In the rolling farmlands of northwestern Wisconsin, Shelly Lanning’s journey began amid dairy farms and grain elevators. Her family ran the local feed mill, an experience that deeply influenced her understanding of interconnected systems. This rural backdrop was more than just a childhood setting—it was a living laboratory that sparked her fascination with the delicate balance between environment, nutrition, and health.
“Everything we were attached to was about animals, their care, the land, and farming,” Shelly recalls. This early exposure cultivated a holistic view of health that would later define her work in healthcare innovation.
Bridging Science and Human Experience
At the University of Minnesota, Shelly’s academic pursuits refined her interdisciplinary approach. She immersed herself in physiology and chemistry, drawn to the intricate ways scientific principles manifest in human biology. Her studies weren’t just about memorizing textbooks but understanding the profound connections between different scientific disciplines.
“I was very interested in this combination of various aspects of science and what impact that it had on your body,” she explains. Her curiosity extended to understanding fluid dynamics and how blood flows through the human system, revealing an early passion for connecting complex scientific concepts to tangible human experiences.
The Venture Capital Years: A Landscape of Healthcare Innovation
Shelly’s professional trajectory took her through the dynamic world of healthcare venture capital. For nearly 25 years, she navigated the complex ecosystem of emerging healthcare technologies, first with a seed and early-stage healthcare venture capital group, and later at Morgan Stanley’s Healthcare Private Equity group.
Her work wasn’t just about financial investments but about identifying transformative potential. She looked beyond immediate market sizes, seeking technologies and companies that could fundamentally change healthcare delivery and patient experiences.
Discovering Women’s Health Disparities
Approximately eight years ago, Shelly’s career took a profound turn with the discovery of ‘women’s health’ as a category. Her first investment in women’s health—a fetal and maternal medicine venture from the Mayo Clinic—unveiled a startling reality: maternal outcomes in the United States were significantly lower compared to other developed nations. Even more shocking: more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. at the time were determined to be preventable.
This revelation wasn’t just a statistical anomaly for Shelly; it became a mission. She delved deep into research, convincing herself and others about the critical gaps in women’s healthcare. Subsequent investments in fertility-based companies further solidified her commitment.
Visana Health: Revolutionizing Women’s Healthcare
With Visana Health, Shelly found a true blending of her passions. She was introduced to Visana CEO Joe as a potential investor in his company and was once again surprised by the large number of women’s health conditions that had been systematically overlooked—endometriosis, uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, and conditions like menopause that society had long considered taboo.
“We didn’t grow up talking about them, we didn’t really understand what they were or how to treat them or why they were important,” she reflects. “I liked Joe and his model enough to join him as a Co-Founder.”
Challenging Scientific Paradigms
One of Shelly’s most passionate critiques is the historical male-centric approach to medical research. From anatomy books to clinical trials, male bodies have been the default standard—a paradigm that fundamentally misunderstands women’s unique physiological experiences.
“What we know now is that so much of women is completely different than men, right down to the very cell of every single aspect of every single system in the body,” she emphasizes.
Innovative Care Model
At Visana Health, Shelly is pioneering a revolutionary care approach. Unlike traditional 15-minute medical consultations, the Visana Health model offers appointment times of up to 60 minutes or more as needed based on the patient’s health concern. Here, women can discuss comprehensive health concerns—from physical symptoms to mental health, recognizing the intrinsic connections between bodily systems.
Continuous Learning and Personal Growth
When asked about professional challenges, Shelly mentions that she at times can experience imposter syndrome. Transitioning from a broad investment perspective to deep, specialized knowledge at Visana Health initially shook her confidence.
Her strategy for overcoming self-doubt is both practical and inspirational:
- Develop a 24-month career vision
- Identify core competencies needed to achieve that vision
- Set incremental monthly goals
- Create a “personal board of directors” for support and guidance
A Vision for the Future: Collaborative and Inclusive Healthcare
Looking ahead, Shelly sees a promising shift in professional dynamics. Where women were once cutthroat competitors due to limited opportunities, there’s now more collaboration and mutual support.
Her observations about workplace flexibility are nuanced. While remote work offers benefits, she cautions about potential drawbacks, particularly for early-career professionals who might miss crucial networking and learning opportunities.
The Enduring Power of Perseverance
Shelly Lanning’s journey is a powerful narrative of perseverance, innovation, and unwavering commitment to transforming healthcare. Her story demonstrates that with curiosity, resilience, and a holistic vision, one can fundamentally reshape industries.