Innovate and Elevate

Shapeshifting Human Health: One Medical’s 30 Year Journey with Former CEO Amir Dan Rubin

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0400

What does it really take to build a healthcare company that lasts?

In this episode of Innovate and Elevate, Sharon Kedar sits down with Amir Dan Rubin, former CEO of One Medical and Stanford Medicine, to unpack a 30-year journey of building in healthcare. From early ideas around telehealth in the 1990s to leading One Medical through its $3.9 billion acquisition by Amazon, Amir shares what most people misunderstand about innovation in human health.

This conversation challenges the narrative of overnight success. Instead, it reveals that the most meaningful breakthroughs require duration, conviction, and the willingness to build long before the outcome is clear. Amir also shares how applying systems thinking from outside of healthcare shaped his leadership across multiple organizations and offers a blueprint for building companies that scale and endure.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

Building in healthcare is a long game measured in decades, not quarters
The real risk is not failure, but never finding out what could have been
Systems thinking from outside industries can unlock innovation in healthcare

As this episode highlights, success in healthcare often depends on:

Time horizons measured in decades
Cross-industry thinking and innovation
Operational excellence and consistency
The ability to persist through uncertainty

Connect with Sharon:

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonkedar/
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate: https:// innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWi1O9RBaPMYuCkKszPYVA
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: https://innovateandelevatepodcast.com/email

Connect with Amir Dan Rubin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirdanrubin
Healthier Capital: https://www.healthiercapital.com/

Organizations, resources and citations referenced:

One Medical: https://www.onemedical.com/
Amazon Deal with One Medical: https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/amazon-buy-one-medical-35-billion-deal-2022-07-21/
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-big-leap-gay-hendricks
The Toyota Way by Jeffrey K. Liker: https://www.mheducation.com/highered/mhp/product/toyota-way-second-edition-14-management-principles-world-s-greatest-manufacturer.html
Stanford Medicine: https://med.stanford.edu/
UCLA Health: https://www.uclahealth.org/

The content shared in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or investment advice. Please seek guidance from your own qualified professionals before making decisions.

Chapters:

(00:00) What this episode reveals about building in healthcare

(02:45) Early ideas around telehealth in the 1990s

(05:57) Why timing and market readiness matter

(07:26) Long-term thinking in healthcare innovation

(10:48) Building before the outcome is clear

(15:30) Lessons from industries outside healthcare

(20:10) Systems thinking and operational excellence

(25:45) Scaling One Medical

(30:00) The real challenges of building in healthcare

(34:00) What it really takes to win in human health

About Our Guest: Amir Dan Rubin is a healthcare executive and entrepreneur known for building and scaling innovative care delivery models. He is the former CEO of One Medical, where he led the company through rapid growth, its IPO, and its $3.9 billion acquisition by Amazon. Prior to that, he served as CEO of Stanford Health Care and held leadership roles at UCLA Health, Optum, and Stony Brook University Health System. Across his career, Amir has focused on improving access, experience, and outcomes in healthcare by applying systems thinking and technology. He is currently the founder and managing partner of Healthier Capital.

About Sharon: Sharon Kedar is a co-founder and partner at Northpond Ventures, a multi-billion-dollar science-driven venture capital firm. Her extensive career includes leadership roles at Sands Capital and McKinsey & Company, and she is a published author on personal finance. As the host of the Innovate and Elevate podcast, she passionately advocates for menopause care and HRT (hormone replacement therapy), challenging the silence around human health XX (also known as women’s health). She aims to help women navigate midlife and achieve longevity by aging with power. Sharon holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a CFA charter holder. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband, Greg, their three kids, and their dog Bo.

This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.

Redefining Risk with Dr. Michael Rubin: On Entrepreneurship, Career Decisions, and Building Venture Capital in Human Health

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In the opening episode of Season 3, host Sharon Kedar speaks with Dr. Mike Rubin about following scientific curiosity across disciplines. Mike reflects on his early training in medicine, his decision to leave clinical practice, and how that transition led him into science-driven venture capital.

Rather than framing career change as failure, this conversation examines coherence, preparation, and self-trust as essential components of innovation. Listeners gain practical context for how scientific thinking, uncertainty, and long-term discipline shape entrepreneurship and investment in human health.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

Why non-linear career paths are common in science and innovation — and how coherence matters more than linear progression
How scientific training informs risk assessment, preparation, and decision-making in venture capital
Why acknowledging uncertainty and saying “I don’t know” is often the starting point for meaningful discovery

Topics Covered in This Episode

Science-driven venture capital and long-term thinking
Transitioning from clinical medicine to investing
Non-linear careers in science and entrepreneurship
Preparation, discipline, and showing up without a playbook
Risk reframed as discovery rather than failure
Innovation grounded in scientific uncertainty
Building ecosystems that support human health research

Connect with Sharon:

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonkedar/
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate: https:// innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWi1O9RBaPMYuCkKszPYVA
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: https://innovateandelevatepodcast.com/email

Connect with Dr. Mike Rubin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mprubin/
Learn more about Northpond Ventures:
Website: https://www.npv.vc/
LinkedIn Northpond Ventures: https://www.linkedin.com/company/northpond-ventures/

Organizations and guidelines referenced:

Northpond Ventures: https://www.npv.vc/
Sands Capital: https://www.sandscapital.com/
Harvard University: https://www.harvard.edu/
MIT: https://www.mit.edu/
Stanford University: https://www.stanford.edu/

Chapters:

(00:00:41) Early Curiosity and a Passion for Science

(00:02:38) Creating a Bioelectrical Engineering Major

(00:03:46) Leaving Medicine at 32: A Defining Career Decision

(00:06:31) From Public Markets to Venture Capital

(00:10:16) The First Investment and Founding a Venture Firm

(00:12:21) Redefining Risk: The Fear of Not Trying

(00:14:03) Building in 2008: Opportunity in a Market Downturn

(00:15:37) Showing Up and Being Prepared: The Venture Capital Edge

(00:20:43) The Northpond Thesis: Science, Alignment, and Impact

(00:29:08) Amplifying the Signal Within and the Power of “I Don’t Know”

About Our Guest: Dr. Mike Rubin is a science-driven investor and Founder of Northpond Ventures. Trained as a physician and surgeon, he transitioned from clinical medicine into venture capital, where he focuses on translating scientific discovery into real-world impact through entrepreneurship.

