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Catherine Winckler
Founder & CEO, MindfulGarden Digital Health. "When anxiety is lowered, care begins."™
Catherine Winckler is a visionary entrepreneur and creative leader who founded MindfulGarden Digital Health in March 2017.1 She is passionate about solving innovation puzzles, particularly in the digital world, and describes herself as a catalyst and synthesizer.1
Career Highlights
Switch United (1998-2017): Catherine was the founder and CEO of Switch United, a Vancouver-based digital innovation studio, for over 18 years.1 The company pioneered digital solutions for clients in entertainment, including TV networks, video game companies, and large events like the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.1
MindfulGarden Digital Health (2017-Present): In 2017, Catherine pivoted to found MindfulGarden Digital Health, focusing on creating a new modality of care for delirium in acute care settings.1 The company developed a clinically validated behavior modification platform that integrates biometric sensors, biofeedback, and video game technologies as a non-pharmacological alternative to psychotropic drugs.1
Achievements and Recognition
- Named one of BC Business magazine's 'Top Women in STEM'1
- Former PROFIT magazine 'Women's 100' honoree1
- Member of the invitation-only International Women's Forum1
- Top 5 Finalist in the TELUS Health Impact Investor Challenge (May 2022)1
- Participated in the Berkeley SkyDeck GIP Accelerator program in 20201
- Selected for the 2021 CTA Digital Health Accelerator cohort sponsored by Global Affairs Canada1
Education
Catherine studied Political Science and Government at the University of British Columbia.1
MindfulGarden's Impact
MindfulGarden's platform has been shown to lower agitation associated with delirium and reduce the use of psychotropic drugs in ICU settings by 25%.1 The company's innovative approach aims to address the global healthcare concern of over-prescribing psychotropic drugs and restraints, which are associated with negative health outcomes.12
Highlights
'The State of Women's Entrepreneurship in Canada: 2024' report released today by the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub. https://lnkd.in/gPynEcMu. While there will be focus of course on the continued deficits faced by women-led businesses, there are 'wins' as well within the hefty 224 page report, particularly as pertains to export. "Women-owned SMEs achieve a relatively higher financial return when they adopt an intensive export strategy compared to men-owned SMEs." An important document for allocation of resources forward.
Why should you care about World Delirium Day? If you or a loved one, particularly a senior, finds yourself in the hospital for joint replacement, cardiac surgery, or even a UTI, your risk of this sudden and often severe change in brain function called delirium can increase length of stay, lead to 9X cognitive impairment and 3X mortality -- and is prevalent in up to 70% of ICU patients. Psychotropic drugs for managing delirium can be counter-productive and that's why our MindfulGarden team is so passionate about bringing our non-pharmacological delirium management platform to market. Foundational clinical study has been completed at Royal Columbian Hospital. Evaluations underway in multiple locations.. stay tuned. In the meantime, learn more about delirium, how it is often missed as it was with my mother, and why there is hope for better protocols for addressing it. Unlike dementia, delirium IS a reversible condition if we manage it effectively. #delirium #WDAD2023 #MindfulGarden #RoyalColumbianHospital
