INSPIRED IMPACT is an ongoing blog series that gives voice to social entrepreneurs and leaders of mission-driven organizations who are making an impact in their communities, industries, and around the world.
Shaelee Huck is the Sales & Marketing Associate of D-Rev. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more at d-rev.org.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
D-Rev designs and delivers low-cost medical devices to medical professionals who are serving people in low-income areas who need access to affordable healthcare. We have a Newborn Health Program and a Mobility Program. I solely work on our Mobility Program delivering an $80 prosthetic knee joint to prosthetists all around the world. Our products have been sold in more than 60 countries and have treated more than 500,000 people.
WHY DO YOU DO IT?
We believe good health is a fundamental right. Most solutions for solvable health problems don’t reach the people who need them most. We feel it’s our responsibility to close the quality healthcare gap for under-served populations and we do this by introducing high-quality products and selling them at a price everyone can afford.
WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING?
At D-Rev we spend a lot of time understanding how our products are being used. For instance, we sell ReMotion, a prosthetic knee joint to certified prosthetists for $80 to free up resources for the prosthetist and to help them better prescribe a prosthetic device that will provide greater mobility for their patients. ReMotion’s design is centered around the needs of younger and more active people with above-knee amputations who need the ability to walk long-distances. This improves quality of life for our users and enables them to continue being active members of their communities and economies.
WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE THIS IMPACT?
Our end users! It’s exhilarating when we see our products reaching customers for the first time who would otherwise have no access to an affordable prosthesis or life-saving jaundice treatment through Brilliance, our phototherapy device for newborns.
WHAT’S YOUR BIG DREAM FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND THE IMPACT YOU WANT TO MAKE?
We believe introducing a user-centric design process with our market-driven approach has the potential to solve critical health problems – for good! By selling products in low-income markets that are typically overlooked by medical device companies, we’ll spur companies to compete with D-Rev. As a result, prices for competing products will decrease while maintaining their quality and offering more choices to healthcare providers.
WHAT RESOURCES DO YOU NEED TO MAKE THOSE DREAMS COME TRUE?
D-Rev raises substantial philanthropic funds for research and development as well as impact assessment. We build small profit margins into our products to support our manufacturing, distribution, marketing and sales. The goal is that once a product reaches the market, it will not require long-term philanthropic support for its lifetime (though early investments in sales infrastructure are often needed).
WHAT IS (OR HAS BEEN) YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Keeping a market-driven approach for our sustainable model while sticking to our mission can be challenging. Sometimes our customers’ motivations may not always align with our social goals, so finding common ground – partners who want to provide affordable, high-quality care – requires work and patience.
WHAT WORDS OF ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER LEADERS LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
At D-Rev we strive to keep our end users at the center of everything we do. Stay true to the people you want to serve and rely on their insights, priorities and feedback.
HOW CAN OTHERS SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR CAUSE?
Grants and donations are always appreciated to support our new product development efforts and help our current products scale in new markets. We’re always looking to collaborate with partners in global health who want to help us expand our reach in communities where healthcare options are limited. Over the next three years, D-Rev will expand our product portfolio to 4+ product lines that will address critical health needs and close the gap in quality newborn health. As a result of our fieldwork, we are prioritizing nutrition and respiratory distress for premature babies. These are in the prototyping phase and still are in need of funding.
Orapin Marketing + Public Relations is an award-winning communications agency that generates awareness, engagement, and, ultimately, support for mission-driven organizations. We amplify their voice and reach so they can increase their impact. If you would like to be featured on INSPIRED IMPACT, reach out to hello@orapinmarketing.com.