The New Wave of Healthcare Innovation: Meet 5 Entrepreneurs Making a Difference
The healthcare industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven by a new generation of entrepreneurs. These innovators are tackling some of the most persistent challenges in healthcare, an industry that plays a vital role in the well-being of individuals and communities.
From improving mental health care access to addressing the needs of minorities and people with disabilities, these entrepreneurs are making healthcare more accessible to those who need it most.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year, yet 56% of them do not receive treatment. Additionally, 40% of African Americans and 30% of Latinos report difficulties accessing healthcare compared to their white counterparts, as noted by the American Hospital Association.
For people with disabilities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 1 in 4 Americans experience some form of disability, yet many face barriers in accessing appropriate care.
Let’s take a closer look at the stories of those leading the charge and the impact they’re making on the future of healthcare.
Counseling Associates: Bridging Gaps in Mental Health Access Across New Hampshire
Betsy Harrison and Susan Borchert, co-founders of Counseling Associates (CA) in New London, New Hampshire, have built a strong foundation for accessible and affordable mental healthcare.
With a combined 40 years of clinical expertise, their shared vision has been to provide high-quality therapy services to individuals from all walks of life, ensuring that mental health care is within reach for everyone, regardless of their background or financial situation.
Founded in 2004, Counseling Associates started as a small practice and has since expanded to five locations, touching lives throughout New Hampshire. In response to growing demand, they leveraged telehealth options to reach even more people, particularly those in rural areas who might otherwise have limited access to care.
Their offerings are comprehensive, including treatment for anxiety, depression, couples therapy, career counseling, and substance abuse services, with a team of more than 85 professionals working together to make a difference.
Besides, Harrison and Borchert’s dedication to mental health goes beyond their practice. They work with state and federal agencies, volunteer, and collaborate with schools to make sure mental health is a priority in their communities.
Their thoughtful approach to growing their business, including working with the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC), has helped them expand sustainably, allowing their impact to continue to grow.
What’s more, the success of Counseling Associates, especially their ability to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic and expand services to underserved communities, shows their strong commitment to improving mental health care.
Their recognition as New Hampshire’s 2024 Small Business Persons of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration highlights the hard work and dedication they’ve put into their business and community.
From Soldier to Social Entrepreneur: Haskell D. Portee’s Impact on Underserved Communities
Haskell D. Portee, CEO of Professional Management Enterprises, Inc. (PME), didn’t just build a company – he built a legacy rooted in service, mentorship, and empowerment. Portee has turned the challenges of moving from military life to starting a successful minority-owned business into opportunities to grow as a leader and a community supporter.
With the support of resources like the U.S. Small Business Administration, his journey has grown beyond just business, positively impacting lives by improving access to healthcare and transportation for those who need it most.
PME, a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), employs 350 people, offering customizable business solutions to over 40 clients across the country.
Shortly after starting his entrepreneurial journey, Portee discovered the SBA’s resources while teaching business and entrepreneurship courses as an adjunct professor. He worked with SBA resource partners like SCORE and the Indiana Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), sketching out growth strategies and plans for PME.
With their support, Portee applied for the 8(a) Business Development Program, a nine-year SBA initiative that helps underserved business owners with training, resources, and networking.
Moreover, Portee enhanced his leadership skills through various SBA programs, including the THRIVE-Emerging Leaders program, and utilized SBA-backed loans for business growth. He remains actively involved with local business support organizations.
After completing the 8(a) program, Portee expanded PME’s service offerings by founding PME Logistics, Inc., which provides Non-Emergency Medical Transportation to underserved areas in Indiana. In 2019, he also launched WellTrans, the call center arm of PME Logistics, catering to low-income individuals who struggle to access healthcare services.
During the pandemic, Portee utilized an SBA Paycheck Protection Program loan to maintain payroll, keeping employees across all three of his enterprises on the job, providing essential healthcare and transportation services to Veteran and socially disadvantaged communities of color.
