Ignite Startups: Creating Impactful AI Healthcare Solutions with Susan Conover of Piction Health

Episode 84 of the Ignite Podcast

In the latest episode of the Ignite podcast, host Brian Bell sits down with Susan Conover, the co-founder and CEO of Piction Health, a cutting-edge virtual dermatology practice. For those who may not have time to listen to the full episode, here is a detailed breakdown of their insightful conversation.

From Engineering to Healthcare Innovation

Susan Conover's journey to founding Piction Health is both inspiring and unconventional. Originally trained as a mechanical engineer, Susan transitioned into healthcare after a personal battle with melanoma. Despite her engineering background, she found herself drawn to the complexities and challenges of the healthcare industry. Susan's repeated struggles to access timely dermatological care fueled her desire to find a solution that could make expert dermatology accessible to everyone.

The Birth of Piction Health

Piction Health is a virtual-first dermatology practice that aims to diagnose, treat, and prescribe for a range of skin, hair, and nail conditions. What sets Piction Health apart is its use of artificial intelligence and a robust database of diverse dermatological images. This technology supports their providers in managing a significantly higher number of cases compared to traditional practices.

Susan explains that the idea for Piction Health emerged from her own frustrating experiences with dermatology wait times. The company started with the goal of connecting patients to doctors more efficiently but soon pivoted to enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of primary care physicians using AI. This pivot was crucial, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a dramatic shift towards remote healthcare.

Building a Diverse and Comprehensive Database

One of the key challenges Piction Health faced was building a comprehensive and diverse database of dermatological conditions. Susan emphasizes the importance of representation across different skin tones and conditions. To achieve this, Piction Health partnered with dermatologists worldwide to collect a wide array of images. This extensive database enables their AI to perform at a level comparable to board-certified dermatologists.

Overcoming Challenges and Scaling the Solution

Finding a co-founder and building a cohesive team were significant hurdles for Susan. Interestingly, she met her co-founder in an improv class, an unconventional yet fitting start given the creative and iterative nature of their work. The company's journey involved several pivots, each driven by the need to address the real-world challenges of dermatological care access and efficiency.

Piction Health's current model allows dermatologists to manage up to five times more patients than traditional methods. With plans to expand across all 50 states and potentially internationally, the company aims to make expert dermatological care accessible to everyone.

Fundraising Insights and Tips

Susan also shares valuable insights into the fundraising process, describing it as a structured and human-intensive endeavor. She advises entrepreneurs to start with smaller commitments and iterate on their pitch. Susan highlights the importance of building a funnel, keeping track of potential investors, and maintaining a clear and compelling narrative about the company's vision and impact.

The Future of Piction Health

Looking ahead, Susan envisions Piction Health expanding its reach and continuing to innovate in the field of dermatology. The company aims to provide expert care to patients in every state and eventually support other healthcare providers in delivering high-quality dermatological care globally.

Conclusion

Susan's conversation with Brian offers a wealth of insights into the challenges and triumphs of building a healthcare startup. From leveraging AI to improve care access to navigating the complexities of fundraising, Susan's journey with Piction Health serves as an inspiring example of innovation and resilience in the healthcare industry.

For more information about Piction Health, visit their website at PictionHealth.com. If you have any questions or want to reach out to Susan Conover directly, you can email her at Susan@PictionHealth.com.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in healthcare innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of medical technology.

👂🎧 Watch, listen, and follow on your favorite platform: https://tr.ee/S2ayrbx_fL     

🙏 Join the conversation on your favorite social network

Chapters:
00:00 - 01:18 - Introduction
01:19 - 04:08 - Susan's Background and Journey
04:09 - 07:35 - Founding Piction Health
07:36 - 11:22 - AI and Data Collection
11:23 - 14:17 - Pivoting and Growth
14:18 - 17:12 - Challenges of Finding a Co-Founder
17:13 - 20:01 - Scaling Virtual Care
20:02 - 23:02 - Fundraising Insights
23:03 - 26:28 - Future Vision for Piction Health
26:29 - 30:01 - Importance of Mentorship and Networks
30:02 - 33:17 - Proactive Healthcare and Technology
33:18 - 35:29 - Rapid Fire Questions
35:30 - 38:40 - Closing Thoughts and Contact Information