RECAP: The Business of Women's Health 101 Session #3

Hi everyone,

Thank you to everyone who joined me for The Business of Women’s Health 101. Whether you joined live or plan to catch the replay, I’m so glad you’re here — and I want to make sure you walk away with the big picture.

We spent an hour unpacking how the U.S. healthcare system really works — and why the business of women’s health plays by a different set of rules. The conversation went far beyond surface-level “femtech” headlines to focus on how money, policy, and power move through the system, and what that means for innovation, access, and investment.

🧩 Six Core Pillars Every Leader Must Understand

1. The Ecosystem
We started with the $4T healthcare economy — a complex web of hospitals, payers, employers, regulators, and innovators. Understanding how these players intersect is essential to seeing where women’s health continues to fall through the cracks.

2. Care Delivery
We examined how OB-GYNs, nurse practitioners, midwives, telehealth providers, and pharmacies each shape access, cost, and quality. The future of care depends on expanding who delivers it — and meeting women where they are, from digital-first models to home-based care.

3. Money Flow
We followed the money — from CPT codes and RVUs to payers, policy, and the RUC Committee. Reimbursement is the hidden architecture of healthcare economics. Until we fix how women’s health is valued and paid for, the industry will remain underfunded and undervalued.

4. Business Models & Funding
We explored what differentiates a Series A from a Series C company, why valuations in women’s health lag, and how capital flows through the system. The lesson: women’s health doesn’t just need more capital — it needs smarter capital aligned with market education, payer readiness, and long-term value creation.

5. Product & Marketing
We discussed the unique challenges of building and marketing responsibly in women’s health — an industry still constrained by privacy laws, advertising bias, and platform restrictions. Winning brands earn trust through transparency and data integrity — not just growth.

6. Regulation & Policy
Every major breakthrough in women’s health — from new reimbursement codes to NIH research funding — traces back to policy. Understanding the influence of CMS, FDA, NIH, and Congress is non-negotiable for anyone serious about shaping this market.

🩺 Why This Matters

One of the most eye-opening moments came when we unpacked why the average OB-GYN visit lasts just seven minutes. It’s not because clinicians don’t care — it’s because the system doesn’t pay for their time. That single example captures the root of the issue: the system is working exactly as designed — just not for women.

We also reframed women’s health beyond reproduction, spanning heart disease, Alzheimer’s, menopause, mental health, fertility, and oncology. Every one of these areas needs innovators who understand both the clinical and economic levers that drive systemic change.

At the end of the day, the business of women’s health isn’t about charity. It’s about realigning incentives. When we understand how the economics, regulation, and incentives interact, we can rebuild a system that finally works for women.

💡 Big Takeaway

Here are the slides

Here’s the Recording

At the end of the conversation we shared how you can go deeper with us on all of these topics with the Women’s Health Mini-MBA. This is quickly becoming the gold-standard of education for the women’s health ecosystem.

Keep reading for details.

If you’re ready to join us, Sign Up Here 

Read how the course changed the lives of multiple Cohorts

Your exclusive discount code (for 10% OFF - the highest one we offer — only to those from the webinar) - IWHMBA10 - expires Friday, October 31st at Midnight EST.

Don’t take it from us…

"The best investment you can make is in yourself." — Warren Buffett

Whether it's expanding your skills, building new relationships, or deepening your understanding of the industry — investing in yourself pays lifelong dividends. Unlike market swings or business risks, no one can take your growth away from you.

Registration Now Open for Women’s Health Mini-MBA

Exclusive Discount Below

As we discussed on the call, registration is now open for the industry’s only deep-dive into the business of women’s health - the In Women’s Health Mini-MBA.

The Women’s Health Mini-MBA is the product of 40+ years of experience, hundreds of hires, and thousands of hours of training, leading, educating, mentoring and coaching in our ecosystem.

 There is nothing on the market like this. 

This is the only course that looks at the business of healthcare through the lens of women’s health.  

