Navy Veteran and Physician Honored for Fall-Prevention Work

U.S. Navy veteran and physician Dr. Susan Herson was named Veteran of the Year on May 26 by Senator Lea Webb and local leaders in Ithaca, New York, for her work on fall prevention and nighttime safety. The award spotlights Glow Guide, her motion-activated lighting system for canes, walkers and wheelchairs aimed at reducing dangerous falls and supporting aging in place.

Why it matters: - Falls at night can cause serious injuries for older adults, wounded veterans and people recovering from injury. - Dr. Susan Herson's work focuses on helping people move safely in low-light conditions and stay independent at home longer. - The award also highlights practical tools that can reduce caregiver stress and avoid emergency room visits.

What happened: - Dr. Susan Herson, a U.S. Navy veteran and internal medicine physician, was named Veteran of the Year. - Senator Lea Webb presented the award on Tuesday, May 26, in recognition of Herson's service, advocacy for veterans and work on fall prevention. - The recognition took place in Ithaca, New York, with local leaders also taking part. - The New York State Senate highlighted the induction in a recent press release, available here.

The details: - Herson founded remMD after watching her parents struggle with mobility and nighttime safety. - remMD's flagship product, Glow Guide, is a smart, motion-activated lighting system. - Glow Guide attaches to canes, walkers and wheelchairs. - The system uses bright LED lighting and an easy-to-use docking and charging setup. - Glow Guide can be paired with location services to help families find loved ones who may become disoriented at night. - The product is designed to support aging in place, reduce caregiver burden and protect the independence of older adults and wounded warriors. - remMD describes itself as a safety-focused company founded to help people move more confidently in low-light conditions.

Between the lines: - The award gives Herson a public platform to connect veteran care with aging and mobility safety. - The focus on a simple device reflects a broader push for lower-tech interventions that can be deployed in everyday settings. - The collaboration goal suggests remMD is moving from product development toward real-world testing and adoption.

What's next: - Herson is seeking pilots with veteran organizations, assisted living and memory care providers, and health systems. - Those pilots are intended to gather real-world outcomes and expand access to fall-prevention tools. - remMD is also positioning Glow Guide for wider use among high-risk populations.

The bottom line: - Dr. Susan Herson's honor underscores growing interest in practical technology that can prevent nighttime falls and help older adults and veterans stay safe and independent.