Boston-based AI tech startup Orbita brings in former Qualtrics exec Patty Riskind as new CEO

Boston-based conversational AI provider Orbita announced today the appointment of former Qualtrics executive Patty Riskind as its new CEO. Prior to joining Orbita, Riskind was the Head of Global Healthcare at Qualtrics and a dynamic healthcare tech leader with demonstrated success with both small and large companies.

Riskind brings over 30 years of industry experience to the position, including stints with relode, PatientImpact LLC, and CEO of Blue Horse Ventures  — in addition to being an independent board member at NarrativeDx and PatientWisdom.

Founded in 2015, Orbita is a software company focused on conversational AI for healthcare and life science. Conversational AI can provide a bridge to strengthen both human and digital patient communication.

“I am thrilled to be joining Orbita at this pivotal stage in the business,” said Riskind. “The healthcare industry is at an inflection point regarding the use of AI to automate workflows and enhance virtual consumer engagement and management of health.”

Riskind added, “Orbita is uniquely positioned to improve virtual interactions using intelligent voice and chatbots and contextual SMS and email messages – meeting patients and providers where they are – to better navigate and manage encounters across an entire healthcare journey.”

During his time at Qualtrics,  Patty provides experience management (XM) solutions to healthcare providers, payers, and life sciences organizations. She grew the division 435% over 2 years. Prior to Qualtrics, Patty was the Chief Experience Officer at Press Ganey Associates, the largest patient experience and regulatory survey (CAHPS) vendor in the healthcare industry. Patty came to Press Ganey through the acquisition of PatientImpact, the industry’s first healthcare eSurvey company, which Patty founded in 2004.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve built here at Orbita,” said Bill Rogers, Orbita’s Founder and President. “With our talented team, a powerful platform, and an amazing community of innovative customers and partners, we are extremely well-poised to achieve our mission to transform digital healthcare through conversational AI.” Rogers added, “We are excited for Patty to leverage her healthcare industry experience to accelerate the impact we know we will have on the future of virtual healthcare worldwide.”

Orbita’s HIPAA-compliant conversational voice and chat solutions enable providers to reach and retain new and existing patients in support of reopening initiatives while reducing the burden on clinical and call center staff. The company helps healthcare organizations efficiently reach consumers through automated outreach to close care gaps around routine screenings, annual exams, vaccinations, and beyond.

We wrote about Qualtrics early this year after the survey software startup which was acquired by SAP for $8 billion, made its IPO debut.