Nicole J Walker

Rush University Medical Center is an academic medical center that includes a 671-bed hospital serving adults and children, the 61-bed Johnston R. Bowman Health Center and Rush University. Rush University is home to one of the first medical colleges in the Midwest and one of the nations top-ranked nursing colleges, as well as graduate programs in allied health, health systems management and biomedical research. The medical center also offers more than 70 highly selective residency and fellowship programs in medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. For more than 170 years, Rush has been leading the way in developing innovative and often life-saving treatments. Today, Rush is a thriving center for basic and clinical research, with physicians and scientists involved in hundreds of research projects developing and testing the effectiveness and safety of new therapies and medical devices. In addition to its mission in patient care, education and research, Rush maintains a strong commitment to the community. Rush reaches out to the Chicago community through such offerings as the Rush Community Services Initiatives Program, an umbrella for several student-led outreach programs designed to address the social and health care needs of residents in neighboring communities.

Cala Health is a bioelectronic medicine company transforming the standard of care for chronic disease. The company’s wearable neuromodulation therapies merge innovations in neuroscience and technology to deliver individualized peripheral nerve stimulation. The first indication for Cala Health’s wearable therapy is essential tremor, a disease experienced by more than seven million people and characterized by severe hand tremors. New therapies are under development in neurology, cardiology, and psychiatry. The company is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area and backed by leading investors in both healthcare and technology.

Venture capitalists are committed to funding America’s most innovative entrepreneurs, working closely with them to transform breakthrough ideas into emerging growth companies that drive U.S. job creation and economic growth. As the voice of the U.S. venture capital community, the National Venture Capital Association empowers its members and the entrepreneurs they fund by advocating for policies that encourage innovation and reward long-term investment. The NVCA also serves as the definitive resource for venture capital data and unites its members through a full range of professional services.

Elucent Medical sought to solve the unanswered clinical needs of delivering oncologic therapies at the precise location of the disease. Through the revolutionary design of the SmartClipTM soft tissue marker and the EnVisioTM Navigation system, patient care transforms from a point to point indicator to real-time 3D navigation. This precise location and navigation become especially valuable in treating disease where the anatomy lacks anatomic landmarks. Elucent Medical delivers solutions that enable surgeons to provide individualized patient care from simple to complex.”

Strata Oncology is a high-growth, state-of-the art, precision oncology company, delivering a new standard of care that integrates molecular profiling, decision support and clinical trial participation into routine practice. We do this by partnering with major healthcare systems across the country, who systematically send their cancer patients’ biopsies to our high-throughput CLIA lab for genomic sequencing, with results provided to the oncologist within days, indicating the tumor profile, and matches to appropriate therapies and drug trials. This accelerates the move to personalized medicine – right medicines to the right patients at the right time. Our personnel are passionate about and committed to making a positive difference, now, in the lives of cancer patients and their families. Clinicians, pathologists, bioinformaticists, software engineers, lab technicians and more, coming together to give access to those without, uncovering insight that might be hidden, all while spreading urgency to all. Experience a career that connects a fast-paced team environment with a worthy pursuit – feel good about what you’ve accomplished at the end of every day!

Amphora Medical, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a privately held bladder fulguration company developing minimally invasive products to restore the quality of life of people suffering from bladder dysfunction syndromes. Founded in 2011, Amphora Medical is currently working on a novel cystoscopic device that has the potential to improve bladder function and quality of life for people with Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB).

NeoChord is a privately held medical technology company leading the advancement of beating heart mitral valve repair in patients suffering from mitral valve regurgitation. The company’s flagship product, the NeoChord Artificial Chordae Delivery System, received CE market clearance in December 2012.

