Dr. Erika Dillard, founder and CEO of PopCheck® Technologies, has been on the move. Dillard, one of the initial fellows in the Patents2Products Program launch by the University of Memphis FedEx Institute of Technology and Epicenter Memphis, continues to make time to keep her promise to remain patient-centered in under-sourced communities by traveling to Ghana with Kusudi International, providing medical services, therapy, and supplies to schools and medical clinics nationwide.

In March 2023, Dillard volunteered with Kusudi International Incorporated, a non-profit organization based in Harlem, New York, that offers rehabilitative (PT, OT, ST) and medical assistance for individuals in need locally and abroad. Their team consisted of four physical therapists, four physical therapy students, a podiatrist, a teacher, and two physicians, including herself. In addition to medical and therapy assistance, they partnered with FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital to provide in-service learning to the physical therapy department on the topic of Rehabilitation and Surgical Considerations for Cerebral Palsy and Childhood Scoliosis. During their time, the team delivered over 100 pediatric and adult PT and medical evaluations, from workup of back pain to wound care for diabetic ulcers.

Following her work with Kusudi, Dillard was joined in Ghana by her VP of Engineering, Dr. Tamara Baynham, to initiate their first human feasibility study at FOCOS Hospital.  While there, they presented to the medical team and trained the medical, nursing, and research staff on their technology and data acquisition system. After several weeks in Ghana, West Africa, “It has been a very eventful time connecting with stakeholders, patients, and physician experts,” said Dillard.  She also learned more about bringing innovative technologies into a different international healthcare system and looks forward to returning this June. 

Returning from Ghana, she attended ViVE in Nashville, TN, with other cohort members of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s Project Healthcare Program.  ViVE is an event designed to bring together senior-level digital health leaders. Dillard most recently participated in the Biolabs Philadelphia Investor Day event, where she had an opportunity to pitch to a group of nationwide investors and other companies in Philadelphia’s ecosystem.

“To secure additional funding [particularly at my stage of development], you have to enlarge your national footprint and go outside the Tennessee network,” said Dillard. 

Small business funding is available to provide resources to do a lot of important work, such as addressing local or national problems, building infrastructure, and performing additional academic research. Pitching her plan will assist in receiving grants and give PopCheck® instant credibility and public exposure.

“I’ve learned to deliver my message a little bit clearer so that anyone, regardless of their background, could understand what we’re doing and appreciate the value we’re providing,” according to Dillard.

PopCheck® Technologies, Inc is a medical device and digital health company developing Al-driven remote monitoring technologies that will support the recovery of patients in the postoperative setting through the prediction of surgical complications such as venous clots, one of the most common, potentially life-threatening, yet preventable surgical complication. Its mission is to create technology based on models of safe, effective, equitable, and accessible care that will enable patients to recover from surgery stress-free.  

Dillard continues to remain steadfast in making the PopCheck® vision a reality. They do what it takes to empower and provoke positive change toward better medical outcomes. She is patient-centric and customer-aligned to deliver the most significant value to the patient.

If you are interested in learning more about PopCheck® technologies, visit the website at www.popchecktechnologies.com or contact Dillard at erika@popchecktech.com.