HLTH Matters

About Owen Tripp:

Owen Tripp is the Co-founder of Included Health, a groundbreaking integrated navigation and virtual care company reshaping the healthcare landscape. With a lifelong background in technology, Owen previously co-founded Reputation.com, a global leader in online reputation and privacy management, showcasing his prowess in dealing with large datasets to enhance trust and collaboration in online interactions.

In 2012, Owen embarked on a mission to revolutionize the healthcare experience. Driven by the saddening fact that the internet has had a limited impact on healthcare, he identified an opportunity to leverage technology for positive change. 

Owen’s journey reflects not only a technical challenge but also a commitment to making a substantial impact on individuals, including his family members, by redefining healthcare accessibility and experience.

Things You’ll Learn:

• It's unfortunate that the internet hasn't changed how we get healthcare.
• Let's use AI to the fullest. Solve tough diagnoses, be quick, and provide better care.
• At the end of the day, we're all patients, as well as caregivers for others.
• Invest in yourself by getting access to primary care that is integrated with mental health. Make that investment in yourself. Do it today.
• We aim for personalized care that can save lives and lower the time spent in the healthcare system.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Owen Tripp on LinkedIn.
• Follow Included Health on LinkedIn and visit their website.

About Stephen Hahn:

Stephen M. Hahn, M.D., is CEO-Partner of Flagship Pioneering and Chief Executive Officer of Harbinger Health. Steve joined Flagship in June 2021 as Chief Medical Officer of its Preemptive Health and Medicine Initiative, which is creating a new field that aims to protect, maintain, or improve people’s health before they get sick. Steve will continue as a strategic advisor to the Initiative.

Steve brings two decades of distinguished leadership in healthcare strategy, oncology medical practice, and translational/clinical research to this role. He served as the 24th U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner from 2019 to 2021, overseeing both COVID and non-COVID regulatory affairs, including therapeutics and vaccine development, devices, diagnostics, and clinical trials.

Steve focused his translational research efforts on evaluating the tumor microenvironment, signal transduction pathways involved in tumor response to therapies, and proton therapy. He has authored more than 220 peer-reviewed original research articles and has experience developing medical products.

Things You’ll Learn:

• Harbinger's mission is to find diseases early, before symptoms arise, to improve treatment outcomes and save lives. 
• Their focus on developing accessible and affordable diagnostics will revolutionize healthcare.
• Dr. Hahn’s insights into Harbinger's innovative blood test, leveraging machine learning and AI to detect specific genetic signatures of cancer in the bloodstream. 
• This technology has the potential to revolutionize cancer screening and diagnosis.
• The importance of building trust in healthcare. Access to affordable and reliable testing is vital, and Harbinger is committed to making its technologies accessible to all, regardless of location or socioeconomic status.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Stephen Hahn on LinkedIn.
• Follow Harbinger Health on LinkedIn and visit their website.

About Malekeh Amini:

Malekeh Amini is the Founder and CEO of Trayt, a healthcare software company dedicated to improving diagnosis and treatments in brain-based disorders, including Autism, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, substance use, and Alzheimer's, among others. Before Trayt, Malekeh was the Senior Vice President of Products & Business Development at Base Health where she provided the vision connecting new breakthroughs in medical science to the needs of healthcare organizations and consumers. A former consultant with the Boston Consulting Group and the Parthenon Group, Malekeh has provided strategic, operational, and fundraising advice to healthcare and education organizations globally. Malekeh served on the fundraising Board of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Wings Learning Center in Redwood City. Malekeh has an M.B.A. from Harvard University. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in Communication Sciences (Cognitive Science) and computer science and her master’s in Systems Engineering at the University of Southern California.

About Roshni Koli:

Roshni is a board-certified adult and child and adolescent psychiatrist and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School. Before joining the Meadows Institute, she served as the inaugural medical director of the pediatric mental health service line for Dell Children’s Medical Center. In her role at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, Roshni is a top decision-maker on all things medical. She anchors the executive team’s activities in contemporary, innovative, and evidence-based medical knowledge, with a special emphasis on children, youth, and families. Roshni oversees all medically-focused policy and practice guidance developed at the Institute, working closely with physicians and other clinicians across the organization. She brings decades of practical experience and deep caring for people and families affected by mental illness to help us always put people first as we pursue our mission and vision.

