Wellness Reimagined: Dr Charles R Kaelin Of Sportcane On 5 Things That Should Be Done To Improve and Reform The Health & Wellness Industry
An Interview With Maria Angelova
Educate the public through community forums, fostering greater awareness and understanding of healthcare issues.
In our world of constant change, and with life moving faster than ever, topics such as mental health, self-care, and prevention have become popular buzzwords. People are looking to live healthier lives, and there is superb care out there that is being offered. At the same time, there are misconceptions about the meaning of self-care and exercise. Many opt for quick solutions — surgery, pills — to dull the problem without adequately addressing the underlying cause. Meanwhile, many parts of the industry are unregulated and oversaturated. People with years of training are competing with people with weekend training. Many providers are overworked, overwhelmed, and underpaid. The general public is not educated about asking the right questions when selecting a wellness provider. In the face of all this, what can be done to correct the status quo? In this interview series, we are seeking to hear from a variety of leaders in the health and wellness industries who agree that the wellness industry is in need of an overhaul and offer suggestions about what can be done moving forward. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dr. Charles R. Kaelin.
Dr. Charles R. Kaelin received his medical degree from the University of Louisville, Kentucky, and completed his orthopedic training at Orlando Regional Center in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Kaelin also received training in Sports Medicine at Alabama Sports Medicine with Dr. Lemak, specializing in sports medicine and workers compensation injuries. He has been a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) since 1990. He is a charter member of the International Cartilage Research Society, Founding member of the AAOS Education Enhancement Fund (AAOS) and past editorial board member for the American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Journal.
Thank you so much for doing this interview. It is an honor. Our readers would love to learn more about you and your personal background. Can you please share your personal backstory? What has brought you to this point in your life?
Growing up as the oldest of six, my life has been all about resilience and fighting for fairness. When I was just 13, I faced medical issues that needed immediate attention but wasn’t able to get the care I truly needed due to my family’s financial situation at the time. It was a real eye-opener, showing me firsthand how tough it can be for people without money to get the care they need. My own experience inspired me to go into medicine. I realized deep down that everyone, no matter how much money they have, deserves a fair shot at getting the help they need.
What is your “why” behind the work that you do? What fuels you?
My decision to enter the medical field was driven by a desire to make a difference in the lives of those who need it the most. I went down this path with a clear purpose in mind: to ensure that no one goes without the medical treatment they need due to socioeconomic barriers. Every step I’ve taken in my journey has been guided by the belief that the impact of my work should reach the widest possible audience, especially those who are often overlooked or underserved.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting new projects you are working on now?
An interesting project I’ve recently launched is Sportcane, an innovative walking aid that is the result of a dynamic collaboration between myself, talented engineers and skilled orthopedic surgeons. Sportcane represents a fresh take on traditional canes, featuring a revolutionary 22° curve designed to provide stability and support. It’s not just a walking aid; it’s a game-changer in mobility assistance, setting a new benchmark for excellence.
Because of my own experiences relying on wheelchairs and walkers, I witnessed firsthand the limitations and stigma associated with conventional walking aids. On top of that, through operating on Hall of Fame NFL and baseball players, I’ve seen the reluctance many have in using canes because of societal perceptions. This led to the development of Sportcane, aimed at addressing both the medical and social aspects of mobility assistance. By improving self-esteem and challenging the stigma associated with walking canes with Sportcane, I want to empower individuals to seek the help they need without shame. With Sportcane’s innovative design, we are well on our way to revolutionizing daily walking assistance and post-care options for anyone in need.
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?
When I was starting in my practice, I had this memorable experience where I received a call late on a Friday about a woman with back pain. Despite the urge to put it off until Monday, I opted that she come to my office right then and there. When she arrived, I was met by an elderly lady who looked like she just came in from gardening, mentioning her back trouble. Turns out, her symptoms pointed to something far more serious — a leaking aortic aneurysm that needed urgent medical intervention. We immediately got her to the hospital in an ambulance and I hadn’t heard anything beyond that.
Fast forward two months later, I’m working an average day at the medical office when I’m told that someone wants to speak with me. It was a woman who looked a bit familiar but was dressed in a business suit with what looked like security guards with her. I couldn’t quite recognize who she was until we started talking. She thanked me profusely, expressing that I saved her life that Friday two months ago. Then came the unexpected request: she asked if I would start seeing the rest of her family as patients, which included thousands of employees and their families. The numbers were so significant that our practice network quickly reached a size that allowed us to do even more for our community.
The most valuable lesson I learned from that experience was to value and honor every patient and never judge a book by its cover. Despite the woman I saw that Friday being dressed in ‘worn’ and ‘dirty’ clothes, she turned out to be a remarkable individual who opened the door to a lot of opportunities for me.
OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the core focus of our interview. From where you stand, why are you passionate about the topic of Reimagining The Health and Wellness industries? Can you explain what you mean with a story or an example?
From my perspective, the passion for reimagining the health and wellness industries, particularly in mobility with Sportcane, stems from a deep understanding of the impact stigmas can have on people. Whether it’s the reluctance to use canes or seek assistance in various situations, these attitudes often lead to poorer outcomes for individuals. Reflecting on my journey in medicine, I realized the need for affordable solutions that could significantly improve lives without being cost-prohibitive.
Sportcane emerged from this understanding, with a vision to create a mobility aid that transcends stigmas. Our goal was to develop a product accessible to all, regardless of their condition or age. Whether it’s aiding in stroke recovery or simply providing support for everyday mobility, Sportcane was designed to challenge these stigmas. By addressing factors through innovative design, vibrant colors and appealing features, we desire to make mobility assistance not only functional but also cool and desirable. This passion for breaking down barriers and enhancing accessibility in healthcare is what drives our commitment to reimagining the health and wellness industries with Sportcane.
Why do you think there is a good opportunity now to improve and reform the health and wellness industry?
As with any time in the world, there is always a chance to make a difference. We look at every moment as an opportunity to reform and improve. Right now, the health and wellness industry, particularly in the mobility sector with innovations like Sportcane, is ripe for improvement.
Talking on a larger scale regarding the health and wellness industry, the current state of the industry, marked by hospital closures in rural areas and financial barriers to healthcare access, really emphasizes the urgent need for reform. With over 300,000 healthcare-related jobs at risk and 418 rural hospitals facing closure, according to an article from Becker’s, there’s a clear shortage of healthcare services, highlighting the necessity for innovative solutions. Now is the perfect time to come up with a new model.
Can you please share your “5 Things That Should Be Done To Improve and Reform The Health & Wellness Industry”?
○ Establish access portals to facilitate treatment and medical evaluations, ensuring anyone can receive care efficiently.
○ Implement cost-effective models to alleviate financial burdens, reducing overall healthcare expenses for patients.
○ Provide support to struggling hospitals, making sure they can continue to serve their communities effectively.
○ Educate the public through community forums, fostering greater awareness and understanding of healthcare issues.
○ Foster collaborative relationships with patients, treating them as equals and building trust through open communication and mutual respect.
From the recipient and patient side of the industry, can you please share a few ways that patients and recipients should reimagine what the wellness and healthcare industry should provide?
- Access to portals for healthcare services is prioritized, offering easy scheduling, direct communication with providers, and seamless access to medical records.
- Walk-in centers for non-emergency care should be more widely established, providing an alternative to crowded emergency rooms and minimizing wait times for minor medical issues.
- Telemedicine and other virtual healthcare options are readily available, ensuring continuous access to care regardless of location or mobility constraints.
What do you think are the biggest roadblocks to reforming the industry? What can be done to address those hurdles?
The biggest roadblocks to reforming the health and wellness industry are multi-faceted, but one major challenge is the looming physician deficit. With projections indicating a shortage of doctors in the thousands over the next decade, it’s clear that we need to rethink traditional healthcare delivery models. One potential solution could involve placing doctors at the center of a network of 5–10 locations, where physician assistants and nurse practitioners can collaborate and consult remotely to expand patients coverage. However, to implement such a model, we need to get creative and delegate tasks effectively. Additionally, the trend of hospitals decreasing services and even closing entire service lines, creates another major deficit of resources. To address these hurdles, we must focus on making healthcare delivery more efficient while ensuring that patients still have access to the care they need. This may involve exploring innovative solutions such as telemedicine, community health centers, and partnerships with local providers to fill the gaps left by hospital closures. By proactively addressing these challenges and embracing new approaches, we can overcome the roadblocks to reforming the industry and improve healthcare outcomes for all.
Thank you for all that great insight! Let’s start wrapping up. Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does that resonate with you so much?
One of my favorite life lesson quotes is “Life is a sport, only the arena changes.” It reminds me that while circumstances may shift, the principles of resilience, teamwork and perseverance will always be constant. It encourages me to approach life’s trials with a sense of adaptability treating patients as teammates. Understanding that how we navigate challenges determines our success.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we both tag them :-)
It would be great to sit down and talk with Mark Cuban. I admire how he grasps the healthcare industry’s needs and his push for transparency, especially with his new pharmacy venture. Talking to him could lead to enlightening conversations on making healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone.
I appreciate your time and valuable contribution. One last question, how can people reach or follow you?
People can follow Sportcane’s Instagram at @sportcane and Facebook at sportcaneofficial.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
