We spoke with several panelists regarding their companies and how they are using technology to better reach underserved populations. These companies are making great strides and are succeeding in closing the gap in behavioral health care.

Digital tech is helping provide care and assistance to populations often left behind the curve. There are many opportunities for increased access to healthcare for the people in these populations, and these companies are the ones to do it. 

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Takeda

Dr. Lauren Powell, the Vice President for US Health Equity and Community Wellness for Takeda, helps systems and leaders move from embracing health equity in theory to health equity in action by noticing and intervening on how racism and other oppressive forces operate within themselves and their systems.

Her Hue

Ashlee Wisdom, the Co-Founder & CEO of Health in Her Hue, is a public health innovator committed to dismantling racist systems. Ashlee builds equitable solutions to overcome anti-Black racism and injustice in healthcare. 

Violet

Gaurang Choksi is the founder & CEO of Violet. Violet is a platform dedicated to helping the healthcare industry connect underserved communities to culturally competent care by building a new standard for identifying cultural competencies within providers.

Manatt Health 

Kinda Serafi is a partner with Manatt Health. Kinda advises on the legal, policy, and operational challenges of the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, Marketplaces, and payment and delivery reform. She has significant experience implementing and analyzing federal healthcare programs for an array of clients, including state governments, foundations, providers, nonprofit agencies, and IT vendors. In particular, she frequently leads complex multi-stakeholder engagement efforts.

Hawaii State Dept. of Human Services

Judy Mohr Peterson is the Medicaid Director for the Hawaii State Dept. of Human Services. She is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare delivery system reform and Medicaid. They are focusing on the volume and population in need of all forms of behavioral health care. 

Town Hall Ventures

Anna Fagin is a Principal with Town Hall Ventures. She is working to address healthcare inequities in underserved populations. She is responsible for investing in high-growth, technology-enabled consumer and healthcare businesses. 

Big Health

Dr. Juliette McClendon is the Director of Medical Affairs. Dr. McClendons is a clinical psychologist with expertise in researching and treating mood, anxiety, and personality disorders. She is a nationally-known expert on racial and ethnic health disparities and has worked extensively to address the impact of stress and trauma on the mental and physical health of people of color. 

Hazel Health

Dr. Travis Gayles is the Chief Health Officer for Hazel Health. Dr. Gayles previously served as the Health Officer and Chief of Public Health Services for Montgomery County, Maryland, where he oversaw the county health system, including the county's school-based health program, and was integral in leading the COVID-19 pandemic response. Dr. Gayles brings significant pediatric clinical experience and has been a published researcher on topics such as the impact of exposure to bullying and interpersonal violence on adolescent risk-taking behavior.