A mobile app concept to extend the reach of community health workers
WeGood is a mobile app concept designed to bring the support of a community health worker into a patient's daily life. The goal was to improve access to care navigation, care coordination, and ongoing support through a scalable digital experience.
This concept was developed and refined through two university-wide pitch competitions, where I focused on communicating both user impact and system-level value.
Chronic conditions are manageable—but access to support isn't consistent
Within the United States, 6 out of 10 adults live with chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. Many of these conditions can be managed through preventative care, yet access remains inconsistent.
- Uninsured and underinsured individuals are less likely to receive timely preventative care, leading to worse outcomes for manageable conditions.
- Patients struggle to navigate fragmented healthcare and nonprofit systems, often missing critical resources that exist but are hard to find.
- Community health workers provide essential support but lack standardized digital tools to track patient progress and coordinate across providers.
- The gap between care plans and real-life follow-through leads to higher mortality rates and increased costs for healthcare systems.
Structured, community-based care models drive measurable impact
Research shows that care teams using the IMPaCT model for Medicaid patients with multiple chronic conditions saved $4,246 per beneficiary—demonstrating the financial and clinical value of coordinated care.
The design question
How might a digital product extend the reach of community health workers, standardize data collection and care coordination, and improve both patient outcomes and system efficiency?
Connecting patients with trusted resources while supporting care teams
WeGood combines the accessibility of platforms like BetterHelp with the structured data and networked systems of Epic Systems—creating a low-friction experience that supports patients in their daily lives while strengthening the broader care ecosystem.
Real-time communication
Direct messaging between patients and community health workers for ongoing support.
Guided navigation
Step-by-step support through healthcare and community resources, reducing confusion.
Standardized tracking
Structured data collection for patient progress, outcomes, and care coordination.
Culturally-rooted referrals
Resource systems that reflect cultural context and community trust networks.
Over 30 million adults who are uninsured or underinsured
The primary users include over 30 million adults in the U.S. who are uninsured or underinsured, a disproportionate percentage of whom are Black and Hispanic.
- Lack time and resources to navigate complex systems
- Limited access to culturally competent support
- Fragmented information across providers and nonprofits
- Trusted guides through the healthcare system
- Support that fits into daily life, not adds to it
- Tools that feel accessible, not clinical
Aligned value across patients, care workers, and payers
For patients
Simple, interactive health tracking. Easier connection to care teams and resources. Support that fits into daily life.
For community health workers
Efficient tools for tracking patient progress. Better workload and care coordination management. Structured data to support decision-making.
For healthcare systems & payers
Improved patient follow-up and continuity of care. Standardized data to evaluate CHW impact. Potential cost reduction through preventative care.
Designing at both the user and system level
Access at scale
Extending human support through digital tools—making community health worker guidance available beyond in-person visits.
Behavior support
Helping patients follow through on care plans with low-friction reminders, tracking, and guided next steps.
Clarity in complexity
Simplifying healthcare navigation into actionable steps that feel manageable, not overwhelming.
System alignment
Designing simultaneously for patients, providers, and payers—creating value at every level of the care ecosystem.
Top 5 at Olin Big IdeaBounce, semifinalist at Pitch Madness
I pitched this concept in two university-wide competitions, refining both the product and its value proposition through iteration.
Top 5 placement
Olin Big IdeaBounce university-wide competition.
Semifinalist
Advanced to Pitch Madness semifinal round.
A path from concept to beta
- Partner with developers to build a functional prototype
- Pilot with ~20 patients from a BJC outpatient setting
- Test usability, engagement, and care coordination workflows
- Evaluate early indicators of patient follow-through and CHW efficiency
The original pitch video
Full project document
An early foundation for how I approach product design today
This project reflects an early foundation of how I approach product design today. It strengthened my ability to translate complex healthcare systems into product opportunities, connect user needs with financial and operational impact, and communicate ideas across design, business, and public health perspectives.
While this began as a pitch, it continues to shape how I design for care navigation, engagement, and scalable support.