About Sharon: Sharon Kedar is Co-Founder at Northpond Ventures, a multi-billion-dollar science-driven venture capital firm. Her extensive career includes leadership roles at Sands Capital and McKinsey & Company, and she is a published author on personal finance. As the host of the Innovate and Elevate podcast, she passionately advocates for menopause care and HRT (hormone replacement therapy), challenging the silence around human health XX (also known as women’s health). She aims to help women navigate midlife and achieve longevity by aging with power. Sharon holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a CFA charter holder. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband, Greg, their three kids, and their dog Bo.

This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts: https://www.bravemoonpodcasts.com/

Building a Better Menopause System: Insights from One Medical’s Dr. Erin Duralde

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Innovate & Elevate, Sharon speaks with Dr. Erin Duralde, Medical Director for Women’s Health and Menopause Care at One Medical, about a question that keeps coming up in midlife healthcare: now that we know more, where do people actually go for menopause care?

Recorded shortly after the FDA removed the long-standing black box warning on estrogen therapies, this conversation explores how menopause and perimenopause care can be integrated into primary care, what a modern menopause visit should look like, and how clinicians can better listen to symptoms, history, and lived experience to guide care.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

How Dr. Duralde’s early work as a patient advocate at the UCSF Breast Care Center shaped her approach to menopause care and clinical decision-making
Why menopause education was largely missing from medical training following misinterpretations of the Women’s Health Initiative, and how that legacy still affects care today
What patients can expect from a dedicated menopause or perimenopause visit at One Medical
How intake surveys and symptom tracking help clinicians better understand what matters most to each patient
The wide range of symptoms that can appear during perimenopause, beyond hot flashes and night sweats
How clinicians think through treatment options in perimenopause, including hormonal and non-hormonal approaches
The difference between menopausal hormone therapy and combined hormonal contraception, and why timing and symptoms matter
How testosterone is used in post-menopause, why dosing matters, and how safety is monitored
How primary care providers are being trained at scale to deliver evidence-based menopause care

As always, nothing in this episode is personal medical advice. Please talk with your own clinician about your individual history, risks, and options.

Connect with Sharon:

On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Dr. Erin Duralde MD MPH MSCP

On LinkedIn

Connect with One Medical

Menopause Care, Guidelines & Professional Organizations Referenced:

The Menopause Society – https://www.menopause.org/
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) – https://www.acog.org/
American Urological Association (AUA) – https://www.auanet.org/

Topics & Therapies Discussed:

Menopausal hormone therapy
Perimenopause symptom assessment
Testosterone therapy in post-menopause
Vaginal estrogen for genitourinary symptoms of menopause
Intake surveys and symptom-based care
Primary care–based menopause models

Skip to the Good Part:

00:00 – Why Access to Menopause Care Keeps Coming Up

01:00 – Introducing Dr. Erin Duralde and Her Path into Menopause Care

03:30 – How Misinterpretations of the WHI Shaped Medical Training

06:30 – What a Modern Menopause Visit Should Look Like

09:30 – Why Intake Surveys Change the Quality of Care

12:00 – The Range of Perimenopause Symptoms

14:30 – Hormonal and Non-Hormonal Treatment Options

18:00 – Testosterone Therapy: Safety, Dosing, and Expectations

22:00 – Labs, Symptoms, and Clinical Judgment

25:00 – Scaling Menopause Care Through Primary Care

Please note: The information on this podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional regarding your individual health needs.

About Dr. Erin Duralde: Dr. Erin Duralde is a practicing primary care provider and Medical Director of Women's Health and Menopause Care at One Medical, where she leads menopause care delivery. Before joining One Medical in 2023, she practiced at Brigham and Women's Hospital's Menopause and Midlife clinic in Boston. Erin earned her MD from the University of California, San Francisco, completed her internal medicine residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and holds a Master of Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health. She has completed fellowships in both population health management and menopause management. Board-certified in internal medicine and a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Erin actively researches women's quality of life and barriers to care, recently co-authoring a state-of-the-art review on menopause management for the British Medical Journal. Her goal is to close the gap between research and practice in menopause care through human-centered, compassionate treatment approaches.

This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.

8 Days After the FDA: Breaking Down HRT and Breast Cancer Risk with Dr. Corinne Menn

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Innovate & Elevate, Sharon sits down with Dr. Corinne Menn, an OB-GYN, menopause specialist, and breast cancer survivor, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in women’s health: the relationship between breast cancer risk and hormone therapy. Recorded eight days after the FDA announced it will remove the long-standing black box language on hormone therapy, this conversation traces the legacy of the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative press conference, what the data actually showed, and how modern evidence can better guide women and their clinicians today.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

What really happened in July 2002, and why the WHI press conference (held eight days before doctors saw the full study) reshaped hormone therapy for a generation.
The difference between estrogen alone and combined estrogen–progestin therapy, and why age, timing, and formulation matter.
Why every major professional society (ASCO, ACOG, American Urological Association, The Menopause Society) agrees that local, low-dose vaginal hormones do not increase breast cancer risk, recurrence, or mortality.
The role of tools like the Tyrer–Cuzick breast cancer risk model in understanding your baseline risk - and how Dr. Menn interprets those results in the context of HRT.
Dr. Menn’s own story: being diagnosed with ER/PR-positive breast cancer at 28 during OB-GYN residency, going through abrupt menopause, and later discovering a BRCA2 mutation after updated genetic testing
How she now counsels breast cancer survivors about menopause, quality of life, and when hormone therapy may or may not be appropriate
Practical ways women can prepare for a time-limited doctor’s visit to have more informed, individualized conversations about breast cancer risk and hormone therapy

As always, nothing in this episode is personal medical advice. Please talk with your own clinician about your individual history, risks, and options.

