Dr David Walcott’s thought-provoking discussion on closing the women’s health gap has earned him a place among the most influential people celebrated at a special dinner hosted by global media brand TIME recently.

The prestigious event was held under the theme: ‘Leaders Shaping the Future of Health’ in New York City on May 13 and brought together doctors, scientists, business leaders, advocates, and others at the forefront of big changes in the medical industry.

Dr Walcott has more than a decade of experience in the medical industry through his professional services and entrepreneurial contributions. Over the years, he has secured funding for innovative health projects in emerging markets like the Caribbean and Latin America. However, a recent discussion he led at the esteemed McKinsey Health Institute has once again propelled him into the spotlight as an emerging health care leader. 

“I’m happy to be invited to this prestigious event. Given the impact my work has on emerging markets, being on a global platform is really where I feel most comfortable because I get to leverage those resources and/or connections made into developing health care in the Caribbean and Latin America,” Dr Walcott said. 

The evening feature special appearances from actor, filmmaker and entrepreneur Halle Berry, scientist Marlena Fejzo, global health expert Alaa Murabit, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute Eric Topol and more.

For the first time, TIME has released the TIME100 Health List, a community of leaders from across industries — scientists, doctors, advocates, educators and policymakers, among others — dedicated to creating tangible, credible change for a healthier world. Berry is named among the 100 most influential health leaders for speaking up on menopause. 

Scientists, doctors, and researchers recognised on the list include those focused on health innovation: cancer researcher Thomas Powles; research scientist Jenna Forsyth; chief science officer of National Wastewater Surveillance System Amy Kirby; GLP-1 discoverers Dan Drucker, Joel Habener, Svetlana Mojsov, and Jens Juul Holst; neurosurgeon Jocelyne Bloch and neuroscientist Gregoire Courtine; executive director of Palestinian Red Crescent Bashar Murad; and professor and researcher Hadiza Shehu Galadanci.

“Together, the individuals on the TIME100 Health List are a reminder that many things are going right, and their work is enough to inspire the belief that the world of health is in the middle of a golden age of accomplishment and transformation…” TIME Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs wrote in his letter to readers. 

Through the Novamed Group of companies — which includes Windward Medical (InterMed Co) and the former Knutsford Court Hotel (renamed Summit) and its majority stake in Medical Associates Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica — Dr Walcott continues to work to integrate advanced technology and improve operational efficiencies in patient care and his broader vision for health care reform.

Founded by Dr David Walcott, Novamed is led by Kevin Donaldson, founder of Roots Financial Group, and Kirk-Anthony Hamilton, the head of the Infiniti Partnership Inc. Aside from his interests in Novamed and Medical Associates, Dr Walcott also has a controlling interest in Summit, the rebranded Knutsford Court Hotel, Windward Medical Centre (InterMed Co) through Novamed.

Novamed is an investment vehicle specially created to acquire and/or operate real estate properties in the health care, lifestyle and commercial spaces. The company brings innovative solutions to emerging markets in the Caribbean and Latin America by investing in health care-specific assets, including real estate, operating companies, and medical technology.