Midi Health Blends Menopause Care with AI Innovation

Midi Health, a women's health startup based in Palo Alto, California, has surpassed a $1 billion valuation, fueled by its innovative use of artificial intelligence. Originally conceived as a menopause-focused company, MIDI Health's trajectory shifted under the leadership of CEO Joanna Strober, who realized the potential of AI in transforming healthcare delivery.

AI at the Forefront of Menopause Care

Founded in 2021, Midi Health provides virtual care to menopausal women. By integrating AI, the company has scaled its services rapidly, reaching more than 20,000 women weekly. The trend is clearer when you see it: AI isn't just an enhancement, but a cornerstone of their operations.

Strober candidly stated, "I thought I was starting a menopause company, but it turns out I'm building an AI company." This revelation came to light at Business Insider's The Long Play event in San Francisco, where she discussed the transformative impact of AI on the business.

The most significant leap for Midi Health came with the creation of a custom AI chatbot. Unlike general-purpose AI, which struggles with outdated data, Midi’s solution uses only high-quality information, steering clear of disproven studies. Visualize this: a chatbot that truly understands the nuances of menopause care.

AI Enhancements Beyond Chatbots

Midi Health's AI integration doesn't stop at patient interaction. It's reshaping internal operations too. Strober's hands-on approach has taken her across the country, engaging directly with nurses to incorporate AI into everyday tasks. One standout example involved introducing a nurse to Google Gemini, reducing a month's worth of contract standardization to a mere 10 minutes. Numbers in context: AI's efficiency is undeniable.

The company has also implemented AI office hours, a move designed to "AI-ify" teams across the organization. Software engineers assist staff in adopting AI tools, fostering a culture of innovation without the threat of job cuts.

Is this the future of healthcare? Strober believes AI's role is to augment, not replace. "It's not threatening, it's really about augmenting their jobs," she asserts. The real question is, how long before other health sectors follow suit?