Connect with Sharon:

On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Dr. Corinne Menn:

On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Learn more on her website

Breast Cancer Risk Models & Screening Tools:

Tyrer–Cuzick (IBIS) Breast Cancer Risk Model - https://ems-trials.org/riskevaluator/

Gail Model (Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool) - https://bcrisktool.cancer.gov

POSITIVE Trial – New England Journal of Medicine - https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2215851

Hormone Therapy, Menopause Guidelines & Professional Societies:

The Menopause Society - https://www.menopause.org/

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) - https://www.asco.org/

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) - https://www.acog.org/

American Urological Association (AUA) - https://www.auanet.org/

WHI & FDA Background Materials:

Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) – National Institutes of Health - https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/womens-health-initiative-whi

WHI 2002 Press Release - https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2002/hrtupdate

Publications & Books Referenced

Estrogen Matters – Avrum Bluming & Carol Tavris - https://www.estrogenmatters.com/

Maria Shriver Sunday Paper Article - https://www.mariashriversundaypaper.com/warning-label-menopause-hormone-therapies/

FDA-Approved Therapies Mentioned:

- Duavee (Conjugated Estrogens + Bazedoxifene) - https://www.duavee.com/

Intrarosa (Prasterone/DHEA) - https://www.intrarosa.com/

Micronized Progesterone (Prometrium) - https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2002/20846_prometrium_lbl.pdf

Clinicians Mentioned in the Episode:

Dr. Rachel Rubin - https://www.rachelrubinmd.com/

Dr. Kelly Casperson - https://www.kellycaspersonmd.com/

Dr. Vonda Wright - https://www.drvondawright.com/

Dr. Sharon Malone - https://www.sharonmalonemd.com/

Dr. Heather Hirsch - https://www.heatherhirschmd.com/

Additional Trusted Medical & Genetics Resources

Alloy Women’s Health - https://www.myalloy.com/

USPSTF Screening Guidelines https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/

Myriad Genetics – BRCA and BART Testing - https://myriad.com/patients-families/hereditary-cancer/

National Society of Genetic Counselors (Find a Counselor) - https://www.nsgc.org/page/find-a-genetic-counselor

Skip to the Good Part:

00:00 – Local Vaginal Estrogen and the Black Box Barrier

01:00 – Introducing Dr. Corinne Menn and the HHS Moment

02:00 – What the FDA Label Change Actually Means

04:00 – The 2002 WHI Press Conference and Its Fallout

06:00 – Dr. Menn’s Personal Story: Cancer at 28 and Abrupt Menopause

09:00 – Modern HRT vs. WHI Formulations

13:30 – Time-Limited Visits and the Need for Prepared Patients

21:00 – Knowing Your Baseline Breast Cancer Risk

29:00 – Does HRT Cause Breast Cancer? What the Data Actually Show

36:00 – Breast Cancer Survivors, Choice, and Quality of Life

About Dr. Corinne Menn: Dr. Corinne Menn is a board-certified OB-GYN and nationally recognized menopause specialist with more than two decades of clinical experience. A breast cancer survivor herself, she brings a unique blend of medical expertise and lived experience to her work, helping women navigate menopause, breast cancer risk, and hormone therapy with clarity and compassion. Dr. Menn is certified by the North American Menopause Society and serves as a clinical educator on midlife women’s health, breast cancer survivorship, and evidence-based hormone therapy.

This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.

Special Episode with Dr. Kelly Casperson on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Why do only 5% of women in America use hormone therapy today, when so many did just two decades ago? In this special live episode, host Sharon Kedar sits down with Dr. Kelly Casperson, urologist, author, and leading voice in women’s health, to unpack the truth about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — and how one misleading press release in 2002 changed everything.

Dr. Casperson explains what really happened with the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, how the fear around hormones took root, and why it’s time to write the new narrative. Together, Sharon and Kelly discuss estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone — what they do, who they help, and how new FDA attention may finally mark a turning point.

From brain fog to bone density, motivation to longevity, this conversation breaks down myths and builds hope for the next generation of women — and the doctors who care for them.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

The 2002 Study That Changed Everything: How the Women’s Health Initiative was misinterpreted — and why a misleading press release reshaped women’s health for decades.
The Truth About Hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are made naturally by the body — and modern therapies are safer, smarter, and more personalized than ever before.
Longevity and Prevention: Hormones don’t just treat symptoms — they can protect your bones, brain, and heart, helping women live longer, healthier lives.
The Next Generation of Change: From Gen X to Millennials, women are demanding better care, better education, and better science.

Connect with Sharon:

On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Dr. Kelly Casperson:

On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Learn more on her website
Buy The Menopause Moment now

Additional Resources:

The 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (JAMA)
FDA Menopause Panel Discussion (YouTube)
Dr. Casperson’s book: You Are Not Broken
Dr. Kelly Casperson Speaking at the FDA’s Announcement for Removing “Black Box” Warnings

Skip to the Good Part:

(0:00) Introduction: Sharon welcomes Dr. Kelly Casperson — live from the FDA Menopause Panel

(3:00) The emotional power of restoring hormones — “I’m not angry anymore”

(8:00) Viagra vs. HRT: The gender gap in sexual medicine

(14:00) The WHI study: What really happened in 2002

(21:00) Fear, misinformation, and the black box warning

(28:00) How hormones affect every organ in the body

(33:00) Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone — the full picture

(40:00) The “Lost Generation” of women and rewriting the narrative

(46:00) Testosterone: The forgotten quarterback of women’s health

(53:00) Policy, training, and the future of menopause care

(59:00) The next generation: Why millennials won’t wait to suffer

(1:03:00) Closing thoughts: Every woman deserves the conversation

About Dr. Kelly Casperson: Dr. Kelly Casperson is a board-certified urologist, speaker, author, and women's health advocate. After realizing the significant gap in women's sexual health and hormone education, even within the medical community, she dedicated herself to empowering women through her work. As the host of the popular podcast "You Are Not Broken," and author of books like You Are Not Broken and The Menopause Moment, she uses humor, candor, and science to demystify complex topics around sexuality, menopause, and hormonal health, helping women to advocate for themselves and live their best intimate lives.

This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.

Menopause is Hot with Joanna Strober, CEO of Midi Health

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

What happens when a successful professional is dismissed by her doctor, given sleeping pills for severe perimenopause symptoms, and instead decides to launch a company to help change women's healthcare forever? In this conversation, host Sharon Kedar welcomes Midi Health’s CEO Joanna Strober, who shares her personal story of being dismissed by her doctor and her mission to fix the women's health crisis. Joanna and Sharon tackle the pervasive fear and misinformation about HRT and breast cancer. They reveal the truth and misinformation about the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study. Joanna details how Midi provides expert, insurance-covered care and is shifting the paradigm so women can proactively protect their bones, brain, and heart. This is an essential listen for any woman ready to age with power.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

The Care Crisis and Midi’s Solution: How Joanna's personal experience of being dismissed by doctors for symptoms like brain fog and anxiety led her to create Midi Health, a successful, insurance-covered virtual platform scaling expert care for midlife women.
Dismantling HRT Fear: The truth about the 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, revealing that there is zero correlation between taking estrogen and getting breast cancer (unless you have estrogen-positive breast cancer) and that women on the estrogen-only arm had a 30% less likelihood of breast cancer.
Longevity and HRT: Why the golden time to start estrogen is during perimenopause or within 10 years of menopause, and how staying on it may be essential for long-term protection of your bones, brain, and heart.

