist and give access to communicate with them on the same day itself.

Ease of Use

A part of the stigma is already broken when people can access mental healthcare in a format in which they are comfortable. For instance - texting.

Most mental health apps are textbased, where users can synchronously or asynchronously chat with their therapists. This chat function provides a level of informality that remains unmatched by traditional therapy, which is always in a formal setting. Moreover, it also helps maintain anonymity as you can conceal your face and voice. Nobody needs to see you come and go out of a room or a place. There is no chance of running into anyone on an app.

Privacy & Confidentiality

It is the responsibility of the app to have the right data protection and security measures in place. Meanwhile, the therapists on the app follow the same client-therapist confidentiality as they would in their traditional, in-person private practice.

Affordability

In metro cities, a 40 to 50 minutes session can range anywhere from INR 2500 to INR 8000 (per session). This might not necessarily be pocket-friendly for a part of the population that still needs access to mental healthcare. However, using a text-based format removes the need for hourly or session-based charging as the user generally pays for the 2-week or 1-month access. It is, in turn, up to 5 times cheaper than in-person session-based therapy.

Management of Symptoms

After a certain point of being in therapy, clients don’t always require active intervention. And mental health apps also offer an affordable way to continue to get mental health support that is not at a clinical level. For instance, most apps allow for monitoring of symptoms and progress without having to engage in and spend on active therapy.

There are a lot of people who simply want to talk to someone. But the inherent stigma or bias has always singled them out for displaying this need to talk about their emotional state of being. Mental health apps tend to de-stigmatise the experience as it offers more privacy and safety to people in their own space. These apps empower people to talk without shame, thereby playing a critical role in democratising therapy economically and socially without the costs that come with offline sessions.

Moreover, the narrative around mental wellness and health is shifting today. And the rise of these apps is further boosting crucial conversations around mental health and normalising seeking help when needed.

JENNIFER TURNER

VICE PRESIDENT OF DENTAL HYGIENE OPERATIONS, 123DENTIST

Leading with Kindness and Empathy Wins Every Time

Over the years, there has been a gradually increasing awareness regarding oral hygiene. While oral healthcare was previously a neglected component of primary healthcare, it is now recognized as empowering overall health and preventing oral diseases. To truly achieve this, one must tend to various domains such as oral health evaluation, patient specific education and communication, risk assessment, and interprofessional collaborative practice.

Jennifer Turner, Vice President of Dental Hygiene Operations at 123Dentist, plays a crucial role in bringing about a positive change in this domain. “Currently, I have the autonomy to lead dental hygiene in the direction I feel it should strive towards in Canada while meeting or exceeding the Standards of Practice for 123Dentist,” opines Jennifer.

A leader in the dental hygiene space, Jennifer holds a myriad of prestigious roles. She is the Vice President of Dental Hygiene Operations

123Dentist fosters a people-first culture, has an agile business strategy, and a collaborative workplace

Jennifer Turner Vice President of Dental Hygiene Operations, 123Dentist

at 123Dentist, Key Opinion Leader for Crest + Oral B, Professional Industry Speaker, Writer for Industry Publications, and Advisory Board Member for Spectrum Hygiene. She reveals, “I may be the only dental hygienist in Canada to have had the opportunity to have such a varied and rewarding career leading in the Dental Service Organization (DSO), Dental Hygiene Provincial Regulation, Dental Hygiene National Association from an employee and board member perspective, award winning Dental Hygiene & Assisting Professor, Dental Hygiene Clinical Director, and Dental Practice Management. One concept that I have always stayed true to throughout my career is we rise by lifting others. I strongly feel that we are so much

better together working towards common goals as there is no “I” in team.”

About the Company

123Dentist is a leading dental support organization in Canada. It has grown from a single practice in Vancouver, owned by CEO Dr. Amin Shivji and two partners, to more than 250 supported practices and 3,500 team members. 123Dentist was founded on two key principles: putting patients above all else; and that supported dentists and staff are the most important factors in keeping patients happy. The organization possesses the vision to be the best dental community that all Canadian dentists and dental professionals want to belong to.

123Dentist has an entrepreneurial spirit within the company that permits me to focus on what I know the business needs, what my own teams needs, and of course what our practices across Canada need

123Dentist offers alternative partnership models to meet the needs of each dentist, including the opportunity to retain ownership at the clinic. This unique model enables the dentist to focus on providing optimal patient care while an experienced team provides a wide range of support services. Carving a niche for itself in this sector, the company has achieved due recognition and several accolades. Jennifer takes great pride in when 123Dentist was declared a winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies program for 2022, sponsored by Deloitte Private, CIBC, The Globe and Mail, Salesforce and TMX Group. “This prestigious award is a testament to our incredible team who worked collaboratively, putting the patient at the center of all decision making and delivering value and

support to our dental partners and clinic teams every day,” says Dr. Shivji.

Most of the key stakeholders, comprising Directors and Regional Managers, have a strong dental background which allows them as a company to truly make decisions and to understand and support the teams the best way they possibly can. “123Dentist fosters a peoplefirst culture, has an agile business strategy, and a collaborative workplace. I strongly feel that the company culture, teamwork, and having such a vast dental background in our company is what makes 123Dentist unique,” declares Jennifer. She continues, “123Dentist has an entrepreneurial spirit within the company that permits me to focus on what I know the business

Gaining a solid foothold in this sector today, Jennifer has been acknowledged for all her work to bring about a radical transformation in the dental hygiene space

needs, what my own team needs, and of course what our practices across Canada need. I believe that kindness and empathy in leadership creates a stronger connection between people that increases collaboration of ideas, raises levels of trust and maintains loyalty.”

