Ruthie Clemons had lost more than her mobility to Parkinson’s — she’d lost her smile. But through Ohio State’s Drumming for Wellness program, Ruthie found connection, confidence and joy.

For many, navigating the tangled web of health care systems is a frustrating maze. From finding providers to scheduling appointments to gaining insurance authorization, it can feel impossible at times. An Ohio State sophomore and his team are tackling these problems — with the help of AI.

Dr. Melissa Bailey, a former Ohio State Innovator of the Year, is working on two breakthrough products that could make a major difference for people around the world with unaddressed vision needs. “I feel a really strong personal sense that I have talents and I need to use them to make the world a better place,” she says.