Connect with Sharon:

On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Joanna Strober:

On LinkedIn
Learn more about Midi Health

Additional Resources:

The 2002 Women's Health Initiative

Skip to the Good Part:

(0:00) Introduction: Sharon's Advocacy and Welcome Joanna Strober, CEO of Midi Health

(2:00) Joanna’s Personal Story: From Brain Fog, Anxiety, and Marriage Problems to Finding a Specialist

(9:00) Finding the Right Care: HRT, Transformed Life, and the Bone Protection Dose

(18:45) Solving the Care Crisis: Founding Midi Health and Scaling Expertise with Insurance Coverage

(25:00) Midi's Word-of-Mouth Success and Dispelling the Breast Cancer Myth

(33:00) Longevity and HRT: The Golden Window for Bones, Brain, and Heart Protection

(36:30) HRT and Stigma: Why We Need to Talk About Hormones and Staying on the Patch Forever

(39:00) The Financial and Family Case: Midi Patients Cost Less for Insurers

(41:30) Midi's Mission, Funding, and the Future of Virtual Care

(45:00) Conclusion and Thank You

About Joanna Strober: Joanna is the founder of Midi Health, a virtual care platform for women, with a focus on perimenopause and menopause. Midi brings expert care, covered by insurance, to women nationwide. Before Midi, Joanna founded Kurbo, the first digital therapeutic for childhood obesity, which was scaled to help tens of thousands of children worldwide. The company was successfully sold to Weight Watchers in 2018. Before diving into digital health, Joanna spent more than 20 years in direct private equity and venture capital investing in health and consumer companies, including several notable consumer internet companies, such as Blue Nile, eToys, BabyCenter, HotJobs, and Flycast. Joanna is the author of the book Getting to 50/50, a primer on how women can succeed and thrive at work and home. She has spoken extensively to corporate and graduate school audiences on the topic of women and leadership. She was named to Forbes' 50 over 50 list of top Innovators, the CNBC Changemaker 2025 and Time 100 Healthcare Leaders.

This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.

My Personal HRT Protocol with Dr. Rachel Rubin, Urologist and Sexual Medicine Specialist

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

What if aging wasn't about being discarded, but about reclaiming your dignity and power? In this powerful episode of Innovate and Elevate, host Sharon Kedar sits down with her personal doctor, Dr. Rachel Rubin, a board-certified urologist and sexual medicine specialist. Dubbed "The Women's Dignity Doctor" by Sharon, Dr. Rubin is on a mission to fix the menopause care crisis by educating both patients and clinicians. The two unpack the systemic failures of modern medicine, from the misinterpretation of the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study to the shocking fact that doctors are still not adequately trained in women's midlife health. Dr. Rubin shares her five-step "prescribing" guide for HRT, including testosterone and vaginal estrogen, and a deeply personal story about why this work is a matter of life and death. This is a must-listen for every woman who feels like a "hot mess," or is an advocate for a woman in her life, who is not feeling like herself.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

The Midlife Care Crisis: Understand why women are often left to navigate menopause symptoms like brain fog, joint pain, and sleep issues on their own, and how the medical community's siloed approach to care has failed them. Dr. Rubin explains why this is a systemic problem, not a failure of individual doctors.
The "NFLM" Diagnosis: Learn about the "Not Feeling Like Myself" diagnosis that Dr. Rubin uses to describe the common, but often dismissed, symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
The Five Pillars of HRT: Get a detailed look at the five key areas of hormone replacement therapy that Dr. Rubin covers in her course for clinicians: systemic estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, vaginal hormones, and vulvar vestibule cream.
A Call for Dignity: Hear why Dr. Rubin and Sharon believe that access to proper menopause care is about more than just managing symptoms—it's about a woman's fundamental dignity. Dr. Rubin shares a poignant story about a patient who was at risk of dying from a UTI due to lack of treatment

Connect with Sharon:

On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Dr. Rachel Rubin:

On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Learn more on her website
Take the Hormone Therapy for Early Adopters course

Additional Resources:

Find a sexual medicine provider at ISSWSH.org
The 2002 Women's Health Initiative
American Urologic Association guidelines on genital urinary syndrome of menopause
Free trainings on genital urinary syndrome of menopause on Dr. Rubin's YouTube
Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs website

Skip to the Good Part:

(0:00) Introduction and The Menopause Care Crisis

(1:50) What Midlife Care Looks Like with Dr. Rubin

(6:08) Why The Medical System Got It Wrong

(11:00) Fixing the Marketing Problem

(15:15) The Fear of Breast Cancer

(18:25) The Dignity of Aging

(20:01) The Care Crisis and Dr. Rubin’s Course

(25:40) Unpacking the HRT Prescriptions

(26:10) Systemic Estrogen (the "Workhorse")

(30:22) Progesterone

(35:50) Testosterone

(39:40) Vaginal Estrogen: A Life-Saving Treatment

(44:40) Vulvar Vestibule Cream

(46:25) Dr. Rubin's Wish for the Future

About Dr. Rachel Rubin: Dr. Rachel Rubin is a board-certified urologist and a fellowship-trained specialist in sexual medicine. An assistant clinical professor at Georgetown University, she is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for people of all genders. Dr. Rubin is a passionate advocate for human health, working to advance the fields of research, education, and advocacy in sexual medicine. She is a prolific educator, teaching doctors how to prescribe hormone therapy through her online courses.

This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.

The New Testosterone Story with Dr. Kelly Casperson, Urologist

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

What if everything you thought you knew about testosterone was completely wrong? This episode of Innovate and Elevate features a groundbreaking conversation with Dr. Kelly Casperson, a renowned urologist and women’s health advocate who is rewriting the narrative around testosterone and women. She makes a compelling case for why testosterone is not just for men and why it is so much more than just a hormone for libido. Dr. Casperson, whom host Sharon saw speak in-person at the FDA Menopause Panel, unpacks the outdated medical dogma that has created a massive gap in women's health. The message is clear: our midlife journey isn't just about managing symptoms, but about aging with power, which starts with advocating for proper hormone health and understanding what your body needs to thrive. This is a must-listen for every woman who loves HRT and wants to live a better, stronger second half.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

The New Testosterone Story: Learn why testosterone is a human hormone that helps with motivation, energy, and brain clarity—not just libido. Dr. Casperson reveals that female bodies have four times the amount of testosterone than estrogen and why this hormone is vital for longevity.
Barriers to Access: Understand the shocking truth about what’s holding women’s health back—from outdated regulations and the misinterpretation of data that has driven black box warnings to the lack of training for well-meaning doctors. You'll hear why the system is in "catch-up mode," and how doctors and organizations, including the FDA, are now working hard to correct the misinformation from decades ago and bring accurate information to the public.
The Power of Patient Advocacy: Discover why women are turning to sources like Instagram and ChatGPT for medical advice and how this is a sign of a larger problem. Dr. Casperson provides a powerful call to action for women and men to advocate for proper health and to stop accepting a life of struggle and ill health.

