To get started, can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background?

My background is in law and public policy, but I have been involved in healthcare from a young age. When I was about 15, I started working in hospitals and pharmaceuticals. Eventually, I founded a nursing company that now employs 20 people. Also, I have contributed to the development of two digital health applications (DiGAs).

What motivated you to pursue an internship at idalab?

My long-term goal is to work at the intersection of innovation, healthcare, and public policy. I wanted to understand how we can foster technological advancement in healthcare, especially through policy and legislation. At idalab, I was excited to learn more about what AI and data analytics actually mean in healthcare, and how these applications are developed in practice.

What kind of projects were you involved in during your time at idalab?

I worked on two main projects.

Most of my time, I was supporting a project for a global medical device manufacturer to pilot a new data-driven therapy optimization service. For example, I was working on modelling the impact on therapeutic outcomes – like the reduction of hospitalizations due to adverse events – and their impact on clinic revenue. Another task revolved around data privacy, developing a concept for GDPR compliant data transfers between EU and non-EU countries.

The second project was also for a medtech company. They wanted to explore strategic collaboration options with biotech and pharma companies and I helped to prepare and run a workshop, which was one of my highlights of the internship.

How was the onboarding organized for you?

It was very structured, which I really appreciated. My mentor onboarded me to the two projects and the work mode. Also, I had my first tech training during onboarding. So, despite not having a super-strong tech background, I felt informed and as part of the project team from day one.

You mentioned having some client contact – what was that like?

Nerve-wracking at first! My mentor helped me prepare by rehearsing my parts for the workshop, which helped build my confidence. During the workshop, the client was incredibly respectful and engaging. They even remembered details from my intro and asked me to elaborate, something I didn’t expect as an Intern. That experience gave me a huge confidence boost.

How would you describe the culture at idalab?

It's a really unique mix. Everyone is relaxed and approachable, but at the same time, the work is super-structured and everybody knows their role. It's more organized than a startup but far more dynamic and personal than a big corporation. I also loved our daily lunch breaks and being part of an intern cohort.

What advice would you give someone considering an internship at idalab?

Do your homework: check out the website, look up the clients and technologies mentioned, to really understand what idalab works on. And during your interview, don’t be afraid to ask specific questions about the role and tasks – as I said, it is a quite unique mix.

Any last reflections?

I’m really grateful for the opportunity. I learned so much about consulting, technology, and myself. The feedback culture, the structured onboarding, and the mix of people and projects made it an enriching experience. I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone curious about healthcare innovation and willing to step a bit outside their comfort zone.