Dr. Joan Fallon, Founder and CEO of Curemark, is considered a visionary scientist who has dedicated her life’s work to championing the health and wellbeing of children worldwide. Curemark is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies to treat serious diseases for which there are limited treatment options.

You have had an incredibly impactful career in the healthcare industry. What lessons have you learned from working within healthcare that are particularly relevant to others who are interested in scaling their healthcare careers?

As healthcare has become a big business and a growing business in the last few years it is easy to forget the purpose of healthcare. Currently nearly 20% of GDP in the US is attributed to healthcare whereas in 1960 it was 5%. So it is easy to forget that healthcare is not about money, but about people. Healthcare exists in the service of others, and that the PATIENT is the most important part of healthcare. Drugs need to be developed in service of treating patients who need care, hospital systems and healthcare procedures should be performed in the service of helping patients.

It is also important to remember that we do not have healthcare equity in this country. Healthcare and access to healthcare is not equal throughout the US, and we must consider that through our healthcare careers always striving to find that equity as all patients deserve care.

You are also a notable entrepreneur and have been listed as one of the most intriguing entrepreneurs. What have you learned on your journey that can help others?

It’s all about grit, determination and patience with others and oneself. We are always a mentor and always a student. It is important to recognize that we can not let fear dictate our behavior and that as entrepreneurs we need to embrace RISK and let I be our friend.

Your book Goodbye, Status Quo: Reimagining the Landscape of Innovation came out in 2022. What do you think is the most important takeaway from this book?

We are all agents of change and that we should not be afraid of change in and around our lives.

What is the next big thing Curemark is hoping to address?

The company has a plethora of intellectual property and patents. We would like to next turn our attention to schizophrenia which affects nearly 5% of the world’s population as well as ALS which is a large unmet medical need.

Who is one woman you admire?

I have always admired Madelaine Albright. She has recently passed, but I had the great pleasure of spending an afternoon with her as few years ago. I sat there for a few hours intently listened to her stories. And what was amazing to me is that what I pictured her “superpower” to be in exactly what I witnessed. She was an amazing diplomate, a reader of people, and someone who knew how to bring out the best in people, while being amazingly kind.

What is one thing you can’t live without?

The love and support of those around me.

What is one trend you’re inspired by that you see coming in 2024?

The continued escalation in prominence of women’s sports. As more people embrace women’s sports, the greater the opportunities for women that will follow.