In this episode, Melissa Lato, Product Director at X-on Health, a leading provider of healthcare communication solutions, shares her inspiring journey from the finance sector to the forefront of healthcare innovation. From mentoring at hackathons to leading X-on Health's transformation into an intelligent care navigation system, Melissa discusses how AI technologies are reshaping patient engagement and redefining the healthcare experience.

Melissa and Tara explore the art of product development, drawing on lessons from launching groundbreaking products such as the first over-the-counter contraceptive pill. The conversation dives into change management, innovation culture, and the challenges of balancing scalability, control, and patient choice in a competitive UK health tech landscape.

Takeaways:

• Transitioning from finance to health tech: transferable skills and mindset shifts

• X-on Health's evolution from cloud telephony to intelligent care navigation

• The promise and pitfalls of AI in healthcare, including AI receptionists

• Aligning big ideas with precise business objectives

• The importance of transparent communication and structured change management

• How founders balance control with growth and scalability

• Advice for aspiring professionals: lead with passion, curiosity, and user empathy

Visit the X-on Health Website here.

Work with me   

I'm Tara Humphrey and I'm the founder of THC Primary Care, a leading healthcare consultancy. I provide project and network management to Primary Care Networks and consulting support to clinical leads. To date, I've worked with 11 Training Hubs and supported over 120 Primary Care Networks and 3 GP Federations. 

I understand and appreciate the complexity of healthcare and what it takes to deliver projects across multiple practices.   

I have over 20 years of project management and business development experience across the private and public sector and have an MBA in Leadership and Management in Healthcare. I'm also published in the London Journal of Primary Care and the author of over 250 blogs.   

For more weekly insights and advice sign up to my newsletter.   

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