On July 12, 2022, 123Dentist, Altima Dental, and Lapointe Group announced that they entered into a merger agreement to create one of the largest dental support organizations in Canada, with nearly 350 supported dental practices. The transaction is being financed through equity capital provided by 123Dentist’s existing financial partner, Peloton Capital Management; new investors KKR, a leading global investment firm, and Heartland Dental, a KKR portfolio company and the leading dental support organization in the U.S.; and Sentinel Capital Partners, Altima Dental’s

existing financial partner. “We expect this merger to benefit Canadian dentists, dental professionals and patients alike, greatly expanding support services for an already thriving dentist community that focuses on the delivery of exceptional care, improving access to high quality dentistry services, and increasing opportunities for career advancement and mentorship for our team members,” said Dr. Shivji. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including clearance under the Competition Act (Canada), and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2022.

Successfully Heading a Gamut of Initiatives

Jennifer strives to meet and exceed industry expectations and bring about dynamic changes within the domain. She is currently leading a host of key initiatives at 123Dentist, and

The Smile program is one such countrywide initiative where she works closely with Dr. Mark Hamanishi, 123Dentists, Chief Orthodontic Officer and Julie Gaffney, Director of Dental Hygiene Operations. This program has been designed to support the entire dental team in integrating and utilizing their iTero scanners to provide an optimal patient experience. This may include a dental wellness scan during the dental hygiene appointment or by having better clinical conversations with patients on Invisalign or for cosmetic or restorative needs so the patients teeth function properly.

The Sleep Breathing Disorder Program is another approach led by Jennifer and Dr. Sam Kherani, 123Dentists Chief Dental Officer to help identify the symptoms of sleep breathing disorders, treat the patient, and have them sleep well again. “We know that many dental patients do not sleep well, gasp, snore or choke during sleep, and are tired throughout the day. We want

to help them re-discover a good night’s sleep and sleep in the same bed as their partner. Untreated sleep disorders can have a devastating impact on health and quality of life,” elucidates Jennifer.

She is also simultaneously spearheading the Dental Hygiene Growth & Development Program. This program elevates, supports and celebrates how dental hygienists at 123Dentists treat their patients. It ensures that the dental hygienists have what they need to do their job, thus ensuring that the team meets and exceeds the Standards of Practice for dental hygiene care across Canada. Yet another initiative headed by her is the 123Dentist In-House Programs for Dental Assisting and Dental Office Administration. This program allows potential students to learn, grow, and excel at 123Dentist and create a career they may have been looking for after completing the program. This opportunity has changed the lives of many already in the Toronto and Vancouver area. Lastly, the Continuing Education Program is also led by Jennifer. She adds, “At 123Dentist, we always love to learn, network, and ensure

our teams access the best learning through our 123Dentist learning portal. My role is to work with our Chief Dental Officer, Dr. Kherani and dental industry partners to find or create relevant dental continuing education for our dentists, dental hygienists, and team members.”

Offering a Comprehensive Suite of Services

Bringing about a paradigm shift in this sector through the aforementioned initiatives, Jennifer also works hard each day to accomplish several other tasks. Every day is a new day filled with various responsibilities, and Jennifer, being the true Gemini, she believes to be, thrives on change, and loves the fact that every day is different.

Jennifer’s professional journey hasn’t been linear and that has been by design. She took chances and risks and always goes with her gut instinct. Jennifer believes in clear communication, transparency, trust, and accountability. She enjoys coaching, mentoring, and working with individuals and teams and believes that when they know more, then they can do better. She enjoys acknowledging

and celebrating team and individual wins within our 123Dentist network.

Jennifer states that she has had a variety of leaders throughout her career, and this has taught her that her personal approach to leadership and influence is to lead with kindness and empathy which wins every time. She jokingly says this is her secret sauce to be better together and build one another up. An example that she shares is her approach to every business challenge which is to listen, understand, share and then align on a goforward plan.

I feel that I bring a high level of thinking, strategy, and accountability. I can drive results and always assume people have positive intentions. I am kind, honest, collaborative, and hold myself to the same standard as those on the 123Dentist team,” says Jennifer.

But the career path that Jennifer carved out for herself was not the initial plan. After graduating from high school, she had no idea what she wanted to be when she grew up. So, Jennifer took business administration in college. In the months to come, she realized that it was not the right fit for her and failed that year. “I am sharing this piece of my life with you because I believe that anything is possible when you set your mind to it. Yes, I failed out of my first year of college, but here I am today, empowering others to chase after their dreams and to never give up on themselves,” reveals Jennifer.

After business administration, she went to school for dental assisting and worked with an amazing husband and wife dental team. Jennifer excelled at that position and decided to go into dental hygiene. “It was one of the best decisions of my life as I have been able to have a wide variety of positions in the dental hygiene industry. An interesting personal fact is that the day I began at 123Dentist, we had 123 dental clinics. If that isn’t a sign that

I was in the right place, I don’t know what is,” says Jennifer.

Attaining Recognition

Gaining a solid foothold in this sector today, Jennifer has been acknowledged for all her work to bring about a radical transformation in the dental hygiene space. She has received several rewards such as ‘Excellence in Teaching’ from the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, ‘Best Oral Health Promotion Event’ from the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, ‘Elizabeth Craig Award of Distinction’ from the Ontario Dental Hygienists Association and Nominated by the students for ‘Faculty of the Year’ at Niagara College.

Jennifer endeavours to strike a mindful balance between her work and personal life, excelling in her profession. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her high school best friends, devoting her time to her 21-year-old son and family, listening to Audible, or even spending a day at the spa! Looking forward to what the future holds, Jennifer shares with us what Dr. Shivji envisions for 123Dentist, “The immediate plans for 123Dentist are to continue to rapidly grow across Canada, work collaboratively, putting the patient at the center of all decision making and delivering value and support to our dental partners and clinic team, every day.” Jennifer signs off, “As we grow larger, I am honoured to be a part of this company, scale the programs that I lead, and work together with such talented people and truly enjoy what I do every day.”

If I could share any advice for some starting out or in the dental business for 20 years is to “chase your dreams”. Take a chance and believe in yourself. And if you’re not scared, you aren’t dreaming big enough.

