Be er Health and a better way of life.
Womeninhealthcare,GetyouGoin!
HealthcareIndustryisthemostlargestandcomplex industry,havingacombinationofdifferent sectors.Andwomenbeingapartofit,are climbingtheladderofdifficultiestoachievetheirgoals smoothly Approximately70%ofwomenareinthe healthcaresectorglobally,ofwhich25%areinleadership roles.Thedataindicatestheprogressandgrowthlevelby whichwomenaregrowingintheindustry.Thetransitionis slow,butthegrowthisevident.Leadingtheirpathinthe healthcareindustry,womenaregrowingstronger,beinga rolemodelsforothers.
Womenleadershaveagreatwaytogetthingsdoneasthey aremoreassertiveandpersuasive,willingtotakerisks. Theyarealsofoundtobemoreempathic,flexibleand interpersonallystrong.Theyincludeeveryone,encouraging participationandsharinginformationwiththepowerthey lead.WomenLeadersaregenerallycapableof consideringthe"human"sideofindividualsand generatinghighlevelsofempathyinthehealthcare sector.
Manyorganizationshadthismindsetofmakingwomenfit intothesystemsthataredesignedformaleleaders,butby transformingtherole,womenleadersarecomingupwith newtechniquesandapproachestoleadingtheindustry positively Takingrisksandbelievinginthemselveshelp themgainconfidence.Theyunderstandtheirresponsibilities andarereadytotakecareoftheirpatientsthroughaholistic andhumanisticapproach.
InsightsCarehascomeupwithitsrecenteditionof The5 MostInfluentialWomenLeadersinHealthcare2023 focusingonthewomenleaderswhobrokethebarriersand aretransformingthecompetitiveindustryinthemodern worldwiththeirexperiencesandlearnings.
Hope you have a terrific reading!
-PoojaShah
Senior Editor
Anish Miller
Visualiser
David King
Editor-in-Chief
Merry D'souza
Managing Editor Pooja Shah
Art & Design Head
Mrunalinee Deshmukh
Business Development Manager
Amy Jones
Marketing Manager
John Smith
Co-designer Paul Belin
Assisting Editors
Saloni Agrawal
Art & Picture Editor
Sonia Raizada
Technical Head
Jacob Smile
Digital Marketing Manager
Alina Sege
Business Development Executives
Sarah Wilson, John Smith, Alex Vincent
Assistant Technical Head
Prachi Mokashi
Assistant Digital Marketing Manager
Renuka Kulkarni
Research Analyst
Eric Smith
Sales Executives
Kelli, Bill, Anna
Technical Consultants
David, Robert
SME-SMO Executives
Gemson
For
Circulation Manager
Tanaji Fartade
Ann Gidner CEO Ziccum AB Ziccum.com
Annabel Biggar David CEO and Founder OCO Life Ocolife.co.za
Erin Tournoux Senior Vice President, OperationsSandrine
Piret-Gerard
Senior Vice President, US Commercial
PartsSourcePartssource.com
Ann is a successful builder of businesses, organizations and deals on global Pharma/Biotech arena. She has a solid track record in strategic development and business development, resulting in steep growth
Annabel is a market leader, serving a revolutionary range of organic essential oil blends, aroma diffusers, air purifiers & traditional medicine including Imphepho, Africa’s most sacred herb
Erin has directed supply chain programs in cooperation with original equipment manufacturers and secondary partners at PartsSource. She implemented a Net Promotor Score (NPS) process and active management strategy to execute continuous improvements to the customer experience
Gilead Sciences, Inc. Gilead.com
Ulvia Avidan Chief Executive Officer Tokitus Tokitus.com
International Biopharma executive passionate about transforming patients' lives. Strategic thinker with strong operational experience. Proven track record in small and large countries (Europe and US) as well as in regional and global roles across a range of therapeutic areas and lifecycle stages.
Ulvia Avidan is a psychotherapist with more than 8 years of experience providing therapy to clients of all ages.She aims to help clients make connections, reduce distress around painful memories, and incorporate new ways of being and seeing to enhance their life.
Sandrine's rationale for joining Gilead was trifold: its scientific innovation, its ambition to make this innovation available to all wherever they live and whoever they are, and its culture where each employee can make a real impact.
Sandrine Piret-Gerard Senior Vice President, US Commercial Gilead Sciences, Inc.
SandrinePiret-Gerard'slifebegantobeshapedby healthanditschallengesevenbeforeshewasborn. SixmonthspriortoSandrine'sbirth,hergrandmother wasdiagnosedwithcoloncancer.Despitethedoctors' estimatesthatshewouldn'tlivelong,hergrandmother stayedaliveuntilthedaySandrinewasborn,holdingher firstgrandchildinherarmforafewmomentsbeforedying.
Thiseventwasformative,shapingherpathinlife,and ultimatelyguidinghertojointhehealthcareand biopharmaceuticalindustryin2003,rightafterreceiving herMaster'sinBusinessAdministration.Todaysheserves asSeniorVicePresidentandHeadofUSCommercialat GileadSciences.
Sandrine'saffinityforhealthcareshouldn'tbeabigsurprise. Hergrandparents,parentsandsiblingshadalready dedicatedthemselvestocareersinhealthcare—from physicianstospecialtynurses,tomidwives.Shewas subconsciouslydrawninthatdirectionandknewshe wantedtobepartofanindustrywhereshecouldmakea significantdifference.Sheispassionateabouttransforming patients'lives, Adding More Life to Years and More Years to Life, sothatgrandparents,likehergrandmother,canspend morequalitytimewiththeirgrandchildren.InSandrine's ownwords"healthisaboutlivingwell,notdyingwell".
Asaleaderoverseeingamulti-billiondollarlineof business,withamissionfocusedonhelpingensureallthose whocouldbenefitfromGilead'smedicinesareableto accessthem,Sandrinestrikestherightbalancebetween
trulycaringforpeopleinanauthenticwayandholding themaccountabletohighstandards.
Let's read further to learn about Sandrine's journey in adding more life to years and more years to life.
Sandrine'srationaleforjoiningGileadwasthreefold:first, Gilead'slegacyandcontinueddemonstrationofleadingedgescientificinnovation.Second,theorganization's commitmenttomaketheirmedicinesresultingfromthis innovationavailabletoallwherevertheyliveandwhoever theyare;andthird,thecompany'scultureinwhicheach employeecanmakeameaningfulimpact.
Althoughseveralcompaniesclaimtohavethebestpipeline intheindustry,Gileadisallabout transformative science, whichcaughtSandrine'sattentionfromthestart.Aformof sciencethatgoesdeepertoaddressaparticulardiseaseuntil itissolvedandcanbeprevented,farbeyondincremental improvementsthatyouoftenseeintheindustry
ThishasledGileadtoacureforhepatitisC,totransforming thetreatmentandpreventionofHIV,andtodeliveringthe firstantiviraltreatmentforCOVID-19.Gileadstrivesto curemoreviraldiseasesandevencertaincancersandis drivenbytheambitiontodeliver10ormoretransformative medicinesby2030.
FromtheearlydaysoftheHIVepidemic,whenpeople, specificallytheLGBTQ+population,weredyingfrom AIDS,Gileaddiscoveredanddevelopedinnovative compounds(14ofthem,infact).Thisinnovativeand transformativesciencehasledthewayforGileadto alterthepathofwhatwasonceafataldiseasetoone thatcanbecontrolledandprevented.
Researchshows,whentakenoncedaily,HIV treatmentscanlowertheamountofvirusina person'sbloodtolevelsthatareundetectableand whenpeoplegetto,andstay,undetectable,the viruscannotbetransmittedtoanotherindividual throughsex.Byhelpingenableindividualswith HIVmanagethediseasetolivelonger,healthier lives,Gileadhassuccessfullyturnedafataldisease intoachronicone,with74%ofthepeoplewhoare treatedforHIVintheU.S.usingoneofGilead medicines.
