30 Million Women, One Overlooked Problem with Dr. Kate Stephenson

Dr. Kate Stephenson explores the often-overlooked reality of women’s health—particularly vaginal infections that impact millions each year—and why better solutions are long overdue. She introduces CERN’s innovative device, designed to treat these conditions without the side effects of traditional medications, and breaks down the science behind how it works. The conversation also tackles the cultural stigma that keeps these issues in the shadows, the regulatory hurdles of bringing new medical technologies to market, and the importance of building strong networks to advance women’s health innovation. Kate shares her journey as a female engineer and entrepreneur in a male-dominated field, offering insight into resilience, leadership, and the need for more diverse, patient-centered solutions.Chapters:00:00 The Unspoken Health Crisis for Women03:00 Innovative Solutions in Women's Health06:06 Breaking the Silence: Cultural Barriers in Women's Health08:56 The Science Behind the CERN Device11:56 Navigating Regulatory Challenges14:52 The Journey of a Female Engineer in MedTech17:50 Building a Network for Change22:47 Navigating Women's Health in Tech28:53 Overcoming Challenges as a Woman in Engineering36:40 The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Consulting41:36 Building Connections in the Bullpen Network45:58 Future Directions for CERN and Personal GrowthGuest Information:Guest's Name:  Dr. Kate StephensonGuest's Title/Position: VP EngineeringGuest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dyadengineering/Company / Affiliation: CERN Device https://cerndevice.com/Guest's Bio: Dr. Stephenson is a Stanford Engineering PhD with a deep technical consulting background in the design and development of products at life science startups. She has a twenty-year history of strategic early-stage technical projects in a wide range of novel medical products, including medical device, digital health, drug delivery and pharma. A long-term resident of California’s Silicon Valley, her active network spans the life sciences community, including R1 academic centers, major strategics, investors, and startups. Her three key areas of expertise include evaluation of regulated medical products, entrepreneurship education and technical writing.Takeaways:30 million women visit doctors for vaginal infections annually.Vaginal infections are the second leading cause for women in the ER.Current treatments for vaginal infections have not evolved in 40 years.CERN Corporation is developing a device to treat vaginal infections using microbicidal light.Cultural stigma prevents women from discussing their health issues.Women often receive incorrect diagnoses for vaginal infections.The CERN device is designed for home use with no drugs involved.The device uses blue light to target specific pathogens safely.Regulatory challenges exist in bringing innovative women's health devices to market.Networking and education are crucial for advancing women's health initiatives. I am calling the shots and organizing the engineering teams.The end result is helping women get over these health issues.We need to come up not with just one solution, but with a dozen options.The ultimate intent of this product is it's a home use product.The doctors hate it because literally it is the bare bottom value they offer.I joined the boys wrestling team my senior year to support a friend.I realized I had gone through four years of engineering education without a female professor.I want other women engineers to experience being taught by a woman.I'm the kid whose friend got bullied and I took action.I appreciate going to some of these events for networking.The Healthy Enterprise Podcast is produced by Bullzeye Global Growth Partners  https://bullzeyeglobal.com/