FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Collaboration with Methodist Healthcare Ministries Will Advance Health Equity
SAN ANTONIO (August 22) – VelocityTX announced today the cohort of companies that will participate in its upcoming Community Health Accelerator, which kicks off September 9 and is presented in partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM). Designed to advance companies with innovations that promote health equity, this first-of-its-kind program brings together five groundbreaking startups that are working to develop innovations to address the social determinants of health, a broad term used to describe the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes.
The accelerator will take a deep dive into the fundamentals of business with discussions around key market strategy, pitching, and fund raising, among others. The program will conclude with a public “demo day” event on October 10, where the cohort companies will compete for a chance to deploy their innovations through a pilot study within Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ network of services in the Rio Grande Valley.
“We are excited for this program, which will propel innovation and sustainable solutions at the intersection of business and community impact. Together, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and VelocityTX intend to create a hub of innovation that launches improvement in the social determinants of health for years to come,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries.
Selected Participants for the Community Health Accelerator:
DoktorConnect (El Paso, Texas)
DoktorConnect is transforming healthcare delivery from the current diagnose-and-treat model to an approach that emphasizes preventative care, pioneering a digital platform that offers robust wellness functionality. The company’s FDA- and CE-certified IoT devices provide tailored solutions for a healthier life, enhanced vitality, and increased longevity.
Yumlish (Dallas, Texas)
Yumlish provides tech-enabled, culturally affirming programs aimed at diabetes prevention in low-income communities, with a strong focus on Spanish-speaking populations. Their approach addresses health disparities and promotes better health outcomes through accessible and culturally relevant education and resources.
BobiHealth (San Antonio, Texas)
Bobi, Inc. (DBA BobiHealth) is revolutionizing pregnancy care with intelligent monitoring solutions. Utilizing the latest advances in AI and machine learning, BobiHealth identifies and predicts adverse events early, offering timely information for healthier outcomes and more meaningful conversations with providers. Their ultra-available, proprietary solutions leverage off-the-shelf smartphones and wearable devices, providing unlimited opportunities for impact.
Tabiat (Toronto, Ontario)
Focusing on early detection, Tabiat delivers clinically relevant insights to prevent readmissions and reduce acute events, potentially saving hospitals $383 billion annually. Their platform offers health monitoring and proactive care at home, leveraging AI and passive sensing to predict health changes days in advance, facilitating earlier intervention.
VitalFlo (Raleigh, North Carolina)
VitalFlo is a proactive respiratory health company offering a spirometry, software, and analytics platform to help measure, monitor, and predict lung health. VitalFlo’s solutions enable patients and doctors to measure and track chronic respiratory conditions over time with flexible, easy-to-use tools for both in-person and virtual care.
“We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional startups to our Community Health Accelerator,” said Rene Dominguez, President and CEO of VelocityTX. “Each company brings a unique and innovative approach to solving critical health challenges, and we are excited to support their growth and success as they work to improve health outcomes in our communities.”
“Our mission is ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’ and we fulfill that mission by working to improve the health & wellness of the least served across the 74-counties we serve. By supporting this accelerator, we are investing in innovative solutions that have the potential to transform healthcare delivery and make a lasting impact on community health,” Wesolowski added.
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
About VelocityTX
Formerly known as the Texas Research & Technology Foundation, VelocityTX is a nonprofit organization established in 1984 to promote sustainable economic and community growth. In carrying out this mission, the organization seeks to advance San Antonio’s life sciences industry through the development of a state-of-the-art bioscience innovation campus on the city’s near east side. Based out of the former Merchants Ice & Cold Storage complex, the master planned development will bring together established bioscience companies, healthcare startups, and military medical research organizations in an inclusive community where ideas collide to spur medical breakthroughs. VelocityTX also promotes workforce development through its Step Into STEM program, and provides entrepreneurial support services designed to accelerate the commercialization of emerging medical technologies. Learn more at velocitytx.org.
| Brian Peters | Teno Villarreal |
| Director of Marketing and Communications VelocityTX | Public Relations Specialist Methodist Healthcare Ministries |
| brian@velocitytx.org, (210) 904-5984 | avillarreal1@mhm.org, (210) 787-6757 |