Although several companies claim to have the best pipeline in the industry, Gilead is all about transformative science and making this innovation available to everyone, everywhere.
OtherGileadmedicinescanbetakenbyindividualswhodo nothaveHIVtohelpreducetheirriskofcontractingthe virusthroughsex,apreventionstrategyknownasPreExposureProphylaxis(PrEP).Theinnovationstorydoes notstophere.Foritsnextchapter,Gileadisdevelopinga long-actingHIVmedicinethatcouldpotentiallyprevent HIVwithasingleinjectioneverysixmonths.Thiscould helpendtheHIVepidemicforeveryone,everywhere.
Sandrine'sworkgoeswell-beyondsimplymaking innovativedrugsaccessibleandaffordable.ThroughGilead, sheandherteamalsoworktowardimprovingtheexisting healthinequitiespervasiveinAmerica.
Thesystemichealthinequitieswhichhinderaccesstocare forsomanyintheU.S.cameasasurprisetoSandrine,as thisisunlikewhatsheexperiencedinEurope.Sheexpected thattheU.S.healthcaresystemwouldmakecutting-edge innovationavailabletoallindividualswhoneedit. However,inreality,healthdisparitiesarerampantandare oftendrivenbysocialdeterminantssuchasthe neighborhoodpeoplelivein,theirhousingsituation,their financialstabilityandtheirabilitytoaccesstransportation.
SandrinebelievesthatGileadhasauniqueopportunityto helpaddresstheseinequitiesgivenitsroleinthehealthcare ecosystem.Throughherrole,Sandrineishelpingensure thatacommitmenttoimprovinghealthequityiswoveninto thefabricofGilead'sbusiness.Overcomingbarriersto equitableaccesstohealthcare–includingaccessto medicines–isfarmorechallengingandcomplicatedthan manypeoplerecognize.Itrequiresthebuild-outof solutionsforfasterdiagnosis(throughtesting)andearlier interventionforthosepopulationgroupswhoareatthe greatestriskofillhealthandpoorhealthoutcomes.Totruly movetheneedleandbreakdowntheinequitiesthat disadvantagesomanyinoursociety,acollaboration betweenindustry,governmentandcommunitiesisrequired.
Forexample,Blackwomenhavea40%greaterprobability ofdyingofbreastcancerthanwhitewomenintheU.S.This isanappallingstatistic,andsolvingthisdisparitystartswith educationandmoreequitableaccesstomammograms. Gileadhasprovidedseveralmilliondollarsingrantfunding toU.S.oncologynon-profits,including organizationsfocusedongivingsupport
andbridgingthehealthequitygapinstateswhereBlack peoplearedisproportionallyaffectedbyTripleNegative BreastCancer.
TogetherwithherteamatGileadSciences,Sandrinehas theambitiontoendthe hepatitisCandHIVepidemics inU.S.
SeventypercentofpeoplenewlyinfectedwithhepatitisC arepeoplewhoinjectdrugs.Ifuntreated,eachnewly infectedpersonhasthetendencytospreadthediseaseto 20otherpeopleinthesubsequentthreeyears.Gilead hasacureforhepatitisC,aonce-a-dayregimenthat youtakeover12weeks. Surprisingly,manypatients arenotawareorabletotaketheirtreatment,whilea majorityofthemareunwillingtotaketheir treatment.EliminatinghepatitisCdoestherefore requireanewapproachtoraisingawarenessand meetingpeoplewheretheyaretohelptreatthose mostinneed.Gileadhasmadesignificant investmentsintestingandlinkagetocareto supportgovernmentsaroundtheworld,including hereintheU.S.OnesuchGileadinitiativeis calledHepConnectwhichhelpsaddressrising hepatitisCinfectionratesinAppalachia.
Gilead knows that our innovation will have the most impact on people and patients if societal barriers are removed. All of my Gilead colleagues and I strive to equitably deliver transformative and innovative therapies to people, patients, and the community.
ThesameistrueforHIVwheredisparitiesinhealthequity disproportionallyaffecttheLGTBQ+,Latinx,andBlack andBrowncommunitiesand,asaconsequence,impact outcomesalongtheHIVcarecontinuum.Gileadsupports communityorganizationsthatreachtheseunder-represented anddisproportionatelyimpactedcommunities,addressing stigma,discrimination,andotherbarrierstowell-being. AnotherGileadendeavour,calledtheCOMPASSinitiative seekstocombatHIVintheSouthernU.S.Thisyear,Gilead wasrecognizedasthe"SingleLargestPhilanthropic FunderofHIVCausesinTheWorld".
Innovativemedicinesandmakingthemaccessibleareonly oneaspectofbringingequitytoU.S.healthcare.Ifother foundationalbarrierstoequity,suchasstigmaand discrimination,arenotaddressed,thoseinneedwill continuetobedisadvantagedanddistancethemselvesfrom helpinghands,Gilead.
ThestigmaaroundHIVremains.Enablingindividuals totelltheirownstoriesmakesadifference.
ForpeoplelivingwithHIVtryingtobuildarelationship withapartner,itisstillastruggletosharetheirHIVstatus, evenifthediseaseisundetectable,becauseofthestigma aroundthedisease.
Destigmatizingthediseaseiscriticaltomakepeoplewho livewithHIVfeelcomfortableinsharingtheirstatus.This iswhySandrine'steamhasbeenworkingwithrealpatients intheirpromotionalcampaigns,calledBrandAmbassadors. Theytelltheirstoriesintheirownwords.Thesearestories ofpeoplewhokeepbeingthemselvesinspiteoflivingwith HIV,whothriveandachievemanyaccomplishments.They helpencourageotherstocomeout,withoutfearandshare thenewswiththeircommunity.LivingwithHIVisnotthe endoftheroad,aslongasthepersoniswillingtotakethe necessarymeasurestostayalive.
AtGilead,peoplearedrivenbytheirpurposeofmakingthe worldahealthierplaceforall.Theydeliverinnovative therapiesthatoffernewhopeforpatients.Thismeans makingtheirtherapiesbroadlyavailabletopeopleliving with,oratriskfrom,life-threateningconditions.Italso meansgoingbeyondthemedicineandhelpingtoaddress healthinequitiesandotherbarrierstocare.
In2022,SandrineandherteamatGileadtouchedthelives ofover1.8millionpeopleintheU.S.throughtheir medicines.1.8millionpeoplewhohaveaddedyearstotheir lifeandlifetotheiryears.Thedriveanddeterminationthat SandrinebringstoherteamatGileadandtothepeople, patients,andcommunitytheyserveisbuiltonher experienceandcompassionateapproach.
SandrinePiret-Gerard,togetherwithher16,000Gilead colleaguesacrosstheglobe,isdeliveringworld-class scienceandinnovationtotakeonthemostdevastating diseasesofourtime.InworkingwithGileademployees andthecommunitiestheyserve,Sandrineis expandingaccesstoGilead'slife-changing therapiesandimprovinghealthequitytocreatea healthierworldforallpeople.
Sandrine believes tackling health inequities must be woven into the whole business model. Overcoming barriers to equitable access to medicines is far more challenging and complicated. It requires the build-out of solutions for faster diagnosis (through testing) and earlier intervention for those population groups who are at the greatest risk of ill-health and poor health outcomes.
Intoday'scompetitivemarket,foundingabusinessand makingitasuccessisnotaneasyjob.Ittakesmonths andsometimesyearsofadvancedplanningtocomeup withanimpactfulproductthatpeoplewouldliketo purchase.Evenafterithasbeenreleasedtothemarket,you cannottrulyguaranteetheproduct'ssuccessunlessanduntil youworkonitsoutreachinthemarket.