Things You’ll Learn:

• Social determinants of health are crucial in influencing better quality and better healthcare outcomes.
• The impact of non-medical drivers of health, such as food insecurity, transportation, housing, and unemployment, cannot be overlooked.
• Data and analytics are transforming mental healthcare.
• It's not just about collecting data but structuring it in the right way and using analytics to create actionable insights for decision-makers.
• Policy improvements are needed for equitable access to mental healthcare. Early intervention, early diagnosis, and prevention are vital to changing the trajectory of a child's life and the future of our communities.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Malekeh on LinkedIn.
• Follow Trayt on LinkedIn and visit their website.
• Connect with and follow Roshni on LinkedIn.
• Follow Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute on LinkedIn and visit their website.
• Malekeh previous interview. 

About Fred Turner:

Fred Turner is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Curative. Turner was named one of the top 100 practicing scientists in the UK by the Science Council in 2013. He was also included in Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ list and ranked first in the European Union Contest for Young Scientists. Recently, Fred was awarded Comparably's Best CEO Award and Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Emerging Leaders in 2021.

Under Turner’s leadership, Curative launched a first-of-its-kind health insurance plan that offers unmatched transparency into healthcare costs. Inspired by his vision to create a healthcare system that works for and supports patients’ whole health through every step of their personal health journey, Turner and the Curative team developed a path-breaking health plan with no copays, no deductibles, and no cost-sharing for its members.

Previously, Turner led Curative as it became the national leader in bringing COVID-19 testing and vaccine administration resources to people in response to the pandemic, providing more than 36 million tests and two million vaccines across thousands of locations in more than 40 states. Before creating both of Curative’s highly innovative business models, Fred founded and led a 16z and YC-backed diagnostics (Dx) startup that built a CLIA lab for validating and launching an STD testing product in Menlo Park, California.

Things You’ll Learn:

• High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) are leaving insured individuals functionally uninsured, unable to afford out-of-pocket costs for care.
• Curative's unique model offers 120 days of no out-of-pocket cost for in-network care, promoting preventative care and simplifying health benefits.
• Employers experiencing rising insurance costs can benefit from exploring new options like those offered by Curative to better support their employees' health and well-being.
• The importance of making healthcare access and benefits clear and straightforward. 
• Curative’s approach yields an impressive 98% member engagement rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of its model in promoting proactive health management.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Fred Turner on LinkedIn.
• Follow Curative on LinkedIn and visit their website.

The current healthcare system is a reactive one. We only see a doctor when something is wrong, and disease is rarely diagnosed in its early stages.

But Andrew Lacy is working to make our sick care system much more proactive.

Andrew is Founder and CEO of Prenuvo, the pioneer in MRI-based, clinical-diagnostic screening exams. Under his leadership, the company has expanded across North America, establishing Prenuvo as a recognized and trusted proactive healthcare service.

On this episode of HLTH Matters, Andrew joins hosts Dr. Jessica Shepherd and Dr. Gautam Gulati to discuss the future of whole-body imaging diagnostics for early disease detection and prevention.

Andrew explains what differentiates Prenuvo from the typical healthcare experience and how his technology differs from other MRI options.

Listen in for Andrew’s insight on empowering people with a roadmap of what’s going on in their body and learn how Prenuvo inspires the lifestyle changes that have a massive impact on patient health.

Topics Covered

• How Andrew’s own health crisis inspired him to build Prenuvo
• How Prenuvo’s whole-body screening empowers patients with information about their health
• What differentiates Prenuvo from the typical healthcare experience
• Why there’s a growing acceptance of the technology for full-body imaging
• How Andrew responds to the 2 most common objections to Prenuvo—unnecessary follow-up and worry
• What distinguishes the Prenuvo technology from other MRI options
• The challenge around training radiologists to be comfortable with a whole-body approach
• The 3 most typical profiles of a Prenuvo patient and who it ISN’T for
• The top features of Prenuvo from a women’s health perspective
• When a Prenuvo scan is covered by insurance (and when it isn’t)
• How Prenuvo imaging inspires clients to make important lifestyle changes
• How Prenuvo is training AI to identify subtle signals of early disease

