Project Description

Childhood obesity is one of the most urgent public health challenges of the 21st century, affecting over 14 million children, with 5 million classified as severely obese. For many, adolescent bariatric surgery is the most effective evidence-based intervention, yet the process is long, complex, and overwhelming. From appointment coordination to behavioral modifications, families struggle to navigate the system, and traditional pamphlets and binders fail to provide the support patients need.

I co-founded Prevale to reimagine the bariatric surgery journey and create a seamless, digital-first experience. Prevale is a pediatric care coordination platform that replaces outdated, manual processes with an intuitive mobile app. It ensures that every touchpoint, from referral to post-surgical transitions, is streamlined, providing patients and families with a single, user-friendly interface to manage appointments, track progress, and access education.

Recognizing the potential of Prevale, we strategically transitioned the project to KidsX, a leading pediatric digital health accelerator, to further develop the product and scale its impact. This move ensures that Prevale benefits from industry mentorship, real-world implementation opportunities, and the resources needed to bring it to life as a scalable digital health solution. 

The Journey: From Research to Real-World Impact

Co-Designing with Patients & Providers: Through extensive patient interviews, behavioral research, and user testing, we identified critical gaps in adolescent bariatric care and developed a solution that prioritizes patient engagement, emotional support, and seamless care coordination.

Refining the Focus: Using design thinking methodologies, we continuously validated hypotheses, tested assumptions, and iterated workflows to ensure Prevale meets the real-world needs of both patients and healthcare providers.

Human-Centered Prototyping & Testing: We built a high-fidelity, clickable prototype in Figma, integrating key features such as:

• Community engagement & peer support to increase confidence.

• Appointment & medication tracking for better adherence.

• Personalized milestones & achievements to encourage long-term success.

Winning Recognition & Funding: Prevale’s impact has been validated through $250,000 in accelerator funding, allowing for continued product development and refinement.

Strategic Handoff for Scale: To ensure sustainability and long-term success, Prevale was transitioned to KidsX for further development and implementation as a scalable digital health solution for pediatric obesity care.

Key Outcomes & Lasting Impact

• Empowering Patients & Families: Making bariatric care accessible, engaging, and personalized for adolescents.

• A Seamless Digital Experience: Replacing outdated, manual processes with an intuitive, tech-driven solution.

• Validated & Funded: Recognized by top accelerator programs with $250,000 in funding to advance development.

• Strategic Growth & Expansion: Transitioned to KidsX for further development, providing industry expertise and potential pilot opportunities for learners.

• Beyond an Idea: A scalable solution aiming to transform pediatric obesity care through technology, research, and human-centered innovation.