In recognition of his success, Portee was named the SBA Great Lakes Region and Indiana 8(a) Graduate of the Year in 2022 and SBA Indiana Small Business Person of the Year in 2023.
“Words can’t express how proud I am of our employees, clients, and team members,” Portee said. “As we are still becoming a better us, my team gets to see the power of teamwork and dedication to contract compliance, effective communications and team building, the power of owning our client’s vision and mission to accomplish what they hired us to do,”
Outside of his business, Portee serves on several community boards and is actively involved in organizations such as the American Cancer Society, 100 Black Men, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Job Ready Veterans, and the Alternative Inc. Battered Women’s Shelter.
Due to his commitment to service, Portee was honored by President Joe Biden with the 2022 President’s Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Service Award.
Jeremy Buchheit: From Marine Corps Veteran to Industry Leader in Medical Solutions
Jeremy Buchheit didn’t take the typical path into entrepreneurship. Starting Synergy Medical in 2005 with no experience, products, or customers, he was determined to solve problems in the medical field.
The U.S. Marine Corps veteran was focused on finding solutions for patient care and preventing cross-contamination in healthcare.
By 2007, despite the odds, Buchheit had designed, developed, and mass-produced 18 products focused on improving patient safety. His work paid off when his products were voted No. 1 over five other international giants, including the top three Fortune 500 companies in the industry.
With contracts with four international manufacturing facilities and a well-established supply chain, Synergy Medical expanded to over 25 healthcare facilities in a six-state region, giving Buchheit a platform for future growth.
Despite his success, Buchheit knew that to keep growing, he needed new strategies. It was around the 10-year mark of Synergy Medical’s existence when he sought additional guidance on scaling his business.
That’s when he was introduced to the SBA’s Emerging Leaders program, which targets small businesses poised for growth in emerging markets. “Out of the blue, I was contacted by Angie Wells from the SBA about the Emerging Leaders program. It sounded like a lot of work, but I was sold,” Buchheit said.
Through the program, Buchheit created a three-year growth plan and implemented it immediately. The results were remarkable. “From 2017 to 2018, we increased our sales by 62%,” said Buchheit. “For 2019, the company increased sales by more than 40%.”
His business was doing well, but he shifted his focus from everyday tasks to planning for long-term growth.
Buchheit’s success didn’t go unnoticed. He was named the 2019 SBA St. Louis Small Business Person of the Year, and his dedication to the Emerging Leaders program led him to become a mentor in the program.
He continues to guide new participants, sharing his journey and helping others find their path to success. “It helped me prioritize things that are important and things that should be delegated. I learned a great deal about all aspects of business,” he said.
Jeremiah and Ashley Fleeman: Creating a Pediatric Therapy Clinic for the Spanish-Speaking Community
In the growing healthcare landscape of Arkansas, one of the most important needs is ensuring access to pediatric therapy, especially for Spanish-speaking families. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 10% of the population in Arkansas speaks Spanish, with a portion being children who may require specialized therapy services.
Recognizing this gap in care, husband-and-wife duo Jeremiah Fleeman and Ashley Villarreal Fleeman decided to open a pediatric therapy clinic designed specifically for Spanish-speaking families.
“We were both feeling burnout in our jobs,” said Ashley Villarreal Fleeman, co-owner and founder of Amigos Pediatric Therapy. “We lacked the freedom and creativity that we felt was necessary to serve our clients and the kids. After applying to different positions in different companies—some of which had nothing to do with therapy – we asked ourselves why not try and do it ourselves.”
With their vision in full swing, the next challenge was securing the necessary capital to bring their clinic to life. Starting a pediatric therapy clinic required not only physical space but also supplies, marketing, and other resources. Determined to make their dream a reality, the couple began searching for funding options for their new business.
After researching small business capital options online, they discovered the U.S. Small Business Administration and the resources it offered to new and growing businesses. After careful planning, the Fleemans decided to apply for a 7(a) Guaranteed Loan.
