Interview with Darlene Higbee Clarkin, CEO & Founder of KORE Digital Health Therapeutics, MyHealthyGut and MyWholeLife , May 2019
Background:
If you want to meet a woman full of passion, enthusiasm and commitment, Darlene Higbee Clarkin is that person. In March 2018, she was named one of BC's Most Influential Women in Technology and throughout her career she has successfully brought ideas to life with her ability to identify needs and opportunities.
Darlene Higbee Clarkin had over 25 years of business success behind her when she decided to turn her focus to holistic nutrition. Her technology background started in the airline industry, developing integrated applications and solutions and ultimately specializing in loyalty points. She’s one of the co-founders of Points.com, a publicly traded company that provides the world’s top brands with loyalty eCommerce and technology solutions. As Chief Technology Officer there, she co-invented the state-of-the-art loyalty commerce platform that the company still uses.
Her success enabled her to focus on health care, driven in part by her father’s struggle with Type 2 Diabetes, which cost him his legs - and ultimately his life. Realizing that more could have been done to help reduce the pain and prolong his life, Darlene became a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN). (1) Although her father followed her treatment plans, he never truly changed his diet. Darlene knew her technology expertise could help others gain control of their health and see resulting positive outcomes. She first founded mywholelife.ca a site featuring leading edge online holistic nutrition services, access to Integrative Nutritionists, a free online health report, and a series of mobile apps—available, accessible, and affordable—to manage blood sugar, weight, and provide meal plans to support healthy diets.
The more Darlene learned, the more importance she saw in the body’s immune system and the gut. Darlene met two individuals who, together with Darlene, would work to develop MyHealthyGut: Dr. Justine Dowd, currently a Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Calgary (original PhD from UBC), would bring her experience, both as someone with celiac disease and as a celiac disease researcher with Mitacs, the University of Calgary, the Calgary Foundation and branches of the Canadian Celiac Association; and Desiree Nielsen, BSc, RD, who was writing blogs for mywholelife.ca, would write the educational and nutritional content, based on her experience treating those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Darlene would strategize the technology behind the app, so the tool could be made available to anyone with an iPhone or iPad. (Eventually, she plans to add functionality for tablets and Android phones).
The need was personal. Darlene had developed autoimmune issues, Justine had celiac disease and Desiree has IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Together they forged a relationship that ultimately would become MyHealthyGut.
The app was first launched in September 2016 however, its development was different than most “tech apps”. The app was evidence-based, and customer driven. Customer focus groups took place at U of C under the direction, and as part of Dr. Justine Dowd’s doctoral research. Once a prototype was developed, members of the celiac community were enlisted to participate in a Randomized Control study to test the effectiveness and usability of the app.
One of the biggest challenges of developing an application is communicating the value and benefits within the app. The consumer is hard to reach, and it is hard to make them aware of the differences between MyHealthyGut and the other health apps in the market. MyHealthyGut is evidence-based and peer reviewed. Content in the app is backed by the latest celiac disease research and was also reviewed for accuracy by a third party, Dr. Elena Verdu, MD, PhD, Professor, McMaster University and member of the Canadian Celiac Association, Professional Advisory Council.
Another year in the making and the team is about to launch a brand-new version of MyHealthyGut. The app is technically complex, yet the user interface is easy to navigate and simple to use. Communicating this to both the end user and groups who will get value from the application is more difficult than the original development. The tool has been developed to provide the user with information to guide them to a healthy life, but also, with the permission of the user, to provide anonymous data that may be useful to further research.
The New App:
A new version of the app is to be launched shortly. It will be more dynamic, including daily tips and articles on health topics. Functionality will be expanded to include:
The app will be available through the iTunes App store for less per month than a cup of Starbucks specialty coffee, and it provides you with health information that would cost hundreds of dollars if received through private consultation. It is a “dietitian in your pocket.”
The therapeutic approach has been validated by health care providers, organizations including the Canadian Celiac Association, and by government programs through approval of IRAP funding. Mercer, a Health and Benefits provider, will offer the application to their customers, through their health listings. Additional scientific articles regarding the randomized control study for the app are scheduled to be published in Pub Med.
What makes Darlene Higbee Clarkin happiest, is helping other people. The reaction she received from many attending the GF Expo in 2019 makes everything worthwhile. One woman said that she “wished the app was around when she had been struggling” and then she started to cry and asked if she could hug Darlene? That alone makes it worthwhile. Ellen Bayens, the Celiac Scene, wanted to cry when she saw a demo of the new app, as she said it changed her world as a celiac.
