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Don Wright

Founder, President & CEO Clarigent Health

Don Wright is a distinguished entrepreneur and visionary in the health technology sector, renowned for his role as the founder and CEO of Clarigent Health. With a mission to revolutionize how clinicians detect and track suicide risks and mental health outcomes, Don is at the forefront of integrating vocal biomarkers into healthcare practices. His innovative approach reflects his unwavering commitment to advancing mental health solutions, an area he has been passionately involved in for over three decades.

Prior to founding Clarigent Health, Don played a pivotal role in the growth of Assurex Health, which originated from groundbreaking technology developed at renowned institutions like the Mayo Clinic and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Under his leadership, Assurex Health expanded significantly, growing from a fledgling startup to a robust company with nearly 500 employees and providing care to almost two million individuals battling mental health issues. The company's successful trajectory culminated in its acquisition by Myriad Genetics in 2016, allowing Don to leverage his vast expertise in informatics, product development, operations, and life sciences to empower other innovators in transforming their concepts into successful high-growth enterprises.

Don's career is marked by a diverse range of leadership roles that have contributed to the SaaS (Software as a Service) sector and the health tech industry. As the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of SaaS Capital, he established a specialty finance company that caters specifically to the SaaS enterprise software application market. Additionally, he served as Vice President of Global Product Development at Attachmate Corporation, overseeing an extensive product development team that served over 65,000 clientele across nearly all Global 10,000 enterprises. His expansive career also includes influential roles as Vice President and CTO at Spotlight Solutions and CIO at Domin-8 Enterprise Solutions, both companies located in Mason, Ohio.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Don is deeply committed to community service and advocacy within the mental health field. He currently acts as the President of the Suicide Prevention Initiative and Depression Research Foundation, reflecting his dedication to improving mental health outcomes and preventing suicide. His leadership extends to various esteemed organizations, including the American Association of Suicidology, where he served as both board member and treasurer, ensuring advancements in suicide research and preventive measures. Don also chairs the Hamilton Mill and Inagene Diagnostics, actively contributing to the development of innovative healthcare solutions. His involvement in advisory boards for prestigious institutions such as OhioX and Xavier University's Master of Science in Customer Analytics Program further underscores his passion for nurturing the next generation of innovators in healthcare and technology.

Education and Achievements

Don Wright holds a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science with a Business Minor from Xavier University, a foundation that has significantly influenced his approach to technology and business development in the health sector. Throughout his career, Don has accumulated a wealth of expertise, receiving several accolades and recognition for his contributions to mental health technologies and informatics.

His commitment to the community falls in line with his professional pursuits, where he not only serves on various boards but also actively participates in initiatives that seek to foster innovation in healthcare delivery. For instance, he has been a member of the board of advisors for the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Digital Health and Care, focusing on integrating technology into pediatric healthcare outcomes.

Moreover, Don's involvement with educational institutions such as the University of Cincinnati and Sinclair Community College's biotechnology department emphasizes his dedication to guiding young professionals and ensuring they are equipped with the skills needed in today's health tech landscape. His work on multiple boards, such as the NKU Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Regional Economic Development Initiative's BioHealth Cluster, showcases his commitment to supporting regional growth in health tech enterprises.

Achievements

Throughout his illustrious career, Don Wright has orchestrated notable achievements that underscore his status as a leader in the health technology industry. One of his most significant contributions has been the development and expansion of Assurex Health, which has played a vital role in personalized mental health care solutions. The company's proprietary tests enable clinicians to tailor treatment plans based on a patient’s genetic makeup, significantly improving health outcomes. The successful acquisition of Assurex Health by Myriad Genetics is a testament to Don's capacity to innovate an

Highlights

May 29 · linkedin

I'm honored to have been asked to speak at the Healthcare Capital Markets & Innovation Summit 2024 in June.

400+ business owners & company executives, private equity firms, family offices, venture capital firms, investment bankers, lawyers, accountants, and other leading professionals.

Let me know if you're planning to attend so that we can say Hi! 👋

Or register now and join me at the event! https://lnkd.in/gYnezabJ

#HCMIS #HCMIS24 #HCMIS2024 - via #Whova event app Clarigent Health #SuicidePrevention

May 27 · linkedin

Today is my son Justin’s 33rd birthday. As many of you know we lost Justin to #suicide in 2017.

Justin was just starting his life. I remember him as an amazing young man with a brilliant wit and infectious smile. He was my best friend and I miss him every day. I could bore you with hours of stories about him, but he would hate that; he would prefer this.

For those who have lost someone remember that there is no right or wrong way to grieve or remember your loved one.

Do what feels right for you and what brings you comfort. If you find it difficult to cope, seeking support from a therapist or counselor who specializes in grief can be extremely helpful.

I am developing a document that I am using to advance a series of articles and podcasts expanding on these mental health and suicide prevention topics.

What we have decided to do at Clarigent Health is to save those who can still be saved.

Today I want to talk briefly about technology and resistance to change.

Too many MHPs are content with the status quo. At best, current scales are correct 50% of the time. In the era of rapid technological advancement, it is paradoxical that mental health care has not capitalized on the potential of modern technology. While there have been minor strides in integrating digital tools into mental health services, significant gaps remain.

The mental health sector is resistant to change. Clinicians, institutions, & state and county agencies reliant on traditional methods & funding are hesitant to adopt modern technologies. This can stem from a lack of familiarity with digital tools, concerns about efficacy, or fears about the potential for technology to replace human interaction.

Throwing money at the same programs that are not working and continuing to use outdated scales, screenings, and treatments that have been shown to not work needs to stop, now.

A change in thinking must happen. While it is exciting to see government agencies starting to fund more mental health programs and especially suicide prevention, this tends to simply push funds into the same programs that are not working. This not only does not work to solve the problem, but it is also a pointless waste of money when there are other diagnostics and treatments that could be making a difference right now.

The lack of technology in mental health care represents a significant missed opportunity to enhance services and improve outcomes. Addressing this gap requires concerted efforts to increase funding, overcome resistance to change, ensure data privacy and ethical standards, bridge the digital divide, and invest in targeted research and development.

By embracing technology, the mental health sector can unlock new possibilities for accessibility, early intervention, personalized care, and overall effectiveness. The integration of digital tools into mental health care is not just an innovation - it is imperative for meeting the needs of a modern, diverse, and connected society.

#suicideprevention

Related Questions

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What are some innovative projects that Don Wright is currently leading at Clarigent Health?
How does Don Wright's extensive experience in informatics enhance his work in mental health technology?
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Don Wright
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Location

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States