Huntsville woman pioneers software program for medical emergency readiness

mimi.jpgMIMI Sales and Marketing Director Susie Brock, left, and owner/founder Julie Slayton with an advertisement for My Instant Medical Information, a Windows-based software program for medical emergency readiness. (The Huntsville Times/Robin Conn)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- What was a concept inspired by a Huntsville woman's love for her mom during an emergency, has "turned into something so much bigger than I imagined or expected," she said.

And, today, that "something so much bigger" will be available to the public.

What it is is "MIMI," which stands for My Instant Medical Information. It's a software product developed by Julie Slayton, the founder of ems publishing.

MIMI is a Windows-based program that allows users to organize and edit medical and prescription information in one easy to use system.

It is scheduled to be launched today and Slayton "couldn't be more proud."

MIMI came about when Slayton's mother had become ill a couple of years ago and paramedics began asking for her mother's medical history.

"I was faced with a medical emergency regarding my mom and I was unprepared," she said. "I was so distraught, I gave them my birth date instead of my mom's."

Later on, she said she created a generic spreadsheet for herself using questions asked by paramedics and hospital staff. She was able to then give it to nurses and doctors whenever she had to take her mom for visits or appointments.

Slayton said word got around and she began doing local presentations for the local Alzheimer's Association, Redstone Village and the Council on Aging.

"The way that Huntsville has accepted this is heart-warming," she said.

The spreadsheet was gaining notice but there was one thing missing.

"I didn't have a product, yet," she said. "That's where Susie came into play."

Susie is Susie Brock, who has a background in product development and is now the director of sales and marketing.

The two met through their daughters' day care and began working together last year.

"She's been just wonderful," Slayton said. "We feel like we've reinvented the wheel."
Slayton said the product costs $34.50 for a family of four and $44.50 for a family of nine.

"I know how much this has helped me as a daughter and a caregiver," she said. "I wanted it to be affordable because I know how much it means to me.

"The more informed you are about your medication and prescription information, the better prepared you are in making health-care decisions."

Slayton said they are planning a Mac version of the software and they are creating customized version for companies, such as nursing homes, to keep the information on hand for a number of people.

"We hope the public can be just as excited as we are," she said. "To be able to have this in your hands could be life-saving."

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