Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of Boss Ladies in Healthcare.
I'm your host Odette and today I have an incredible story to share with you.
In this series, I have been highlighting the amazing contributions of women and girls
and today I'm turning the spotlight on Ann Makosinski,
a young innovator whose groundbreaking creation has the potential
to make a significant impact on education and healthcare.
Ann Makosinski is a name you might have not heard before,
but her invention is truly remarkable.
Ann invented a flashlight powered by body heat.
In other words, it's a flashlight that doesn't need batteries or electricity,
just the warmth of your hands.
Imagine this, a reliable light source that can be used anywhere, anytime, just by holding it.
For many of us, this might sound like a pretty cool gadget,
but for countless people around the world, especially girls in regions without reliable electricity,
this invention is a game changer.
Let's talk about why this invention matters so much.
In many parts of the world, girls often lack access to adequate lighting for studying after dark.
This limitation can severely impact their education and future opportunities.
Ann's flashlight powered by the simple warmth of anyone's hands allows for these girls to study at night,
opening doors to learning and growth that were previously closed.
In fact, Anne's initiative started when a friend in the Philippines filled her grade
because she simply could not study at night.
The importance of light extends beyond education.
In healthcare, proper lighting is crucial.
It allows medical professionals to perform procedures accurately,
diagnosed conditions, and provide care and emergencies
in areas with limited access to electricity, a reliable source of light can improve health outcomes.
Ann's invention, therefore, isn't just about convenience.
I think it's about environment, education, and health.
It's about giving people the tools they need to improve their lives and their communities.
The impact of Ann's flashlight can be seen in multiple areas, as I've already stated,
especially in rural and underserved areas.
And to add on to this, there are lights sent in by motion and mechanical energy, which are good inventions,
but that always needs to be electrical wiring or at least to be plugged into an outlet or it needs to be charged.
With Ann's invention, it's not like that.
Plus, energy from the warmth of your hands is so effortless and low-cost.
This invention was made back in around 2013 and I wonder how many people worldwide are using this invention.
So I've kind of posed this question in the previous recording when I was talking about Dasia Taylor.
For the record, her invention was around the year 2017.
I don't know if her invention of color-changing sutures, which was also pretty cool, is implemented.
In public health, I think any research needs to be implemented if we really want to see a change in health care status.
Moving on, Ann's work is just a shining example of how innovation and compassion can intersect to create a real-world solution.
Her flashlight is more than a cool invention.
So as I continue this series, I want to delve into more stories like this, celebrating brilliant women and girls who are leading the way in health care innovation.
So stay tuned for more episodes like this so that we can continue to talk about very bright minds.
And I want to thank you so much for joining me on this journey.
Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast with anyone who needs a little inspiration.
And I hope that you yourself have been inspired.
I'm also open to any suggestions that, yeah, like if you know any person, woman, or girl, and that you would like to hear an episode on, yeah, let me know.
I'm totally open to that.
So this is Odette, signing off from Boss Ladies in Health Care.
See you soon.