Gaia Salizzoni is the co-founder and CEO of Hale, a hybrid clinic specializing in chronic gynecological pain. Her journey into healthcare was not conventional. She started the company because of her personal experience as a patient. For years, she faced the inefficiencies of the gynecological healthcare system, particularly with conditions such as vulvodynia and endometriosis. The long diagnostic delays, the lack of structured care pathways, and the general lack of awareness about these conditions were deeply frustrating. She realized that the healthcare system was not designed for women experiencing chronic pain, and she wanted to change that. Hale was created with a mission to provide women with a modern, accessible, and effective gynecological care journey, aiming to reduce diagnostic delays and improve overall quality of life. At CIO CARE, we are honored to feature Gaia Salizzoni in the 2025 edition of Breaking Barriers: Women Revolutionizing Healthcare, 2025.
While gender biases exist in the healthcare industry, she believes the biggest challenges are related to market dynamics rather than gender itself. One of the main hurdles is the payor dilemma—determining who is responsible for covering healthcare costs, whether it is the government, insurance providers, or patients themselves. Cultural adoption is also a challenge, as shifting patient behaviors and encouraging people to embrace new models of care, such as digital-first gynecology, takes time. Additionally, regulatory barriers make it difficult to navigate the industry. Overcoming these challenges requires a deep understanding of the healthcare ecosystem, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to long-term change.
“High-quality care doesn’t always require a physical visit—technology can bridge the gap.”
Breaking barriers, for her, means going beyond the status quo and not accepting existing limitations as the only possible reality. In her work, it involves questioning traditional healthcare models and finding new ways to deliver gynecological care more efficiently. It is about approaching problems differently, thinking laterally, and discovering creative solutions that others may not have considered. On a personal level, breaking barriers means constantly challenging herself—whether in leadership, innovation, or personal growth—while staying committed to her mission.
Her motivation comes from her deep passion for Hale and female healthcare. Knowing that her work has a direct impact on women’s health and well-being keeps her motivated. Seeing tangible progress, such as a woman finally receiving an accurate diagnosis after years of suffering, or achieving milestones that improve accessibility and efficiency, fuels her drive. Additionally, motivation is contagious—when she sees her team sharing the same purpose and working toward the same goals, it reinforces her own determination.
One of her proudest accomplishments has been changing the way women perceive healthcare accessibility. Many patients assume that an in-person visit is always necessary for quality care, but that is not true. The healthcare system struggles with long waiting times and limited specialist availability. By leveraging technology and clinical expertise, Hale has demonstrated that remote consultations can be just as effective when structured correctly. Seeing women embrace this model and finally get the help they need without unnecessary delays has been incredibly rewarding.
There are several misconceptions about women in healthcare. Some believe that femtech is a niche industry, that pain is just a part of women’s lives and must be accepted, that women are not willing to pay for healthcare, and that value-based healthcare and prevention are not priorities for women. These misconceptions need to be challenged to create a more effective and equitable healthcare system.
Balancing professional responsibilities with personal life is not always easy, but she focuses only on activities and decisions that truly impact the business. This allows her to have enough free time to enjoy other aspects of life. However, being an entrepreneur often means accepting a lack of balance as part of the journey. Mentorship has played a crucial role in her career. She has always had mentors, even before becoming an entrepreneur. Mentorship has helped her gain exposure to the professional world, understand how things work, build a network, and navigate uncertainty. Now, as a founder, she pays it forward by mentoring others, particularly women entering the healthcare or startup space.
“Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s a step toward it.”
At Hale, innovation is not about patents or scientific discoveries but about the process. The clinic has digitalized the best gynecological expertise to make the diagnostic journey 30 times faster, seven times cheaper, and more accessible. This approach has transformed the way chronic gynecological conditions are diagnosed and treated. Failure is an inevitable part of the process. When building something from scratch, failure is not the opposite of success—it is a step toward it. Every setback provides valuable learning opportunities, whether it is about product-market fit, operational challenges, or patient needs. Failures are treated as opportunities to pivot, improve, and refine the approach.
For young women aspiring to join the healthcare industry, she advises them to first understand the key stakeholders. It is essential to identify who they are, what their incentives are, and how they can be aligned. Once there is a clear understanding of the market, building solutions becomes more effective. Over the past decade, the healthcare industry for women has changed significantly. Ten years ago, female healthcare was not even recognized as a standalone market. Today, it is growing rapidly, with increased research, more services, and greater attention from both public and private sectors. However, there is still a long way to go—only 2% of the total research budget is dedicated to female-specific conditions.
She hopes to leave a lasting impact on the healthcare sector by significantly improving access to specialty gynecological care in Italy and establishing a new standard for chronic pelvic pain treatment protocols. Her vision is to create a healthcare system that starts with data collection from every individual, uses technology to provide early feedback and solutions, and directs patients efficiently toward the right care, maximizing available resources.
Diversity and inclusion in healthcare can only be improved through investment. Whether through public budgets, venture capital, or funding for gender-specific research, financial support is essential for meaningful change. She envisions a future where female healthcare is reshaped by new business models, particularly in Europe. Women are becoming increasingly aware patients who are willing to invest in prevention, education, and high-quality, personalized care, even if it requires out-of-pocket spending. She sees herself playing a role in this transformation by continuing to challenge the current system and pushing for a more efficient and patient-centered healthcare approach.
“Breaking barriers means not accepting existing limitations as the only possible reality.”