Additionally,beingafemalebusinessfounderinanation likeSouthAfricahasitschallengesanddifficultiesthat needtobefaceddayinanddayout.Also,makinguseof theavailableresourcestobetterthelivesoflocalpeople andprovidethemwithemploymentandotheropportunities isataskthatmanydonotwishtotakeon.Thosewhotake thisresponsibilityaretrueleaders.Theycomeupwith ground-breakingideastofulfilbusinessandsociety's wellnesspurposesatthesametime.
OnesuchleaderisAnnabelBiggar-David,theFounder. Sheestablishedhereco-friendlyhomewellnessand healthcareproductcompany,OCOLife,inachallenging environment.But,withtimeandhereffortstoprovidethe bestservice,hercompanyslowlyandsteadilydevelopedits placeinthemarket.
Inthefollowinginterview,wetalkedwithAnnabeltoget herperspectiveonthesuccessfulestablishmentofher company'sbrand,thechallengesthatshefacedontheway, andherplansforthecomingyears.
Annabel,pleasegiveusabriefoverviewofyourjourney astheFounderofOCOLife.
Asalittlegirl,mygrandmawouldmixhomeremediesto treatanysicknesswehad,andtheyworked.Thatandthe drivetowardsahealthylifestyleandaneco-conscious mindsetsetintomotionwhatistodayOCO.
Myloveforalternativemedicinesproutedfrommy childhood;ittooktrialanderrorasIwouldconcoct
anythingthatwouldhelppreventmefromhavingtogoto thedoctor.Growinguppoordoesnotleaveextracashfor 'indulgences'likevisitingadoctor.
Friendsandfamilywereresponsivetomyhomemade remedies,soIdecidedtoresearchtheglobalmarket. Alwaysinterestedinholistichealth,Icontactedacompany intheUSAaskingiftheywouldprovidemewithaglobal marketreportontheessentialoilindustry.Theysaid,"sure, itcosts$10000".Ibeggedandpleadedandeventuallypaid $100andofferedthemessentialoilsforlife.Therestis history.
Tellusmoreaboutyourcompany,itsvision,andthekey aspectsofitsstrongholdinthehealthcaresector.
OCOLifeismultipleaward-winningbrandborninAfrica. Itispioneeringthehealthindustrywitharevolutionaryand effectiverangeoforganicessentialoilblends,ultrasonic aromadiffusers,airpurifiers,andtraditionalmedicine, whichincludestheAfricanSacredHerbImphephoand, mostrecently,apremiumpetrangecalledLunaLife.
Weimprovelivesandhavecreatedsolutionstoourclient's healthneeds.Ourproductsaredifferent,innovative, interestingandfunctional,andprovideanexcellentholistic approachtohealth.
Webelieveincreatingalifestyleofharmony,where balanceandcollaborationexistbetweenpeopleasitdoesin nature,withethics,integrityandrespect.Anditisthese corevaluesthatweholdfrontandcentrethathaveresulted inusbeingmarketleaders.
PleaseelaboratemoreonthedistinctofferingsofOCO Lifeandhowtheyareimpactingyourclientsandthe industry.
Wehavemadeone'shomeahavenandasafe,tranquilone atthat.Ourglobaldesignaward-winningAirpurifiersarea
greatadditiontoourrange,especiallyduringthese challengingtimeswefindourselves.
Asabrandourconsumertrusts,wearediversifyingand havelaunchedincrediblyexcitingproductlines,which includetheBeauty,HomeandPetindustries.Withover 60%ofSouthAfricanslivinginpovertyandastaggeringly highunemploymentrate,asapassionateandpurposefully driventeam,OCOLifestrivestocapturetheessenceof economicvaluebyupskillingemployeeswhilereducing ourecologicalfootprint.
Sustainablefarmingpracticesultimatelycontributetowards asustainableecologicalenvironmentforfuturegenerations. Whenbuyingorganic,youareassistinginreducingthe numberofpesticidesusedonourplanetsincethese unwantedtoxicchemicalshavefar-reachingeffectsonour bodies,wildlifeandtheenvironment.
Whatchallengesdidyoufaceduringtheinitialdaysof thefoundationofOCOLife?
Astart-up'sdefaultstateisafailure;asanentrepreneur,you havetoworktoun-failit.Wespentayearandahalfin researchbeforewelaunched.Successisnoaccident;it's hardgraft,perseverance,learning,studying,hustling, grinding,andsacrificing,butmostofall,itistheloveof whatyouaredoing.
We have made one's home a haven and a safe, tranquil one at that. Our global design award-winning Air purifiers are a great addition to our range, especially during these challenging times we find ourselves in.
Ÿ Best Brand in Africa Award
Ÿ Entrepreneur of the Year award
Ÿ Women in Business Award
Ÿ Inspiring Women Leaders
Ÿ Celebrating Women in Business
Ÿ One of the 10 Most innovative Businesswomen
Ÿ Pioneering Women Leader for Innovation in Health Industry
Ÿ One of the top businesses in South Africa to watch
Ÿ Woman of Statue finalist
Ÿ Woman in Business Achiever of the year finalist
Thebusinessmodelofhealthcareneedstochange,which includesprovidingaholisticapproachtopatientsand people.Holisticmedicineisaformofhealingthatconsiders thewholeperson—body,mind,spiritandemotions—inthe questforoptimalhealthandwellness.Theprimarygoalof holisticmedicinepracticeistogainaproperbalanceinlife.
Patient-Centerednessandcoordinationofcarearecrucial. Healthcareorganizationsareshiftinggears;wehaveseen thisfirst-hand,puttingtheirpatientsatthecentreof everythingtheydo.SocialMediaisapowerfultool,and healthcareorganizationsneedtousethisasawaytofurther engagewiththeirpatients.
Asanestablishedindustryleader,whatwouldbeyour advicetobuddingentrepreneursandenthusiasts aspiringtoventureintothehealthcareindustry?
Persistencewilltakeyouplaces,nottalentorgeniusor eveneducation.Rememberthatyourclientsareyour numberonekeytobeingsuccessful,makesuretheyarein yourthoughtseveryday.Research,research,andresearch. Knowifthatideawillworkintheindustryandthenprepare toexecutetheidea.
Itcanbealonelyandoftenfrighteningjourney.Ihave begged,pleaded,andborderlineharassededitorsof magazinesforfreeeditorials.Ihand-wroteletterstoevery singlepersonwhoappearedonthetvshowUndercover BossUSA,DragonsDenUK,RichardBranson,andevery othersuccessfulpersonIadmire,askingfortipsand mentorship.Therewasacommonthreadinthe overwhelmingresponsesIreceived,andthatwasalways havingintegrity.
Governmentsneedtorealizetheimportanceofwomen entrepreneursintheireconomyandinspireentrepreneurial attitudes.Womeninbusinesssometimesfeelinvisible. AfricanWomenhaveavoicethatcannolongerbesilenced.
Wewanttobethechangeandhelpcreateemployment.But itstartswithyounggirlsathome:instilinthemalovefor readingandlearningwhichwillleadthemtoasenseof curiosityabouttheworld.Asthesayingsgo:"Littlegirls withdreamsbecomewomenwithvision"and"Itiseasierto buildstrongchildrenthanrepairhasbrokenadults."
Whatisyouropiniononthenecessityforhealthcare organizationstoaligntheirofferingswithnewer technologicaldevelopments,especiallywhenitcomesto cateringtotheever-evolvinghealthcareneeds?
Wellnesshascertainlyalwaysbeenthecentralfocusof healthcareorganizations,butnowmorethanever,leaders needtoensuretoputinextraefforttoensurethatpatients getwellandstaywell.