Connect with Sharon:

On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Dr. Kelly Casperson:

On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Learn more on her website
Buy The Menopause Moment now

Additional Resources:

FDA Menopause Panel Video
Dr. Kelly Casperson at the FDA Menopause Panel Video
Dr. Heather Hirsch Academy - Testosterone and Sexual Health Course
The Menopause Society
You Are Not Broken - Dr. Kelly’s first book
The 2002 JAMA WHI Study
Menoposse

Skip to the Good Part:

(1:19) How Dr. Casperson Got Into Hormone Health

(1:34) Introduction

(2:59) Medical Education Gaps Around Women's Health

(5:44) The New Testosterone Story

(23:55) The Challenge of Getting Care

(29:33) The Scale of the Problem

(33:27) The Importance of Treating Both Partners

(38:10) Closing Thoughts

About Sharon: Sharon Kedar is a co-founder and partner at Northpond Ventures, a multi-billion-dollar science-driven venture capital firm. Her extensive career includes leadership roles at Sands Capital and McKinsey & Company, and she is a published author on personal finance. As the host of the Innovate and Elevate podcast, she passionately advocates for menopause care and HRT (hormone replacement therapy), challenging the silence around women's health. She aims to help women navigate midlife and achieve longevity by aging with power. Sharon holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a CFA charter holder. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband, Greg, their three kids, and their dog Bo.

This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.

The Truth About Bones and Estrogen with Dr Vonda Wright, Orthopedic Surgeon

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Aging is inevitable, but decline is not. This episode of Innovate and Elevate features a powerful conversation with Dr. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic surgeon and advocate for aging with power. She makes a compelling case for women to take control of their health long before menopause, starting in their 30s and 40s, or even earlier. Using the moving story of her patient, Miriam, who suffered a preventable hip fracture, Dr. Wright highlights the critical, often-overlooked link between estrogen and bone health. She unpacks the staggering statistics on bone density loss and osteoporosis, revealing that one in two women will experience a fracture. The message is clear: our midlife journey isn't just about managing symptoms, but about aging with power, which starts with proactive steps to build and protect your body. This is a must-listen for every woman who loves HRT and wants to live a better, stronger second half.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

Proactive Steps for Your 30s & 40s: Learn the "Vonda rules" for proactive health, including why it's crucial to get a baseline DEXA scan, REMS scan, how to feed your bones with protein, and the importance of lifting heavy weights.
The Truth About Estrogen: Understand the profound, protective role of estrogen in bone health and why the widespread fear of hormone replacement therapy is often based on old, misinterpreted data. Dr. Wright explains why there is "zero debate" about its preventative role on bone.
A Call to Action: Discover practical, actionable steps you can take today—from seeking out your own DEXA Scan to starting a progressive weightlifting routine—to invest in your future health and avoid becoming a burden on your loved ones.

Connect with Sharon:

On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Dr Vonda Wright:

On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Learn more on her website
Buy Unbreakable now

Additional Resources:

Skip to the Good Part:

00:00 Introduction to Estrogen and Women's Health

02:20 The Impact of Hip Fractures on Women

04:37 Understanding Bone Health and Estrogen

10:51 The Importance of DEXA Scans

18:19 Making Informed Decisions About Estrogen

25:33 Preventative Measures for Bone Health

32:17 Empowering Women Through Knowledge and Action

About Dr Vonda Wright: Dr. Vonda Wright is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and elite sports physician who has dedicated over 20 years to research on optimizing aging. She is also a public speaker, author, and health innovator, with a focus on redefining women's longevity and wellness. Her work helps women navigate and thrive through menopause and other life changes. She has authored several books, including "Unbreakable" and hosts the "HOT For Your Health" podcast.

About Sharon: Sharon Kedar is a co-founder and partner at Northpond Ventures, a multi-billion-dollar science-driven venture capital firm. Her extensive career includes leadership roles at Sands Capital and McKinsey & Company, and she is a published author on personal finance. As the host of the Innovate and Elevate podcast, she passionately advocates for menopause care and HRT (hormone replacement therapy), challenging the silence around women's health. She aims to help women navigate midlife and achieve longevity by aging with power. Sharon holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a CFA charter holder. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband, Greg, their three kids, and their dog Bo.

This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.

Single Digits: The Business Case for WHAM with Carolee Lee, Founder & CEO of WHAM

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Innovate & Elevate, Sharon Kedar is joined by Carolee Lee, Founder and CEO of Women’s Health Access Matters (WHAM). Carolee shares her journey from fashion entrepreneur to women's health trailblazer, highlighting how her experience building a global jewelry brand led her to recognize the critical need for change in women's health funding and research.

The conversation delves into the reality of the current state of women's health research and investment. Less than 1% of global research funding is allocated to studying women's health and only 2% of venture capital goes to female-founded startups, with an even smaller percentage dedicated to women's health companies. However, organizations like WHAM are making strides in changing that reality.

Carolee outlines WHAM's groundbreaking initiative, "3Not30," which aims to accelerate change in women's health research and investment within three years. The Initiative is the first of a series of activities WHAM is spearheading in recognition of the 30th Anniversary of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Revitalization Act of 1993, a law which established guidelines that women and minorities should be included in all clinical trials and research which are funded by the NIH. The goals of the program include doubling research funding for women's health, increasing venture capital investment in women-founded companies from 2% to 4%, and improving diversity in clinical trials.

This conversation underscores that women's health is everyone's health. By raising awareness about these disparities, WHAM is driving collaborative efforts across sectors to create meaningful change. Carolee’s parting message is powerful: while individual efforts are crucial, it's the collective power of everyone working together that will ultimately create substantial change in women's health research and investment.

