Annamarie Saarinen

Activist, Brainstormer, Entrepreneur, Inventor, Parent, Scientist, Social entrepreneur

Humphrey Policy Fellow, health economist and co-founder of the Newborn Foundation | Newborn Translational Research Institute, focused on developing and deploying health tech innovations to improve outcomes and access for the youngest, most fragile citizens of humanity. Serves on the United Nation’s Every Newborn Action Plan and Innovation Workgroup as part of the Secretary-General’s Every Woman, Every Child initiative. Advises state, federal and international governments on maternal & newborn health issues and has served on numerous national boards and advisory committees in pediatric health, technology and policy. Educates at forums around the world and is recognized for spearheading the U.S. effort to be the first nation to implement universal newborn heart screening for the most common and deadly birth defect. Co-launched the world's first mobile-phone pulse oximeter, sparking the largest newborn screening public health initiative ever undertaken (newbornfoundation.org/born-project) impacting millions of babies globally. Invited to present at the 70th United Nations General Assembly as one of only 14 innovation projects from around the world at a forum convened by the White House, the UN Foundation, foreign governments and heads of state. Heads the clinical research team for the Newborn Foundation’s Innovation Incubator and the Newborn Translational Research Institute, working with public and private stakeholders to develop tools for unmet newborn, child and maternal health needs. Proud mom of three, including a child with heart disease and a brain tumor. Degrees in Economics and Health Economics.

Babies, love, innovation

Treat everyone in your life as if someone important were watching...

Does TEDMED count?? This is my first TED, among a few TEDx events sprinkled in. The early years of TEDMED were life-changing for me...as a professional, but more importantly as a human being. The friendships forged at those conferences at del coronado have become among the strongest in my lifetime. The irony is, I would have never attended on my own. It was at the invitation of my baby daughter's heart surgeon that I even went to TEDMED. Yet another in a string of serendipity that has connected the most diverse dots since 2009. Some of the world's best minds have since come together, in one way or another, to impact the lives of the newest citizens of the world. Grateful is an understatement. I hope to capture this magic in this new TED adventure. My heart and mind are open and eager. See you soon!

Driving a tractor and archery