Peoplebuypeople,andyouneedtoshowyourcustomer howmuchyoucare.Themostsuccessfulcompaniesare foundedonacombinationoffrugality,wisespending, customerserviceandsuperiorproducts.Youdonotneedto reinventthewheel.
Keeptestingeveryaspectofyourbusinessandthen challengeeveryoneofthoseassumptions.
HowdoyouenvisionfurtherstrengtheningOCOLife's strongholdin2022andbeyond?
AsaproudlybornAfricanbrand,trustedandfirmly foundedonintegrity,wewanttocontinueresearchingand developingqualityproductsandranges.Wehaveplansto exportandhavethreeexcitingtripsinthenextfewweeks toZanzibar,AccraandDubai.
Knownasdisruptorsintheindustry,wehaveplansto spreadthewellnessmessageacrosstheworldandintendto goglobal.Iamhonoredandblessedtohavethesupportof ourgovernmenttonurtureourpotentialandseethehuge impactwecanmake.
Inbusiness,collaborationiskey;byaligningourselveswith otherorganizationswhosharethesameethosasus,wecan changethehealthcareenvironmentandimprovesomany morelives.
AwdHos AwdHos
Healthcarecontinuestooutperformotherindustries intermsoffemalerepresentationatalltalent levels.Womenmakeup66percentofallentrylevelhealthcareworkers—upthreepercentagepointsfrom lastyear—comparedto9percentacrossallU.S.industries. Whilethepercentageofwomeninexecutivepositionsis decreasingandmovingto30percentofC-Seriespositions, healthcarestilloutpacesallindustries.
Inhealthcare,theproportionofwomendecreasesmost sharplywhenonemovesfrommanagertochiefmanager Thatpatterndiffersfromotherindustries,wherethe steepestdeclineoccursearlierinthetalentacquisition stage,thefirstrungofleadership—alsoknownasthe "brokenrung"oftheladder.
Onepossibleexplanationforthedifferencebetweenhealth careandotherindustriesisthenatureofpromotionsat differentlevels,withdeclinesmostprominentinpayerand providerorganizations.Forexample,nursingrequiresa largemanagerialstaff(oneveryflooranddepartmentofthe hospital),andpromotionfromnursetofloororunit managerrequireslessformalpromotion.Uptosenior management,promotioncommitteesareoftenestablished andadditionalqualificationsareoftenrequired,whichcan contributetotheunderrepresentationofwomen.
Below are a few highlighted steps that companies can consider to eliminate the gender gap.
Healthcarecompaniesshouldsetandpublicizean ambitiousgoaltoincreasethenumberofwomeninsenior management.Inaddition,companiesshouldsetemployee andpromotiongoals,processesthatdirectlyshape employeerepresentation.
Toincreasetherepresentationofwomenatthemanagement level,companiescanfocusonensuringthatwomenare representedinallentry-levelroles,especiallywheresenior managersaretraditionallydeveloped.Theycanalsocreate anddevelop"non-traditional"leadershipstylesfromsenior managerstofront-linestaff(e.g.nursesandcasemanagers). Forexample,companiescanofferfront-lineworkers trainingandskillsdevelopmentopportunitiestodevelop theirskillsthatwillleadtohigherpositions.
Organizationsaremorelikelytofinddiversecandidatesfor seniorthanentry-levelpositions.Researchhasfoundthata morediversecandidatepoolcanbeapowerfuldriverof changeatalllevels.Iftwoormorewomenarepresentedfor consideration,thelikelihoodofawomanbeingpromoted increasesdramatically Thiscanbeparticularlyusefulin moreformalpromotionprocesses,suchasthosethat managersofmaintenancelayersorunitsmayencounterfor thefirsttimewhenbeingconsideredforseniorpositions.
Unconsciousbiascanplayalargeroleindeterminingwho ishired,promoted,orleftbehind.Companiesarelesslikely toofferunconsciousbiastrainingtoemployees participatinginentry-levelperformancereviewscompared tohigher-levelones.Mitigatingbiasesisparticularly importantatthisstage.Becauseapplicantshaveless experienceearlyintheircareers,evaluatorsmaymake assumptionsabouttheirfuturebasedontheirgender Healthcarecompaniesshouldinvestintrainingtoeducate allreviewersaboutunconsciousbiasandbuildalliesfor womenearlyintheircareers.Thistrainingcanbeespecially usefulforpayers,whoseunconsciousbiascaninfluencethe promotionrateofmenattheexecutiveleveltonearly doublethepromotionrateofwomen.
Companiesmustensurethatthecorrectprocessesarein placetoensurethatbiasdoesnotinfluencehiringdecisions andevaluations.Acriticalstepistoestablishwell-defined evaluationcriteriabeforethereviewprocess.Assessment toolsshouldalsobeintuitiveanddesignedtogather objectiveandmeasurableinput.Organizationsshouldalso promotetransparencyandcommunicatethefairnessand objectivityofevaluationprocesses.Theseeffortsensure thattheentireworkforceseestheadvancementofwomen asmerit-based.
Womenneedtogettheexperiencetheyneedtopreparefor leadershippositionsandraisetheirprofilestobeconsidered forseniorroles.Thebuildingblocksarenotnew— leadershiptraining,sponsorshipsandhigh-profile engagements.Butmanycompaniesmustredoubletheir effortstoprovideaccessandopportunitiesforfemale workers.Itisespeciallyimportanttodothisinallroles(e.g. doctors,R&Dresearchers)sothatdifferenttalentsare distributedmoreequallyandtheopportunitiesfor advancementareequal.Accordingtothe2017Womenin theWorkplacesurvey,womenwhoreceivecareerguidance anddirectionfromtheirmanagersandsupervisorsaremore likelytobepromoted.Healthcarecompaniesshouldstrive toobtaindataontheeffectivenessoftheircurrentprograms andidentifyemployeeswholacksponsorsandmentors.For example,anorganizationcanconnectwomenwithasenior leaderwhomonitorstheirprogressandsupportsthem.
Theconceptofpromotingwomen'sleadershipinavariety ofhealthcaresettingsgoesbeyondafocusontheindividual andaimsfororganizationalchangewhichismeasurable acrossinterventioncategories.Suchanobjectivemustbea globalinitiativetoenablewomentoachievetheirgoalsin healthcareandmovefrombarrierstosolutions.Hopefully, theabove-mentionedrecommendationscanhelp organizationsfocusongenderdiversitywhencompeting againstattentionandresources.Onlywithlong-term commitmentcanhealthcarecompaniesensurethattheir workforcereflectsthecommunitiestheyserve.
-SaloniAgrawal
Erin
Senior Vice President, Operations
Tournoux
I love the healthcare industry and being employed by PartsSource –from the people to the mission, to the incredible growth we are experiencing.”
TheglobalMedTechindustryis ascendingtonewheightsevery day.Thevigorousgrowthin themarkets,theincreasingpopulation andthegrowingdemandforMedTech productsandservicesareexpanding theboundariesofthehealthcaresector Inadditiontothis,theinventionsand advancementsinmedicalscienceare alsoacceleratingthegrowthofthe industry
ArtificialIntelligence,machine learning,andotherreformative technologiesandservicesarethekey aspectsofthistransformation.Inthis process,everycompanyisstrivingto deliverproductsandservicesthat encompassthepotentialtochange lives.
However,eachcompanyneedsa visionaryleadertoembarkonthepath ofsuccess.Theseleadersnotonlypush theircompaniestopinnaclesofsuccess butalsoopennewhorizonsof opportunities.