“The SBA 7(a) Guaranteed loan was the catalyst that fueled the growth of our small business,” said Ashley. “We received a loan for $100,000, and it provided the essential financial foundation to acquire the resources and tools necessary to successfully equip our business.”
Although Amigos Pediatric Therapy is still a young business, it quickly began serving a growing number of clients and receiving referrals two to three times a week.
The Fleemans are deeply committed, working tirelessly to treat patients, manage appointments, and actively engage with their community. Their dedication to sharing their culture and supporting the Hispanic and Latino community in Arkansas lies at the core of their mission.
“Helping and being part of the Hispanic and Latino community has always been a dream of ours,” Ashley said.
The Fleemans have not only started a business but have created a place of healing and hope for children who need therapy. At Amigos Pediatric Therapy, each session is designed with respect for cultural traditions.
Rakesh Srivastava: Turning a Childhood Tragedy into a Life of Service and Innovation
Rakesh Srivastava, the owner and founder of Innovative Prosthetics & Orthotics in Hastings, Nebraska, has not only overcome tough challenges in his own life but has also dedicated himself to helping others in the field of prosthetics and orthotics.
Born in India, Srivastava lost his left leg above the knee at the age of 10 due to an accident. His experiences with prosthetics led him to work at the Akshay Pratisthan Rehabilitation Center in New Delhi before moving to the United States in 1997.
There, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska Kearney and became certified by the American Board of Certified Prosthetics and Orthotists. In 2006, Srivastava opened his own clinic, starting with just a 600-square-foot space and two employees.
Today, Innovative Prosthetics & Orthotics has grown into a 5,600-square-foot facility with additional locations in Omaha and Grand Island, employing 45 staff members. The company is the only one of its kind in Nebraska and one of the few in the U.S. to develop low-cost 3D printed prosthetic devices.
This growth has been supported in part by the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC), a partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In 2013, Srivastava worked closely with NBDC’s Procurement and Technical Assistance Center to secure government contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Later, in 2015, he collaborated with NBDC’s Technology Commercialization Team to obtain a prototype grant. His most recent work with NBDC consultant Sara Bennett helped expand the company into 3D printing for prosthetic devices, which led to bank financing and the establishment of Shabri, LLC.
Bennett praises Srivastava for his entrepreneurial spirit, stating, “Rakesh and his team at Innovative Prosthetics & Orthotics have done an outstanding job in growing the company, providing insight to the industry, and devising innovative ways to adapt prosthetic devices in the market,”
Beyond his success as a business owner, Srivastava is deeply committed to his community. He serves as a planning commissioner for the City of Hastings and is a board member for the Mary Lanning Healthcare Foundation.
He is also the founding president of the Tri-City Dharmic Center. In addition, he has helped establish four prosthetic and orthotic clinics in India and is the chairman of the Voice of Differently Abled (VODA) in New Delhi.
Like many small businesses, Srivastava faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with elective surgeries being canceled and patient referrals dwindling.
“I’m very passionate about my business and what I do, and when this pandemic happened COVID affected us a lot. Elective surgeries were closed, hospitals were reserving beds for COVID patients, and since we are a referral service our numbers went down to nothing,” said Srivastava.
However, he turned to the SBA-backed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, which he credits with saving his business. “We got the PPP notification and it was like an angel sent to our small business. It gave me a cushion to stand back up again. It really saved us from having to shut down the business,” he said.
Srivastava’s perseverance and resilience during this difficult time paid off, and in 2020, he was named the SBA Nebraska Small Business Person of the Year.
“I am excited to recognize Rakesh Srivastava as the Nebraska state winner,” said Leon Milobar, District Director of the SBA Nebraska District Office. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of Nebraska’s economy, and Small Business Week is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the hard work companies like Innovative Prosthetics & Orthotics perform in our local communities.”
