It has been a phenomenal year for Ovatient. Since opening our virtual doors to patients in the spring, we’ve connected more than 15,000 people to integrated, virtual-first urgent care, primary care and behavioral health that is built on Epic and seamlessly connected to our partner health systems.
We couldn’t have achieved any of this without our incredible team that is singularly focused on delivering high-quality, connected care to our patients and helping our partner health systems better serve their communities. That’s why we wanted to take a few minutes to share our team’s reflections about what they are most proud of this year – and what they are looking forward to in 2025. Here are some of their stories.
Haley Dickow, PA-C, Physician Assistant
One aspect of my role that I truly value is witnessing patients’ gratitude for the convenience our service offers. It’s incredibly rewarding to hear them express how much we’ve simplified their lives, whether it’s through easier access to care or faster resolutions to their concerns.
This role has also helped me grow professionally by providing opportunities to consult with a wide variety of specialists within our partner health systems. This collaboration has expanded my knowledge and refined my approach to patient care. It’s fulfilling to see how our integrated care approach positively impacts patients’ lives, and it has helped me become a more well-rounded provider.
Amy Lukowski, Psy.D., Director of Integrated Behavioral Health
Reflecting on this past year, I am filled with excitement and gratitude for the journey we’ve embarked on in the realm of virtual integrated care. Being at the forefront of this innovative approach has been incredibly rewarding. It’s thrilling to witness how our efforts are transforming healthcare delivery, making it more accessible and efficient for everyone involved.
I am particularly proud to be part of a team that truly understands the needs of our health system clients, who are striving to meet the needs of patients. Our collective dedication to addressing these needs has been instrumental in creating solutions that genuinely make a difference. It’s inspiring to see how our work supports these systems in providing better care to the communities we serve.
Also, I am deeply grateful for the patients I have had the privilege to see this year. Their resilience and willingness to confront life’s challenges head-on, all in the pursuit of better health for themselves and their loved ones, is nothing short of remarkable. Their courage and vulnerability are daily reminders of the human spirit’s strength and the profound impact of our work.
As we move forward, I remain committed to advancing our mission and continuing to support our patients and health systems with the same passion and dedication. Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and making a positive difference in the lives of those we serve.
Michael Dalton, CEO and Founder
Perhaps it goes without saying, but I’m really proud of launching Ovatient—an idea that started as a passion for making high-quality healthcare more accessible and evolved into a company and a care model that is making a real difference for patients and providers, alike. Leading this initiative was an eye-opening experience that taught me the power of collaboration, resilience, and constant learning. It was about more than just designing a platform; it was about building a community of people who share a vision for person-centered care.
The most rewarding part was seeing the immediate impact of our work. Hearing from our clinicians as they shared how much easier it was to connect with patients who had previously struggled to schedule in-person visits. And hearing patients say they finally felt “heard” on a virtual platform reminded me why we set out to build Ovatient in the first place: to bridge the gap between convenience and quality and create access to care.
With all the stress that sometimes can come with launching a company and serving in healthcare, in general, I have loved how our focus on our values and the good news that we encounter throughout the week has not wavered. In every operations huddle, we recognize where someone has lived out our values over the last week. And every Friday at our leadership meeting, we celebrate the “Good News” of what we have achieved throughout the week. With all of the uncertainty that we sometimes encounter in this world, it’s powerful to reflect on a regular cadence on all that is good.
Liz Adkison DNP, FNP-C, Virtual Primary Care Provider
I have had phenomenal opportunities to engage with patients. This year, I built a panel of close to 500 primary care patients, witnessed improvements in overall health including working with a patient that lost over 65 pounds; helped another patient get the treatment plan they needed after a diagnosis of lupus; and was able to bridge health access gap that exists for many patients via virtual health. It has been a testament to the importance of virtual care.
Personally, I am proud to be studying to take my examination for the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) examination which I hope to obtain certification in 2025.
It has been amazing to see Ovatient progress over the year. I have built a relationship with my coworkers even though we all live across the United States. I have enjoyed being a part of a team that wants to improve health care and access for patients and work every day to make things better.
I hope in 2025 we are able to keep expanding and caring for more patients.
Hannah Skinner, RN, BSN, Virtual Primary and Urgent Care
Both personally and professionally, I have gained so much from being a part of a groundbreaking virtual company like Ovatient. I have had the chance to help develop protocols and procedures for the Ovatient team. Doing so has challenged me to leave my comfort zone and push myself professionally to not only take part in patient care but also in the leadership and team building that will help Ovatient continue to flourish in 2025.
One of the most exciting things I have observed has been watching our amazing providers improve the health and well-being of the people of Ohio. They have increased healthcare access to underserved populations.
Knowing we are all a part of really helping others, well, I’d say it doesn’t get much sweeter than that! Cheers to helping more people in 2025.
Jamie Carracher, Director, Marketing & Communications
From my vantage point, 2024 has been incredible. I enjoy and appreciate the responsibility I have in helping to connect patients with high-quality, convenient care. While I am not a healthcare professional myself, I am proud to stand next to an awesome team and help them ensure our patients get the care they need, wherever they are.
Our whole team believes in our approach: partnering closely with health systems to help them scale their own virtual-first care offerings and expand their reach in their communities to make care easier to access than ever. And the reviews tell us it is working, like one recent patient who wrote: “I have gotten to know my Caregiver and we have discussions about my health and the emotional aspects of it. [I am] very comfortable discussing any aspect of my health, long time since I have felt that way.”
Looking ahead, I am excited to serve more health systems and connect more patients nationwide to our unique and innovative virtual-first approach to care.