Thefinestexampleofsucha personalityisErinTournoux,the SeniorVicePresidentofOperations ® atPartsSource ,theworld’sleading onlinemarketplaceforMedTech replacementproductsandservices. Erinhasplayedavitalroleinthe successfuljourneyofPartsSource. Withherfuturistmindset,sheis helpingtoleadthecompanytonew innovativeheights.
ErinstartedherjourneyatPartsSource asaProductManagerandtransitioned toDirectorofStrategicPrograms, wheresheworkedonstrategic partnershipswithindependentservice
organizationsandoriginalequipment manufacturers.
Shehasbeenworkingfor12years withPartsSource.WhenPhilSettimi, MSE,MD,joinedthecompanyas CEOin2014,hegaveErinthe opportunitytoestablishthe PartsSourceClientServicesteam–focusedonsuccessfulimplementations andtheintegrationofsupplychain solutionsandoptimizedprocessesfor ® newPartsSourcePRO clients.
Inhertimewiththecompany,shehas directedsupplychainprogramsin cooperationwithoriginalequipment manufacturersandsecondarypartners. SheimplementedaNetPromotor Score(NPS)processandactive managementstrategytoexecute continuousimprovementstothe customerexperience.
Forthelastthreeyears,Erinhasheld theroleofSeniorVicePresidentof Operations,withresponsibilityforall operationalaspectsofthebusiness.She hasateamof100peopleacross purchasing,on-demandsourcing, customercare,ordermanagement, returns,warehouseoperations,and logistics.Erinisdrivenbycontinuous improvementandexcelsinthedelivery ofcustomersatisfaction,operational excellence,andemployee development.
Shehasbeeninthehealthcareindustry for17years,workingonboththe commercialandoperationssidesofthe business.Shemadethetransitionfrom theeducationsectorintohealthcare afterspeakingwithafriendaboutthe industry Whatinspiredhermostabout healthcarewastheopportunitytowork
inagrowingmarketandmakea differenceandimpactthequalityof patientcareformillionsofpeople.
PriortoPartsSource,Eringained healthcareexperiencewithTenacore LLC–ahealthcaretechnology companyspecializinginthe manufacturingofmedicalaccessories anddepotrepairofmedicalequipment. WhileatTenacore,Erinworkedin businessdevelopment,working directlywithhealthcareorganizations, andultimatelysupportingthe distributionstrategieswithstrategic partners,andthatishowshelearned aboutPartsSource.
“Ilovethehealthcareindustry,we’re onebigfamily,andI’vereallyenjoyed myjourneyatPartsSource–fromthe peopletothemission,totheincredible growthweareexperiencing,we’ve evolvedsomuchasateamanda solutionprovideroverthelastseveral years,”expressedErin.
PartsSourceprovidesanintegrated suiteofcloudsoftwareand marketplacetechnologytoolstohelp hospitalsefficientlysourceon-demand partsandservicesandempowers vendorstogrowtheirbusinesses.
Today,PartsSource’smarketplace connectsmorethan3,500hospitalsand 15,000clinics,withmorethan6,000 MedTechOEMsand5,000MedTech repairprofessionalsacrossthecountry inasingleintegratednetwork.
PartsSource’scloudsolutionshelp hospitalsincreasetheuptimeof mission-criticalequipment,improve
patientsafetyandmaximize throughputandprofitability
Additionally,itspatentedPRECISION Procurement®algorithmusesthree billiondatapointstoensurethehighest qualityoptionsarepresented.This technologyeliminatesuncertaintyby usingevidence‐basedmetricsto recommendthehighestvalueand highestqualityitem.
PartsSourceisrelentlessabout advancinginnovationtobestserveits customers’changingneeds.Overthe past20years,thecompanyhas evolvedasitscustomers’problems grewinscopeandcomplexity.
PartsSourceservesthemwiththe people,processandtechnologyto deliveramorereliableandresilient medicaldevicesupplychain.Overthe courseoftime,thecompanyexpanded itsservicesbeyondon-demandparts. In2019,itsonlinemarketplacewas expandedtoincludeminorequipment –withthegoalofhelpingcustomers quicklyfindqualityequipmentat budget-friendlyprices.
Today,PartsSourcehasmorethan2300 itemsinitsminorequipmentoffering, includingthemostin-demand, high-qualityinfusionpumps,telemetry transmitters,patientmonitors, modules,ECG,defibrillators,pulse oximeters,scales,andthermometers. In2020,thecompanyestablishedthe industry’sfirstandlargeston-demand servicenetworktosupportits customers’on-siterepairand maintenanceneedswithcuratedand credentialedaccesstoover5,000 serviceengineers.
Eachday,teamPartsSourceworksto deliverthePartsSourcecommitmentto customersatisfactionandcontinuous qualityimprovement.Itscustomercare teamisfocusedongainingand addressingcustomerfeedbackthrough NPSsurveysandutilizesthiscustomer datatoworktocontinuouslyimprove thecustomerexperience.Theyread
everysinglecustomercommentto understandwheretheycanaddsupport andactiononeach,asanopportunity tocreatevalue.
Thecurrentpandemicshinedalighton thecriticalnatureofareliable healthcaresupplychainandput
tremendouspressureonbothsupply chainandclinicalengineeringteams. Theirneedtogaintimelyaccessto productsandservicesrequiredtokeep mission-criticalequipmentoperational forpatientcarehasneverbeengreater.
PartsSource’steamhasrisentothis challenge,andtheyimplemented severalactionsandnewprocessesto
ensurethattheycouldeffectivelymeet theincreaseddemandinaremote environment.
TeamPartsSourcecontinuallyfocuses onadvancingthemissionofdelivering qualitypatientcare.Inadditiontothis, withthestaffworking24×7,theytook thefollowingactionstopromote supplychaincontinuity,whichremain inplacetoday:
Supplier Engagement:PartsSourcehas engagedkeysuppliersofthemost frequentlypurchasedproductsto understandthestatusandoutlookfor inventoryandwillcontinueto communicatethisinformationto customers.
Operational Performance Monitoring: PartsSource’steamsareequippedwith technologyandanalyticstomonitor orderstatusinreal-timeandensure operationalissuesareimmediately addressed.Theymonitordailysupplier performancemetricstoensurethat qualitystandardscontinuetobemet.
systemthatalertstheteamtosignsof potentialsupplydisruption.This systemenablesPartsSourceto proactivelyengageonthecustomer’s behalftoensurecontinuityofsupply.
Continuous Investments:Investmentin additionaltechnologytoobtainmore real-timeinformationfromsuppliersas wellasadditionalresourcestomanage exceptionsthatmaytakeplace.
Supplemental Labor Services: PartsSourceprovidesexpertthird-party clinicalengineeringresourcesto supportclientsnavigatinglabor shortagesaswellasthosewhodesire tofreetheirin-houseteamstofocuson higher-valueworkthroughthe on-demandservicenetwork.
supplychaininterruptionsandpromote resilience.Inordertoprovideproactive communicationtoclientsabouttheir ordersandalertthemofdelays,the CommandCenterRapidResponse Teamproactively:
Ÿ Monitorsopenquotestoensure itemsaresourcedquickly
Ÿ Reviewspriorityandcriticalitems awaitingmanagerapproval
Ÿ Usesexpansivesupplierdatato ensureordersmeetsuppliers’ requirementsandexpecteddelivery dates
Ÿ Monitorsshipdatestoensure clientsarekeptuptodate
Ÿ Reviewsallreturn/exchange requests
Sector
System: Thecompanyleveragesintelligent analyticstopoweranearlywarning
Duringthepandemic,oneofthemost innovativeoperationalinitiativesErin andherteamled,inpartnershipwith theTechnologyteamatPartsSource,is the‘PartsSourceCommandCenter™.’ ThisinnovativeplatformoffersrealtimesurveillanceofPartsSourcePro members’criticalKPIsfromquote requesttofulfillmentbythe PartsSourceRapidResponseTeamto alertourteamsofexceptions,prevent
Itisessentialforhealthcareservices companiestoaligntheirofferingswith evolvingtechnology AtPartsSource, theteamisalwaysthinkingabouthow toleveragetechnology-enabled solutionstoevolvethecompany’s productsandservicesanddeliveran improvedcustomerexperience.
