Overview:

We dive into the inspiring stories of Dr. Fernandez and Dr. Gigi Magan family medicine physicians and co-founders of Alma First. We explore the challenges they observed during the pandemic with digital health disparities in underserved communities and how those moments sparked their mission to promote digital health equity. Together, we discuss the importance of digital health navigators, training pre-health students through equity-centered curricula, and practical ways they introduce technology—like continuous glucose monitors and patient portals—to communities often overlooked by innovation. We also reflect on the need for culturally sensitive, accessible healthcare tech, the impact of provider engagement, and how we can keep evolving our patient education to truly meet people where they are.

Three Takeaways: Pre-Health Students as Equity Champions
Both founders emphasized how involving pre-health students in tech conferences and training them in equity-focused digital health prepares a new cohort of clinicians to challenge assumptions and advocate for inclusivity. They describe how students bring critical questions to tech companies about accessibility for people with disabilities and non-English speakers, shaping future innovations.

Barriers to Patient Portal Usage Are Often Systemic, Not Personal
Many Spanish-speaking patients reported not using digital portals simply because they never received the access codes, not due to a lack of interest or skill. This points to systemic communication and support failures more than patient limitations—an insight that reframes “adoption problems” as fixable gaps in process.

Top-Down Tech Solutions Risk Leaving Communities Behind
Both guests highlighted the disconnect between innovations showcased at conferences and real-world community needs. Tools often get developed in isolation from those who will use them.

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79 I It's Not Capability, It's Design: Digital Health Equity (HLTH)