When Dignity Drives Excellence: A New Vision for Healthcare Transformation

The email that changed everything arrived on March 6, 2018. My cancer diagnosis not only transformed my life but exposed a deeper truth: our healthcare system has lost its connection to the humans it serves.

As I lay on the cold, hard surface of a radiation therapy machine—body frail, vulnerable, and exposed—fundamental questions emerged. How did a system founded on alleviating human suffering become so dehumanizing? This wasn't just my story; it reflected the experience of millions navigating modern healthcare—a system that saves lives while often diminishing dignity, mental health, and trust.

A Unique Perspective on Healthcare

My journey has been unconventional: from top-ranked ballerina to Stanford-trained scientist to tech entrepreneur to cancer patient. This diverse background offered me a unique lens on healthcare's challenges. While witnessing remarkable medical innovations and dedicated professionals, I experienced firsthand the gaps in patient care—gaps that technology alone cannot bridge.

Modern healthcare's laser focus on treating disease has overshadowed something crucial: the human being beneath the diagnosis. This realization drove me to action, combining artistic insight, scientific rigor, and human-centered design expertise to reimagine healthcare delivery.

The Heart of Healthcare Transformation

During my cancer journey, I discovered a fundamental truth: patients seek more than cures—we need care that acknowledges our humanity. When illness ravages our bodies and derails our lives, our fundamental human worth becomes our most precious anchor. Yet paradoxically, healthcare often strips this dignity away.

This insight led to a new approach: combining cutting-edge science with core human values. Through design thinking, empathy, ethical reasoning, and human connection, we can create a healthcare system that honors inherent human worth. This vision has already gained traction, validated through $1.7 million in Genentech grants and a successful pilot with Emory Medicine.

Looking Forward: Healthcare Catalyst

The success of this work demands broader action. I am launching Healthcare Catalyst, my blog dedicated to reimagining healthcare's future. Through these posts, I'll share insights, strategies, and stories illuminating the path toward a more humane, effective, and inclusive healthcare system. As someone who has experienced modern healthcare challenges firsthand, I'm committed to sparking crucial conversations and inspiring fresh thinking to build a healthcare system where excellence flows naturally from dignity.