…I believe in miracles. We can’t always prove it scientifically or materialistically, but I believe that they do exist which brings me hope on a daily basis. For example, my mother sustained a hip fracture while she was leaving the hospital from another hip fracture. During that time, she developed pneumonia. The family thought she wouldn’t survive the surgery to repair her hip again, so she was moved to hospice. I felt there was nothing I could do to help her. My mom had been heavily sedated to alleviate any suffering. My family was around her bedside and sharing tales about how much she loved the Denver Broncos. This stirred her to wake up and ask what was their last score! At that moment, we knew we had to do something — we moved her out of hospice and back to the hospital. We felt that she would rather die trying to live than this. Her labs were perfect after being in a medically induced coma where she hadn’t eaten in a week. The hospital had an outstanding orthopedic surgical team and the surgery and recovery were successful. It was a miracle that we now had more wonderful years to enjoy together…
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Saralyn Mark. Dr. Mark is the former Senior Medical Advisor to the White House, HHS and NASA. She is the American Medical Women’s Association Health Innovation lead. Dr Mark is founder/president of iGIANT (impact of Gender/Sex on Innovation and Novel Technologies) and SolaMed Solutions, LLC. She is author of Stellar Medicine: A Journey Through the Universe of Women’s Health.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Thank you so much for having me in this interview series! I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and the wonders of science, which initially led me to dream of becoming a doctor and even an astronaut. Growing up, I was not told that women couldn’t be part of the space program, and seeing pioneers like Sally Ride enter the space industry inspired me to believe that the sky wasn’t the limit — it was only the beginning. As I explored career opportunities, I sought paths that allowed me to combine my passion for science with my curiosity about the human body.
Along the way, I’ve learned that connections play a vital role in shaping your journey. I vividly remember a cab ride that turned into an unexpected turning point in my career. The conversation with the driver — a stranger who, for some reason, seemed to say exactly what I needed to hear at the time — reminded me of the importance of being open to the moments and people that come your way. That experience reinforced a key lesson for me: when you follow your passions wholeheartedly, you’ll find yourself in the right place, even if the path is unexpected.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
One of the most interesting stories since I began leading my nonprofit, iGIANT (impact of Gender/Sex on Innovation and Novel Technologies), and my advisory and commercial space medicine company, SolaMed Solutions, LLC, is rooted in my passion for understanding how the body adapts in space, particularly through the lens of sex and gender differences. This led me to collaborate with incredible teams at NASA, where we launched two decadal reviews to delve deeper into this critical area of research. During my time at the White House, I had the opportunity to develop the blueprint for what would later become the iGIANT (impact of Gender/Sex on Innovation and Novel Technologies).
The second decadal review analyzing the impact of sex and gender on adaptation to space was published in 2014, and its findings highlighted how these factors influence every aspect of our lives. Following the publication, I developed the concept for iGIANT. To engage more people globally, iGIANT organized roundtables where stakeholders from industry, academia, government and advocacy could participate and share insights across the health, IT, transportation and retail sectors. One roundtable was cohosted by a law firm in Chicago, which was so inspiring that this law firm help transform iGIANT from a concept into a nonprofit. iGIANT is the only nonprofit dedicated to accelerating gendered innovation and precision design in the world. It’s been an extraordinary journey to see an idea evolve into a nonprofit which makes tangible impacts across diverse sectors and communities. To date, iGIANT has held over 130 roundtables across the globe, launched 7 challenge competitions, Seals of Approval and hosted many student scholars. One biotech company even redesigned a cardiovascular product to better meet the needs of their female patients and another company redesigned a standing desk to accommodate the different upper body strength seen in many women. These are just a few examples of our impact which includes advancing education across medicine and engineering as well as designs in uniforms and protective equipment.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of the funniest mistakes I made early in my career turned out to be a great lesson in passion and focus. I was at a meeting at the NIH discussing osteoporosis when I was engaged in a conversation with a medical and scientific adviser to NASA. We began talking about bone health and the impact of microgravity. I became so engrossed in the conversation that without even realizing it, I followed him right into the men’s restroom! To my surprise, rather than being aghast, he recognized my genuine passion for the subject and ended up helping me get a pass to witness a space shuttle launch in Florida.