It’s the only course that:

• Breaks down the complicated silos in healthcare

• Covers the nuances of women’s health within our healthcare system

• Gives you access to expert mentors and a strong community

• Allows you to build your network with 100+ other talented leaders in the space

• Provides an opportunity to learn from industry leaders

Read what the alumni of the previous cohorts are saying about their experience.

We have some exciting changes to the curriculum planned along with 5+ guest speakers in this cohort!

The 6-week Women’s Health Mini-MBA will include:

• Week 1: Ecosystem: History, Overview, Opportunities + Challenges

• Week 2: Care Delivery (Providers, Pharmacy, PBM etc)

• Week 3: How Money Flows (Payers, Revenue Cycle, Reimbursement)

• Week 4: Funding, Strategy + Business Models

• Week 5: Product, Data and Marketing

• Week 6: Regulatory, Government & Privacy

Class Structure:

• Instructional video: Each week will include an asynchronous video to watch that gives you the “nuts & bolts” of a part of the American Healthcare system.

   

• Live Session #1: Then, our live 90-minute class will bring that part of the healthcare system to life in real terms through the lens of women’s health — usually with a case study.

• Live Session #2: We will continue examining the nuances of the week’s topic within women’s health and be joined by a guest speaker from the industry to share their 1:1 experience.

Course Dates: November 7th- December 18th

The class will meet 12:30 -2 PM EST on session days. It will also be recorded so you can follow along asynchronously.

I provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee - attend the classes and if you’re not satisfied I’ll give you a refund.

Past guest speakers included:

• Karla Loken, Medical Affairs Consultant

• Melissa Reilly, CRO - Zeel

• Colleen Foster, General Partner - Amboy Street Ventures

• Amanda Johnson, Founder & CEO - Julie

• Rebecca Bennett, Running for Congress - NJ-7

Guest speakers for this session will be announced shortly.

You’ll walk away with:

• Access to 10+ industry leaders

• 30+ hours of instruction from the industry’s top executives

• Lists of over 100+ people to follow in Women’s Health

• List of key women’s health resources to follow and conferences to attend

• An enhanced network of 100+ new women’s health leaders, connected by our private platform and a private Slack channel.

• 3-month membership to In Women’s Health including access to our function-based networks, private Slack community, real-time In Women’s Health Job Board with 115+ companies (a $177 value)

• Contact information for key recruiters and hiring managers in the industry

• List of key women’s health resources to follow and conferences to attend

• Access to the real-time In Women’s Health Job Board with 115+ companies

Investment: $1,197

DISCOUNT: If you register before Monday at Midnight, you’ll get 10% off using the code IWHMBA10.

Hurry, as this code expires Friday, October 31st at Midnight EST.

Beyond the MBA and Mastermind with 51&

We’re building something bigger. 51& (formerly Stealth for Women’s Health) is uniting women’s voices, dollars, and influence to transform the healthcare system from the ground up. As part of our early community, you’ll gain access to member-only events, resources, and leadership opportunities that drive systemic change. We have limited availability left for our one-time, lifetime membership- $100 once and you’re a lifetime member!

👉 Become a Lifetime Member

And don’t miss The Five and One, our weekly newsletter delivering five stories and one big idea on the policies, research, and power structures shaping women’s health. It’s your front-row seat to the movement we’re building.

👉 Sign up for The Five and One

Additional Resources Mentioned in the Call:

Check out all of our other IWH Free Events - Subscribe to our Luma calendar so you don’t miss opportunities to connect with others in women’s health and industry leaders. 

Women’s Health PAC - Visit the website for more details on how to get involved and to join our mailing list for information on opportunities in your city.

In Women’s Health Newsletter - Join 6,200 industry executives and get our weekly newsletter for the latest women’s health career and leadership news and over 100+ jobs in women’s health each week. I have added each of you to this already!

In Women’s Health Talent Network - Add your free profile to our talent network. Don’t worry - we won’t share your information without contacting you first.