Inrecentyears,theteamhasevolved itsPartsSourceProflagshipsolution addingVisualAnalyticstohelpclients managequalityandcontrolcosts.With VisualAnalytics,thecompany’sclients areequippedwithcomprehensive, accurate,andactionableinsightsto helpguidedecisionsandconsistently uncoveropportunitiesfor improvement.Thetoolenablesclinical engineeringteamsto:
Ÿ Accessreal-timeinsightstosee trendsinspendingbytechnician, manufacturerandproducttype.
Ÿ Identifymissedhardcostsavings anduncoveropportunitiestosave ondepotrepairserviceandminor equipmentpurchases.
Ÿ Measureandimprovequalityby monitoringreturnratesandgoing deeperwithdynamicdrill-down capabilitiesandtrendinglocation data.
Thisyearthemanagementhasalso expandedPartsSourceProwitha system-wideOperationsDashboardto giveclientsreal-timeinsightsacross themedicaldevicesupplychain.The PartsSourceProOperationsDashboard providesonecentralizedlocationto increaseefficiencyandmonitorsupply
chainapprovals,openorders, exchanges,returns,andrepairs, providingclientssomeofthesame real-timedatawemonitorandmanage internallyviatheCommandCenter.
Thedashboardalsogivesclientsaccess toclinicalengineeringsupplychain activitytosupportdailyplanningand monitorteamactivitywithonesimple click.Lastly,theserviceletsclients monitorshippinganddeliverabilityand receiveexchangereminderstoreduce costsandincreasequalityacrossthe healthsystem.
“IfIhadtheabilitytochangeone thing,itwouldbetoaccelerate technologyadoptiontodeliverhighqualitypatientcareacrossallhealth systems.Imagineifeveryhospitalin theworldhadthetechnologyinplace toimprovecost,qualityand productivityofcapitalequipment service–usingevidence-based outcomedata.Thiswould,inturn, improvetheuptimeofcritical equipment,enhancesafety,reducerisk andmaximizethroughputand profitabilityformission-critical operationsacrosshospitalsandclinical sites,”saidErin.
Whenaskedforheradvicetothe buddinghealthcareleadersaspiringto ventureintotheMedTechindustry, Erinsaid,“Myfirstpieceofadviceis thatventuringintothehealthcare industryrequiresaspecifictypeof person–youmustbenimble,thisisan ever-changingandevolvingmarket, changeisinevitable,adaptingand growingthroughitisessential. Secondly,focusingoncontinuous improvementandhavinganeyeon howtocontinuouslyevolveyourself, yourteams,andyourorganizationis crucial.”
“Inanyjob,butespeciallyin healthcare,itisimportanttofeel connectedtothepurpose;itlinksyou tothemissioninamoremeaningful way.Iseepeoplehaveafargreater impactwhentheyfeelconnected. Lastly,tobeagreatleader,youhaveto buildagreatteam.Recruitstrong, resilientleadersthatbringvarying skillstothetableandhirewhereyou havegaps.Continuouslysupportyour teamwiththeirindividualgrowth,and notonlywilltheybecomemore capableleadersinyourorganization, butitwillhelpcontinuetobuildyour skillsasaleader.”
Erinbelievesthatsuccessstemsfrom andstartswiththetechnologyand toolsthatPartsSourceprovidestoboth clientsandemployees,aswellasthe processofcontinuingtotransform automation.Byworkingasquicklyand efficientlyaspossible,thecompanyhas beenabletotakeonsignificantvolume andgrowthwhileproviding high-qualityservicetocustomers.
“Goingforward,Iseeuscontinuingto evolveandinvestinourtechnology, automation,platformtools,real-time reportingforclientsandsuppliers,and ourmostimportantasset,our employees,”Erinconcluded.
Thehealthcareindustryaffectspeopleacrossthe
countryandaroundtheworld.Thefieldhas evolvedovertheyears,inpartduetotechnological advancesthathaveimprovedpatientcare,caremonitoring andotherimportantissues.Womenhavemadestridesas healthleaders,butthereisstillalongwaytogotoachieve genderequality
Inthepast,healthcarewasamale-dominatedfieldwhere womendidnothavemuchroomfordevelopment.While theplayingfieldcontinuestochange,itremainsdifficultfor womentoaccesshigherlevelsofhealthcare.Thispower dynamicisofparticularinterestbecausewomenare typicallytheprimarydecision-makersregardinghealthand careforthemselvesandtheirfamilies.Althoughwomenare activelyinvolvedinhealthcare,theyarestill underrepresentedinleadershippositionsinthefield.
Let’s read ahead to understand why women leaders are significant within the healthcare industry
WomeninHealthSoFar
Womenhavelongbeenunderrepresentedinhealthcare.For example,whentheAffordableCareActwasdebatedin Washington,theSenatemajoritydecidedtocreatehealth care.Thatgroupincluded13menbutnowomen,which upsetmanywomenwhoworkedtirelesslytoovercome genderinequalityintheindustry
Assmallchangesoccurinindividualhealthcare organizations,changescanoccurmorebroadly.According totheWorldEconomicForum,thenumberofwomen directorsofFortune500companiesincreasedby80percent inMarch2022comparedtoJune2021(andincreased
tenfoldsince2002).Whilethisstillonlymakesupanunfair 8percentofallFortune500companies,thosenumbersmay continuetogrowaswomenbringtheirexpertiseand innovationtohealthcarecompaniesaroundtheworld.
Whilesomeindustrieshaveseensignificantincreasesin womeninleadershippositions,thehealthcareindustry continuestolag.Asof2015,thenumberofwomenin leadershippositionsintheindustryhasremainedquitelow Only15.3%ofhealthcareexecutiveswillbewomenin 2021,accordingtoaJAMANetworkOpenstudy
Accordingtothesamestudy,only15.8%ofCEOsofhealth insurancefundswerewomen.
Womenashealthleadersstillfaceculturalbias.Inthe UnitedStates,only8percentofFortune500CEOpositions in2021wereheldbywomen,asreportedbyBecker's HospitalReview Thesamereportfoundthatonly6percent ofCEOrolesinS&P500companieswereheldbywomen. Lowrepresentationislinkedtothemisconceptionthat womencannotorshouldnotlead.
Organizationswithdiversityandinclusionprogramsstrive toincreasethenumberofwomenpromotedorincludedin seniorroles.
AstudypublishedinJAMANetworkOpenfoundthat femaleCEOstendedtoleadcompanieswithboardswitha higherpercentageofwomenthanotherboards.Inaddition, ahigherrepresentationoffemaleCEOsiscorrelatedwitha highpercentageofwomeninthemanagementofhealth insurancegroups.Thestudyfoundthatwomenfilled anywherefrom20to50percentofexecutivepositions(not justCEOs)inhealthinsurancegroupsandhealthsystems.
Womenperformwellinseveralmanagementareasthatare criticaltothehealthcareindustry.Forexample,a2021 studybyMcKinseyandCompanyandLeanin.orgfound thatin23companiesintheUnitedStatesandCanada, womensurpassedmeninthefollowingindicators:
Ÿ Providingemotionalsupporttoemployees:19%ofmen and31%ofwomen.
Ÿ Consideringemployeewell-being:5%ofmenvs.61% ofwomen.
Ÿ Helpingemployeeswithwork-lifechallenges:2%of menvs.29%ofwomen.