Connect with Sharon

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

Connect with Carolee

Follow Carolee LinkedIn
Follow WHAM on LinkedIn

Additional Resources

This podcast is produced by The Wave Podcasting

The Strength Within: Beyond Imposter Syndrome with Shelley Zalis, Founder and CEO of The Female Quotient

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Innovate and Elevate, Sharon is joined by Shelley Zalis, Founder and CEO of The Female Quotient, a media and experience company that advances gender equality in the workplace. Shelley is a pioneer in online research and the first female chief executive ranked in the research industry's top 25.

The importance of mentorship and community building is a central theme of Shelley’s career. She shares powerful advice for young women who are starting to build up their careers and addresses the concept of imposter syndrome, emphasizing how important it is to recognize and own your value.

Shelley reflects on her journey as a self-proclaimed "Chief Troublemaker" and discusses how breaking rules has led to her success. She isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers and encourages everyone to practice self-advocacy, create new norms in the workplace, and challenge the status quo.

Shelley highlights the need for better data and storytelling to change narratives around women in business and VC funding. She discusses her efforts to challenge existing statistics and uncover more nuanced data about female founders and diverse investors. This approach, she argues, is crucial for shifting perspectives and driving change in the industry.

Episode Outline

(01:27) Chief Troublemaker

(06:12) Shut That B***h Up in Your Head

(09:27) Data Driven: The Power to Tell New Stories

(13:40) Together We Rise: Closing the Mentorship Gap

Connect with Shelley

Follow Shelley on LinkedIn
Learn more about The Female Quotient

Additional Resources

Connect with Sharon

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
Follow Sharon on Instagram
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

This podcast is produced by The Wave Podcasting

Healthier America: ARPA-H and the Return on Investment for the American People with Dr. Renee Wegrzyn

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Innovate and Elevate, Sharon Kedar is joined by Dr. Renee Wegrzyn, the inaugural director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), a government agency designed to drive high-impact health innovations. Appointed by President Biden in 2022, Dr. Wegrzyn shares her deep experience in both synthetic biology and biosecurity, drawing from her work at DARPA, IARPA, and Ginkgo Bioworks.

The conversation dives into the unique role of government in fostering breakthrough technologies, emphasizing ARPA-H’s mission to transform health outcomes. Dr. Wegrzyn explains how ARPA-H takes on ambitious, high-risk projects with the potential to revolutionize healthcare, much like DARPA’s past successes in defense technologies, such as the early development of mRNA technology.

Dr. Wegrzyn highlights ARPA-H’s approach to maximizing the return on investment for American taxpayers by focusing on scalable, impactful solutions that can transition to the private sector. She walks listeners through transformative projects, including NITRO, GLIDE, ADAPT, and POSEIDON.

ARPA-H has a unique Program Management structure, which provides hands-on mentorship and support to ARPA-H grantees. Dr. Wegrzyn identifies how the partnership helps innovators address cost, accessibility, and user experience in health innovations. Sharon and Dr. Wegrzyn also discuss the ARPA-H’s Sprint for Women's Health and how the funding opportunity addresses critical unmet challenges in the women’s health sector.

Episode Outline

(01:50) How the US Government Drives Innovation

(04:01) The Return on Investment to Americans

(09:27) ARPA-H Programs and Funding

(12:42) How To Work with ARPA-H

(15:28) The Audacity to Imagine Success

(18:59) Improving Research and the Standard of Care

(21:40) Women’s Health Innovation

(26:45) Beyond Conversation: Embracing Data-Driven Solutions

Connect with Sharon

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

Connect with Dr. Renee Wegrzyn

Follow Renee on LinkedIn
Learn more on the ARPA-H website

Additional Resources

Subscribe to the ARPA-H Vitals newsletter
Full list of ARPA-H programs
The hidden questions behind the Heilmeir Questions
The White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research

This podcast is produced by the women at The Wave Editing

Closing The $1 Trillion Women’s Health Gap with Lucy Pérez

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Innovate and Elevate, Sharon welcomes Lucy Pérez, a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and Coleader of the McKinsey Health Institute. Lucy is also coauthor of the groundbreaking report, "Closing The Women's Health Gap: A $1 Trillion Opportunity to Improve Lives and Economies," copublished with the World Economic Forum. Sharon and Lucy discuss the report’s key findings and the significant economic and social benefits of closing the women's health gap.

Lucy shares that closing the women’s health gap could add an astounding $1 trillion to the global GDP annually. This economic boost would come from healthier women having fewer missed workdays, increased productivity, and less time spent on unpaid caregiving duties. She highlights that women, despite living longer than men, spend more time in poor health, particularly during their most productive years (ages 20-60), which has considerable economic implications.

A major challenge in addressing women's health is the shocking underinvestment in research. Currently, only 1-2% of R&D dollars are dedicated to women's health issues, excluding cancers. Lucy emphasizes the need for increased funding and better understanding of sex-based differences in medical research. Conditions like cardiovascular disease and autoimmune diseases often present differently in women, necessitating tailored approaches to diagnosis and treatment.

Lucy provides actionable advice for how individuals can close the women’s health gap, including ways to be proactive in healthcare interactions, raise awareness about women's health issues, and support initiatives aimed at closing the health gap. She also underscores the importance of leveraging real-world data to drive innovation and improve health outcomes, advocating for strategic partnerships and increased funding to address health inequities.

Episode Outline

(02:13) What Is The Business Case For Investing In Women's Health?

(07:50) Understanding Sex-Based Health Differences

(11:43) When Women Are Healthier, Everyone Benefits

(18:06) Opportunities for Women's Health Research, Development & Funding

(25:01) How Can We Contribute to Closing The Women's Health Gap?

Additional Resources:

Closing the Women's Health Gap: A $1 Trillion Opportunity to Improve Lives and Economies

Connect with Sharon

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

Connect with Lucy Pérez

Follow Lucy Pérez on LinkedIn: Lucy Pérez

This podcast is produced by the women at The Wave Editing

Harnessing The Power of Profit: The Business Case for Women’s Health Startups with Erin Lambroza

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Sharon is joined by Erin Lambroza, Vice President of L Catterton, a consumer-focused private equity firm. Erin holds Director roles on the boards of Alice Mushrooms—a functional health supplement business pairing chocolate with the power of adaptogens from legal mushrooms; an unannounced beauty and wellness platform providing solutions to women who are navigating menopause; and Yummers, a pet food company founded by “Queer Eye” stars Jonathan Van Ness and Antoni Porowski alongside the former CMO of Petco.

In this conversation, Erin and Sharon discuss what makes a women's health company fundable and how to navigate the challenges in this space. Erin brings her extensive experience in early-stage investments with a focus on health and wellness to provide invaluable advice for founders and investors alike.