Reimagining Healthcare: How Predictive Analysis can lead the way to a Healthy India

Rahul Ranganathan, CEO & Founder, Nugenomics

Rahul Ranganathan, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at NuGenomics is a man on a mission. A mission to get people to ‘manage’ their health better with an intuitive analytic platform powered by genomics. Rahul’s desire to seek out the new had him pursuing an MBA in Human Resources Management/ Personnel Administration at XLRI Jamshedpur.

When we were young, parents and doctors would advise us that prevention is always better than cure. Of course, it was up to us to listen to them and take steps to prevent an infection lodging inside of our growing bodies, or ensure we were sticking to the dosage to aid in recovery from a bug.

But, is there actually a way of catching a disease before it shows up inside of us? And, if so, does India possess the healthcare infrastructure to predict and prevent?

Well, there indeed is a way. It is called predictive analytics—or predictive analysis—and it has the potential to transform healthcare in India. A beginning has already been made and although plenty needs to be done to ramp up the sector and ensure it is intervention-ready to stall the relentless march of diseases old and new, there is a lot to be optimistic about.

In the wake of COVID, which has made us all more aware of the importance of focusing on our physical wellbeing, alongside strengthening immunity and avoiding co-morbidities, it is both a boon and relief to be able to fall back on a healthcare system that has the technology and the tools to predict diseases before they strike. For, if there is a likelihood of someone being laid low by an illness that has no known cure, then early action can be taken to reduce the chances of such an eventuality, and allow that person to look forward to living as healthy a life as possible.

Predictive healthcare in India is an emerging ecosystem but one with plenty of transformational possibilities. In fact, today, there’s a better chance that women and men can avail of predictive analysis to find out if there’s even the slightest danger of their health taking a turn for the worse, and, subsequently, to take the necessary preventive steps to reduce or

altogether avert the repercussions of a serious disease—or, even, a fatal medical condition.

So, how does predictive healthcare work? Well, it involves studying a person’s genes, which are a repository of information of the type of disease or diseases she or he might be susceptible to. Because, the human body has somewhere

of the disease. Many ailments are hereditary, so predictive analysis via testing of genes can help medical professionals discover whether the offspring might also be predisposed to the same, and thus intervene to prevent it from repeating in the same bloodline.

Genes and the environment

Predictive healthcare or genetic analysis is all about figuring out, with a reasonable degree of accuracy, if an individual has a gene for a specific disease. What information we do have to go on, is that in excess of 7,000 diseases have been identified and reported globally, of which close to 80 percent are known to have a genetic disposition (according to not-for-profit advocacy organisation Global Genes).

Predictive healthcare, then, promises to be a game changer because study of an individual’s genetic data pool can zero in on any physical or physiological complaints. Once diagnosed, changes in diet or lifestyle habits can be prescribed for the patient to follow to prevent any deterioration or escalation. And with lifestyle disorders like diabetes, hypertension and obesity now more common, brought on by a combination of unhealthy diets, a disjointed work/life balance and exposure to contaminants around us—in the air, in the water and in our food—the use of predictive healthcare certainly takes on urgency in 2022.

between 20,000 and 25,000 genes, and mutation in any of these, on their own or in permutation with others, can give rise to a disease.

Genetic analysis, then, can pinpoint the exact location of the mutation, which can then enable doctors to provide a realistic prognosis

The true potential of Predictive Healthcare comes from the knowledge of the interactions between the genes and the environment. While certain monogenic and rare genetic disorders are wholly gene linked; lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension and some cancers have both a genetic and the environmental component to it.

The true potential of Predictive Healthcare comes from the knowledge of the interactions between the genes and the environment

It hence, becomes important to not only know the polymorphisms in a gene but also how the set of polymorphisms react to a given environment thus increasing or reducing the chance of a disease occurring. An individual can’t change her gene but she can change her environment, which is the food that she eats, the air she breathes, and where her location is—in other words, the very environment in which the gene is expressing itself. And, it is only through a full understanding of the environment, and of the gene, that a correct prediction can be reached.

For instance, an individual might have a genetic disposition to a certain disease but if he is able to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle, that disease might never manifest itself in him. If, though, he is not genetically disposed to a specific disorder but has a lifestyle that’s out of sync by a long way, there’s every chance he could end up being affected by that very disorder. Therefore, a complete 360 degree view of the individual is necessary to correctly prognose a condition and develop interventions to rehabilitate or prevent the disorder in question.

Changing the game

Not surprisingly, India lags behind the west by around a decade, but it is catching up. The market for predictive healthcare is growing at 30 percent, with the number of genetic tests increasing as the cost of each test comes down. Further, tests which once took weeks can now be done in a matter of hours. The technology may be out of reach of the majority but it will, hopefully, become more accessible—and more affordable—to a bigger chunk of the Indian population in the next 10 years.

Yet, to scale up predictive healthcare and make it more effective, much more biological data needs to be gathered to build a gene pool that can guarantee consistent, and consistently reliable, predictions, to the point where incurable ailments like cancer—even heart attacks and strokes—can be prognosed, detected and diagnosed as early as possible. Further, every intervention would have to be tailored for the patient, according to her body, lifestyle and previous medical history.

While nothing, not even the most advanced technology, can forecast any outcome with 100 percent precision, predictive healthcare gets close. At a time when Indians in their thousands, having lived through a pandemic, have had to deal with mortality on an almost daily basis, leaving them more wary—paranoid, even— about their health, such certitude is comforting.

For, the lack of a diagnosis creates uncertainty, while an incomplete prognosis only increases concerns for the patient and their family. Predictive healthcare does away with all the ambiguity and doubt. Early diagnosis and better prognosis paves the way to preventive or curative treatment. Meanwhile, at a national level, an overall improvement in a country’s health indices can only lead to an uptick in life expectancy.

