Fun fact: laughter is contagious in a very real way; your brain actually has systems that help mirror the emotions and behaviors of people around you! Which is probably why one person laughing uncontrollably can take out an entire room.

In the spirit of sharing things that spread quickly, we’ve got a small Peel update: we refreshed our referral program. Refer 5 people to subscribe and earn a $100 Amazon digital gift card (scroll to the bottom of this newsletter to get your custom referral link). Turns out passing things along can be rewarding in more ways than one.

This week:
→ Grapefruit Health is growing 😁
→ Therapy Horses 🐴
→ Digital stethoscope 🩺

Grapefruit Health just opened a new Business Development Lead role, adding to the growing list of healthcare jobs that sit beyond traditional clinical pathways. As healthcare continues blending care delivery with technology, partnerships, and innovation, roles like these are becoming a bigger part of how organizations scale and connect with patients.

👉 Hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship outbreak rise to 11

Why this matters: Health officials are continuing to monitor the outbreak after additional cases were confirmed this week. While the strain involved can rarely spread between people, the WHO and CDC say the overall risk to the public remains low.

👉 VR and AR are moving beyond gaming and deeper into healthcare

Why this matters: Healthcare training is getting a serious tech upgrade. Virtual and augmented reality tools are increasingly being used for everything from clinical simulations to patient treatment, giving students and future healthcare professionals more hands-on ways to learn before stepping into real-world settings.

👉️ Mini therapy horses are making hospital rounds (yes, really)

Why this matters: This is a reminder that patient care isn’t always medications, monitors, and charting! Programs like these are being used to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being for patients (and staff!)

Nurses and nursing students: Looking for your next opportunity? Grapefruit Health recently partnered with Prolink to help you gain access to exclusive resources for your first (or next) role.

👉 Launch your career with confidence.

Eko Health is taking the classic stethoscope and giving it a modern twist, with digital features that can amplify heart and lung sounds and add smarter tools into the mix. Kind of proof that even healthcare’s most recognizable tools are getting an upgrade!