Aaron Fobian, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, recently received the Startup of the Year Award from the Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for her new startup, ReACT FND Health.

Fobian created ReACT (Retraining and Control Therapy) FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) Health to help patients with FND, which affects an estimated 300,000 Americans.

The mission of ReACT FND Health is for every individual with FND to have access to research-supported FND treatment. This mission includes a commitment to expanding access to FND treatment by providing direct patient care and by empowering and training a new generation of FND-informed clinicians.

“Receiving the Startup of the Year Award is an incredible honor and significant milestone for Areti Vassilopoulos, the Chief Operations Officer, and me,” said Fobian, Chief Scientific Officer and Founder. “This recognition is not just a reflection of our hard work and dedication; it symbolizes the passion and commitment we've poured into our vision. It serves as validation for the countless late nights, challenges, and decade of research and development that have gone into the treatment.”

ReACT has been used to treat patients at UAB for a decade and the demand from patients and practitioners to access the treatment continues to grow.

“This award motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and striving for innovation. It’s a reminder of the supportive community, mentors, and collaborators who have believed in us every step of the way. As a psychologist, I was not trained to think that a startup could be the best way to disseminate an evidence-based treatment. However, I have been lucky to work with an amazing team at the Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to help me conceive of and realize this startup. I am grateful for this recognition, and I look forward to what lies ahead as we continue to grow, learn, and improve access to FND-informed treatment for the many individuals struggling with this disorder. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey,” Fobian said.