Connect with Andrew Lacy

Prenuvo

Connect with Dr. Jessica Shepherd & Dr. Gautam Gulati

HLTH

Dr. Shepherd on X

Dr. Shepherd on LinkedIn

Dr. Gulati on X

Dr. Gulati on LinkedIn

Resources

NikoHealth

About Craig Douglass:

Craig Douglass is the Chief Growth Officer at Digitas Health, a leading global agency specializing in connected health. With over 25 years in the field, he's developed expertise in crafting impactful campaigns and content that improve health results in various areas like cancer, respiratory issues, diabetes, vaccines, immunology, infectious disease, and mental health. His commitment to blending creativity, media, and technology has placed him at the forefront of the healthcare communications industry's digital transformation. Working at Digitas Health, the pioneering connected health agency, Douglass helps health brands navigate the complexities of an ever-changing media landscape.

Things You’ll Learn:

• Marketing plays a crucial role in improving health outcomes.
• Better engagement in healthcare leads to improved results for individuals.
• The ever-changing landscape demands responsiveness over speed and adaptation to new circumstances.
• The heart of pharmaceutical marketing lies in the connection between physicians and patients.
• Rather than seeking an omnichannel agency, prioritize finding one that can effectively build your brand and drive results across multiple channels.
• Simplicity is essential, and distinguishing the signal from the noise is crucial to effective marketing.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Craig Douglass on LinkedIn.
• Follow Digitas Health on LinkedIn.
• Visit Digitas Health on their Website.

About Geoff McCleary:

Geoff McCleary is the VP of Global Connected Health Lead at Capgemini, an organization partnering with companies to transform their businesses with the aid of technology. Geoff has over 25 years of experience in leading digital innovation, strategy, and marketing for global clients across the health ecosystem, from pharma and biotech to providers and payers. He specifically helps healthcare and life sciences leaders turn their connected health efforts into value-driving enterprises. 

Geoff, drawing on his personal experience and his son’s case, is also a member of the Board of Directors at the TOPP Foundation, aiming to bring Type One Diabetes families together while increasing public awareness of the disease. 

Things You’ll Learn:

• Put patients first and make sure healthcare plans have a clear goal so they make a difference in patients' lives.
• Healthcare is not just about new ideas; it's about making patients' experiences good. Think more about what matters, not just being innovative for no reason.
• In the past, there were about 100,000 healthcare apps, but most of them weren’t reliable and effective enough.
• Create solutions that help, think about the users, and keep patient information private.
• At the end of the day, what the patient wants is the key.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Geoff on LinkedIn.
• Follow Capgemini on LinkedIn.
• Visit the Capgemini website here.

In February, Amazon Health announced its acquisition of One Medical.

What inspired the collaboration? And what does integration look like between the two organizations?

Dr. Sunita Mishra is Chief Medical Officer at Amazon Health, which aims to make it dramatically easier to engage with the services, products and professionals needed to get and stay healthy.

Dr. Andrew Diamond is Chief Medical Officer at One Medical. He has been a driving force in developing the health system’s approach to care and maintaining its human-centered culture.

On this episode of HLTH Matters, Dr. Mishra and Dr. Diamond join hosts Dr. Jessica Shepherd and Dr. Gautam Gulati to discuss what values Amazon Health and One Medical share.

Dr. Mishra describes Amazon’s vision for simplifying healthcare, and Dr. Diamond explains how the One Medical model gives its members more agency than the traditional system.

Listen in to understand how Amazon’s technological capabilities benefit healthcare delivery and learn how Dr. Mishra and Dr. Diamond are working together to promote patient-focused primary care.

