Name: Dr. Santosh Kaur JP
Business Name: SmartHeal
Location: Melbourne Victoria , Australia
Establishment (Year): 2020
Category: Health & Wellness
Profession/ Specialty: Doctor, Nurse, CEO, Founder, Justice of the Peace, AI researcher, AI leader, Hon. Fellow St. Vincent Hospital/ University of Melbourne
Website : https://www/smartheal.org
Social Media : LinkedIn
Company Details:
SmartHeal is an end-to-end wound care platform poised to revolutionize wound care in the country, improve patient outcomes, and alleviate the burden on the healthcare system. Available as an app for both iOS and Android platforms, with a web-based backend, SmartHeal streamlines the wound measurement process for clinicians. Instead of traditional methods involving paper rulers and dipsticks, SmartHeal enables automatic and accurate measurements, enhancing efficiency and precision. While currently accessible only to clinicians via a private link, the app is scheduled for public release on app stores by the end of 2023.
Employing AI technologies such as computer vision and machine learning, SmartHeal analyzes wound images to provide comprehensive insights into the wound's condition, including tissue health, infection status, moisture levels, and healing trajectory. Additionally, the platform offers personalized recommendations for wound dressings, reducing guesswork and ensuring optimal care.
SmartHeal's patient-centric approach empowers individuals to manage their wound care from the comfort of their homes while remaining under professional supervision. This innovative model not only enhances patient outcomes but also empowers clinicians, including general and enrolled nurses. By facilitating remote monitoring and timely interventions, SmartHeal aims to minimize emergency presentations, hospital admissions, and the risk of complications such as sepsis or amputation.
Dr. Santosh Kaur, the founder of SmartHeal, brings over 15 years of healthcare experience, spanning leadership roles in major hospital departments, operating theaters, and aged care settings across two countries. Recognized by esteemed forums and media outlets, including Women's Agenda and the Australian Health Journal, Dr. Kaur is committed to advancing healthcare through innovation and research. Her Honorary Research Fellowship with the University of Melbourne St. Vincent Hospital underscores her potential contributions to the research ecosystem.
SmartHeal is actively engaged in research collaborations with institutions such as RMIT and is in discussions with the University of Melbourne for further projects. The advisory board comprises distinguished professionals, including Dr. Fiona Wood AM, Dr. Alexander Gosling OAM, Prof. Peter Choong AM, Rita Arrigo from CSIRO, Dr. Michelle Barakat Johnson, and the Hon. Jaala Pulford MP, former Minister of Industry and Innovation, reflecting SmartHeal's commitment to excellence and impact in healthcare innovation.
Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage:
SmartHeal is developed by the clinicians for the clinicians.
Challenges Faced During the Journey
The journey of establishing SmartHeal was marked by numerous challenges and obstacles that Dr. Santosh Kaur faced along the way. Her path to entrepreneurship in Australia began with aspirations to study MBBS overseas, driven by the recognition that an Indian degree would entail repeating several tests. However, a disheartening encounter with a deceitful travel agent derailed her plans, resulting in a missed opportunity to pursue medical studies in Russia and a subsequent shift to Ayurvedic studies. This setback took a toll on her morale and mental well-being, further compounded by dissatisfaction with her professional growth.
Despite these setbacks, Dr. Kaur persevered, undertaking a diploma in computer sciences during a gap year but finding herself discontented with her career trajectory. Her tenure as the head of a healthcare department in India propelled her to move to Australia in 2009, only to face challenges upon arrival, including the tumultuous events of bushfires and a global recession. Undeterred, she worked tirelessly in various roles, including as a waitress, cleaner, and kitchen hand, to support herself financially.
Despite achieving credits for various subjects in her Bachelor's in nursing, Dr. Kaur encountered disparities in completing her degree compared to local students, which underscored the hurdles she faced as an international student. However, her resilience and determination led her to obtain certification as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) and embark on a career in aged care, despite the emotional challenges of leaving her family behind and adapting to a new country.
Dr. Kaur's decision to start a business in Australia stemmed from her experiences in healthcare, particularly her realization of the persistent gaps in wound care across various settings. Motivated to make a difference, she identified an opportunity to leverage technology to address these challenges, leading to the conception of SmartHeal in 2019. However, the novel concept of applying AI to healthcare encountered skepticism and regulatory hurdles, necessitating substantial investments in trials and regulatory compliance.
To overcome these obstacles, Dr. Kaur and her team strategically developed a product that bypassed stringent regulatory requirements while addressing customer pain points and generating revenue. Building credibility, establishing a solid advisory board, and networking were essential steps in overcoming the challenges of collecting patient data in the heavily regulated healthcare environment of Australia. Despite the uphill battle, SmartHeal is now collecting data from prominent healthcare institutions and is poised to make a significant impact in the field of wound care.
Advice for Women Entrepreneurs:
Believe in yourself and constantly remind yourself why you have chosen to do what you do. If you don't like what you are doing, make the change.