Future:
“Digestive disorders are the second leading cause of disability in the US, at a cost of $142 billion a year to the healthcare system. We can help with that……”
Darlene’s end goal is to make the app available to everyone, funded by employers, health care bodies, governments and part of extended healthcare and benefits. Reduction in disability costs will offset any costs to the healthcare system. As well, the product will become personalized through artificial intelligence and ultimately, will feed and advance further research. From the start, Darlene has involved researchers, and this will continue going forward. The ultimate goal will be to improve diagnosis and reduce costs to the end user using a collaborative approach where the individual feels they are part of the success.
Dedicated to work, Darlene plays just as hard. She’s a self-confessed foodie who loves cooking and fills her home during holidays with friends, family, kids, and dogs, a feast of dining and endless laughter. She pursues good health by maintaining a whole food diet, and she loves squash and outdoor sports, which she’s been known to take to extremes.
Download and see the value of this app and view science-based information on the following MyHealthyGut sites:
Website: http://myhealthygut.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myhealthygut/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/myhealthygut
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhealthygut/
Darlene is also looking for Ambassadors to contribute backed-by-research exclusive blog content to MyHealthyGut users, and Partners to promote/cross-promote their aligned gluten-free products or services within the app. Contact info@myhealthygut.com for more info!
References:
If you want to meet a woman full of passion, enthusiasm and commitment, Darlene Higbee Clarkin is that person. In March 2018, she was named one of BC's Most Influential Women in Technology and throughout her career she has successfully brought ideas to life with her ability to identify needs and opportunities.
Darlene Higbee Clarkin had over 25 years of business success behind her when she decided to turn her focus to holistic nutrition. Her technology background started in the airline industry, developing integrated applications and solutions and ultimately specializing in loyalty points. She’s one of the co-founders of Points.com, a publicly traded company that provides the world’s top brands with loyalty eCommerce and technology solutions. As Chief Technology Officer there, she co-invented the state-of-the-art loyalty commerce platform that the company still uses.
Her success enabled her to focus on health care, driven in part by her father’s struggle with Type 2 Diabetes, which cost him his legs - and ultimately his life. Realizing that more could have been done to help reduce the pain and prolong his life, Darlene became a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN). (1) Although her father followed her treatment plans, he never truly changed his diet. Darlene knew her technology expertise could help others gain control of their health and see resulting positive outcomes. She first founded mywholelife.ca a site featuring leading edge online holistic nutrition services, access to Integrative Nutritionists, a free online health report, and a series of mobile apps—available, accessible, and affordable—to manage blood sugar, weight, and provide meal plans to support healthy diets.
The more Darlene learned, the more importance she saw in the body’s immune system and the gut. Darlene met two individuals who, together with Darlene, would work to develop MyHealthyGut: Dr. Justine Dowd, currently a Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Calgary (original PhD from UBC), would bring her experience, both as someone with celiac disease and as a celiac disease researcher with Mitacs, the University of Calgary, the Calgary Foundation and branches of the Canadian Celiac Association; and Desiree Nielsen, BSc, RD, who was writing blogs for mywholelife.ca, would write the educational and nutritional content, based on her experience treating those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Darlene would strategize the technology behind the app, so the tool could be made available to anyone with an iPhone or iPad. (Eventually, she plans to add functionality for tablets and Android phones).
The need was personal. Darlene had developed autoimmune issues, Justine had celiac disease and Desiree has IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Together they forged a relationship that ultimately would become MyHealthyGut.
The app was first launched in September 2016 however, its development was different than most “tech apps”. The app was evidence-based, and customer driven. Customer focus groups took place at U of C under the direction, and as part of Dr. Justine Dowd’s doctoral research. Once a prototype was developed, members of the celiac community were enlisted to participate in a Randomized Control study to test the effectiveness and usability of the app.
One of the biggest challenges of developing an application is communicating the value and benefits within the app. The consumer is hard to reach, and it is hard to make them aware of the differences between MyHealthyGut and the other health apps in the market. MyHealthyGut is evidence-based and peer reviewed. Content in the app is backed by the latest celiac disease research and was also reviewed for accuracy by a third party, Dr. Elena Verdu, MD, PhD, Professor, McMaster University and member of the Canadian Celiac Association, Professional Advisory Council.
Another year in the making and the team is about to launch a brand-new version of MyHealthyGut. The app is technically complex, yet the user interface is easy to navigate and simple to use. Communicating this to both the end user and groups who will get value from the application is more difficult than the original development. The tool has been developed to provide the user with information to guide them to a healthy life, but also, with the permission of the user, to provide anonymous data that may be useful to further research.