Ÿ Measurestopreventortreatemployeeburnout:16%of menvs.21%ofwomen.
Ÿ Diversity,equalityandinclusioneffortsmanagement andsupport:7%ofmenvs.11%ofwomen.
Theseandmanyothertransformativeleadershipqualities enablewomentoleadeffectivehealthcareorganizations thatareefficientandequitable.
Womenhealthcareexecutiveswhowanttoadvanceintheir careersfaceanumberofcomplexchallenges.Oneofthe mostdifficultobstaclesistheso-called"doublebind"in evaluatingwomenforC-levelpositions.Thisdoublebind suggeststhatwomenarejudgednotonlyontheir achievementsandtechnicalskillsbutalsoonhowwelltheir imageandperformancematchthecompany'sperceptionof afemalemanager.
Somecurrentleadersinthefieldarebiasedtowardwomen inleadershippositionsbecausethat'showit'salwaysbeen inhealthcare.Meninfluenceanddefinemanyofthe expectationsofleaders.Whenwomenarepromotedto seniorpositions,theyoftenworkinservice-orientedroles ratherthanstrategicandoperationalroles.
Womenwhoaspiretoleadahealthcareorganizationmust takeaction.Continuingeducationisanimportantstepthat canbringnewopportunities,insightsandconnectionstothe field.Womenshouldalsocreateacomprehensivestrategy tomaximizetheirleadershipskillsandfocuson:
Ÿ Aligningthestrategicdirectionoftheorganizationwith itsindividualgoals.
Ÿ Developingthestrengthsnecessarytobecomeleaders.
Ÿ Rememberingthedynamicnatureofinnovative healthcare.managerswhocanimprovethebottomline whileprovidingbettercare.
Whenyouspendoveradecadeinthefieldof psychotherapy,youlearnalotofthings.Ulvia Avidan,theChiefExecutiveOfficerstarted herjourneybyrealizingthatalotofpeopleneedtherapy. However,theirweakmomentsarecapturedbycompanies whoaretryingtocapitalize.
Atsomepoint,shestoppedwaitingforapositivechange andbegantotakerealaction.In2020,shejoinedtogether willpeoplefromIT,businessandpsychotherapy—to launchTokitus,anonlineplatformthatwouldunite qualifiedandexperiencedtherapistsworldwide.
InaninterviewwithInsightsCare,Ulviasharesherjourney ofestablishinganonlinetherapythateachoneofus deserves.Therapythatisaffordable.Therapythatconnects youtosomeoneyoucouldtrust.
Following are the excerpts from the interview:
Kindlytellusthesourceofinspiration.Whatledyouto ventureintohealthcare?
Growingup,Ihadachildhoodfilledwithavarietyof eventsandemotions.Iwasalwaysfascinatedbyhowmy ownemotionsandbehaviorswereshapedbymy experiencesandthoseofthepeoplearoundme.Mymother, amedicaldoctor,hadalotofbooksrelatedtohealthat home.WhileatfirstIwasscaredofthosebooks,later,I becamemoreandmorefascinatedbythem.Thisexposure tothehealthcarefieldpiquedmyinterestintheworkingsof thehumanmindandbody
AsIgrewolder,Ifoundmyselfincreasinglyuncomfortable withthetraditionaleducationsystem.Ifeltthatitdidn't fullycapturethecomplexitiesofthehumanmindandIwas seekingmore.Istartedexploringalternativewaysof learningandunderstandingthehumanmindandeventually discoveredthefieldofmentalhealth.
Throughoutmychildhood,Iobservedmygrandparentsgo throughdementiawhichhadaprofoundimpactonme.I witnessedfirsthandhowdementiacanaffectaperson's abilitytofunctionandcommunicate,andhowitcanbe distressingforboththepersonandtheirlovedones.This experiencesolidifiedmydesiretohelpothersnavigatetheir ownemotionsandbehaviorswhicheventuallyledmeto pursueacareerinpsychotherapy
AnothersourceofinfluencewasabookaboutJackthe Ripperfromthelibraryinmyteenageyears.Iwassurprised andshockedatwhatahumanbeingiscapableofandhow upbringingcaninfluencethepsyche.Thisfurtheraddedto mycuriosityanddesiretounderstandtheinnerworkingsof themindandhowitcanleadtosuchactions.Italsoledme tobelievethatunderstandingtherootcauseofsuchactions isnecessarytopreventthem.Theseandmanyother emotionallyenrichedeventsdirectedmyprofessionalpath.
Briefusaboutyourselfandshedsomelightonyour journeytowardsbecomingapartofTokitus.
MyjourneybeganataprivateuniversityinEstoniawhereI studiedpsychologyinmyfirstyear.OnthesecondIwas acceptedintoanErasmusprogramandtransferredtoa universityinLithuaniatostudyforensicpsychology
However,uponmyreturntoTallinntofinishmy undergraduatedegree,Iwasfacedwithunexpected challenges.Theuniversityhadclosedthepsychology departmentandthegroupofaround15studentswas transferredtoTallinnUniversity There,weweremetwith anunwelcomingreceptionanddisrespectfultreatmentfrom thedepartmentofpsychology.Oneexamplewasa professorwhowouldcometoalecturewithabookcovered sothatstudentswouldnotknowthesourceandreadfrom thatbookatheoryofpsychologyforhours.Bytheendof myfourthyear,Imadethedifficultdecisiontoleavethe universitywithoutfinishingitasitbecameapparenttome
Imagine a world where, just like purchasing a gym membership or stocking up on nutritious foods, investing in therapy is a regular part of our monthly budget. But this isn't just a dream, it's something that can become a reality if we start spreading the word and promoting this initiative.
Ulvia Avidan Chief Executive Officer Tokitus
thatitwasawasteofmytime.Despitethesedifficulties,I remaineddevotedtothefield.
MynextstopwasVienna,AustriawhereIstartedmy undergraduatestudiesfromthebeginningatSigmundFreud University There,Iwasastoundedbythewelcoming, professional,dedicatedandinspiringenvironmentoflikemindedpeople.Afterthreemoreyearsofhardwork,I finallyobtainedmylong-awaitedBachelor'sdegree.Ithen wentontoobtainmyMaster'sdegreeandIamnowinmy 3rdyearofaPh.D.inPsychotherapyScience.Throughmy studiesandresearch,Icancontinuetomakeapositive impactinthefieldofmentalhealth,whichwasandismy ultimategoal.
AsIprogressedthroughmyexperienceinthefield,my dedicationgrewstronger.Ilearnedthatmanypeopledidn't haveaccesstotherapy.Thisrealization,pairedwithmy desiretomakeapositiveimpactledtotheideaofcreating anonlinetherapyplatformknownasTokitus.Fortunately,I foundsupportfromtwootherco-foundersoftheplatform whoarenotfromthehealthcarefieldbutunderstandand valuethedemandformoreaccessibleanddiversemental healthcare.
Today,IamatrainedGestaltpsychotherapistwithover15 yearsofacademicand10yearsofprofessionalexperience. Throughoutmycareer,Ihaveworkedwithawiderangeof clientsandsettingsincludinginternationalschools,foster homes,psychiatrichospitals,clinics,universitylecturing, andprivatepractice.
WhatrolesandoperationsdoyouplayatTokitusdaily? Howdotheycontributetodeliveringthetypeofcare thatpatientsneed?
AstheCEOand Co-founderofTokitus,Ihaveavarietyof rolesandresponsibilitiesthatIhandledaily Theseinclude settingtheoverallvisionandstrategyforthecompany, managingtheday-to-dayoperations,buildingand managingateamofprofessionals,communicatingwith clientsandcontinuouslymonitoringandanalyzingthe platform'sperformancetoidentifyareasforimprovement.