Oddly enough, something similar happened again with my NASA boss who was their Chief Health and Medical Officer. I again followed him into the Men’s room to continue our conversation on space medicine. Neither one of us realized this happened until we were both in there. Thankfully, in each case, my enthusiasm and commitment shone through, and they appreciated my dedication rather than focusing on the awkwardness of the situations. The lesson I took from these moments is that when you’re truly passionate about something, people recognize and value it — even if you stumble along the way.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
iGIANT’s mission is to accelerate the translation of research into gender and sex-specific design elements such as programs, products, protocols and policies across the health, IT, transportation and retail sectors. We aim to improve the safety and quality of life, including work performance, for everyone in every environment on Earth and in space. Our work isn’t about dividing or isolating people; it’s about uniting people to ensure that everyone has access to the resources, opportunities, and tools (ROT) they need to thrive otherwise careers and lives ROT on the vine.
We believe that addressing sex and gender differences is not only legally and financially the right thing to do, but also the morally and ethically right thing to do. By promoting precision design that accounts for these differences, we’re creating a more inclusive and equitable world where everyone benefits. This commitment drives our efforts to make a lasting social impact across industries and communities worldwide. iGIANT uses the National Academy of Sciences definition for gender and sex which defines gender using a psycho-social construct and sex on a biological basis acknowledging that there is a continuum.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
iGIANT works with many individuals, organizations and companies to help them see our world through a sex and gender lens. For example, the clothes you wear, the tools you use, the medications you take and even the cars you drive have a sex/gender component. Looking at our world through a sex and gender lens impacts everything you see and do. iGIANT increases awareness and knowledge through our roundtables/summits, challenge competitions, Seals of approval, scholars programs and a new iGIANT Pioneer fund to support nonprofits which amplify our mission. We measure our success and impact by how we’ve expanded our educational efforts and catalyzed efforts to advance gender/sex-specific design elements such as new research inclusion policies, protocols at the bedside and research bench, educational programs and even products across the 4 sectors. Most importantly, we help foster partnerships to catalyze these efforts!
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
The first thing is that we do not discriminate by sex or gender. Second, that we ensure that we foster equity to help achieve equality. To clarify this, I think it’s important to distinguish diversity, inclusion and equity from each other so we stop marginalizing these concepts: One analogy that I use to help illustrate this principle is the following: diversity is being asked to attend the dance; inclusion is being asked to dance; and equity is being given the shoes to dance. Lastly, we need standards and requirements which are not just designed for a 175 pound euro caucasian male, but that we look across the human spectrum. One just needs to evaluate personal protective equipment (PPE) to understand this point such as the poor fit of face masks which may not provide protection if they are ill fitted and designed for a male face. Your life and lives around you are at risk when products that are meant to protect you are not designed for you.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership can be seen through looking in the eyes of those around you. Leadership is ensuring that individuals are given the resources, opportunities, and tools to help them succeed. People who know they can count on you will view your leadership as supportive to their needs. Leadership is, essentially, extending your arms in order to elevate those around you. There are three leadership styles which include command and control, inspire, and consensus building. These three leadership styles are important for a leader to possess and to appropriately utilize each skill set for different situations. A leader has to be emotionally aware of when to apply each style as well as acknowledging that there may be a dominant style which has to be modified to meet the needs of the environment. Flexibility, emotional intelligence and a moral compass are critical to effective leadership.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
First, it’s okay to not have answers and to say you don’t know. I’ve done that in medicine when someone’s asked me, “What’s the prognosis?” and I’ve responded honestly when it is not clear, but I reassure the patient and team that we will work together for the best outcome. Being humble and transparent cannot be underestimated.
