Dr. Iman Abuzeid is a Sudanese American entrepreneur whose global upbringing shaped her perspective long before she became one of the most influential innovators in healthcare. Born in Saudi Arabia, she lived in the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates before immigrating to the United States at age twenty‑four. Medicine was familiar territory—her father is an ENT surgeon—but even as she earned her B.S. in International Health from University College London in 2006 and later her MBBS, she realized she wasn’t drawn to clinical practice. She simply wasn’t sure what she wanted to do next.

Seeking clarity, Abuzeid moved to the United States and entered the world of healthcare consulting. She began her career at McKinsey & Company and later joined Booz & Company, experiences that exposed her to the structural challenges facing the healthcare system. After several years in consulting, she pursued her MBA at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 2013 with a clearer sense of direction.

Inspired by the entrepreneurial success of both her grandfathers in Saudi Arabia, Abuzeid decided to build something of her own. To gain the skills she needed, she became Director of Product Management at AliveCor, where she met software engineer and MIT graduate Rome Portlock. The two shared a desire to solve meaningful problems in healthcare. In 2015, they co‑founded Lift League, a platform designed to strengthen relationships between healthcare professionals and their patients. Although the concept showed promise, they soon realized the market wasn’t focused on patient retention. Demonstrating the adaptability that defines great entrepreneurs, they pivoted.

In 2017, Abuzeid and Portlock launched Incredible Health, a platform created to address one of the most urgent challenges in healthcare: the nationwide nursing shortage. Their goal was to help hospitals and healthcare facilities hire qualified nurses faster and more efficiently. Incredible Health not only streamlined the hiring process but also offered free continuing education for nurses, reinforcing Abuzeid’s commitment to supporting the workforce she aimed to empower.

The COVID‑19 pandemic intensified staffing shortages across the country, prompting Abuzeid and Portlock to innovate further. They introduced the Pandemic Hiring Suite, a set of tools designed to accelerate permanent nurse placement and reduce the high costs associated with temporary staffing contracts. They enhanced the platform with automated interview scheduling, in‑app chat, remote interviewing, and a more advanced matching algorithm. Today, Incredible Health is valued at $1.65 billion—a testament to the scale and impact of their solution.

Abuzeid’s journey exemplifies the mindset of a world‑class entrepreneur: identify a real problem, build a solution that is not just better but ten times better, and remain flexible enough to pivot when the market demands it. She emphasizes the importance of working backward from a clear end goal, developing the skills required to execute, and leveraging networks to find both talent and customers. She also stresses the value of “vetting your idea” early—testing prototypes or low‑cost minimum viable products with focus groups prior to investing significant resources.

Her achievements have earned her widespread recognition. Forbes named her one of America’s Richest Self‑Made Women in 2013. Modern Healthcare honored her as one of its Top 25 Emerging Leaders in 2021 and later included her on its Women Leaders list in 2023. In 2024, Time magazine highlighted her impact by naming her to the Time 100 Next list.

Dr. Iman Abuzeid’s story is a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when entrepreneurs and wealth creators of color pair global perspective with disciplined learning and bold innovation. Her journey—rooted in resilience, strategic reinvention, and a commitment to solving real problems—expands the narrative of who leads, who builds, and who shapes the future of entire industries. Her work not only transforms healthcare hiring but also inspires a new generation of visionaries of color to create solutions that are bigger, bolder, and built to last.