Erin emphasizes that the success of a women’s health startup relies on the same factors as any other sector: a growing market, scalable growth, and demonstrated product-market fit. She highlights the importance of understanding unit economics, ensuring that the business model is sustainable and profitable, especially after the first year in the market. The conversation also touches on the historical challenges in women’s health, such as underinvestment and the lack of viable exit paths, which make fundraising particularly difficult. Erin notes that overcoming these obstacles requires innovation at the research level to build a foundation for profitable businesses.

The episode delves into the historical context of women's health, revealing that women were excluded from clinical trials until 1993, resulting in a significant lack of comprehensive data and chronic underrepresentation in healthcare research. Erin also discusses the origins of the word "hysteria" and its longstanding impact on the perception of women's health issues. This historical lens underscores the need for deliberate and targeted innovation in areas such as autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer's, and cardiovascular disease, which disproportionately affect women.

Erin offers practical advice for founders, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people who genuinely support the mission, being receptive to investor feedback while synthesizing advice from multiple sources, and seeking strategic, active capital rather than passive investment. Her insights provide a roadmap for founders looking to make a meaningful impact in women’s health.

Episode Outline

(01:56) What Makes a Women's Health Business Fundable?

(04:49) The Audacity of Profit

(08:53) Beyond Bikini Medicine: Addressing Innovation in Women’s Health

(12:06) You Are Not Alone: Common Challenges All Startup Founders Face

Connect with Sharon

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

Connect with Erin Lambroza

Follow Erin Lambroza on LinkedIn
Learn more about L Catterton
Learn more about Alice Mushrooms

Additional Resources

This podcast is produced by the women at The Wave Editing

Matters of the Heart: What Women Need to Know with Dr. Natalie Bello

Thu, 30 May 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Sharon is joined by Dr. Natalie Bello, Director of Hypertension Research, Staff Physician and Associate Professor of Cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

After learning that 80% of heart disease is preventable in medical school, Dr. Bello decided that focusing her career on helping people stay healthy, optimize their risk factors, and live long lives was an easy choice to make.

Hypertension, also known as “The Silent Killer,” is a leading global contributor to heart disease. A common myth is that heart disease disproportionately affects men when, in fact, it is the number one killer of both men and women. This misinformation has major consequences, namely that women experiencing chest pain wait 29% longer in the emergency room to be seen by a doctor than their male counterparts.

Dr. Bello shares that just because a woman doesn’t present their pain the same way as a man doesn’t mean that they aren’t experiencing the same pain. Being your biggest health advocate is the best way to regain your agency in heart health. Sometimes, for a woman, that may look like firmly declaring that your chest pain has brought you to the emergency room, stating your risk factors and that you must be treated for potentially having a heart attack.

Dr. Bello recommends the tests for anyone with chest pain or interested in improving their heart health, like an EKG, troponin, stress test, or angiogram. In order to assess personal risk factors, the Pooled Cohort Equations to Prevent Heart Failure (PCP-HF) or PREVENT are most used. Dr. Bello then discusses the mechanics of hereditarily passing down heart conditions between genders and the importance of increasing the number of studies on pregnancy’s impact on the body.

Episode Outline

(00:55) Meet Dr. Bello

(01:35) 80% of Heart Disease Is Preventable

(05:14) PSA: Women Wait Longer in the ER With Chest Pain

(12:46) Knowledge Is Power: Know Your Hereditary and Gender-Specific Risk Factors

Connect with Sharon

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

Connect with Dr. Bello

Follow Dr. Bello on LinkedIn

Additional Resources

This podcast is produced by the women at The Wave Editing

Mice Don’t Menstruate: Reimagining Women’s Health Using Organ Chips with Dr. Donald Ingber

Tue, 07 May 2024 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Sharon is joined by Dr. Donald Ingber, Founding Director at Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University.

Dr. Ingber’s commitment to following his passion has led him to countless medical and technological breakthroughs, including organ-chip technology. These incredible chips recreate the structure and function of human organs. Drugs can be administered through organ-chips so that blood impact can be monitored. Once more widely adopted, organ-chip testing will be able to replace animal testing. As Dr. Ingber shares, the results will surpass those of animal testing.

The organ-chip technology already includes women’s health models and holds great promise to revolutionize this under-invested area. Because animals, namely mice, do not have menstrual cycles, their biological environments are already skewed to test any women’s health-related projects. Organ-chips are a great solution to close the data gap. Dr. Ingber shares two projects underway in partnership with the Gates Foundation: to create a cure for bacterial vaginosis and to create a non-hormonal contraceptive.

Dr. Ingber highlights the importance of nurturing the business side of scientific breakthroughs so that innovations can reach patients. Twenty percent of Harvard’s intellectual property comes out of the Wyss Institute, and both funding and mentorship play crucial roles in that success metric.

Episode Outline

(00:53) Meet Dr. Donald Inbger

(02:11) Where Art Meets Science: Inside The Brilliant Mind of Dr. Ingber

(07:08) What Is Organ-on-a-Chip Technology?

(13:17) Reimaging Women’s Health with Organ-Chips

(21:11) Think Outside The Box: Bringing Innovation to Life

Connect with Sharon

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

Connect with Dr. Ingber

Follow The Wyss Institute on LinkedIn
Learn more about Emulate, Inc.

Additional Resources

This podcast is produced by the women at The Wave Editing.

Dare to Dream: An Ultrasound Bra For Breast Health with Dr. Canan Dagdeviren

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Dr. Canan Dagdeviren is Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Director of the Conformable Decoders research group at the MIT Media Lab.

In this episode, Dr. Dagdeviren shares the incredible story behind the lab’s wearable, conformable ultrasound breast patch that enables standardized and reproducible breast imaging. They’re developing a first-of-its-kind ultrasound technology for breast tissue scanning and imaging which offers a non-invasive method for tracking real-time dynamic changes of soft tissue. This technology is meant to be used in adjunct with current screening methods, addressing the various barriers that many women at high risk for breast cancer face when it comes to breast screening.

Driven by her aunt's battle with breast cancer, Dr. Dagdeviren embarked on a journey to innovate breast cancer screening solutions. In our conversation, she shares the current prototype for The Conformable Ultrasound Breast Patch (CUSBr-Patch), detailing the logistics of how it works and how she envisions the patient experience.

Beyond product innovation, Dr. Dagdeviren emphasizes the need for elevating standards in clinical trials. She outlines the commitment she and her team have made to implement a diverse patient-centric approach in their lab.