The New App:
A new version of the app is to be launched shortly. It will be more dynamic, including daily tips and articles on health topics. Functionality will be expanded to include:
- Expanded resources, including researched articles regarding your gut health, Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance, gluten-free diet and practical information to manage it while dining, travelling or supporting kids.
- A searchable database of 1,600 foods and growing to determine if the are safe and add them to your shopping list.
- Quick start and 7-day meal plans to improve gut health (with recipes, pictures) and the ability to create grocery lists. Healing foods and supplements: 25 pro-digestive foods, top 100 anti-inflammatory foods and top gut health supplements, with information on why they are good for your health.
- The ability to track your food and symptoms on a daily basis.
- A report to share with your health care provider capturing your food and symptom tracking data to see trends and potential relationships between the foods you eat and your symptoms.
- Daily tips to keep you motivated and assist you on your health care journey.
- Professor G – a digestive health bot (see picture below), who will answer your questions and learn to answer better over time (machine learning will allow the application to learn).
- An interactive Health Coach to keep you motivated, provide you with tips to improve your health and who will notify you if symptoms suggest you should see your healthcare provider.
The app will be available through the iTunes App store for less per month than a cup of Starbucks specialty coffee, and it provides you with health information that would cost hundreds of dollars if received through private consultation. It is a “dietitian in your pocket.”
The therapeutic approach has been validated by health care providers, organizations including the Canadian Celiac Association, and by government programs through approval of IRAP funding. Mercer, a Health and Benefits provider, will offer the application to their customers, through their health listings. Additional scientific articles regarding the randomized control study for the app are scheduled to be published in Pub Med.
What makes Darlene Higbee Clarkin happiest, is helping other people. The reaction she received from many attending the GF Expo in 2019 makes everything worthwhile. One woman said that she “wished the app was around when she had been struggling” and then she started to cry and asked if she could hug Darlene? That alone makes it worthwhile. Ellen Bayens, the Celiac Scene, wanted to cry when she saw a demo of the new app, as she said it changed her world as a celiac.
Future:
“Digestive disorders are the second leading cause of disability in the US, at a cost of $142 billion a year to the healthcare system. We can help with that……”
Darlene’s end goal is to make the app available to everyone, funded by employers, health care bodies, governments and part of extended healthcare and benefits. Reduction in disability costs will offset any costs to the healthcare system. As well, the product will become personalized through artificial intelligence and ultimately, will feed and advance further research. From the start, Darlene has involved researchers, and this will continue going forward. The ultimate goal will be to improve diagnosis and reduce costs to the end user using a collaborative approach where the individual feels they are part of the success.
Dedicated to work, Darlene plays just as hard. She’s a self-confessed foodie who loves cooking and fills her home during holidays with friends, family, kids, and dogs, a feast of dining and endless laughter. She pursues good health by maintaining a whole food diet, and she loves squash and outdoor sports, which she’s been known to take to extremes.
Download and see the value of this app and view science-based information on the following MyHealthyGut sites:
Website: http://myhealthygut.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myhealthygut/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/myhealthygut
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhealthygut/
Darlene is also looking for Ambassadors to contribute backed-by-research exclusive blog content to MyHealthyGut users, and Partners to promote/cross-promote their aligned gluten-free products or services within the app. Contact info@myhealthygut.com for more info!
References:
- Three Women Changing The Way We Deliver Healthcare, ForbesWomen, by Vanessa Dawson, August 2, 2018, https://www.forbes.com/sites/vinettaproject/2018/08/02/three-women-changing-the-way-we-deliver-healthcare/#7b7cdddd3e17
- www.mywholelife.ca
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/theres-now-app-celiac-sufferers-helps-them-take-care-darlene/
- https://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2017-08-04/app-designed-ease-digestive-struggles-running-health-technology-award
- https://www.mitacs.ca/en/newsroom/news-release/gut-health-101-first-its-kind-app-clears-gluten-free-misconceptions-brings
- https://koredigitalhealth.com/
- B.C’s Most Influential Women 2018: Stem Stars https://www.bcbusiness.ca/BCs-Most-Influential-Women-2018-Stem-Stars
- Fresh Magazine: Women Inc. 10 Brand to Follow, page 17. https://issuu.com/freshvancouver/docs/jan-feb_web
- KORE Digital Health Therapeutics makes the 2019 Emerging Rockets List for Digital Health. http://www.readytorocket.com/2019/03/2019-emerging-rockets-list-for-digital.html
