Tech Meets Healthcare: CAC Alumni on HealthTech
In this special episode of Debugged, host Suhaani Sodhi welcomes Medha Gupta and Maddison Chau, two inspiring Congressional App Challenge alumni who are reshaping the intersection of technology and healthcare. Medha, a Digital Strategy Analyst at Adobe, shares her experience with projects like an automated pill dispensation system and her job in healthcare, while Maddison, a UCLA biology major, discusses her innovative face mask that translates speech to American Sign Language for better communication in healthcare settings. Together, they reflect on their unique journeys, the inspirations behind their projects, and the transformative potential of technology in healthcare. As they delve into topics like generative AI and personalized health solutions, Medha and Maddison also tackle common misconceptions about tech’s role in healthcare, especially regarding data privacy. Their insights and advice will resonate with students and aspiring professionals looking to carve out a niche in digital health startups. Tune in to discover how these trailblazers envision the future of innovation in the healthcare space!
In the special episode, Debugged team member Suhaani Sodhi interviews two Congressional App Challenge alumni involved in the intersection between technology and healthcare: Medha Gupta and Maddison Chau! Medha is a Digital Strategy Analyst at Adobe, focusing on B2B marketing technology for healthcare companies. Maddison is a first year undergraduate student at UCLA majoring in biology. She has had an interest in cardiology and coding since she was a kid, and enjoys helping her community in ways that combine these two interests. Together, Medha and Maddison discuss their journeys into the fields of technology and healthcare, projects they’re most proud of, and predictions for future innovation.
Both Medha and Maddison began exploring medical technology through their passion projects. For Medha, this was an automated medical pill dispensation system that connected with healthcare providers for data and pharmacies for refills. For Maddison, this was a face mask that automatically converted speech to American Sign Language, ensuring the deaf community’s ability to connect with doctors during COVID, when no in-person interpreters were allowed in rooms. Furthermore, they dive deep into the inspirations, technologies, and lessons from these projects that helped turn them into into a reality!
The two alumni also discuss their thoughts on the biggest impact tech could have on healthcare. Medha shares how upcoming technologies like generative AI come up everyday in her work, and her thoughts on the impacts it can have in creating hyper-personalized content about people’s health. Maddison echoes these ideas of personalization being a big part of the future, adding on that entertainment through mediums like iPads is becoming more regular in settings like hospitals.
Finally, the two share their thoughts on common misconceptions about technology and healthcare, primarily revolving around data privacy, and the role computers play (or the lack thereof) in making certain decisions for humans. For students interested in careers in digital health startups or similar, their advice also extends to how to set yourself up for a successful future in the field early on.
Tune in to this week’s special episode of Debugged to hear Medha Gupta and Maddison Chau’s journeys and experiences at the intersection of healthcare and technology, and their thoughts on future innovation in the field!