#356 Healthcare Data is the New Uranium with Dimitry Tran, co-founder of harrison.ai
Jun 26, 2024
auto_awesome
Dimitry Tran, co-founder of Harrison.ai, discusses AI in healthcare, its impact on innovation, challenges in radiology/pathology, and empowering healthcare through data partnerships. The podcast explores the balance between high-tech and low-tech solutions in healthcare technology.
Innovative AI solutions in healthcare require vast data and regulatory approvals for impactful outcomes.
Investors with AI expertise are crucial for scaling healthcare AI companies successfully.
Effective integration of AI in healthcare balances high-tech innovations with low-tech solutions for user acceptance and adoption.
Deep dives
Founding Harrison AI and Family Background in Math Education
The company Harrison AI was co-founded by Dimitri Tran and his brother, Dr. Angus Tran, who grew up in Vietnam in a family of high school math teachers. Their father, who authored the national math textbook, exposed them to computers early on. With limited resources, they began their journey with the first computer in Vietnam. Despite initial challenges, their father's passion for technology and innovation influenced them early in life.
Transition from Healthcare Finance to Innovation in Ramsey Healthcare
Having a desire to pursue medicine but faced with financial constraints, Dimitri opted for finance and accounting. Working with Paul Ramsey, the founder of Ramsey Healthcare, provided him with insights into the business side of healthcare. Witnessing the introduction of new technologies in healthcare, like robotic surgery, sparked his interest in innovation. Gradually, he transitioned to the innovation side in healthcare, realizing the importance of bridging the gap between technology and medicine.
AI Development for Healthcare AI in Radiology and Pathology
Transitioning from IVF to radiology and pathology, Dimitri faced the challenge of developing an all-encompassing AI solution. By attending conferences and understanding the market landscape, they identified a need for comprehensive AI solutions beyond the point solutions prevalent in the industry. Building a system that can detect multiple findings in X-rays required a vast amount of data and rigorous regulatory approvals. Despite the challenges, they successfully developed AI technology that detected 124 findings on chest X-rays, leading to significant regulatory approvals and impactful outcomes in healthcare.
Impact of Having Strong Backing from Investors
Having strong backing from investors such as Blackboard Ventures and Horizon Ventures, who understand the AI landscape well, has been pivotal for the company's growth. These investors not only provide financial support but also valuable insights and guidance, helping the company scale from managing a small team to a workforce of 300. This support has enabled the successful deployment of AI solutions in healthcare settings, like detecting lung nodules early on and significantly impacting patient outcomes.
Challenges and Innovations in Healthcare Technology Adoption
The podcast delves into the complexities of integrating advanced technologies like AI into healthcare systems effectively. Highlighting the need for seamless integration to support clinicians and streamline workflows, the discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the clinical environment and user needs. Balancing high-tech innovations like AI with low-tech solutions that demonstrate tangible benefits, such as the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of text reminders for patient appointments, underscores the essential principle of simplicity in driving user acceptance and successful technology adoption in healthcare.
Dimitry Tran is a medical technologist with a decade of experience in healthcare startups, international hospital operations, and NGOs. As co-founder of Harrison.ai and Annalise.ai – clinician-led AI medical technology companies – he addresses some of the
most significant issues in healthcare today, aiding clinicians in making accurate diagnoses and treating patients faster.
