By Michael Dalton, CEO, Ovatient
As I reflect on the journey of Ovatient over the past year since our founding, I am filled both with pride and gratitude for the extraordinary strides we have made in launching this company. Since April of this year, we have connected more than 7,000 patients to convenient, high-quality virtual-first care and begun to build out a virtual multispecialty practice that connects patients to the healthcare they need and deserve, no matter where they are.
But what I am absolutely awed by is that more than 20 passionate clinicians and healthcare leaders from across the country – many of whom had never been part of a start-up – embraced Ovatient’s value of boldness by taking the leap in joining me on this adventure. We are more than a collection of colleagues. Each day, our team embodies Ovatient’s core values like trust, resilience, mutual respect and belonging. Our success is thanks to this team’s incredible work and dedication to our mission: to improve health outcomes for all through a redesigned healthcare model centered around connecting patients, communities and caregivers through virtual care.
Celebrating Our Achievements
Formally incorporated a year ago today through a partnership between MUSC Health and The MetroHealth System, Ovatient was born out of a shared vision to redesign how healthcare is delivered by health systems—bringing care directly to patients, wherever they are and whenever they need it. Our first year has been marked by numerous milestones, each underscoring our commitment to reshaping the healthcare experience for both our patients and providers. From the outset, Ovatient was designed to be more than just a virtual care company; it is a new care model that places the patient at the very center. By leveraging our innovative platform, integrated with Epic and MyChart, we have extended the reach of our care to thousands of patients across Ohio and look to launch across South Carolina in the coming weeks.
To that end, we have set ambitious goals, from the number of patients served to referrals to in-person care services, and I am thrilled to report that we are well on our way to not only achieving but exceeding them. These achievements are a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team – clinician and non-clinician alike – who have worked tirelessly to build a seamless, clinically-informed platform that supports high-quality care across the continuum. What I love about this team and this company is that we understand that to provide the best care, we need to listen to those who have been at the center of any care model – the patient and the provider.
Taking on Big Challenges
However, this journey has not been without its challenges. Disrupting an established healthcare ecosystem from within, as a collaboration between traditional health systems, can be complex. Unlike many disruptors who position themselves as competitors to traditional healthcare models, Ovatient embraced a different path. We seek to enhance and extend the capabilities of our partner health systems, not replace them. This approach, while ultimately rewarding, presented unique challenges in ensuring that our efforts were seen as complementary rather than competitive.
This cultural shift was perhaps one of our greatest achievements this year. We were able to foster a spirit of partnership, aligning the goals of Ovatient with those of our health system partners. By focusing on the shared mission of improving patient outcomes and expanding access to care, we built a strong foundation of trust and cooperation. This collaborative approach and a strong vision allowed us to implement our virtual-first care model effectively, without the resistance that often accompanies disruptive innovation.
What’s on The Horizon
Despite all we have achieved in our first year, we have even bigger goals ahead. We are marching forward, building out our virtual-first multispecialty practice that integrates primary care with mental health and other clinical specialties and services. We are building new digital health tools to help health systems, health plans and others better connect patients to virtual care and provide helpful health programs and information. And we are continuing to grow our reach across the country by seeking out new partners. Could that be you?
As we celebrate this milestone, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our team, partners, and, most importantly, our patients. Your trust in Ovatient has been the driving force behind our success. Here’s to another year of innovation, growth, and, most importantly, improving the health in the lives of those we serve.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