To conclude, there’s plenty going for predictive analysis in the domain of Indian healthcare. The challenge will be to bring millions more into the ambit of genetic testing, which will add to the gene database that already exists, and widen the scope of predictive profiling. The more genetic diversity there is in the database, the better the chances of predictive healthcare being successful in India. Truly, predictive analysis can lead the way to a healthier India.

JOHN NORRIS FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, SAFELY2PROSPERITY

On a Humanitarian and Business Mission to Make the World a Kinder & Safer Place

Hon. John Norris, JD, MBA, the Founder & Executive Chairman of Safely2Prosperity (S2P), is an awardwinning, inventive leader in health policy, law, and management at the US FDA and at Harvard. He holds decades of highly recognized success in advanced risk management and complex problem-solving. He was in his late thirties when he co-led the reform of the US FDA. He is now a businessman.

At S2P, John plays an instrumental role in scaling the company to great heights of success through his expertise, strategic vision, and

focus on needed prevention preparedness and proactive user actions.

How Does Safely2Prosperity Help in Keeping Employees Safe & Enterprises Productive?

In 2019, John established Safety2Prosperity (S2P) LLC, a health and healthcare riskmanagement software company in Boston, Massachusetts. S2P's focus is on helping customers prepare for and prevent, mitigate, and control, as well as manage COVID-19 and variants spread at work and home, using

John Norris Founder & Executive Chairman, Safely2Prosperity

Our role is to ‘save lives’ in every sense of that phrase— from physical to mental to psychological to financial. (Saving enterprises and jobs)

John Covender, CEO

a unique strategy. It is the first company in the world that has rejected the historic, much-failed, top-down approach to managing pandemics, such as closing economies and isolating people. Instead, John and his team used their insights to create an advanced bottom-up approach involving the creation of at-work and at-home sanctuaries.

"Our approach neither closes economies nor isolates people. Instead, it uses our very advanced (nearly five years in the making) software as a service (SaaS) software platform to create, maintain, and, when challenged, to sustain, sanctuaries at work and at home to keep people at work or at school, not perfectly, but at a very high level of safety," further explains John. "When people fear for themselves or their families, their productivity crashes, leading to temporary or permanent enterprise closures."

Conquering Challenges like a Pro

S2P is taking all measures to build an impactful marketing strategy that will lead the company towards its ultimate goal of saving hundreds of thousands enterprises and millions of lives in the US and worldwide

As health and healthcare risk management service providers, each member of S2P works devotedly towards empowering employees, students, teachers, and others to return to work/school safely and productively--while simultaneously protecting their families and homes from infectious diseases like COVID-19 and its variants. "Our role is to 'save lives' in every sense of that phrase—from physical to mental to psychological to financial, and jobs," shares John.

However, according to John, S2P's primary pain point is US and global marketing. Unlike other industries, health and healthcare risk management marketing challenges are incredibly complex. However, S2P is taking all measures to build an impactful marketing strategy to

fulfill its ultimate goal of saving hundreds of thousand enterprises and millions of lives in the broadest sense.

Personal Sources of Inspiration

John's most significant sources of inspiration are his family and teachers, who helped shape him into today's thoughtful leader. "My parents and grandparents were kind souls who shaped me by example. And since, my wife, teachers, friends, colleagues, children, and grandchildren have done the same," asserts John. He further considers himself fortunate in many ways; first, to be surrounded by amazing, kind-hearted people from whom he has learned so much, and second to have been born with a highly noticeable congenital disability. At times, John faced severe bullying over his disadvantage. But, instead of wallowing in self-pity or feeling remorseful, John developed a deep empathy for others. "It informs me daily of the plight of others and empowers me enormously to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves," states John.

"Moreover, one must acknowledge and aggressively pursue their duty toward reshaping the world, so it becomes a kinder and gentler place for everyone. And make it happen, especially for those with disadvantages of any kind, including various skin color, birth injuries, mental health challenges, poverty, or military injuries. Good health and significant access to good healthcare are two of the fundamental rights of every human being, and I intend to make positive contributions towards them."

An Inspirational Figure to Many

Throughout his professional career, John has been and continues to be an inspiration to

many. People look up to him for his guidance and respect his decisions. From high school class vice president to college fraternity president to the family leader to 2nd-incommand at the US FDA to Editor-In-Chief of two academic journals to board chairman, CEO, or COO of numerous enterprises, John has donned many hats and excelled in most of them. "Often, I was reluctant to take on the role, and sometimes even failed, but I always did my very best, for society and investors, and the members of my team," says John.

John is also an influential orator who has delivered over 300 talks around the world, taught hundreds of students at Harvard, mentored dozens of young executives, counseled many friends, written or edited hundreds of articles and business documents, and created many social and business strategies for the success of others. He has also been a recipient of distinguished and coveted awards. That's a massive list of accomplishments. But what John truly wants is to make a significant impact on his family, friends, peers, customers, benefactors, investors, and humanity.

Turning Setbacks into Triumphs

Over the years, John has been physically injured many times, from broken bones to concussions to enhanced fear to nearly dying during surgery three times—and he risked his life to save three lives.

John, however, shares that each episode only strengthened his understanding of how fragile life is. Anything can happen within seconds without any forewarning or reason. Yet, as humans, our job is serving for the betterment

of humanity in whatever and whichever ways and as often as we can.

A Day in the Life of a Leader

As the Founder & Executive Chairman of S2P, John supports his successor CEO, John Covender, and guides the marketing and reseller teams. Although many believe S2P's flagship infectious-disease-spread risk management software is the best in the world, John continues to find ways in which it can be improved and reach its highest potential impact. He also continues to figure out avenues in which he can lower the cost of their product while it remains significantly

profitable--so that certain governments, foundations, or charities can avail it to support the unmet health and healthcare needs of the most financially challenged people worldwide. John's teammates share this value.

On a personal front, John is an enormous sports enthusiast. Before his injuries, John used to play five sports, including tennis. He now mostly goes on a walk with his daughter, Patricia, or his dog, Luna, after finishing work. John also loves attending sporting events that his grandchildren participate in and excel at. Likewise, he enjoys watching basketball and is a huge fan of Marcus Smart, The Boston Celtics' top star.

