Dr. Richard Awdeh and Dr. Mark Awdeh have emerged as bold innovators at the intersection of medicine, business, and digital transformation. With a deep understanding of clinical care and a shared vision for scalable impact, they’ve built one of the most influential digital health platforms in the country—CheckedUp—and recently launched the Awdeh Family Office to invest in the future of healthcare, technology, and media.
The two brothers were raised in a close-knit family that emphasized hard work, integrity, and the importance of making a difference. Richard and Mark Awdeh have carried those values with them every step of the way – from early academic success to medical careers, and now as entrepreneurs on the cutting edge of healthcare innovation.
Today, those same brothers are not only respected medical professionals, but also dynamic entrepreneurs who are reshaping the healthcare industry. From the precision of the operating room to the strategic depth of the boardroom, the Awdeh brothers are on a mission to transform the way patients receive, understand, and engage with healthcare.
Their story is not just about success—it’s about reshaping an industry to better serve patients, empower providers, and build a smarter, more equitable future.
Dr. Richard Awdeh: The Visionary Surgeon and Entrepreneur
A pioneering figure in ophthalmology and healthcare technology, Dr. Richard Awdeh is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of CheckedUp, a groundbreaking digital health platform to transform patient education and engagement.
Richard’s passion for medical innovation began early. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Computer Science from Emory University before pursuing his medical degree at Yale University School of Medicine. Richard’s career took him to Duke University for training in ophthalmology, eventually leading him to the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, where he practiced as a Cornea-Refractive Surgeon and Professor.
“I have a deep commitment to improving patient care. While my initial focus was solely on patient care, I soon recognized a critical gap in patient education that needed to be addressed,” Richard tells Impact Wealth Magazine. “This realization fueled my passion for developing solutions that empower patients with knowledge and enhance healthcare professionals’ experiences. I believe that innovation is the key to transforming healthcare—making it more efficient, seamlessly connected, and truly centered around the needs of patients.”
His entrepreneurial spirit took flight in 2010 when he founded Cirle, a medical technology incubator focused on developing cutting-edge surgical devices. One of Cirle’s standout innovations was a 3D surgical navigation system for cataract surgery, which has since been registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Beyond his role at CheckedUp, Dr. Awdeh has held key leadership positions, including Chairman of the FDA Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee and Co-Chair of the Point of Care Marketing Association. He also serves on the Board of the Ad Council and the Media Ratings Council, contributing to advancing communication and advertising in healthcare. Additionally, he is actively involved in mentorship and education, lecturing on healthcare innovation at Yale School of Management and serving on the Board of Yale University’s Center for Biomedical Innovation and Technology.
Dr. Awdeh’s career is defined by his commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical technology, improving patient outcomes, and fostering the next generation of healthcare leaders. His innovative solutions have revolutionized patient education and significantly improved patient care and health outcomes.
Dr. Mark Awdeh: The Strategist Behind Healthcare Transformation
While Richard was pioneering new frontiers in medical technology, his brother Mark Awdeh was also carving his own path as a forward-thinking doctor in the healthcare industry. As the President and Co-Founder of CheckedUp, Mark has played a crucial role in its success, driving its strategic direction and ensuring its innovative solutions reach healthcare providers and patients nationwide.
Mark’s career began with a foundation in economics, and he earned his bachelor’s degree from Rice University. His passion for medicine led him to pursue a medical degree at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, one of the world’s most prestigious institutions. He later earned an MBA from Yale University School of Management to complement his medical training with business expertise.
Mark’s journey in healthcare innovation began at FedEx, where he worked on healthcare strategy, benefits design, and corporate wellness programs. This experience provided him with a unique perspective on the intersection of healthcare and business, preparing him to co-found CheckedUp alongside his brother.
“Central to this mission is a strong focus on health equity. We are dedicated to ensuring that all individuals—regardless of their background or socioeconomic status—have equal access to the information and tools they need to make informed healthcare decisions,” says Mark, emphasizing that his ultimate goal is to equip individuals with the knowledge and confidence that lead to better, more informed health outcomes.
This commitment to health equity makes everyone feel included and valued in the healthcare process.
The Success of CheckedUp
The Awdeh brothers’ drive to improve patient education and engagement led to the creation of CheckedUp in 2012, a physician-founded digital health company revolutionizing the Point of Care experience.
