Join Venture Connectors on Wednesday, August 2, to hear from Dr. Dawn Forbes, who will share how she and her colleagues went from addressing a critical need in her patient population to founding NASCEND, a public benefit corporation (PBC), certified B Corp and Canopy-certified company that has already impacted the lives of 1.6 million infants nationally — and they are just getting started.
NASCEND provides technology-enhanced training, education and certification to healthcare providers and systems that transforms the quality of care and medical outcomes for opioid exposed infants (OEI) and their families. Its certification program is proven to minimize treatment, reduce NICU admission, shorten hospital stays and reduce healthcare costs.
Dr. Forbes will share the company’s journey, delve into the opioid crisis and focus on the challenges faced by these vulnerable infants in our community. She will also discuss how NASCEND balances profit with purpose while remaining committed to sustainability and community impact.
Founder and CEO of NASCEND, Dr. Forbes is board certified in neonatal-perinatal medicine and pediatrics and is a nationally recognized expert in the care and improved outcomes of infants and families affected by substance use disorder. She also provides education, counseling and medication assisted treatment (MAT) for pregnant and early parenting women in recovery with Behavioral Health Group, one of the largest addiction recovery programs in the United States.
Dr. Forbes' made the Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneurs to Watch List in 2021, was honored as a Louisville Business First Healthcare Hero Innovator in 2020, and has led NASCEND to become a Healthcare Business Review Top 10 Health Education Services Provider in 2023, and Canopy's Top Social Impact Company in 2023.