In this episode, I spoke with Ashley Crafton, CEO of Galena Innovations, about her journey from labor and delivery nurse to medical device innovator. Ashley shared how she developed the Hannah Cervical Cup to prevent preterm labor, inspired by her experiences caring for women losing babies. We discussed her growth as an entrepreneur, including pitching techniques and pursuing further education.

Ashley emphasized the need to address four critical areas in maternal health: mental health disorders, postpartum hemorrhage, gestational hypertension, and preterm birth. Her story exemplifies how healthcare professionals can drive change by identifying problems and developing practical solutions in the medical field.

Timestamps:

(05:30) - The Problem of Preterm Birth

(07:37) - Developing the Hannah Cervical Cup

(12:30) - Overcoming Challenges as an Entrepreneur

(19:00) - How the Cervix Works During Pregnancy

(37:14) - Education for Medical Device Entrepreneurs

(46:51) - Four Key Areas to Improve Maternal Health

Host Bio:

This podcast is hosted by Sheree Dibiase, PT ICLM. She is a nationally recognized women's health physical therapist who owns seven private clinics — one of the biggest networks in the US. She has spent 30+ years practicing in the oncology, pelvic floor, and prenatal postpartum healthcare spaces. She was also a professor for seven years at Loma Linda University where she taught kinesiology.

Brought to you by...

https://lakecitypt.com/ - Women's health physical therapy.

https://pelvicfloorpro.com/ - Pelvic floor physical therapy from home.

Keywords:

Maternal health, preterm labor, medical device innovation, nursing, entrepreneurship, cervical cup, collagen research, pitch competitions, grant funding, Johns Hopkins, NIH grants, mental health, postpartum care, labor and delivery, women's health, medical research, startup funding, healthcare innovation, pregnancy complications, medical education

Mia Chorney, a healthcare expert with over 30 years of experience and co-founder/CMO of The Pause Technologies, discusses women's heart health and menopause in this episode. She shares her personal journey with heart issues and how it led to her passion for women's cardiovascular health. Mia emphasizes the importance of recognizing heart disease symptoms in women, which often differ from those in men. The conversation covers various aspects of women's health during perimenopause and menopause, including hormone replacement therapy, the use of wearables for health tracking, and the importance of proper nutrition and exercise.

Timestamps:

(10:03) Less than 6% of women are on hormone replacement therapy despite many being eligible, due to misconceptions and lack of knowledge.

(20:13) The Pause App uses AI and evidence-based literature to help women navigate menopause, offering personalized guidance and a de-identified community.

(29:36) Wearable devices like the Apple Watch can provide valuable health data and motivation for improving sleep, activity levels, and overall well-being during menopause.

(38:19) Sleep is crucial for overall well-being, affecting mood, weight management, and general health, especially for women getting less than seven hours of sleep per night.

(44:31) Adequate protein intake becomes increasingly important as women age, especially during perimenopause and menopause, to maintain muscle mass, tone, and metabolism.

Host Bio:

This podcast is hosted by Sheree Dibiase, PT ICLM. She is a nationally recognized women's health physical therapist who owns seven private clinics — one of the biggest networks in the US. She has spent 30+ years practicing in the oncology, pelvic floor, and prenatal postpartum healthcare spaces. She was also a professor for seven years at Loma Linda University where she taught kinesiology.

Brought to you by...

https://lakecitypt.com/ - Women's health physical therapy.

https://pelvicfloorpro.com/ - Pelvic floor physical therapy from home.

Keywords:

women's health, menopause, perimenopause, heart health, cardiovascular genetics, hormone replacement therapy, wearable technology, AI, The Pause, lifestyle modifications, protein intake, sleep patterns, data-driven healthcare, cardiovascular symptoms, pelvic health

Dr. Melanie Santos, a urogynecologist specializing in pelvic floor disorders and reconstruction, delves into the often-overlooked issues surrounding pelvic organ prolapse, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infections. Dr. Santos shares insights on the importance of addressing these conditions and the stigma that often prevents women from discussing them. The conversation also highlights innovative solutions like the Cern device that uses visible light therapy to treat vaginal infections without the need for antibiotics or antifungals.

Timestamps:

(00:34) Vaginitis is the number one reason premenopausal women seek medical care and one of the most common reasons for ER visits.

(05:41) Dr. Santos explains that pelvic floor issues can occur later in life due to hormonal changes, weakening muscles, and other medical conditions that develop with age.

(13:34) Over 21 million women in the US have bacterial vaginosis, but only about 15-16% are aware they have it.

(23:05) The Cern device uses safe visible light therapy to treat vaginitis without antibiotics or antifungals, avoiding side effects and not harming good bacteria.

(34:51) Dr. Santos emphasizes the growing importance of virtual healthcare platforms to expand access to women's health services, especially in underserved areas.

Host Bio:

This podcast is hosted by Sheree Dibiase, PT ICLM. She is a nationally recognized women's health physical therapist who owns seven private clinics — one of the biggest networks in the US. She has spent 30+ years practicing in the oncology, pelvic floor, and prenatal postpartum healthcare spaces. She was also a professor for seven years at Loma Linda University where she taught kinesiology.

Brought to you by...

https://lakecitypt.com/ - Women's health physical therapy.

https://pelvicfloorpro.com/ - Pelvic floor physical therapy from home.

Keywords:

urogynecology, pelvic floor disorders, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, Cern device, vaginal atrophy, telehealth, women's health, pelvic organ prolapse, recurrent vaginitis, maternal health deserts, virtual healthcare platforms