Latest news with #Wisp
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
CEO shares deceptively simple interview question he's asked for 15 years: 'Apple or Android?'
For job seekers, interviews can feel like a maze of unpredictable questions, but some CEOs have revealed the one simple question that can reveal more than it seems about every candidate. Indeed CEO Chris Hyams has revealed that he has asked the same question for over 15 years to as many as 3,000 candidates: 'Do you have an iPhone or an Android, and why?' The question might seem like a casual icebreaker, but Hyams claims it reveals everything he needs to know about the candidate's decision-making process. He said it starts a small discussion that reveals how individuals make choices, their personal preferences and their adaptability. Even after asking the same questions to almost every candidate, Hyams notes he always gets varied answers. He said most candidates who chose iPhone cited long-term brand loyalty, while others spoke of specific apps they use, revealing their interests. He also asked them what they wanted to change about their chosen platform to understand their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. However, CEOs' approach of using unconventional interview questions to assess potential hires is not unique to Hyams. Former TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer asks candidates to discuss a challenging project to see how they dealt with it using either teamwork or problem-solving skills. Similarly, Wisp CEO Monica Cepak asks candidates to describe the most complex problem they've solved at work, using their response to assess critical thinking and cross-functional collaboration. Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, prefers a more straightforward query: 'How soon can you start?" and reads between the lines. If a currently employed candidate says they can begin immediately, he sees it as a red flag for loyalty. Meanwhile, StockX CEO Scott Cutler throws in a brain teaser: 'How many degrees separate the minute and hour hands of a clock at 3:15?', not to test math skills, but to observe how candidates think under pressure. (Also read: Elon Musk was the lowest-paid S&P 500 CEO in 2024. Tesla gave him $0: Report)
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Wisp Built The Most Complete Women's Health Platform In America
Wisp STI Test As clinic access shrinks and provider shortages rise, Wisp—the largest pure-play women's telehealth platform in the U.S., available in all 50 states—is betting big on home as the new front line of healthcare. Today, the company launched a diagnostics vertical designed to bring testing and follow-up care for common STIs directly to patients' doors. With more than 1.5 million users nationwide, Wisp has quietly become a category-defining force in virtual women's health. Its new At-Home Testing & Follow-Up Care service allows patients to collect samples discreetly at home, mail them to CLIA/CAP-accredited labs, and receive results within 3–5 business days—no clinic visit required. All tests include free consultations and, if needed, asynchronous treatment within the Wisp platform. 'We're simplifying the path to complete, 360-degree care, making it possible for patients to access testing and treatment from the comfort of home,' said Monica Cepak, CEO of Wisp. Wisp's diagnostics offering debuts with three test panels: a Common STI Panel (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis), a 3-Site Panel (multi-site Chlamydia and Gonorrhea), and an M-Gen Panel (Mycoplasma Genitalium). All tests are processed through CLIA/CAP-accredited labs using non-invasive swab and urine samples. According to Wisp, 62% of surveyed patients expressed interest in at-home STI testing. The platform's STI, STD, and Herpes categories are up 40% year-over-year. 'We're not just improving convenience—we're helping to destigmatize sexual health and empower patients to take control of their care with confidence,' said Dr. Jillian LoPiano, MD, MPH, FACOG. Wisp is actively building an interconnected care ecosystem through strategic partnerships: In March 2025, Wisp launched a comprehensive weight care vertical that includes access to GLP-1 medications for women navigating hormonal imbalances, PCOS, and perimenopause. The offering consists of prescription access, metabolic panels, and support tools to monitor nutritional deficiencies and long-term weight maintenance. The move positioned Wisp as one of the few platforms approaching GLP-1s from a women's hormonal health lens, not just weight loss. Wisp also recently launched a first-of-its-kind Male BV Partner Treatment, addressing a longstanding clinical blind spot. The new product provides prescriptions for male partners to prevent reinfection and reduce recurrence rates of BV in female patients. 'This move is about science, empathy, and eliminating recurring frustration for our patients,' said Dr. LoPiano. In a recent interview with Femtech Insider, Cepak shared how Wisp's lean growth strategy was fueled by SEO and trust, not splashy fundraising. Over 60% of new patients find Wisp through organic search, and the company has remained profitable since before its 2021 acquisition by WELL Health Technologies (Forbes). 