Each month, we round up breaking news featuring 1501 Health, our cohort companies and partners.
Our November and December news includes exciting things for Emily Durfee, who has been named a nominee in the 2022 Technical.ly Baltimore awards, and was recently featured in one of their pieces on healthcare innovation. Plus, our 1501 Health cohort company, Health in Her Hue was recognized by Silicon Valley Bank for its mental health services. For more, dive in below.
Planning a Wedding While Navigating Grief
The New York Times | December 15, 2022
The Brief:
"It's OK that not every aspect of wedding planning is joyful and fun and easy breezy," Said Liz Eddy, a founder of Lantern and the chief executive, who lost her father when she was 9. "There's nothing wrong with you for feeling sad while you're supposed to be doing something happy."
"Baltimore, get charmed by your 2022 Technical.ly Awards nominees."
Technical.ly Baltimore | November 29, 2022
The Brief:
Who has most made this community better through coalition building, nonprofit work, access-minded initiatives, policymaking or other pathways?
- Tech Community Leader of the Year Nominee: Emily Durfee, Healthworx — Durfee’s recent promotion to a post as Healthworx’s director of corporate venture capital reflects her two-and-a-half years stewarding much of the CareFirst investment wing’s healthcare innovation work. This work has included guiding and co-managing the 1501 Health incubator for health tech and life sciences companies — an ever-important component of Baltimore’s entrepreneurship and tech ecosystem.
"Announcing the 2022 ADAPT Cohort"
USCF Rosenman Institute | November 28, 2022
The Brief:
Frame Fertility is recognized as one of the 15 companies recently named to the UCSF Rosenman ADAPT final cohort as a healthcare tech company working to improve health outcomes of the communities they serve.
"Healthtech report reveals strong investment opportunity in mental health."
Silicon Valley Bank | November 23, 2022
The Brief:
Preventive care measures are expanding to deliver higher quality care, enabled by virtual care models that allow for more touchpoints with providers. Culturally appropriate mental healthcare services that meet patients’ social, cultural and linguistic needs are growing. For example, the Bronx-based company Health in Her HUE connects Black women to appropriate healthcare providers, including mental health. Shine, acquired by Headspace this year, provides mental health-related activities for many patients with diverse backgrounds and cultures.
"Following a global crisis, what is technology's in healthcare innovation?"
Technical.ly Baltimore | November 2, 2022
Emily Durfee, a DMV-based startup investor by way of Healthworx, summed up much of the event’s conversation by reiterating her firm’s stance on tech’s place in healthcare: If it’s not designed with everyone in mind, the technology or product is likely useless.
“There’s misunderstanding that technology is the solution, versus is a tool towards a solution,” Durfee said. “I think that difference is really important, and that’s the way we think about it, which is technology can improve equity and access to care. … It also can increase disparities because if folks don’t have access to the things that enable them to leverage the technology, it can make it even more deeply problematic.”
"Solera Health Launches First-of-Its-Kind Women's Health Offering That Addresses Women's Needs at Each Stage of Life"
PR Newswire | November 1, 2022
Solera Health, the premier platform for connecting people seamlessly to proven and personalized health solutions, announces the launch of a first-of-its-kind Women's Health network of digital point solutions. Solera's new network covers the spectrum of women's health needs, including those underserved by the market today, filling critical gaps in care to bring more access to women who need it.
Solera's Women's Health network will begin with five partner solutions, including Frame Fertility from our 1501 Health second cohort.
"Wellset Launches Digital Health Studio"
Wellset | November 1, 2022
An excerpt from a letter by Tegan Bukowski, Co-Founder and CEO of Wellset:
WellSet members will have access to hundreds of live-streamed and on-demand group classes taught by leading experts in holistic health. Our digital studio offers classes in more than 20 holistic therapies such as yoga, hypnotherapy, tapping, and acupressure. WellSet classes address anxiety and burnout, improve sleep, reduce inflammation, help you find balance—or just help you feel better.
About 1501 Health
1501 Health is a unique partnership between Healthworx and LifeBridge Health, representing expertise in both health insurance and financing (payers) and healthcare delivery and services (providers). The investment and incubation program empowers entrepreneurs to get their innovative solutions to market and expand their impact in healthcare quality, access and affordability. To learn more about 1501Health, visit www.1501Health.com.
About Healthworx
Healthworx operates at the intersection of healthcare and innovation by creating, co-creating and investing in companies that are improving healthcare quality, accessibility, affordability and equity. As the innovation and investment arm of CareFirst, Healthworx envisions a healthier future for all people by changing the way health works. To learn more about Healthworx, visit https://www.healthworx.com.
About LifeBridge Health
LifeBridge Health is one of the largest, most comprehensive providers of health services in Maryland. LifeBridge Health includes Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Northwest Hospital, Carroll Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, Grace Medical Center and related affiliates. For more information, visit www.lifebridgehealth.org.