Through the Internet, people all over the world have become more connected than ever before. With the simple click of a button on a web page, patients anywhere can get the medical treatments and medication they need delivered straight to their doorstep. Direct-to-customer healthcare is changing the industry one patient at a time, and these five healthcare CEOs are leading the charge when it comes to DTC care.
Kyle Robertson
Zealthy’s CEO Kyle Robertson experienced his first taste of the direct-to-consumer model when he founded the virtual all-in-one mental healthcare service Cerebral, which provided both therapy and treatments for people experiencing mental health issues. The company’s DTC model came at just the right time, mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which cut many patients off from getting the help they needed. Kyle Robertson went on to apply the lessons he learned from Cerebral to Zealthy, a DTC health platform focused not only on mental health, but also on other common health issues including weight management and hair loss. Kyle Robertson is also CEO of Revolution Venture Studios, showing that his passion for entrepreneurship extends beyond the field of health tech.
Zachariah Reitano
As CEO of the telehealth company Ro, Zachariah Reitano initially founded his company as a DTC solution for an important health issue that many shy away from mentioning: erectile dysfunction. By destigmatizing sexual health conditions and making sexual health treatments readily available, Ro has made its mark on the health tech space. Reitano would soon expand Ro’s offerings to include treatments for both men and women’s health, including everyday treatments for skin health. The company’s continued expansion into an all-purpose telehealth platform is indicative of future trends for companies in this industry.
Halle Tecco
Harvard-educated entrepreneur, educator, and physician Halle Tecco brought a more feminine perspective to the DTC model by founding the women’s health company Natalist, which was eventually acquired by Everly Health. Touting products such as prenatal gummies, supplements, and even nausea relief tea, Natalist uses the convenience of e-commerce to support women through their journeys from pregnancy to parenthood. Tecco was also CEO of Rock Health, a seed fund for companies in digital health, showing her commitment to growing the digital health industry.
Julia Cheek
Speaking of Everly Health, the company’s founder Julia Cheek is notable for pioneering healthcare driven by virtual diagnostics. By allowing customers to order and access user-friendly lab tests at home, countless users have been empowered to make important health decisions in a comfortable and calm environment. The company’s at-home lab test services eventually became the subsidiary Everlywell, which offers over 30 types of lab tests today. Fans of ABC’s Shark Tank may remember Cheek from an episode in which she pitched Everly Health to the panel, eventually winning the attention of Lori Greiner during her presentation.