CheckedUp provides specialty-focused, interactive digital platforms—such as waiting room TVs and exam room wallboards—one of the largest Hospital media networks in the nation. The media network empowers patients with critical health information by offering condition-specific content and facilitating more informed discussions with their providers. In 2022, CheckedUp expanded its reach by acquiring Health Media Network, further cementing its position as a leader in digital media channel in hospitals and clinics, enabling patient engagement, all while remaining physician-led and committed to innovation.
Built on education, efficiency, and patient empowerment principles, CheckedUp enhances healthcare experiences by bridging the gap between providers and patients. The company operates on core values such as empathy, teamwork, and accountability, ensuring that both medical professionals and patients benefit from cutting-edge technology at no cost to the practices.
With a 98% patient satisfaction rate and proven revenue growth for healthcare providers, CheckedUp continues to evolve, driving meaningful change in healthcare accessibility and education. Through its initiatives, including CheckedUpCares, the company remains dedicated to transforming how medical information is delivered and understood, making quality care more accessible for all.
The Awdeh brothers have been instrumental in shaping CheckedUp into a leader in patient engagement and digital health solutions. In its early days, Mark personally onboarded over 150 clinics, ensuring seamless integration into medical practices, while Richard leveraged his expertise as a physician and innovator to drive the platform’s medical credibility and technological advancements. Their combined efforts have propelled CheckedUp into one of the largest point-of-care companies worldwide, transforming how patients receive vital health information.
Together, they have made CheckedUp an indispensable tool for medical professionals, bridging the gap between clinical care, technology, and economic strategy. Their shared commitment to empowering patients with accessible, condition-specific education has reshaped how healthcare providers engage with their patients, ensuring that informed decision-making is at the heart of modern medical care.
The Family Office
Richard and Mark Awdeh have only begun to make their mark, with their ambitions extending far beyond CheckedUp. Their latest initiative launched in March in Miami, the Awdeh Family Office, is a bold step toward reshaping the intersection of healthcare, technology, and media. This venture is part of their vision to create a sustainable and impactful legacy in healthcare and technology, a future that promises exciting advancements and innovations.
“The Awdeh Family Office is built on the philosophy of the olive tree—a symbol of resilience, longevity, and sustainable prosperity. Just as cultivating the finest olives requires patience and discipline, so does investing,” Richard explains. “We take a structured, generational approach: early harvest for transformative innovation, mid-harvest for high-growth opportunities, and late harvest for enduring value creation. This philosophy, rooted in our heritage, ensures that wealth is not just preserved but purposefully grown.”
For the Awdeh brothers, success is not just measured in numbers but in impact. Their investments are guided by a disciplined, generational approach, ensuring that each decision contributes to a lasting legacy of innovation and service. With a lineage of doctors and medical pioneers, they view wealth as a tool for advancing healthcare, expanding access to life-saving technology, and fostering groundbreaking solutions.
“We’re dedicated to creating a lasting impact for generations within the healthcare ecosystem. By supporting ventures at the intersection of innovation and healthcare, we focus on enhancing patient education, improving accessibility, and driving better outcomes,” Richard continued. “Our mission is to foster businesses that lead digital transformation in healthcare, ensuring that advancements benefit a wide and diverse population.”
Whether through AI-driven healthcare platforms, digital patient engagement tools, or media ventures that enhance global awareness, the Awdeh Family Office is dedicated to creating wealth with purpose—investing in a future where innovation and well-being go hand in hand. And from their purview, the artificial intelligence sector is merely getting started.
“AI will revolutionize healthcare by enhancing care quality, streamlining operations, and providing data-driven insights for better decision-making,” Mark enthused. “Its future lies in making healthcare more efficient, effective, and equitable for all.”
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
The Awdeh brothers’ story is one of ambition, resilience, and a shared vision for a more informed and empowered healthcare system. Richard’s expertise as a surgeon and innovator, combined with Mark’s strategic and business acumen, has created one of the industry’s most impactful digital health platforms.
As they continue to push the boundaries of healthcare technology, their mission remains clear: to revolutionize the way doctors educate and engage with their patients, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes for all. From to the world stage, the Awdeh brothers are leaving an indelible mark on the future of medicine.
“Giving back is fundamental to our philosophy, and a larger purpose drives every investment we make: to advance patient care, expand access to life-saving technology, and ensure that our capital is a force for good in the world,” Richard adds. “Whether it’s a healthcare breakthrough, an AI-driven solution, or a media platform that drives global awareness, our investments are designed to create wealth with meaning, impact, and longevity.”
