Beyond the Code: Building the Infrastructure for a Lasting Mentorship Program
In the Tech Org at Ro, and particularly on the Engineering team, we are focused on building the best infrastructure and architecture for products and services that meet our patients at eye level and help Ro to become a patient’s first call.
While building the technical infrastructure to support Ro’s telehealth platform and digital clinics may seem like the 10,000 ft. view, we like to go even higher and ask “how can we help reimagine healthcare to deliver the greatest possible patient experience?”
We believe that Ro can drive incredible progress toward this goal, but recognize that we can amplify our impact by supporting others who are similarly committed to this mission. We found a valuable opportunity to do just that by partnering with HITLAB for their Women’s Health Tech Challenge aimed at empowering entrepreneurs who are developing new and innovative healthcare technologies.
The Women’s Health Tech Challenge invites innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups to propose novel concepts to fulfill unmet healthcare needs or improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes for women all over the world. The top five Challenge finalists have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors during a pitch day, culminating in prizes to help support their businesses.
This past spring, Ro partnered with HITLAB to create a “Bootcamp” prior to the Spring 2020 pitch day. During the Bootcamp, each finalist was paired with a Ro mentor of their choice — with diverse expertise ranging in fields from engineering and data to communications and recruiting. For example, Michelle Suconick shared how to structure a company or product story when launching; Crystal Han shared how to recruit and build the highest quality tech team; and, Zack Cleary shared how to build, launch, and scale healthcare technology. The finalists then had dedicated time with the Ro mentor to use for reviewing their deck, refining their pitch, or talking through advice on building and insights from scaling a successful health tech venture.
Was the Bootcamp a success? We heard a resounding yes from both the finalists and the Ro mentors who participated. That’s why, when HITLAB asked if Ro would like to run the Bootcamp for the next Challenge in November — we answered with another resounding yes.
Equipped with feedback from the first Challenge, we worked together with HITLAB to develop an even better Bootcamp curriculum for the fall. We crafted a more structured and uniform Bootcamp experience to ensure each participant, finalists and mentors alike, can make the most of their time together. In addition, we learned that finalists had questions for experts across a variety of domains, so we created more chances for them to ask those questions of relevant subject matter experts.
This November, the Bootcamp will kick off with a panel discussion featuring Ro’s Dr. Melynda Barnes, SVP of Medical Affairs and Research, and Jess Prager, VP of Product, discussing how tech teams can work in conjunction with clinical experts to build healthcare technology. Afterward, the five finalist teams will split into virtual breakout rooms where several Ro mentors will listen to their pitch and provide feedback on both the presentation and the company’s product or service. The finalist teams will then rotate rooms two to three times in a true bootcamp fashion for additional work sessions with Ro mentors with a variety of technical, clinical, and product perspectives.
One of the greatest takeaways from the first Bootcamp was how the experience truly ignited a passion for mentorship at Ro. One of the Ro mentors from the Spring 2020 Bootcamp will not only be back as a mentor for the Fall 2020 Bootcamp, but has also volunteered in a mentorship program with Built By Girls. Personally, I have joined the Young Professionals Group for CEO (Center for Employment Opportunities) on its Volunteer Committee to help the formerly incarcerated prepare to re-enter the workforce.
It has been incredible to watch how the opportunity for mentorship in the Spring 2020 Women’s Health Challenge has evolved to a lasting partnership with HITLAB, while serving as a launch pad for so many Ro employees to engage even further in community involvement. We can’t wait for this fall’s Women Health Tech Challenge!
