Ethan Bechtel is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of OhMD, a pioneering Conversational AI–driven healthcare communication platform based in Burlington, Vermont. With over two decades of experience in health tech—from EMR leadership to building secure patient engagement systems—Ethan has been instrumental in transforming how provider teams connect with patients.
Career & Healthcare Innovation
- Launched his career in 2004 as VP of Marketing at MBA HealthGroup, followed by co-founding EMR Edge and leading healthcare IT initiatives.
- In 2015, Ethan co-founded OhMD, motivated by the mission to modernize patient-provider communication while ensuring robust HIPAA compliance.
Driving Conversational
AI in Patient Communication Ethan leads product strategy that leverages Conversational AI to streamline routine healthcare interactions—like appointment scheduling and medication refills—while keeping clinicians “in the loop” for more sensitive tasks. Under his guidance, OhMD launched Nia, an AI-powered voice assistant designed to handle patient calls intelligently and empathetically.
Championing Human‑in‑the‑Loop Design
Ethan emphasizes a balance between AI and human interaction. His platform automates administrative workflows, freeing up clinicians to focus on empathetic, high-touch patient care—a philosophy he describes as “assist, not replace”. Through AI-driven efficiencies, OhMD addresses millions of daily patient calls to reduce administrative burden and improve access.
Commitment to Security & HIPAA Compliance
With a foundation in HIPAA-safe messaging, Ethan built OhMD to support encrypted SMS, secure chat, and integrated workflows that protect patient privacy while enhancing convenience.
Thought Leadership & Influence
A frequent speaker on healthcare innovation, Ethan has represented OhMD on panels (e.g., Vermont Public’s In Good Health) discussing conversational AI’s role in optimizing clinical workflows. Under his leadership, OhMD has earned recognition as a top workplace in Vermont and a leader in secure messaging and usability.