Although S2P’s flagship infectiousdisease-spread risk management software is regarded as the best in the world, John continues to find ways in which it can be improved and reach its highest potential

HEALTHCARE LEADERS

LONNIE BUCHANAN CHIEF ARCHITECT AND EXECUTIVE SECURITY DIRECTOR, VERACITY SOLUTIONS

A Purpose-Driven Leader, Striving to Change the World for the Better

Lonnie Buchanan is the Chief Architect and Executive Security Director at Veracity Solutions. Donning many hats with ease, Lonnie is a thought leader, an influential public speaker, and a technology futurist. Most importantly, Lonnie is driven by a mission to create a world where all people can access healthcare tools and treatments that can change their lives.

Personal Life Experiences

Raised in rural America, Lonnie experienced poverty and a lack of proper living conditions.

This is a bond Lonnie shares with his wife who experienced similar conditions as a child. Later, after becoming a father of hard of hearing and ADHD children and experiencing the difficulties of treatment, diagnosis, and cost, Lonnie’s resolve intensified to make an impact for patients and their families.

Lonnie initially started his career in the public utility sector but found his true calling in the healthcare industry. Lonnie shares one memorable anecdote in his career: "Several years ago, while speaking at a conference, I made a startling comment that ‘I save babies.’

Transformational change in healthcare takes extra energy, effort, and time – and that’s something all of us at Veracity Solutions are dedicated to

Lonnie Buchanan Chief Architect and Executive Security Director, Veracity Solutions

This simple statement became one of the drivers of my career. I am not a doctor or a nurse, but my work is behind the scenes, creating technology clinicians can use to make a difference.” Lonnie is devising new strategies and techniques to allow greater patient access at lower costs.

Lonnie’s team gifted him with a memorial board filled with little ‘baby onesie’ cut-outs marked with the date that a baby was saved using the program he helped to create.

Playing a Strategic Role

In 2019, Lonnie joined Veracity Solutions as its Chief Architect and Executive Security Director. In his current role, Lonnie oversees all architecture and development across various industries, including healthcare, utilities, digital producers, finance, and manufacturing. He also represents the healthcare studio and provides direct mentoring, management, and solutions design for numerous national

clients. In addition, he is responsible for supervising Veracity Solutions’ security experts and security engagements.

Besides these, Lonnie helps ensure the alignment of strategic direction and information assets across the enterprise. He also monitors where Veracity’s client organizations are headed and how to fulfil customer expectations.

Veracity Solutions: The Most Reliable Business Transformation Partner in the Cloud

Founded in 1998, Veracity Solutions serves customers in highly regulated fields with elite services and consultation in Public Cloud IT Transformation. The company strongly focuses on forging close relationships with business and technology leaders – bringing these two sides together to transform ideas into solutions. As a result, clients benefit from Veracity Solutions’ key partnerships with AWS, Azure, and others

to deliver the best available technology and solutions to solve their unique business problems. In addition, Veracity experts are highly recognized thought leaders who help organizations identify and achieve critical business goals and lift their teams in the process.

Currently, Veracity team members are fully remote and located from coast-to-coast in all U.S. time zones. The company’s founders are also actively involved with the team in creating new digital pathways for healthcare, finance, energy, and technology organizations. “Transformational change in healthcare takes extra energy, effort, and time – and that’s something all of us at Veracity Solutions are dedicated to,” asserts Lonnie.

digital pathways for diagnosis and treatment became vital during the lockdown. Because of its strong body of work in this sector, Veracity Solutions was able to attract new business when many organizations struggled to retain existing clients. He goes on to say that the pandemic and its ongoing challenges to public health are yet another galvanizing reason why organizations need to invest in the public cloud to leverage cost savings, unlock new digital revenue streams, and explore further avenues for innovation.

Successful Case Study

Founded in 1998 on Utah’s Silicon Slopes, Veracity Solutions has served customers in highly regulated fields with elite services and consultation in Public Cloud IT Transformation

Lonnie shares a success story where one of the largest healthcare IT organizations in the U.S. sought out Veracity Solutions to expand access and visibility to clinical trials.

Experts from Veracity Solutions created a custom platform, providing doctors and researchers secure access to de-identified patient data. Veracity developers also built a CID/CD pipeline to leverage the client's own investment in Azure, automated QA, did extensive UX work, and coached client teams to ensure longterm project ownership.

Not only did this new application accelerate timelines for filling clinical trials, but solved previous barriers to interoperability with the creation of a shared language now leveraged by all those connected to the system. This led to better patient outcomes and further innovation in the life sciences and healthcare industry.

Attracting New Clients During Pandemic

According to Lonnie, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of innovations in healthcare. Technologies such as telehealth, online pharmacies, and other

A Transformational Leader

“I desire to bring an awareness and appreciation for dedicated teamwork and unity across the entire organization,” shares Lonnie. He says

that everyone has good days as well as bad days. However, Lonnie likes to bring a sense of consistency and continuity, which helps create an environment where everyone learns to support and build each other up. Additionally, he strives to bring approachability and responsibility to the workplace where others feel comfortable reaching out to him.

Other than being an inspiring team leader, Lonnie is someone who finds happiness in doing things for others. Whether it is defending the rights of the deaf and hard of hearing community, supporting the needy through outreach and mission work in Africa, or becoming an advocate for those neglected by the system, he counts these as some of his best personal achievements.

Mantras to Overcome Obstacles

Like other industry leaders, Lonnie also comes across similar primary issues such as resources,

cost, and time. However, he feels that to overcome these challenges, a balance must be reached between three important things: First, setting expectations with employees early on is critical to success; secondly, having good communication with them helps to reduce negative impact; and third, a unified clear goal is one of the best ways for every team member to come together and share in the success.

