You are sick, in a hospital bed, lonely and wanting to connect with people who understand what you’re going through. Thanks to an NC State alumni, this will be possible through a new app that launches in June, HealthBeMe.
HealthBeMe is a social media platform that connects people with similar health conditions so that they can share their experiences and knowledge, according to Jason Dragos, founder and CEO of HealthBeMe.
“Healthcare is the most cold and scientific industry in the world when it should be something very human because it’s a very human thing to be diagnosed with some sort of chronic disease,” Dragos said.
Dragos’ frustration with health care is what inspired him to start HealthBeMe.
“I think the people in the world who need the most care and support often times don’t get it in any situation,” Dragos said. “So I wanted to create a social platform that wasn’t about taking selfies, it wasn’t about self promotion, but it was about doing good, so we created a place for people to help each other.”
Through the app, people are able to share their stories with others and get advice from those who have gone through the same thing. Dragos said that people will also be able to give reviews on doctors and medications for others to view.
Dragos used the metaphor that when somebody wants to buy a laptop, they go and check out reviews online and look at several options, but when a doctor tells a patient to take a medication, the patient just accepts what the doctor is saying. This app now gives patients the option to ask people who have used that medication.
HealthBeMe is trying to raise one million dollars by its June launch. There are currently ten members on the team, but they are looking for eight more software developers.
“I get really bummed by the world being super greedy, so we wanted to create something that, number one, gave everyone access to better health, and, number two, created an environment where people can do good for each other,” Dragos said.
Dragos has been closely working with NC State ITng on designing the platform. At first, Dragos was having a hard time getting in contact with the right people, but he insisted on working with NC State. Eventually, he was able to make the connection he needed, and he is now working with a team to create the platform for HealthBeMe. ITng works with startups by designing and building systems for companies. They like to focus on “good social technology,” according to John Bass, the ITng member who has been working with Dragos.
“Jason explained this idea, which was to create this social network platform for people who suffer from particular diseases because the problem, as he put it, is that our medical system is really good at treating people who suffer from these diseases as patients but not really good at dealing with the person, which is the emotion, the spirit, the wants, needs, desires, the fears,” Bass said.
As an NC State alumni, Dragos said that it was important to him to have the Wolfpack be a part of this project. Dragos said that he is thankful to the university and still needs its help.
“Our relationship with NC State is really important for our growth and our ability to really make a change in the world of health care because we really want to flip healthcare upside down and make it more human.”
Dragos said that this is so important because everybody is affected by health at some point in their life whether it be themselves or a loved one.
“The HealthBeMe is a place for people, not a place for patients, because we are all human beings,” Dragos said.