'We focused on listening to our customers and solving real problems, faster and more affordably than anyone else,' said Cepak. Wisp Diagnostics STI Essential 3Panel Wisp is one of the only DTC platforms offering a fully virtual stack—from diagnostics and treatment to Rx delivery and hormonal health—available in all 50 states. As Wisp pushes beyond birth control into diagnostics, weight care, and asynchronous treatment, its competitive set reveals a fragmented market—one where most players specialize in narrow verticals, not comprehensive care. Here's how the landscape stacks up: Wisp is among a new wave of digital health companies redefining reproductive health branding. In the wake of Roe v. Wade's overturning, the company has embraced direct, unapologetic messaging around sexual health and bodily autonomy. As reported by The Guardian, Wisp deliberately avoids euphemisms and medical gatekeeping in favor of plainspoken, rights-based language. This strategy is on full display in its award-winning campaign, 'We Heart Healthy Vaginas.' Created by agency Oberland, the Valentine's Day-themed campaign used playful packaging, reclaimed language, and merch like 'pH-balanced' candy hearts to promote awareness of Wisp's vaginal health offerings. The campaign reached over 30 million impressions and boosted first-time patients. 'We don't want our users to feel like they're entering a hospital portal. We want them to feel seen,' said Cepak. 'Our brand is a promise—not just a product.' Wisp STI Kit Founded in 2018 by Matthew Swartz, Wisp scaled without raising traditional VC capital. In 2021, it was acquired by WELL Health Technologies, a Canadian public company focused on digital health platforms. Though WELL is based in Canada, Wisp serves patients exclusively in the U.S. across all 50 states, with over 1.5 million users and growing. 'Wisp's expansion into diagnostics is a move that reflects our shared vision of building a fully integrated, patient-first healthcare experience. By bringing lab-grade testing into the home and pairing it with accessible virtual care, Wisp is not only enhancing convenience and affordability, but it's redefining what 360-degree care looks like for women.' — Hamed Shahbazi, Founder, Chairman and CEO of WELL Health Technologies 'This launch underscores our founding mission: to put more power, privacy, and choice in the hands of patients,' said Cepak. As telehealth evolves from transactional visits to full-stack care, Wisp is laying the foundation for an always-on, lifestyle-centric women's health platform. Diagnostics is just the latest step. From birth control and STI testing to fertility, weight care, and hormonal health, Wisp is building what may become the most complete digital front door for women's health. Read more on how GLP-1 telehealth models are evolving in this Forbes feature.
CNBC
24-04-2025
- Business
- CNBC
I always ask this one question during job interviews, says CEO: It's a 'red flag' if they answer wrong
Monica Cepak has a go-to interview question that tells her a lot about a job candidate: What's the hardest problem you've ever solved at work, and how did you reach a solution? The question itself is fairly common. But Cepak, the CEO of sexual and reproductive telehealth company Wisp, looks for something specific in each person's answer, she says. If an interviewee's answer is "cross-functional in nature" — meaning it shows how they worked with other professionals to solve an issue — they're probably a team player who regularly collaborates with their coworkers, says Cepak, 38, who has nearly 10 years of experience in executive-level roles. An answer like, "'Oh, I did everything myself. Myself, myself, myself'" is a telltale sign that a person "can't work well in an environment like ours because nobody can solve every problem [on their own.] We're a team at the end of the day, and your ability to problem solve by working with others is key," says Cepak. "You'll be surprised how many times people will say 'I, I, I, I, I.' If I don't hear 'we' anywhere, that's usually a red flag," she notes. Teamwork can make workplaces more efficient and productive, helping you fix mess-ups or find solutions to problems much quicker than you would on your own. And problem-solving skills are one of the "most important" traits Cepak seeks in employees, from entry-level 22-year-olds to people in executive positions, she says. "The ability to problem-solve with curiosity, empathy [and] humility ultimately drives solutions forward, no matter how tough, no matter how many curveballs one gets thrown," she says, adding: "That gives me the confidence that someone would thrive in a [company] like ours." The best way to answer Cepak's question is to anticipate that it's coming, and prepare examples of effective collaboration in advance, she says. The following answer, for example, could make you sound self-serving or anti-collaborative: "One time, our team was behind on a major project because no one understood their role. So I just did the whole thing by myself over the weekend. It was exhausting, but I got it done." Instead, give an answer that showcases how you used your colleagues' strengths, in addition to your own, to meet a common goal, Cepak recommends. Try something like this: "At my last job, our team was struggling with communication and meeting tight deadlines. I suggested we create a shared dashboard to track real-time updates and ensure everyone is aware of deadlines. I collaborated with our operations lead to build it out quickly, and we got everyone on board in a day." Be sure to include problem solving and collaboration skills on your resume and to mention them on your job applications, advises LinkedIn career expert Drew McCaskill. "When somebody says, 'Tell me about a time that you solved a problem that your company was facing,' they're really asking you about innovative thinking," McCaskill told CNBC Make It on April 2. "If my human skills are going to be a big part of these conversations, let me start to think about what the main ones are." Teamwork and problem-solving skills should be valuable to any prospective employer, Cepak adds. "I think that's a skill set that serves anyone in any company," she says. "How you approach those situations in times of stress really defines an individual's career."
