I finally feel like I've become a part of PH community.
I'd like to share a down-to-earth personal story. This is about a med student who paused medical school, became a self-taught developer, and unexpectedly turned into a startup founder—all to help the people he loved.
I took a leave of absence from medical school, not simply to build an app for my needs, but because I saw my loved ones suffering alone from panic attacks.
I experienced panic disorder myself, but I actively reached out for help. The real issue was seeing many of my loved ones struggle alone, unaware of their symptoms or reluctant about treatments.
All I could offer for them was listening to them. But I wanted to do more—ideally, to be there for them whenever they needed me. It was impossible.
Until I built Elissa.
I'm thrilled to introduce Elissa to the world today, but what is more meaningful to me is that
I finally feel like I've become a part of PH community.
Today is the day I'm becoming a partaker, no longer an observer. Throughout this journey, I've learned so much from the Product Hunt community.
Interacting with amazing product builders
Getting a business consult from big CEOs that I could never imagined to meet
The invaluable insights that I can get nowhere out of here
PH has always been a big teaching to me in terms of every aspects of my life. Whether my product gets attention or not does not matter at this point. I'm enjoying my journey on PH and I take every moment as present.
Since today is The Big Day for me, I wanted to leave a thank you message somewhere and I hope this post gets approved.
Thank you all PH!
Sincerely,
Hyuntak Lee
Replies
minimalist phone: creating folders
I am surprised I could see a medical person on this platform. It is usually full of dev people, people from sales or marketing. Yeah, there are (or at least I have seen) very few people into medicine like 1 or 2.
Respect.
We need this sort of guy (especially med + tech) because they could bring technologies that can save human lives.
@busmark_w_nika The way I chose to go is surely not usual. But I believe my (med+tech) synergy has something to make a change to the world.
I'm honored to get respect from you Nika. It means a lot because I know you don't say what you don't mean.
Since it's self-promo thread, guess what. My hustle has secured the top 10 position of the day! Wasn't an easy game for a (med+tech), but I guess there is a room for a person like me in this platform too :)
minimalist phone: creating folders
@hyuntak_lee I am looking forward to your med-tech tools :) It could be a huge thing if you team up with similar-minded people and form a team. :)
@busmark_w_nika I would call such a team an Avengers :) I really felt need for a team, doing all things myself this time.
I've got a lot of med-tech ideas in my head already. Yes, you can look forward to what's coming!
This was such a touching share, @hyuntak_lee . The way you’ve channeled personal experience into something meaningful for others is incredibly inspiring.
Your journey from medicine to tech isn’t just brave—it’s rooted in empathy, and that really comes through.
And yes, that first moment of feeling like you belong here on PH? It’s quiet, but special—kind of like finding a table that’s been waiting for you all along. :)
Wishing you and Elissa all the love and momentum. You’re exactly the kind of builder the world needs more of.
@ambika_vaish I saw and heard somethings like "You prepare for the launch and wait for a magic to happen. That's all about the PH launch" and I witness the magic happening :) Every second of the launch was nerve-wracking, but miraculous at the same time. I won't forget this indescribable feeling of the day haha.
I appreciate your taking time for leaving heartful comment on the page of Elissa and here. If the world needs builders like me, I'm willing to dedicate myself to meet the calling of the world :) Thank you!
@choah_lee Hey Choah, it was nice to have a conversation with you on my product page, and good to see you here too!
I've already got so much from PH, and I guess it's time for me to give back. Becoming a maker from an observer made big difference and I think makers learn a lot to share with others in the process.
Gotta appreciate the community and contribute!
Product Hunt
Congrats on launching! I'm curious if you got helpful feedback, either on the launch or from new users who tried the product after launch? I'd imagine the social aspect is really powerful, e.g., realizing you're not alone.
@rajiv_ayyangar Thanks Rajiv! The comments on my product post on the launch day pointed out things that I couldn't see before when building and testing my product. The perspective of PH users and new users from it were slightly different from my testers who are mostly diagnosed patients. Since it's tech+med project, some weigh its tech aspect and some weigh its clinical aspect.
I believe my project has social value. I'm building a team right now to maximize its social impact :)