Joel E. Barthelemy watched as his father, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War, needed arduous monthly visits to audiology specialists because he had lost much of his hearing in the wars. Barthelemy’s father lived less than one mile from a VA hospital, but it had no audiologist, so he had to wake up at 5:30 a.m., drive to the VA bus stop and ride two hours to his appointment. Afterward, he’d wait around the rest of the day for the 85-mile bus ride home.
Barthelemy wanted to change that for his father and every other veteran who waits too long and travels too far for care. That served as part of the impetus for GlobalMed, the company Barthelemy leads as CEO and vice chair. Today, GlobalMed solutions are in all VA medical centers and are also a key part of the telehealth initiatives across the U.S. government and military.
GlobalMed technology has enabled approximately 50 million consults in nearly 100 countries. Its virtual health platform is used worldwide, from the Veterans Administration and White House Medical Unit to rural American hospitals, correctional facilities, oil rigs and even villages in Africa.
“As GlobalMed continues to change lives around the world, I plan to invest more time each year in making strides and progress in the equality of care for all,” Barthelemy said. “A world without disparity of care is not only our company’s vision but also my passion and that of the people I am blessed to work with every day.”
GlobalMed expects to launch approximately 15 health and wellness solutions to further augment its technology offerings in 2022. Most notably, GlobalMed will add a remote patient monitoring solution that will put care services directly into the hands of patients, the company said.
Barthelemy participates on the AZ Governor’s Telehealth Advisory Committee, Arizona Bio Industry and ASU Health Futures Council. He is a board advisor to Mindset Medical, AdviNow Medical, OraVu, Colored Organics, WIYN Investments, and SEE4Vets and previously served as a board member of Sun Health Services. Barthelemy is also an active council member for the Arizona Telemedicine Program, has served the American Telemedicine Association as a board member, was the chair of the Industry Council, and was inducted into its College of Fellows in April 2021.
Barthelemy, through his family foundation, personal donations, and GlobalMed contributions, gives back to the community through programs that include Marine Corps Toys for Tots, the Jennifer Lopez Family Foundation, Blanket the City, the Wounded Warrior Project, the Diaper Bank of Central Arizona, the American Heart Association, the United Blood Services Blood Drive, Phoenix Theatre, ChildHelp, YoungLife, Celebrity Fight Night, Mohamed Ali Parkinson’s Foundation, Arizona Science Center, Teen Lifeline, the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and many other worthy organizations.
“It has been an honor to support several nonprofit charities in Arizona and around the world,” Barthelemy said. “Serving in these capacities has been truly rewarding and educational.”