USA Today
26-03-2025
- Health
- USA Today
1 in 3 women get bacterial vaginosis. A new study says to treat their male sexual partners.
1 in 3 women get bacterial vaginosis. A new study says to treat their male sexual partners. Show Caption Hide Caption Where to get tested for STIs Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. Here's where to get properly tested. Self Improved, Self Improved One in three women are affected by bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common but poorly understood condition caused by an imbalance of vaginal bacteria that can cause discomfort and pain. BV is treated with an antibiotic cocktail — usually a combination of oral metronidazole or clindamycin and topical gels. But with 60% of BV cases recurring within a year, women are stuck repeating treatment regimens, upping their risk of antibiotic resistance and yeast infections. A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed a fix for this pesky infection — treating women's male partners. Previously, BV was only thought to impact women, but Jillian LoPiano, an OBGYN and the Chief Medical Director at Wisp, says this research confirms information that gynecologists have long suspected. The research suggests that BV can be sexually transmitted, meaning men can reinfect their partners. 'We've been talking about the same thing for years, but in the absence of good data, we weren't making any interventions,' she says. 'This illustrates that when you actually do quality studies in the area of women's health, impactful interventions can be made.' The trial, conducted at multiple sexual health and family planning centers in Australia, included 164 monogamous couples in which the women had bacterial vaginosis. Researchers gave 83 couples the standard treatment of a seven-day antibiotic course for the female partner. For the 81 couples in the partner-treatment group, the male partner also received a seven-day oral course of antibiotics (metronidazole 400 mg tablets) and a topical antibiotic cream (2% clindamycin). After 12 weeks, only 35% of women in the partner-treatment group had recurring BV, compared to 63% of women in the control group. Wisp, a telehealth service that provides sexual and reproductive health care, is now offering treatment for men to curb BV recurrence. 'We don't typically see one paper and then jump to changing practice,' LoPiano says. 'But this is supporting information we've been talking about for so long, and we want to make this effort to add-in partner treatment.' How do you know if you have bacterial vaginosis? Symptoms, risk factors At least half of women with bacterial vaginosis don't have symptoms. In those who do, symptoms may include off-white, grey or greenish-colored vaginal discharge, fishy-smelling vaginal discharge, especially after sex, vaginal itching and a burning feeling while peeing. A healthcare provider can diagnose BV by conducting a pelvic exam and taking a sample of vaginal discharge using a swab to test for bacteria. BV typically occurs in sexually active women. LoPiano says changes in the vagina's bacterial environment can make bacterial overgrowth more likely, which is why providers will ask if a patient has had sex with a new partner or changed their body wash. Some women, she adds, are naturally more prone to the infection. Women who are pregnant, don't use condoms, have an IUD, have multiple sex partners, have a new sex partner or use douches are at a higher risk. What is adenomyosis? The 'silent illness' goes undiagnosed for decades Male partner treatment for bacterial vaginosis is a 'huge breakthrough' At Wisp, demand for the BV treatment grows at high rates year-over-year. 'This is a huge breakthrough in BV care, because for so long, we've had a higher rate of recurrence, and now we have a reason why and can easily treat it,' says Monica Cepak, Wisp CEO. The telehealth company quickly launched their male BV partner treatment, which people can order without an in-person appointment or insurance. LoPiano says this follows a long precedent for OBGYNs to practice partner-care for STIs like chlamydia. 'If we can do direct partner therapy for STIs, then we can do it safely for this too,' she says. LoPiano adds, 'Tons of women are suffering with this. While it may not be a deadly disease, it's impactful on the quality of women's lives, comfort, sex lives and relationships. And I think that shouldn't be underestimated. That makes this a big deal.'
