Across the Miles…Around the World Thought Leadership & Innovation Foundation (TLI) Hosts 2024 Inaugural Fellows Meeting

Representing some of the greatest minds in shaping a vision for a world where cutting-edge innovation and data-driven solutions provide hope and improved care to patients and families, the current class of TLI Fellows held a virtual meeting on February 16, 2024. These innovators are the cornerstone of the TLI mission, embodying a collective commitment to innovative thinking and transformative action.

Shawn Murphy, Board Vice President, TLI, opened the meeting and welcomed the participants, saying, “Each of you has been carefully selected as a Fellow since you are all guided by values of integrity, partnership and excellence. Together, we strive to harness the power of thought leadership and innovation to address the most pressing health challenges of our time.”

Fellows received a warm welcome from Bill Oldham, Founder and Chairman of TLI, who shared his vision for the future, the need to grow the size and scope of projects that address unmet healthcare needs and the attributes the TLI Innovation Hub. Currently, the Hub evaluates emerging technology solutions that can improve health for specific underserved populations.

Meet the TLI Fellows In Attendance

• Joseph Carabello, president and CEO, CPR Strategic Marketing and Communications

• Laura Carabello, CCO, CPR Strategic Marketing and Communications

• Marna Ericson, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota

• Jonathan Wiesen, MD, founder and CMO, MediOrbis

• Robert Mozayeni, MD, founder and executive director, Translational Medical Group

• Peter Chakales, CEO, Healytics

• Philip J. R. Day, MD, founder and CEO, GeneGini  

• Robin Robinson, PhD, CEO, Esperovax, Inc.

• Dan Rossignol, MD, FAAFP and FMAPS, Rossignol Medical Center

• Paul Kent, founder, disAbled Life Alliance

• Matthew Levine, director of grants, partnerships and advocacy, American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDA) 

• Beth Lambert, executive director, Epidemic Answers

Each Fellow then had the opportunity to present an overview of his/her ongoing professional activities and continued interest in the three current areas of focus for TLI:

Limb Loss

Uniquely positioning and strengthening manufacturers and orthotic/prosthetic (O&P) providers as key stakeholders in improving overall patient outcomes, TLI highlighted the important work of the Limb Loss and Preservation Registry (LLPR), the first hospital systems and O&P practices collaborative database that focuses on both upper and lower extremity acquired and congenital limb differences, as well as limb preservation populations. 

Fellows also viewed a four-minute version of the LLPR video which captures the challenges that amputees face in their quest for independence and a better quality of life. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

TLI has taken significant steps in advancing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) awareness and support including. The meeting featured a demonstration of The Autism Knowledge Gateway, a dynamic resource in development. It aims to provide clinicians, parents and educators with a rich repository of peer-reviewed research, comprehensive information on available programs, and resources dedicated to supporting ASD families. A collaborative chat room within the Gateway facilitates in-depth discussions of case studies and current research among clinicians.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a common eye condition that affects the macula, a small area near the center of the retina in the back of the eye that provides central vision, along with the ability to perceive color and fine detail. Early AMD often has no symptoms and may not significantly affect vision, making routine eye exams critical in detecting its presence.

Recently, TLI partnered with the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF), beginning with the debut of a patient testimonial video produced by the AMDF and featuring TLI Fellow, Laura Carabello, who documents her timely intervention and management of macular degeneration. As a patient advocate for AMDF and as Chair of the TLI Fellows, Carabello urges people to understand their risk for macular degeneration, recognize symptoms, seek early treatment and be compliant with ongoing therapy.

Expanding the Number of Fellows

Carabello called upon each member to invite colleagues who share the passion to innovate.

“We'd like to grow this group to over 200 Fellows in the near future – each with a two-year commitment,” Carabello.  “We're looking for motivated people to make good on our promise to boost research and activities of all who are involved, including stakeholders throughout the healthcare ecosystem. We call upon you to bring in more Fellows who have ideas and want to generate and grow their particular interest levels and also boost the image of the TLI.”

In return, she said that Fellows can expect to have a greater voice via articles in Journals, blog posts on the TLI website and presentations at industry conferences that correlate with a TLI project. 

“We want to have an amplified voice with government and make known our interest and support for legislation that impacts our programs,” added Carabello.

Participation as a TLI Fellow is open to individuals seeking an opportunity for visionary thinking. The next virtual meeting will be held in May 2024. For more information, reach out to us via our website.

About TLI

The Thought Leadership & Innovation Foundation (TLI) is a not-for-profit organization that works at the nexus of science, technology and public health, innovating for superior prevention, treatment and outcomes for those facing life-altering medical diagnoses.TLI helps patients across the country and around the world find better healthcare outcomes. Visit www.thoughtfoundation.org and follow us on LinkedIn.