Second, that we all have a bias and it can be unconscious. When you recognize it, you don’t run away from it. For example, when you’re young, you may have this implicit bias to view the older generation as outdated and less able to adapt. However, I’ve learned over time that we’re constantly adapting, independent of age or other social determinants. For example, I had the privilege to spend a full day with Senator John Glenn after he returned from his mission aboard the space shuttle (STS 97) when he was in his 70’s. He performed well during this flight. Interestingly, as we all age, our perspectives on what we consider ‘old’ shifts as well!
Third, we are always learning throughout our lives. There’s a level of excitement with this because you never know what’s coming or what you’ll learn and you can’t be afraid of this process. For example, as technology evolves, everyone has to learn how to use these new tools, especially in medicine. Every day brings exciting new innovation and opportunities to learn! The environment is constantly teaching us so we just have to be open to learn and treasure this.
Fourth, perfectionism is taught in medicine, obviously because people’s lives are at risk. But if you aim for perfection in other aspects of your life, you may miss out on other opportunities. As I create and expand organizations, including my advisory, SolaMed Solutions, into a space subsidiary, I can’t wait for everything to be perfect in order to move forward. Evolution is a process which takes time of course and effort and patience. In our personal lives, especially as women, we may feel we have to look or act perfect. You can do it for a while, but it’s not sustainable over the long haul. The beauty in life is not the perfection — it’s the imperfections. There’s much awe and splendor in the nuances.
Fifth, I believe in miracles. We can’t always prove it scientifically or materialistically, but I believe that they do exist which brings me hope on a daily basis. For example, my mother sustained a hip fracture while she was leaving the hospital from another hip fracture. During that time, she developed pneumonia. The family thought she wouldn’t survive the surgery to repair her hip again, so she was moved to hospice. I felt there was nothing I could do to help her. My mom had been heavily sedated to alleviate any suffering. My family was around her bedside and sharing tales about how much she loved the Denver Broncos. This stirred her to wake up and ask what was their last score! At that moment, we knew we had to do something — we moved her out of hospice and back to the hospital. We felt that she would rather die trying to live than this. Her labs were perfect after being in a medically induced coma where she hadn’t eaten in a week. The hospital had an outstanding orthopedic surgical team and the surgery and recovery were successful. It was a miracle that we now had more wonderful years to enjoy together.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I’m passionate about helping the world see through a sex and gender lens. It’s a social determinant that we often ignored or politized. It is time for the world to see through this lens in all aspects of our lives. We are a voice for those who may not have a voice and a safe harbor for those who want to innovate in a space that needs champions.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Sentiment without action is the ruin of our soul,” by Edward Abbey. We need to move beyond mere words. We need to engage, we need to inspire, and we need to confront the status quo to evolve and help others.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I think there’s so many remarkable individuals in the world. My number one person would be my mother and I wish she were still with me so I could sit down and have that conversation with her. I lost her in 2009 to pancreatic cancer several years after she survived her hip surgery. There’s been so many lessons I’ve learned in that time and I feel her in my heart and in my soul.
I think another individual who also represents that sense of wisdom, altruism and vision would be Melinda French Gates. I would love to have an opportunity to hear about her experiences creating the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) as well as Pivotal Ventures and her vision for the future. I served as an adviser for BMGF strategic investment fund to evaluate the impact of sex/gender on innovation. The world is so fortunate to have her leadership and courage to inspire generations of current and future leaders.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Please go to our www.igiant.org and www.solamedsolutions.com. We encourage partnerships and alliances. We welcome you to join us through our Corporate Advisory Council, Global Advisory Council, student scholar programs and as iGIANT ambassadors and champions.
SolaMed Solutions, LLC through its medical operations capabilities, advisory services and educational outreach, will pioneer the highest standards of health care delivery and personalized protocols for the commercial space industry while inspiring generations of space explorers and enthusiasts to reach for the stars! As you can see, my passions from childhood have inspired my career for this stellar moment.
Thank you!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Author Dr. Saralyn Mark Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.