In a powerful revelation, George McKinney, CEO of ViQUAL Medical and Better Life Technologies, has shed light on the systemic barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs in the technology and healthcare sectors. McKinney’s firms, which presented groundbreaking intellectual property (IP) to Kaiser Permanente in 2015-2016, have become emblematic of the challenges that Black innovators encounter.
ViQUAL’s IP was initially intended for a remote patient monitoring system in collaboration with Kaiser Permanente under an NDA. Instead, Kaiser chose to have ViQUAL/Better Life’s intellectual property that included trade secrets and patents developed in collaboration with Cognizant and other multinational companies.
The resulting outcome of the Cognizant-Kaiser collaboration has been integrated into major healthcare systems worldwide, significantly impacting patient care. According to a well-respected expert witness the amount that is owed ViQUAL Medical and Better Life is north of $500 million dollars.
Yet, McKinney and companies have been left out of any financial renumeration for their tremendous contribution. In the pursuit of justice, McKinney’s journey has been marred by legal battles and corporate misconduct on the part of Kaiser Permanente.
In early 2024, ViQUAL Medical faced a court ruling that overlooked critical evidence, raising serious questions about the integrity of the legal process and forcing McKinney and companies into an appeal.
Kaiser Permanente reportedly intimidated ViQUAL’s investors to discourage them from investing to cripple ViQUAL’s ability to pay attorney fees and engaged in unethical practices by hiring former lawyers of McKinney’s firms without consent, violating confidentiality agreements under Rule 1.7 Conflict of Interest. In addition, Kaiser denied the existence of a key piece of evidence that they developed and showcased in a video that McKinney discovered in 2023.
“This experience underscores the challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs who strive to contribute to innovation,” said McKinney. “Our work has been pivotal in advancing healthcare technology, yet we find ourselves fighting for recognition and justice.”
The struggle of ViQUAL Medical is part of a broader narrative that highlights the historical marginalization of Black innovators. From Mary Kenner’s invention of the sanitary napkin to aerospace engineer Lonnie Johnson inventor of the Super Soaker. Tech advancements and contributions of Black entrepreneurs and inventors have often been overlooked and undervalued.
McKinney is calling for accountability and systemic change within corporate and legal frameworks to ensure that Black innovators receive the recognition they deserve. “It’s time for the industry to acknowledge and support the invaluable contributions of Black entrepreneurs to technology and healthcare,” he stated. For a deeper look into the story, please visit the Market Insider article.
He comments, “We are committed to pursuing justice and advocating for equitable treatment in the entrepreneurial landscape. We invite industry leaders and stakeholders to join the conversation on diversity and equity in innovation. We are looking for a prominent civil rights firm to represent us in our quest.”
For more information on ViQUAL Medical and its mission, please contact George McKinney at [email protected] or call 619-517-6729.
SOURCE: blacknews.com
