Women in Tech: Lyla Won
tl;dr
Lyla Won, a bioinformatics graduate from the University of Toronto, founded AlbaDOC to revolutionize family medicine accessibility using technology.
AlbaDOC integrates AI and user-friendly platforms to streamline clinic operations, enhance patient-doctor communication, and expand wellness services.
Challenges include navigating healthcare regulations, building trust, and scaling amidst competition, with plans to grow across North America and innovate continuously.
Motivated by a strong desire to bridge the healthcare divide, she aims to create meaningful change in healthcare services.
Lyla Won is a recent alumni of the University of Toronto, having graduated with a degree in Bioinformatics Specialist, accompanied by minors in Computer Science and Statistics. With a diverse background spanning pharmaceuticals, finance, hospitals, and startups, she has garnered valuable experience across various sectors. Motivated by both her professional journey and personal healthcare needs, she ventured into entrepreneurship, to address critical gaps in the healthcare industry.
How did you transition into becoming a founder and start your entrepreneurial journey?
Lyla started her journey as an entrepreneur while she was studying bioinformatics with computer science and statistics at the University of Toronto. Five years ago, her entrepreneurial drive was sparked when she personally encountered the difficulties of the traditional clinic system for the first time. As a first year student living independently, she sustained serious injuries to her feet that left her unable to walk for a while. The challenging journey of obtaining medical treatment, whether through walk-in clinics or medical imaging facilities, brought her attention to the obstacles and difficulties that Canadians encounter when trying to access high-quality healthcare, especially in the realm of family medicine. After working in different industries like startups, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and finance, she was motivated to tackle the increasing obstacles in family medicine. This led her to start her own company, AlbaDOC. Motivated by a strong desire to bridge the healthcare divide, she aims to create meaningful change in healthcare services using technology-based solutions that empower both healthcare providers and patients.
What sparked the idea for this venture?
AlbaDOC was born out of the realization that Canadians face enormous obstacles in obtaining family medicine services. These data represent the current reality: specialist doctors make 23% much more money than family physicians, causing a decrease of 8% in the number of medical graduates opting for a career in family medicine from 2015 to 2022. The demand for innovative healthcare solutions became evident as the baby boomer generation aged and 6.5 million Canadians lacked a family doctor. Lyla also identified shortcomings and difficulties in obtaining top notch family medicine services. This acknowledgment inspired a strong dedication to meeting the changing needs of family doctors as well as patients, motivating her to create AlbaDOC as a tool to streamline clinic experience, improve communication between patients and doctors, and also support family physicians in starting their practices with ease.
How are you scaling the business?
Strategic thinking is combined with strategic tactics in scaling AlbaDOC. They make use of technology to enhance the scalability and performance of the platform, guaranteeing a smooth user experience and strong performance. This allows them to expand the services to include a wide range of wellness solutions. The emphasis on user growth is reinforced by garnering support from family physicians, anticipating a natural influx of patients. They enhance the platform through advanced AI chatbot and premium subscriptions, boosting the value and competitiveness of the platform in the market. AlbaDOC intends to grow rapidly in the North American marketplace by 2026 through strategic alliance and innovative practice. While the main objective is to offer quick access to a centralized booking process for clinics, they also strive to attract a wider range of users and enhance their overall experience by expanding strategically. They aim to cultivate a more diverse user base, offering a range of wellness options and convenient access to health-related products and services. This includes promotional comprehensive wellness offerings like virtual meditation sessions, personalized nutrition planning services, dermatology and mental health counseling resources. Users are able to use the mobile app to browse and purchase nutritious food, beverages, and other related items, which will improve their overall health and wellness. AlbaDOC serves as a convenient hub for all products and services related to well-being.
What are the main challenges as a founder in this industry?
Lyla notes that one of the greatest challenges for healthcare industry founders is understanding and adhering to the complex regulatory environment, which is constantly evolving. Even with competition from well-known companies, they face challenges in overcoming skepticism and building trust in their platform.. Furthermore, the decreasing interest in family medicine among medical graduates and the increasing need for easily accessible healthcare highlight the importance of innovative solutions. They are tackling obstacles such as distinguishing their products, engaging users, and forming strategic alliances, all while making a positive impact in the field of healthcare.
What are the next steps for the business?
AlbaDOC plans to grow its number of users, improve its features, and expand its markets in the coming years. Their main priorities are recruiting more family doctors and patients, improving the AI technology, and expanding the range of services they provide. Furthermore, they are actively seeking partnerships and collaborations to strengthen their status as a top player in the healthcare technology sector. They are close to achieving ongoing growth and influence within the healthcare industry by consistently innovating and adapting to changing market trends.
What are the major takeaways learned through the journey as a founder?
Lyla says, “throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I've come to appreciate the significance of resilience, adaptability, and perseverance. The challenges inherent in entrepreneurship have taught me the value of staying resilient in the face of adversity, adapting to shifting circumstances, and persisting in pursuit of my vision. Each hurdle encountered along the way has served as an opportunity for personal growth and development, ultimately shaping me into a more robust and effective individual. Moreover, I've realized that successful entrepreneurship necessitates a combination of essential qualities.” She also notes that reativity has been instrumental in generating innovative ideas and crafting distinctive business models. Consistent effort and dedication have proven indispensable for achieving goals and surmounting obstacles. Taking responsibility and remaining determined have empowered her to make tough decisions and lead teams effectively. Collaboration and effective communication have facilitated seamless cooperation in the team, while problem-solving skills have enabled her to address challenges with confidence. Flexibility and adaptability have been crucial for navigating the dynamic business landscape, while goal orientation and self-direction have provided clarity and purpose in her entrepreneurial endeavors. Additionally, she has recognized the importance of continuous learning and evolution, as well as the need to tailor entrepreneurial approaches to personal circumstances and aspirations. All these lessons have shaped Lyla into a stronger and more driven individual, and she continues to learn and grow with each new experience.
How has the network gained through CWN helped?
The network Lyla gained through CWN, particularly the Silicon Valley program, has been instrumental in her entrepreneurial journey. She says, “meeting various women entrepreneurs and learning from their experiences has provided valuable insights and inspiration. Through CWN, I've had the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, access mentorship and guidance, and gain a deeper understanding of the pathway to expand and further embrace what our business offers. The support within the CWN community have been invaluable in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and driving AlbaDOC forward.”
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