A Day in the Life of a Leader

For Lonnie, each day is different at work, however, he ensures to change and adapt to varying situations. Moreover, his work takes up most of his day, so Lonnie considers himself fortunate to have a very understanding spouse. He further shares that his family lives on a farm which allows him to focus on other tasks that are very different from his work. A combination such as this allows Lonnie to find peace and calm away from many daily stresses.

Forthcoming Plans

Veracity Solutions plans to expand its team and expertise along with a continued emphasis on healthcare. In addition, the company is working on the latest advancements and trends in AI and ML, owing to a lot of attention being placed on data and strategic support.

With the changes in regulations and the residual effects of the pandemic, many are shifting the way they do business. These changes can be very disruptive and daunting to an organization. “We strive to create approaches that allow a company to ease into the technologies but not lose momentum as they grow and adapt to an ever-changing industry,” remarks Lonnie.

EVOLUTION OF NUTRACEUTICAL INDUSTRY AND REGULATION IN INDIA

Dr. Anish Desai, MD Nutraceutical Physician, Founder and CEO, IntelliMed Healthcare Solutions

Dr. Anish Desai is a trained Clinical Pharmacologist and Pharmaceutical Physician with 3-decade experience in academia, research, and healthcare industry. He has been a recipient of the prestigious Charles R. Ream “Award of excellence”; and the “U.K. Sheth Award” for his stupendous work in the area of research. Dr. Desai has been recognised for driving positive change, delivering solutions and developing strong relationships with external stakeholders. Holding a senior management position for the last 20 years and involved in strategic decision-making. He has worked with India’s leading multinational healthcare organisation like Johnson & Johnson India, Bayer Schering Pharma India, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd & Unichem Laboratories.

Nutraceuticals have been increasingly gaining acceptance in India, predominantly for preventive and wellness purposes in health care. Over decades, India has seen the fastest growth in nutraceutical markets and dietary supplements. Fast Moving Healthcare Goods (FMHG) describes India's nutraceuticals and nutritional supplements market, which shows that India has enormous growth potential for growth, given a share of only 1% to 2% within the global market. This industry has risen in the past few years

and recently surged during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and Preventive healthcare has become an essential line of definition.

Current trends for the growth of nutraceuticals

● Globally, the market of the nutraceutical expected to extend from $352.92 billion in 2021 to $658.11 billion in 2028 at the CAGR of 9.3% in forecast period 2021-2028

LEADER’S INSIGHTS

The rapidly expanding global nutraceutical industry has reiterated the need for regulatory guidelines

● The market share of the nutraceutical in India

● The Indian nutraceuticals market constitute only two percent of the global market & is anticipated to extend from $4 billion in 2017 to $18 billion in 2025.

●Development of function-specific antioxidants

Increasing disposable income

the need for preventive healthcare

Growing awareness regarding health and well-being

Constant innovations

Increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related disorders

Increasing number of fitness canters in developing regions

Rise in the e-commerce industry

Opportunities for the nutraceutical industry in India

● The rapid increase of non-communicable & lifestyle disorders (such as cardiometabolic, gastrointestinal, mental illness, bone, and joint disease)

Growing disposable income

Rising patient awareness

Inferior food quality

Awareness of a healthy lifestyle and the need for Wellness

Growth of e-commerce

Emerging treatment protocols incorporating nutraceuticals for disease management

Policy focuses on improving nutritional status

Evolving competitive landscape

The intervention of AI technology

The pandemic has given an impetus to the growth of the nutraceutical industry with growing awareness for health and wellness

lookalike, counterfeit products, confusing the consumer and eroding trust in products.

● Price Elasticity: Though the demand for nutraceuticals is expected to rise significantly, high prices limit their accessibility to the Indian consumer. Additionally, import tariffs are critical for India's market entry while determining final product pricing.

● Limited Public funding: Limited government funding of healthcare and out-ofpocket expenditure by individuals makes a case for the scope of insurance.

● Customized products for local markets: The preferences of the Indian population for vegetarianism or other dietary practices and traditional remedies reflecting social and cultural sensitivities make it essential for brands to be customizing their products to suit the local cultural and social needs.

● Creating nutraceutical brands

● Science-based Nutraceuticals

Challenges for the nutraceutical industry in India

● Evolving regulatory environment: Regulatory scenario is dynamic due to the rapid growth of the nutraceutical industry, ranging from product definitions and approvals to health claims and manufacturing standards.

● The legal and regulatory framework: In the case of the legal framework, corporate law and necessary steps to create an entity in India has been elaborated in FSSA (Food Safety and Standards Act of India) Section 22, whereby compliance with operation in India is mandatory.

● Counterfeit products: The Indian nutraceutical market has a significant threat from

Nutraceutical Regulations in India Nutraceuticals provide health and wellness benefits and prevent and treat various diseases. Vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, prebiotics and probiotics, and herbal supplements are now widely consumed globally, making maintaining safety and quality standards critical. The rapidly expanding global nutraceutical industry has further reiterated the need for regulatory guidelines. Regulations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe are streamlined and have become conducive to developing nutraceutical products. The nutraceutical industry in India is coping with a dynamic regulatory scenario that is currently nascent and have scope to grow and evolve in comparison to international agencies.

India has progressed in developing a robust regulatory framework for nutraceuticals; however, a powerful system and bettercoordinated actions are required to implement these guidelines and ensure food safety

The regulatory structure of nutraceuticals in India has developed after establishing the Food Safety and Standard act in 2006, which brought together eight pre-existing laws into one apex law regulated by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). Since the introduction of this act, the regulatory framework of food products has progressed over the years with regular amendments. The major milestone in the field of nutraceuticals was in 2016 with the introduction of functional food regulations and nutraceuticals. Under these regulations, different guidelines were laid down for nutraceuticals in terms of their safety standards, health claims, and permissible limits of active ingredients and excipients for safe and effective use. India has progressed in

developing a robust regulatory framework for nutraceuticals; however, a powerful system and better-coordinated actions are required to implement these guidelines and ensure food safety.

