Debugged S3 E13: Tech Meets Healthcare – CAC Alumni on HealthTech

Hello! Welcome back to Debugged, the Congressional App Challenge’s alumni-led podcast that connects the country’s youth with technology by debugging the intricate world of computer science.

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!

More about Debugged

Founded in 2021 by the Congressional App Challenge’s Alumni Advisory Board, Debugged is a unique podcast experience that seeks to redefine STEM education, shine a light on diverse voices, and further the narrative around a myriad of computer science topics. By highlighting trends in the industry, breaking down complicated concepts, and interviewing high profile guests, listeners are given the opportunity to delve into the world of technology in an analytical yet engaging way.

Debugged is free to stream on your favorite platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more via Anchor.fm! To be the first to know about new episodes, and to learn more about the team of eleven alumni behind every one, follow @cacdebugged on Instagram and X. Thank you so much for your viewership; we hope you enjoy the episode!