If you are a woman at high risk for breast cancer and currently on a breast cancer screening plan, please consider applying to be a part of the Conformable Decoders’ clinical trial. You can email Dr. Dagdeviren at canand@mit.edu for more information.

Connect with Sharon

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

Connect with Dr. Dagdeviren:

Connect with Dr. Dagdeviren on LinkedIn
Learn more about Conformable Decoders

Additional Resources

Credits

This podcast is produced by the women at The Wave Editing.

Co-Pilot Your Breast Health with Dr. Rachel Brem

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Innovate and Elevate, Sharon is joined by Dr. Rachel Brem. Dr. Brem is board-certified in Diagnostic Radiology. She is a Professor of Radiology, the Vice Chair of Radiology, and Director of Breast Imaging & Intervention at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

In this conversation, Dr. Brem shares how to understand your risk for breast cancer and her recommended imaging strategy for those with dense breast tissue. She also emphasizes the importance of co-creating a personalized healthcare plan with a doctor that suits your needs.

Note that other risk factors may influence your individual situation. For a comprehensive understanding, explore additional resources at breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors.

Cancer in a dense breast is exponentially more difficult to detect in a mammogram, which is why Dr. Brem is a strong advocate for breast ultrasound and/or MRI. In fact, breast imaging specialists can find 25% more cancerous cells with ultrasound screening in women with dense breasts than they can with mammography.

Dr. Brem doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all breast healthcare approach. Instead, she urges women to get the knowledge they need to make the right choices for their health and find a doctor that can tailor a plan for their unique needs.

Finally, Dr. Brem shares her hope in the technologies currently in development to help detect cancer before imaging, such as liquid biopsy and breath analysis.

Connect with Sharon

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

Connect with Dr. Rachel Brem

Connect with Dr. Rachel Brem on LinkedIn: Dr. Rachel Brem

Additional Resources

Glossary

Prophylactic mastectomy: A prophylactic mastectomy is surgery to remove one or both breasts to lower the chances of getting breast cancer.
BRCA mutation: A BRCA mutation is a mutation in either of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are tumor suppressor genes. Harmful mutations in these genes may produce a hereditary breast–ovarian cancer syndrome.
Liquid biopsy: A liquid biopsy is a test that checks for signs of diseases by analyzing a small sample of blood instead of taking tissue from the actual tumor.
Molecular breast imaging (MBI): Molecular breast imaging is a technique that uses a special camera and a radioactive substance to detect breast cancer by highlighting abnormal areas in the breast tissue

Mammography is Essential and Quality Matters with Dr. Janet Storella

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Innovate and Elevate, Sharon is joined by Dr. Janet Storella, Medical Director of Breastlink Maryland at RadNet. Dr. Storella is a breast imaging specialist and a board-certified diagnostic radiologist with over 40 years of radiology experience.

In this conversation, Dr. Storella shares deeper insight into the practice and art of mammography, contemporary issues in the field, spaces for improvement, and aspects of mammography where quality makes all the difference.

There are differing opinions on when women should start annual mammography screening, but Dr. Storella emphasizes that understanding one’s risk factors is key to determining when to start screening and collaborating on a personalized plan with their doctor. She highlights how diagnostic imaging centers are working on lowering barriers to compliance, particularly through strategic partnerships like RadNet’s with Walmart.

Dr. Storella shares that determining if a mammogram shows cancer can be extremely difficult because of the variable nature of breast tissue. She expands on her experiences using AI to interpret test results and the journey to convincing insurance companies to cover this impactful new practice. Even though mammograms are continuously critiqued by doctors and patients alike, Dr. Storella reminds us that ultimately mammograms save lives, help individuals detect cancer earlier, and are what we have available right now.

Finally, Dr. Storella explains the technical factors that contribute to high-quality breast imaging and why an uncomfortable mammogram is a positive sign of adequate compression. She also highlights the rigorous standards that mammography technologists are required to meet, reinforcing her message that breast cancer screening is an advanced and highly artful skill.

Connect with Dr. Storella

Connect with Dr. Storella on LinkedIn: Dr. Janet Storella

Connect with Sharon

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

Additional Resources

Dedication

This episode of Innovate and Elevate is dedicated to the late Megan Ford, who passed away in 2021 following a breast cancer recurrence. A trailblazer in her own right, Megan’s passion was helping people grow and succeed in their careers. It’s time for all of us to innovate and elevate.

Support Innovate and Elevate

Did you love this episode? Let us know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts. It’s easy - click this link, scroll to the bottom of the page, and select “Write a Review.” Let us know what you liked best about the episode. While you’re at it, consider following Innovate and Elevate. Follow now!

Credits

This podcast is produced by the women at The Wave Editing.

Treat Your Body As If You Were Pregnant with Dr. Kathryn Rexrode, Chief of Women’s Health at BWH

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Innovate and Elevate, Sharon is joined by Dr. Kathyrn Rexrode, Chief of the Division of Women’s Health in the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

In their conversation, Dr. Rexrode discusses the progression in her career from experiencing imposter syndrome to stepping into her confidence and authority as a physician, professor, and woman in leadership. She also highlights how rejecting a scarcity mindset and supporting other women professionally has helped bolster her self-confidence. In Dr. Rexrode’s words, “The more we support one another, the more collective success we’ll have.”

Dr. Rexrode describes her nonlinear 26-year path to becoming a full professor at Harvard Medical School. For anyone wanting to start a family and become a full-time professor, or generally devote themselves to climbing the career ladder, Dr. Rexrode emphasizes that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Sharon and Dr. Rexrode share how they navigate motherhood and career growth, which often requires a willingness to redefine what success looks like on an individual level.

Finally, Dr. Rexrode brings listeners back to the early days of her career and the shocking realities that sparked her passion for improving healthcare standards for women. She continues that mission today, encouraging everyone to treat their body with the same respect, care, and attention they would if they were pregnant.

Guest Bio

Dr. Kathryn Rexrode serves as Chief of the Division of Women’s Health in the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She is a board-certified general internist with a predominantly women’s health practice as a primary care physician at the BWH Gretchen S. and Edward A. Fish Center for Women’s Health.

Connect with Dr. Rexrode

Connect with Dr. Rexrode on LinkedIn: Dr. Kathryn Rexrode

Connect with Sharon

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube.
Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

Additional Resources

Women ≠ Tiny Men | Brigham Magazine

Support Innovate and Elevate

Credits

This podcast is produced by the women at The Wave Editing.