To summarise, the pandemic has given an impetus to the growth of the nutraceutical industry with growing awareness for health and wellness. The Indian market is witnessing a massive surge in demand for these products; consumers are looking for safe, effective, quality products. The nutraceutical industry is rapidly adopting technology to provide consumers with innovative, safe, effective, and quality products. The regulatory environment is evolving to the advantage of all the stakeholders.

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MARIA FRANCESCA ACETI

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DELTHA PHARMA

Turning Destined Organizational Failure into Tremendous Success

Most individuals fear the thought of their business failing. One such business that was on the verge of shutting down was Deltha Pharma, a pharmaceutical company developing and marketing highquality food supplements. It was facing an unavoidable debt crisis. Helping change the business’s inevitability of failure into a raging success was Maria Francesca Aceti, Chief Executive Officer, Deltha Pharma. “My father, who was a doctor, had invested some money

in this company. Unfortunately, soon after its foundation, it went near bankruptcy. The old CEO had given up, so I tried to save it to minimize his loss, against everyone’s advice,” reveals Maria.

A chemical engineer by profession, Maria embarked upon the journey of CEO of Deltha Pharma at the tender age of 28. She was working at ENEA, a very important research centre in Italy, on a project for the production of electric energy by gasification of coal. What started as a commitment to relaunch the

I am open to receiving advice since I think that I can learn from anybody.

In a society as fast as ours, I strongly believe that we need to update our knowledge and be a continuous learners

company has now become a drive to attain market dominance and recognition as a leading pharmaceutical company.

Bringing the Organization Back to Life Maria took multi-pronged strategic approaches to revive the brand and get it to the marketleading position it enjoys today. She commenced the journey of saving the company from its downfall by earning the trust of her sales agents, customers, employees, and all KGLs. It was quite the ordeal, but she overcame it with hard work and by making a few pivotal changes to the existing business model. “One of the first things I needed to improve was the trust of my customers, suppliers, and employees. I could achieve that. Consequently, it allowed me to save the company,” opines Maria.

Procurement of raw materials was made by investing in the newest and best quality

raw materials, thus making very high-quality products. The next step Maria took was creating a new sales network and going digital with the rest of the world, making e-commerce and onboarding her topmost priority. All these small steps taken helped her manage to get the company back up on its feet and raise its fortunes within a year.

Placing Quality as Topmost Priority

Established in Rome in 2009, Maria took over the reins of Deltha Pharma 11 years ago and has made ‘quality, safety and efficacy’ her motto that she firmly abides by. She believes that for the success of any organisation, a team of dedicated experts is one of the key elements. Maria has assembled a young and dynamic team of various professional figures, engaged in the continuous search for new raw materials and in developing natural products that

guarantee the highest levels of quality, safety and efficacy. All processes are carried out to comply with firm ethical and moral principles, and therefore the products are beneficial for the well-being of the users.

At Deltha Pharma, Maria does not compromise the quality of raw materials, which are exclusively natural and sourced from Italian companies with quality certification. The extraction of the active ingredients is carried out with innovative techniques that keep the structures of the molecules unaltered. All production batches are subjected to strict controls and analysed for the presence of allergens, bacteria, and fungi by external companies. The manufacture of the finishedCurrently, Deltha Pharm boasts 14 products belonging to its portfolio with an extensive national presence catering to over a thousand pharmaceutical wholesalers, cooperatives, and pharmacies.

product is executed in the latest generation fully automated production plant, GMP and HACCP certified, according to standardised and pre-established procedures, carrying out all quality controls regularly certified by competent personnel.

In Italy, Deltha Pharma works in partnership with universities and research centres to formulate and validate products. It is affiliated with the most important company in the category, Federsalus. The company is also associated with AICE for foreign trade. “We work to the highest standards of quality and hygiene. We got HACCP; ISO 9001 certifications for quality and ISO 14001 for environmental sustainability,” adds Maria.

In the relentless pursuit of prime customer delight, Maria, in tandem with a well-renowned University in Italy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, formulated a very special probiotic in 2019. This novel probiotic has

been patented by the university, with Deltha Pharma possessing the exclusive marketing license for the whole world.

Going Digital!

Another lucrative move made by Maria in reviving the brand to its former glorious self was to develop the company's digital marketing and digitalisation strategy. She has been actively working for several months on digitising all company departments, from the warehouse and logistics operation to the administration, from managing the sales network to the marketing campaigns. Maria plans to accomplish this by interfacing different ERPs, CRM and marketing automation software with each other and government databases using blockchain technology. “We onboarded the most important e-commerce platforms in the world, both B2B and B2C, and became one of the best dealers on Amazon and

Alibaba.com. In 2022, Alibaba.com wanted to showcase my company and me as a successful case study. I was one of the speakers on the SMEs day 2022 of the International Trade Centre,” Maria proudly shares.

Another strategy adopted was setting sights on non-manufacturing countries with the successful delivery of several digital campaigns to forge international partnerships. The company signed a distribution agreement with one of the biggest Chinese companies in 2021. Another exciting milestone achieved is the organisation's new headquarters, a modern space leveraged to promote creativity and productivity. Maria proclaims, “It is an open space made of glass and resin where you can really enjoy spending your working day.

I care a lot about my employees. In fact, we implement a system of welfare that includes medical insurance, and we usually close at about 4.40 p.m. With this initiative, people can stay with their children and family; you only need to be well organized!”

It was through her resilience and team effort that Deltha Pharma was equipped to face the Coronavirus pandemic. The organisation employed a proactive approach and imported masks and permeated the market with vitamin D and C food supplements. These moves led to revenue growth of 30 per cent in 2020.