Apartfrombeingengagedwitheveryteammemberbehind thescenes,Idedicatesomeofmytimetocounsellingas well.Otherthanthat,Iworkcloselywiththerapistson Tokitustoonboardandconductthoroughbackground checkstoensurethattheymeettheplatform'scriteriafor professionalstandards.Imakemyselfavailableforour teamoftherapistsincasetheyneedsupportorwantto
consult.Wecurrentlyhave24internationaltherapistswho caredeeplyaboutthequalityoftheserviceandprovide therapyin21languages.
Whatisyouropinion,doesthehealthcaresystemin yourareaneedtofocusonimprovingthehealthcare measuresforitspatients?
Well,letmeputitthisway,ifahealthcaresystemwerea party,Europe'swouldbeafancysoiréewithgourmethors d'oeuvresandthemosttremendouswineselection,butthe guestsarestillstandinginlineforthebathroom.Sure,the atmosphereisgreatandthecompanyistop-notch,butthe practicalitiesofthepartystillneedsomework.
Inshort,yes,thehealthcaresysteminEuropedoesneedto focusonimprovinghealthcaremeasuresforpeople.While therearecertainlysomestrongpointsintheEuropean healthcaresystem,therearealsoareasthatneed improvementintermsofaccessibility,efficiencyand outcomes.
Ourmissionistoimprovethequalityofthepartytomake sureeveryonehaswhattheyneedtotrulyenjoyitandfeel theirbest.Imagineaworldwhere,justlikepurchasinga gymmembershiporstockinguponnutritiousfoods, investingintherapyisaregularpartofourmonthlybudget. Butthisisn'tjustadream,it'ssomethingthatcanbecomea realityifwestartspreadingthewordandpromotingthis initiative.
Ifwewanttoseerealchange,weneedtostartattherootof theproblem.Byspeakingoutaboutmentalhealthand educatingthenextgeneration,wecancreateacultureof acceptanceandunderstanding.It'stimetobreakthestigma andencouragechildrentotakeanactiveroleintheirmental well-being.Indoingso,wecanhelpthemgrowintoadults whoaremindfulandaremorelikelytoseekhelpwhenthey needit.
Whatroledoescompassionplaywheninteractingwith andencouragingpatientstolivehealthierlives?Howdo youmanagetodeliverthesametothem?
Compassionplaysacrucialroleinthehealthcarefield. Whenhealthcareprovidersexhibitcompassiontowards theirclients/patients,ithelpstocreateapositiveand supportiveenvironmentthatpromoteswell-being.
AtTokitus,westronglybelieveinthepowerofcompassion. Throughouteachsession,ourtherapistsfosterpositiveand
supportiverelationshipsrootedincompassion.Wehave alsorecognizedtheimpactofengagingwithourcommunity throughmeansofsocialmediaasanavenueforsharingthis message.Asactivistsinspiredtospreadthewordof kindness,empathyandcompassion,wetakeinto considerationourcontentandthemessagewearesharing withtheworld.
Recently,wehavestartedcreatingshortreelsthatprovide moreinsightsintothetherapeuticprocessintermsofhowit looksfromtheclient-therapistperspective.
WhatspecificR&Doperationsareyouleadingat present?Whydoyoufindthoseessential?
AstheleaderoftheResearchandDevelopmentoperations teamatTokitus,Iamexcitedtosharewithyouourongoing
researchprojectontheimpactofonlinetherapy.Aspartof myPh.D.dissertation,theresearchaimstodiscoverhow onlinetherapyhasbeenbeneficialtotherapeuticoutcomes andtounderstanditsinfluenceandroleinmakingtherapy effective.Aspartofthisresearch,weconductedathorough literaturereviewtounderstandthecurrentstateof developmentinthefieldofonlinecounselling.Whilethere hasbeenagrowinginterestinthetopic,therewerestill gapsinknowledgethatthisstudyaimstofill.
Inwhatwaydoyouconsidertechnologicaladvancesto beapathwayinconductingyouroperations?
Iwillsharewithyouaninsightintoanewprojectourteam isworkingon.Itiscalled,ZenShapes,aninnovativevirtual realityplatformthataimstoprovideuserswithimmersive therapy,wellnessandmeditationexperiences.Itisthefirst
ofitskind,offeringuniqueandinteractivewaystopromote mentalandemotionalwell-being.
TheVRtechnologyallowsuserstofullyimmerse themselvesincalmingandsereneenvironments,while guidedmeditationsandtherapeuticexerciseshelptoreduce stressandanxiety,andimprovemoodandoverallwellbeing.Theprojectisintendedtobeaone-stopsolutionfor userslookingtoimprovetheirmentalandemotionalhealth andwellness.ZenShapessolutionwillbeusedin conjunctionwithTokitusonlinetherapytocreateamore immersiveandinteractiveexperienceforclients.Thiswill allowtherapiststocreateavirtualenvironmentwhere clientswillbeabletointeractandexplore,thisisespecially usefulforworkingonconditionssuchasanxiety,phobias andpost-traumaticstressdisorder(PTSD).
Whataresomeofthechallengesyoufacewhen conductingoperationsandhowdoyouturntheminto opportunitiesforgrowth?
Onceuponatime,therewasagrowingfieldofonline therapy Thefounderofthecompany,Tokitus,sawthe potentialforhelpingpeoplefromthecomfortoftheirown homes.However,theysoonrealizedthatnoteveryonewas awareofthebenefitsoftherapyorwascomfortableseeking helpinthisway Theyknewthattheyhadtoworkhardto educatethepublicandovercomethestigmaaroundtherapy
Oneofthebiggestchallengestheyfacedwasbuildingtrust withtheirclients.Peoplewerehesitanttosharepersonal informationandconcernswithsomeonenew.Toaddress this,thefoundersmadesuretoonlyhirefullyqualified therapistsandinvestintop-notchsecuritymeasuresto protecttheirclient'sprivacy
Despitethesechallenges,thefoundersof Tokitusremain determinedtotheidea.Theycontinuetoeducatethepublic aboutthebenefitsoftherapyandworkhardtoovercome anyobstaclesthatcometheirway.
Whatadvicewouldyouliketogivetobudding entrepreneursandenthusiastswhodesiretoventure intothehealthcaresector?
Ÿ Doyourhomework:Researchthemarket,understand theneedsofyourtargetaudienceandidentifygapsin themarket.
Ÿ Network:Buildconnectionsinthehealthcareindustry, attendeventsandconferences,andseekadvicefrom otherleadingprofessionals.
Ÿ Bepreparedforalong-termcommitment:Startinga businessinthehealthcaresectorcanbealongand difficultprocess,buttherewardisworththededication.
Ÿ Embracechallenges:Expectobstaclesandbereadyto adaptandfindsolutions.
Ÿ Bepassionateaboutwhatyou'redoing:Havinga genuinepassionforhealthcareisessentialinthis industry.
Ÿ Continuouslyeducateyourself.
AtTokitusandZenshapes,weplantoexpandourservices andoperationsin2023andbeyondbyconnectingthe worldsofonlinetherapyandthemeta-verseindustry.We believethatbycombiningthesetwoareas,wecancreate newandinnovativeexperiencesforpeoplethatwillmake therapyamodernizedtoolforself-improvementanddaily routine.Ourgoalistousevirtualenvironmentstohelp peopleexploreandworkthroughtheirissueswhilealso continuingtoraiseawarenessofmentalhealthand attractingcompetentprofessionalstojoinourteam.We wanttobreakthestereotypesassociatedwithmentalhealth andhelppeopleunderstandthattherapyisnotjustabout suffering,butalsoaboutdiscoveringjoy.Ourvisionisto provideinnovativewaysforpeopletoaccessandbenefit fromtherapy
