EP132: Embracing Failure: Dr. Yemi Sokumbi on Innovation and Perseverance in Healthcare

See, Hear, Feel

In this episode of SEE HEAR FEEL, host Christine speaks with Dr. Yemi Sokumbi, a dermatologist and dermatopathologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, who is also the head of medical business development. They discuss key takeaways for innovation in healthcare, including the importance of embracing failure, solving familiar problems, and cross-pollination across medical disciplines. Dr. Sokumbi shares insights from her journey, emphasizing the value of tenacity and perseverance in bringing novel ideas to market, and touches on the nuances of encouraging diversity in innovation, particularly among women.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Yemi Sokumbi

01:47 Defining Innovation in Medicine

02:34 Lessons in Innovation and Failure

05:25 Applying Innovation Lessons to Parenting

07:19 Gender and Innovation

10:14 Challenges and Perseverance in Innovation

12:53 Final Thoughts on Innovation
Dr. Olayemi (Yemi) Sokumbi, MD is a dermatologist and dermatopathologist who is currently working at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida where she also serves as Medical Director for Business Development. Additionally, she is involved with medical student and resident education in addition to her clinical work. She completed dermatopathology fellowship in 2014 at UT Southwestern Medical Center and was chief resident in dermatology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. She has won numerous awards, including a 2022 Dean’s Recognition Diversity & Inclusion Award from the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, a 2018 Outstanding Medical Student Teacher Award from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and the 2013 Richard K. Winkelmann Excellence in Research Award.