In the quest for a teaching assistant for his graduate-level course on artificial intelligence and machine learning, Gurkan Akalin did not anticipate discovering a capable candidate among the incoming freshman class.
However, Peter Gaublomme, a new arrival from Arlington attending his first semester at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, applied for the position. Akalin recognized Gaublomme’s strong coding abilities and a keen interest in AI, as well as his commitment to addressing the needs of Southwest Virginia.
“That’s just who he is. He genuinely cares about people,” Akalin remarked.
Within just a few months of starting college, Gaublomme developed Wise Care, an AI-driven navigational tool designed to assist locals in accessing healthcare services, comprehending insurance policies, and locating nearby medical providers.
The Lenowisco, Cumberland Plateau, and Mount Rogers health districts are known for having some of the highest mortality rates in Virginia. A report from the Virginia Department of Health released in 2022 indicated that residents often find it difficult to access healthcare due to obstacles such as provider availability, limited transportation options, and insufficient health literacy.
Moreover, Wise County has been designated as a federally recognized Health Profession Shortage Area for dental, mental health, and primary care. Even when healthcare services are within reach, some providers do not accept certain insurance plans.
“I recognized that one of the most pressing issues in this region was healthcare access,” Gaublomme explained. “Many residents in Southwest Virginia encounter various challenges when trying to navigate the healthcare system, particularly when it comes to identifying specialists, understanding insurance coverage, and locating local services. My goal with Wise Care was to create an organized repository of reliable healthcare information tailored to our region.”
He built the tool using OpenAI’s technology, the same company responsible for ChatGPT. Users can input questions, and the chatbot delivers responses, guiding them toward appropriate services.
Wise Care provides detailed instructions; for instance, if a user inquires about how to reach the Health Wagon—a free clinic in Wise that offers mobile services—without their own transportation, it explains how to utilize Medicaid transportation benefits and suggests contacting the clinic directly for assistance.
To maintain accuracy, Gaublomme programmed the system to reference its sources with every response. The chatbot is designed to utilize existing information instead of generating new content.
“Creating information can raise significant concerns in the realm of AI, particularly as technology advances. I have taken every precaution to ensure that the information provided is accurate,” Gaublomme asserted.
Through Akalin’s classes, Gaublomme has also become aware of the ethical challenges surrounding data collection in AI applications, especially in healthcare.
“Good intentions aside, is it standard practice to have access to this type of information in healthcare? That’s a significant topic we’ve been exploring in class,” Akalin noted. “There’s no definitive answer.”
University officials have also addressed concerns regarding data privacy. Gaublomme assured that Wise Care does not retain any personal health information, user entries, or responses; it only keeps the sources that it draws upon to generate answers.
This year, Wise Care was recognized as a semifinalist in the UVa Entrepreneurship Cup, ranking among the top 40 out of over 300 student initiatives from various departments at the university, both in Charlottesville and Wise. It was one of just two ventures chosen from UVA Wise.
Gaublomme expressed his desire to continue developing tools that will benefit the region.
“I take great pride in being part of this effort,” he said.
Although the tool is publicly accessible through the Wise Care website, Gaublomme indicated that user adoption has been relatively minimal thus far.
Akalin believes that integrating Wise Care into existing healthcare systems could enhance its impact, though this would necessitate establishing agreements with individual providers. Concerns regarding data privacy could complicate these negotiations.
As with many emerging tools, Wise Care is likely to evolve in response to user feedback.
“For a product like this, it rarely reaches its full potential all at once. By continually refining it based on user input, it can transform into something truly exceptional,” Akalin stated.
Gaublomme plans to transfer to the main UVa campus in Charlottesville next year, but he is committed to continuing his support for Southwest Virginia.
“Moving from an urban to a rural setting has been quite a transition for me. However, as I’ve grown accustomed to the area, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for it. While I’m here, I want to make as significant a difference as possible and inspire positive change,” Gaublomme remarked.