MI Bioresearch (MI), the preclinical oncology solutions business of Covance, offers in vitro and in vivo pharmacology services, in vivo imaging technologies, and focal radiation capabilities to support your research programs. Our team helps you explore the effects of drugs and biologics using both human and syngeneic tumor models. MI provides you with decision-driving data to help advance your drug candidate toward the next cancer research breakthrough. We have over 350 cell lines representing a wide array of histotypes for both human and syngeneic tumors. Our large cell line library allows us to perform a number of key in vitro services, such as, cell based assays, flow cytometry, phospho-flow, and immunohistochemistry. These assays provide in vitro proof-of-concept prior to in vivo studies or provide a means to interrogate ex vivo samples collected during a study. We have in vivo, historic data on more than a third of our cell line library, allowing us to work with clients in developing the optimal study design to answer the pertinent questions within their preclinical drug discovery programs. Where relevant, we can apply small animal in vivo imaging using CT, PET, Bioluminescence Imaging, Fluorescence Imaging, and targeted radiation using our in-house SARRP. When your research has the potential to save lives, you deserve a partner with the oncology pharmacology knowledge, breadth of tools, and experience to help move life-changing drug candidates through preclinical development quickly and effectively. Tumor Models: SC, Disseminated, Orthotopic, Orthotopic Glioblastoma, Metastatic Careers: https://www.mibioresearch.com/about/careers/

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritional and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and www.facebook.com/AbbottCareers, on Instagram @AbbottGlobal, and on X @AbbottNews. We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings. An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce. Terms of Use: https://www.abbott.com/social-media-terms-of-use.html Privacy Policy: https://abbo.tt/privacy

Springboard accelerates the growth of entrepreneurial companies led by women through access to essential resources and a global community of experts. We are a leading network of influencers, investors, and innovators dedicated to building high-growth companies led by women who are transforming industries. The measure of our success is in the results. Since we started in 2000, 950+ Springboard portfolio companies have created more than $76B in value, 28 IPOs, and 10 unicorns.

Health Innovation Capital (HIC) is a venture capital impact fund that invests in disruptive healthcare innovation that addresses the unmet medical needs of pediatric patients within Oncology, Infectious Diseases, and select Rare and Orphan Designations. HIC is a tenured, diverse, and cohesive team of venture investors and medical innovation executives who have worked together to finance and advance some of the healthcare industry’s most important technological and service advancements. This unique team possesses a track record that encompasses over 125 years collectively of achieving significant exits and venture returns within HIC’s target indications and health sectors. Coupled with HIC’s scientific and medical advisors, who are leading physicians, C-suite executives, and researchers, the firm is a recognized thought leader and enabler in advancing innovative solutions across a pediatric patients journey from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care. Our commitment to support the advancement of pediatric health innovation is reinforced via the creation of the HIC Foundation - which donates 10% of the fund’s General Partner Carry Interest to renowned centers of pediatric care.

Rush University Medical Center is an academic medical center that includes a 671-bed hospital serving adults and children, the 61-bed Johnston R. Bowman Health Center and Rush University. Rush University is home to one of the first medical colleges in the Midwest and one of the nations top-ranked nursing colleges, as well as graduate programs in allied health, health systems management and biomedical research. The medical center also offers more than 70 highly selective residency and fellowship programs in medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. For more than 170 years, Rush has been leading the way in developing innovative and often life-saving treatments. Today, Rush is a thriving center for basic and clinical research, with physicians and scientists involved in hundreds of research projects developing and testing the effectiveness and safety of new therapies and medical devices. In addition to its mission in patient care, education and research, Rush maintains a strong commitment to the community. Rush reaches out to the Chicago community through such offerings as the Rush Community Services Initiatives Program, an umbrella for several student-led outreach programs designed to address the social and health care needs of residents in neighboring communities.

Not enough VC dollars are going to companies that are Black-led or solving problems that disproportionately affect communities of color. That’s why 2Flo Ventures exists. 2Flo is a startup studio and venture capital firm founded to accelerate equitable innovation in healthcare. We invest in diverse healthcare entrepreneurs with bold ideas and companies built to address unmet needs and close gaps in health outcomes for underserved communities. We take a hands-on approach to portfolio development and investment to deliver industry-leading returns to our investors and promote equity at every level of the healthcare system. #2FloEquity

Venture Forward, NVCA’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm, is on a mission to democratize access to the venture capital (VC) industry, empower individuals from all backgrounds and geographies to thrive as investors, and equip future VC leaders with the tools for long-term success. We support emerging fund managers and investors by providing education, mentorship, and resources to advance their careers. We are committed to driving healthy and sustainable generational change within established VC firms, ensuring strong industry stewardship for the future. Through these efforts, we envision a VC industry that reaches all communities across the country, unlocking greater innovation, economic impact, and financial returns. Learn more at ventureforward.org.