Ahead of the Learning Curve

Maria goes on to tell us how this journey has been a learning process for her as well. During her tenure, she completely changed her mindset. She gained the valuable understanding that she can fail, put in the hard work, and improve her skills. It ultimately led to helping her save

Deltha Pharma through economics knowledge, patience, problem-solving, teamwork, and responsibility. “I build relationships with respect and integrity with my team and always keep my mind open to changes. I am open to receiving advice since I think that I can learn from anybody. In a society as fast as ours, I strongly believe that we need to update our knowledge and be a continuous learners,” adds Maria.

As Deltha Pharma embarks upon its journey into the future, Maria reveals the core areas of interest that she intends to pursue: digitisation, eco-sustainability and exports. She explains, “I have just decided to apply for an ESG rating. We are committed to achieving fully sustainable management. This path is based on maximum commitment and transparency to implement an environmental sustainability strategy that encompasses every aspect of the company’s operations."

Today, Deltha Pharma is recognised as one of the leading pharmaceutical companies facilitating consumers with superior quality food supplements. Currently, the organisation boasts 14 products belonging to its portfolio with an extensive national presence catering to over a thousand pharmaceutical wholesalers, cooperatives, and pharmacies. Additionally, the organisation has established partners in many countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The company envisions launching a new product for its liver line called ‘Epatoril Pro’. In conjunction with this, the team is working on releasing a new line of products made as gummies for women and children by next year. The product will be marketed as ‘Penelope’ after Maria’s daughter.

How Telemedicine is Becoming the Key Enabler for Wider Healthcare Coverage

Anurag Khosla, CEO, vHealth by Aetna India

Anurag Khosla has been spearheading the operations of Aetna India since November 2020 as the CEO. In this role, he is responsible for accelerating business growth and capturing the huge pace of change around digital healthcare in India. In his previous role at Optum Global solutions, Anurag was instrumental in scaling the company’s business and make it a leading global healthcare technology and IT services company. His business acumen and leadership helped OGS become a global market force and expand its reach in North & South American markets, Europe and Asia Pacific. Anurag has also served Wipro BPO at various positions of significance and was responsible for the launch and growth of its three verticals in the Healthcare and Technology Industry. Under Anurag’s leadership, the business has continued to perform well and serve almost 3.4 million customers across India with an ecosystem of primary healthcare services, all pivoting around vHealth at its core.

Telemedicine is an online diagnosis and treatment facility offering quality healthcare remotely. Healthcare providers use telemedicine to reduce doctor-patient visits, provide access to specialists anytime anywhere & support people with chronic conditions without the risk of transmitting infection. The Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated utilizing telemedicine for wider coverage and access to quality doctors.

Equitable and adequate distribution of healthcare services in India has been a pertinent challenge. 72% of the Indian population living in rural areas have limited access to quality healthcare facilities & well trained doctors & nursing care. The doctor-population ratio 1:1456 is also low as compared to WHO standards of 1:1000. While our urban centers are equipped with cutting-edge world-class medical facilities our rural folks rely only on primary health centers which lack even the basic infrastructure.

This is where telemedicine holds the key and can help narrow the rural-urban healthcare divide using the growing penetration of internet and lower data costs in rural India. Telemedicine provides the benefit of interacting with trained medical specialists with improved patient engagement. In the Indian context it is even more suitable as telemedicine can become an important conduit to impart medical knowledge and awareness to train local healthcare workers in remote areas who otherwise may not have access to such researched content.

With modern technology, telemedicine is being extended to other allied areas like electronic scheduling of diagnostic tests, remote patient monitoring especially for chronic conditions

such as diabetes, blood pressure, and bronchial asthma of a person sitting at a remote location. Cloud-based systems, AI/ML and mobile integrated device support can prove to be gamechangers for telemedicine. A patient can easily consult a cardiologist for a second opinion or reconfirm a doubtful ECG or consult a dietician for an ideal diet plan for a bed-ridden patient with multiple morbidities. Moreover, diagnostic services like endoscopy and radiology are also becoming accessible remotely and advancements in technology are leading to sharing of medical data, images like X-rays and scans for better consultations. Further improvements in internet infrastructure, cyber security and electronic medical records can make telemedicine even more effective and easy to use.

Another catalyst that can help bridge the urban-rural divide is to bring digital service assistance providers like citizen service centres, under the telemedicine ecosystem. Citizen Service centres through their centers at Tier 3 & 4 locations educate and help rural communities access essential services digitally. vHealth by Aetna has tied up with partners like Vakrangee to provide access to telemedicine & other healthcare services in rural areas through their kendras which is a perfect plug & play model for assisted telemedicine.

Telemedicine adoption also depends on the practitioners’ competence in specific skills like effective remote examination, ability to handle emergencies, accurate diagnosis, effective communication and empathy that can emulate physical consultation. Therefore, including telemedicine in undergrad and postgrad medical education will be essential for India to be able to scale up telemedicine services.

Private players like vHealth by Aetna upskill their MBBS doctors for telemedicine using curriculum prepared in collaboration with Swiss telemedicine pioneer, Medgate.

Despite its many promising traits, telemedicine in India is yet to reach its full potential. The Government is working towards the adoption and promotion of telemedicine all over the country and has launched several projects like the National Health Helpline (Doctor on Call), Integrated Health Information Platform, Inter-operable Health Records and the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) which includes Digi Doctor, health IDs, personal health records, and health facility registry. Further, the National Digital Health Authority (NDHA) is aggressively promoting telemedicine and regulation of e-health standards in India. Another important flagship Government program, e-Sanjeevani is a doctor to doctor telemedicine system that has been deployed in the entire country under Ayushman Bharat Scheme, giving easy access to various facilities like patient registration, audio-video consultation, e-prescription, and SMS/mail notifications.

Like the Government, most healthcare providers in India are following organic strategies like new service launches, providing add-on facilities and services to their clients, improvising their telemedicine services and integrating it with AI/ML technology to enhance treatment delivery and create new models of care. Encouraged by the success of telemedicine during the pandemic and recognition of it by all stakeholders in the value chain, its growth in India is likely to persevere and play a pivotal role in providing access to Affordable & Quality Healthcare for all citizens.