Dr. Laura Purdy: From Music Prodigy to Military Maverick, and Now, Healthcare Tech Visionary

Dr. Laura Purdy, the name that has become synonymous with innovation in healthcare, didn’t start her journey in a lab or even a classroom. Instead, it began in a world where the only stethoscope was the one she used to listen to the rhythm of her own heartbeat, pounding in time with the music she created as a child prodigy. Yes, before she was a doctor, before she was a soldier, before she was the trailblazing CEO of SWELL Medical PC, Laura Purdy was a musician—a virtuoso whose talent was only matched by her relentless curiosity about the world around her.

As a young musician, Purdy could have easily followed the path to stardom. But there was a different kind of calling in her soul, one that led her to serve her country in the military. The discipline, resilience, and leadership skills she honed during her time in the service didn’t just stay with her—they became the foundation upon which she would build her future endeavors.

And what a future it has been. From the military, Purdy made a seamless pivot to healthcare, quickly establishing herself as a forward-thinker and problem-solver in the medical field. She’s the kind of doctor who doesn’t just react to problems; she anticipates them, develops solutions, and then delivers them with a sense of purpose that is nothing short of inspiring.

But even as she made waves in healthcare, the music never left her. And so, when she left the army and found herself traveling for music festivals, she saw an opportunity that others missed—a group of people with unique healthcare needs that weren’t being met. It wasn’t just about providing care; it was about understanding the scene, the industry, the people. It was about being relatable, real, and responsive to an audience that is often overlooked.

Thus, JellyMed was born—a beautiful blend of music and medicine, as Purdy herself describes it. “I was a musician long before I was a doctor. And my heart and passion always belonged to music, I have never stopped loving it. So for me when I left the army and was able to do things like travel for music festivals, I saw immediately a group of people who had unique healthcare needs that no one is trying to meet in a real, relatable way that really understands the scene and the industry. For me, JellyMed is a beautiful blend of both music and healthcare, allowing people to be safe while having fun, and also increasing access to care by bringing it to where the people are. It brings me a deep sense of both professional and personal satisfaction to come full circle back to the music performance industry, and I am excited to see how far we can take this. JellyMed will be an international brand that is known for its judgement-free, tech-enabled, world-class event and festival care.”

But wait, there’s more. Because if being an innovator in healthcare and launching a brand new company wasn’t enough, Dr. Purdy is also a mother of four. And yes, you heard that right—rumor has it that there might be a fifth on the way with her now-fiancé, Dr. Stacey Podkovik, a pediatric neurosurgeon. Together, they’re a power couple that’s as brilliant as they are busy. The kind of couple that makes you wonder if they’ve somehow figured out how to get more than 24 hours in a day.

Dr. Purdy’s story is one of relentless pursuit—of knowledge, of passion, of innovation, and of care. She’s always been ahead of the curve, whether it was in the music world, the military, or healthcare. And with JellyMed, she’s not just keeping pace with the future—she’s creating it.

As we look to the horizon, it’s clear that whatever Dr. Laura Purdy touches next will not just be part of the conversation; it will redefine it. Because that’s what true futurists do—they lead, they innovate, and they always find a way to bring the music along for the ride.

Credits:

Photographer: @mikeyiphotography