The Digital Health Institute for Transformation (DHIT) team traveled down to Northeastern University Charlotte, a global research university with a prestigious R1 ranking that is building the next generation of health sciences professionals, innovators, and patient-centered practitioners, to host the August edition of our monthly Digital Health Happy Hour series. The evening was sponsored by our long-standing collaborators, Duke University School of Medicine’s Master of Management in Clinical Informatics (MMCi), a one-year master’s program designed for healthcare transformers who want to lead data-driven innovation in organizations around the world. We were joined by a contingent of healthcare technologists and entrepreneurs to break bread, enjoy a cold beverage, and convene around another hot topic in the digital health realm. Our main event of the evening was a discussion between emcee Cindy Hallberlin, DHIT Chief Collaboration Officer, and our special guest Sally Ann Frank, the Worldwide Lead for Health & Life Sciences at Microsoft for Startups, about Sally’s fascinating life story and her new book The Startup Protocol: A Guide for Digital Health Startups to Bypass Pitfalls and Adopt Strategies That Work.
Check out the highlights below!
Informed by her diverse background, Sally has found her niche in the intersection of life sciences and technology. She has become an expert in guiding entrepreneurs through the complexities of launching successful startups. “The key to success,” she remarked, “is understanding that the path to innovation is filled with obstacles that can derail even the most promising ventures. My goal is to provide entrepreneurs with the tools and insights they need to navigate these challenges and turn their ideas into reality.”
Sally’s experience extends beyond traditional business and executive roles. She spent years working in various fields, from consulting as a defense contractor for US and NATO forces and as a project manager assisting refugees to relocate and find jobs in the Carolinas, before moving into the world of software and technology. Her unique journey has given her a global perspective on the challenges many founders face, allowing her to offer practical advice and strategic guidance.
Within the startup ecosystem, Sally emphasized the importance of “avoiding isolation.” “Many founders,” she explained, “get so focused on their product or market segment that they lose sight of the broader picture. It’s essential to engage with industry trends and seek feedback from proxy customers to ensure your business strategy is sound.” She continued, “I often see entrepreneurs struggle because they develop their solutions in a vacuum, without considering the needs and feedback of their end users. That’s why building relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders is crucial.”
Sally recently published her first book, The Startup Protocol, a comprehensive overview of the business lifecycle in health tech and a blueprint to “help founders and their teams identify blind spots and avoid the most common pitfalls of starting a digital health company.” Sally’s experience in business strategy planning, go-to-market development, and her technical prowess combined with decades of real-world experience have positioned her as a supremely qualified expert on the matter. Consequent to her success, Sally is currently working on her sophomore publication, The Unicorn Protocol, which involves interviewing successful entrepreneurs in digital health and life sciences. She aims to uncover the strategies and decisions that led to their success, providing valuable insights for aspiring founders. “These stories,” she said, “highlight the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges. It’s about learning from others and applying those lessons to your own journey.”
Much gratitude to Sally for taking the time to share her wisdom, Northeastern University Charlotte for their generous donation of the event space, the MMCi team for sponsoring the evening, and our ecosystem of partners for convening around shared visions of local and global digital transformation.
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Talk soon!