Birmingham’s Kellie Clark: Investing in the Growth of Health Care Startups

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times While younger, Kellie Clark always believed she’d become doctor, but once a young adult embarked on a career where she found work just as important. “I wanted to be a doctor, but I couldn’t pass organic chemistry, so I had to figure out what I was going to do next,” said Clark. “Next” would eventually become managing director for Prosper Health-tech Accelerator powered by Gener8tor (PHTA), which connects health technology startups to the coaching, capital, and connections they need to build and grow their businesses. “We invest in early-stage health care startups,” she said. “We believe and see Alabama and Birmingham as a unique testing ground for health care solutions that have global potential. Alabama faces a multitude of health care disparities and outcomes that mirror challenges that others are experiencing worldwide. Our goal is to transform these health care disparities into opportunities for innovation.” It was while attending Auburn University that Clark “realized that there are more ways to help people than being a doctor,” she said. She switched her focus of study to economic development after taking a family and social policy class. “From there I studied public administration and got...