Strategies for inspiring more female innovators in healthcare to be focus of free webinar next week

A free webinar will be taking the message of International Women’s Day (IWD) and running with it in a bid to help inspire more female innovators in making vital healthcare breakthroughs. 

On Wednesday 25 March, InnoScot Health – a key partner in realising healthcare innovation ambitions for Scotland – will be inviting Claire Ann Banga to discuss the journey which led to her setting up eMoodie, an AI-powered digital health tool and research platform.

The original innovation, which came out of PhD research undertaken at the University of Edinburgh, is designed to measure mental health indicators and collect Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) data – real-time, self-reported data from individuals which tracks mood, behaviour, and physical symptoms. 

It has now been built out as a full digital mental health intervention platform.

The lunch and learn session, entitled ‘Empowerment in action – female innovators helping to bridge Scotland’s health gaps’, takes place from 12-12.45pm and will be presented by InnoScot Health’s Innovation Commercialisation Manager, Fiona Schaefer.

• Register to attend

The aim of eMoodie is to “empower businesses and researchers with evidence-based mental health solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with human-centred design”.

More recently, eMoodie developed Saving SAM, a  technology selected as a viable monitoring and digital alert solution to a UK-wide ‘Reducing Drug Deaths Innovation Challenge’, managed and administered in Scotland by NHS Fife on behalf of Health Innovation South East Scotland (HISES) Innovation Hub.

International Women’s Day was marked earlier this month, with a theme of ‘Give to Gain’ underlining the power of “reciprocity and support” and the belief that “when people, organisations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase.”

Claire Ann’s eMoodie tool is a powerful example of what IWD both celebrates and strives to attain – women helping to influence better patient outcomes while being inspired to bridge health gaps without bias or barrier.

Fiona will discuss female innovators which InnoScot Health has worked with and other prominent names making a difference in healthcare.

She said: “We’re delighted to be joined by Claire Ann who will be outlining her inspiring innovator journey – from challenges to opportunities and all points in between.

“Her story brings to life just what it means to be a female entrepreneur with a great idea, and how to turn it into reality with the right support.

“Claire Ann recognised a key issue – that society is increasingly looking for effective mental health solutions which can help to prevent the deterioration of milder symptoms into clinical disorders.

“Her platform therefore truly is a game changer, providing access to affordable and reliable tools, while facilitating cutting-edge mental health research both in the UK and globally.

“This included eMoodie’s tech making an impact in a recent Reducing Drugs Death Innovation Challenge, part-funded by the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office (CSO).

“We hope you can join us on Wednesday 25 to hear more.”

InnoScot Health launched a new innovation call earlier this month, primarily targeting early-stage healthcare entrepreneurs.