A Personal Tragedy Sparks a Visionary Idea
In the midst of the pandemic, Vikram Bhaskaran was faced with a daunting reality. His father had started showing early symptoms of ALS, a rare and terminal neurodegenerative disease. Bhaskaran’s world was turned upside down as he struggled to find clear and helpful information about his father’s condition.
The Dark Ages of Health Information
Bhaskaran, who was leading creator partnerships at Pinterest at the time, described the experience as like being in "the dark ages" when it came to health information. He spent countless hours googling, scouring Facebook groups, and searching for treatment options. But the more he searched, the more frustrated he became.
The Birth of Roon
It was during this challenging period that Bhaskaran linked up with his two friends, Rohan Ramakrishna, a neurosurgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine, and Arun Ranganathan, a Pinterest engineer. Together, they had an idea to create Roon, an online resource that would provide clinically accurate complex medical information created by doctors and people living with specific diseases.
Roon: A Game-Changing Platform
Roon aims to replace the outdated method of googling (commonly referred to as "Dr. Google") and legacy healthcare content sites like WebMD and Healthline. Instead, Roon offers video-based Q&As on thousands of health issues created by doctors in top medical institutions.
The Power of Doctor-Created Content
Dr. Ramakrishna noted that he and other physicians often answer the same set of questions when seeing patients. However, these answers are typically provided only during the doctor’s appointment. Roon seeks to change this by inviting thousands of doctors to share their expertise on its platform.
A Creator Platform for Doctors
Bhaskaran views Roon as a creator platform for doctors, where they can share valuable information and knowledge. The company offers an honorarium for participating, although some doctors refuse it due to conflict-of-interest regulations.
Roon’s Mission: Empowering Patients
The draw of Roon’s content for patients is that they receive medical advice from real doctors and other patients dealing with the disease. Bhaskaran believes that Roon helps patients become more knowledgeable and prepared for appointments, leading to better patient care.
A Bright Future Ahead
Despite not yet generating revenue or having a clear business model, investors have faith in Roon’s potential. The startup has raised $15 million at a valuation of $68 million, with plans to expand its reach and impact the healthcare industry.
Raising Awareness for ALS and Beyond
Bhaskaran’s personal experience with his father’s illness has sparked a passion to make a difference in the lives of others affected by similar conditions. Roon is not just a platform; it’s a movement towards revolutionizing healthcare information and empowering patients worldwide.
Join the Conversation: Revolutionizing Healthcare Information
How can we improve access to accurate and reliable health information? Share your thoughts and insights on social media using the hashtag #RoonRevolution.
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