Episode: Building AI-Driven Health Products That Clinicians and Consumers Can Trust
Guest: Cazandra Aporbo, MS – Head of Data, FoXX Health
Summary
In this episode, Kelly, Kristi, and Alex sit down with Cazandra Aporbo, Head of Data from FoXX Health to talk about what it actually takes to build AI for healthcare that people trust. They dig into the “diagnostic odyssey” for women (why it can take 7–10 years to get a diagnosis), how fragmented and biased health data really is, and why the answer isn’t to pretend bias doesn’t exist—but to make it visible and explainable. Cazandra walks through how FoXX is co-building an AI-powered women’s health companion app that supports clearer health insights for women.
What you’ll hear about
Key quotes
Who it’s for
Product leaders in digital health, AI/ML folks working with clinical or patient-generated data, founders building women’s health apps, and clinicians trying to make sense of all the ‘AI in healthcare’ noise.
Links/mentions
Length: ~40 minutes
In this episode of Build Well: Women Shaping Health Technology, the hosts unpack what it really means to design with empathy in health tech—where patients, providers, and caregivers face uniquely vulnerable and high-stakes situations.
They explore the challenges of understanding user needs, especially in crisis situations, and the complexities of measuring success beyond traditional metrics. The conversation emphasizes the need for trust and transparency in technology, the role of user research, and the potential of AI to enhance personalized care. Ultimately, the episode highlights the balance between user experience and business needs, advocating for a human-centered approach in design.
00:00 Introduction to Building with Empathy
02:41 Understanding Human-Centered Design
05:25 Empathy in Health Tech: A Deeper Dive
08:09 Building for Vulnerable Populations
10:51 Measuring Success in Crisis Situations
13:33 Balancing Multiple User Experiences
16:04 Technology vs. Human Interaction in Health Care
19:02 Trust and Autonomy in Health Apps
26:17 Navigating Healthcare Communication Challenges
29:08 The Role of AI in Personalized Healthcare
32:08 Designing with Empathy in Health Tech
36:09 User Engagement and Feedback Loops
39:31 Balancing Business Needs with Patient-Centric Design
45:47 Reflecting on Purpose in Health Tech Development
Summary
In this episode of the Build Well podcast, hosts Kelly Scherer, Alex Tong, and Kristi Lui delve into the various archetypes of product managers, discussing how roles have evolved over time and the importance of understanding one's PM style. They explore the diverse types of product managers, the challenges they face, and the significance of knowing your PM type in relation to company needs. The conversation also touches on the skills necessary for growth in product management, the impact of AI on the field, and the importance of decisive thinking in decision-making processes.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Navigating Technical Difficulties and PM Roles
11:42 Understanding Different Types of Product Managers
14:13 The Evolution of Product Management with AI
17:13 The Importance of Technical Partnerships in PM
20:09 Defining Your PM Type and Its Relevance
22:54 Exploring Product Management Skills
25:51 Navigating AI Workflows and User Experience
28:11 Decisive Thinking in Product Management
30:54 The Role of AI in Product Management
Resources
Summary:
Welcome to Build Well: Women Shaping Health Technology, a podcast about product strategy, leadership, and building meaningful health tech—told from the perspective of women doing the work. In this pilot episode, Kelly, Alex, and Kristie introduce themselves and share their journeys into product management, their motivation for launching the podcast, and why representation in health tech matters now more than ever. From navigating ethical challenges to building with empathy, this episode sets the tone for a thoughtful and fun season ahead.
Key Takeaways
1. Building health tech requires emotional intelligence and ethical responsibility.
Creating digital health products means designing for people at their most vulnerable—so empathy, trust, and thoughtful compliance must be at the core.
2. There’s no one path to product management—especially in health tech.
The hosts bring clinical research, psychology, and care delivery backgrounds, proving diverse experiences enrich the product process.
3. Women belong in the room—and at the head of the table.
Female representation in health tech is still limited, especially in leadership roles. This podcast is a space to elevate those voices and share real stories from the field.
References & Mentions
1. Evidation – The company where the hosts met and began working in health tech.
2. Women In Product (San Diego Chapter) – Mentioned as a key part of Kelly’s mentorship experience and podcast inspiration.