Topics Covered

• Dr. Mishra & Dr. Diamond’s roles at Amazon Health and One Medical
• How Amazon is realizing its vision of making healthcare easier
• The collaborative energy between Amazon Health and One Medical
• How the healthcare system influences the way clinicians see their patients
• What values Amazon Health and One Medical share (and how that makes integration easier)
• How the One Medical model gives its members more agency
• What changes members of One Medical can expect with the Amazon acquisition
• One Medical’s ability to care for patients with chronic disease
• How Amazon’s technological capabilities benefit healthcare delivery
• How Amazon Health thinks about incorporating behavioral health

Connect with Dr. Sunita Mishra

Amazon Health

Dr. Mishra on LinkedIn

Connect with Dr. Andrew Diamond

One Medical

Dr. Diamond on LinkedIn
 

Connect with Dr. Jessica Shepherd & Dr. Gautam Gulati

HLTH

Dr. Shepherd on X

Dr. Shepherd on LinkedIn

Dr. Gulati on X

Dr. Gulati on LinkedIn

Resources

Amazon’s Acquisition of One Medical

One Medical Seniors

About Kaveh Safavi:

Kaveh helps organizations harness the promise of technology and human ingenuity to humanize healthcare. He works with providers, health insurers, and public and private health systems in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific. A seasoned executive, Dr. Safavi brings more than three decades of leadership experience to Accenture Health. Prior to joining Accenture in 2011, Dr. Safavi led Cisco’s healthcare practice. Before that, he was chief medical officer of Thomson Reuters’ health business, vice president of medical affairs at United Healthcare, and had leadership roles at HealthSpring and Humana. Among his many accomplishments was establishing one of the Midwest’s first electronic-health-record-enabled primary care practices.

Dr. Safavi has published numerous papers and is often interviewed and quoted on his expert healthcare knowledge in various media publications, including The Wall Street Journal, the BBC, The New York Times, Consumer Reports, US News and World Report, Harvard Business Review, and The Economist. He earned an M.D. from Loyola University School of Medicine and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and completed a residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical Center. An adjunct lecturer of Health Enterprise Management at Kellogg School of Management-Northwestern University, Dr. Safavi also serves on the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences’ Board of Visitors–at Northwestern University, is a member of the Easterseals National Board of Directors and is a lifelong Chicagoan

Things You’ll Learn:

• The power asymmetry between doctors and patients in healthcare needs to be balanced. 
• Empowering patients and harnessing technology can humanize healthcare and create a better care system.
• Generative AI is a game-changer in healthcare. It can save hours of time by automating language-based tasks like reading, writing, and content creation. This frees up healthcare professionals to focus on higher-value work.
• Generative AI has tremendous potential to address workforce challenges in healthcare. By augmenting or substituting certain tasks, it can help bridge the gap amidst a scarcity of healthcare professionals. 
• Responsible use of generative AI and clear guidance are crucial to avoid potential risks and ensure patient safety.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Kaveh Safavi on LinkedIn.
• Follow Accenture on LinkedIn.
• Visit the Accenture website here.

About Judith Kulich:

Judith serves as ZS’s lead for patient health and equity, focused on partnering with clients across the healthcare industry to drive meaningful progress in health equity. She is also an elected member of ZS’s Shareholders’ Council, serving as the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) program chair. Judith established and ran ZS’s pipeline and launch strategy practice area and led ZS’s firm-wide practice council. Internally, she led ZS’s San Francisco office and was one of the founders of Women@ZS and our philanthropic arm, ZS Cares, both of which she is still actively involved in today.

Judith has spent much of her 20-plus years in the healthcare industry focused on drug development and bringing medicines to market globally. In recent years, she has expanded her work into healthcare payers and providers, bringing sectors together around a common aim of addressing both disparities in care and global health inequities. She has led industry collaborations and ZS’s investments and actively contributed to global health equity partnerships.

Judith holds an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.S. in industrial engineering and operations research from the University of California, Berkeley.

Things You’ll Learn:

• There is a growing appetite for collaboration in the healthcare industry, with a myriad of partners eager to expand the impact they can have on health equity. 
• Building trust, humility, and compliance considerations are essential components in forging effective health equity partnerships. 
• Despite challenges, organizations can navigate and overcome the barriers, leading to productive and impactful collaborations.
• When it comes to successful initiatives, the focus should be on replicability rather than scaling. 
• By recognizing what works well in one partnership and employing a "lift and shift" approach, organizations can leverage proven strategies and experiences to reach diverse patient communities effectively.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Judith Kulich on LinkedIn.
• Follow ZS on LinkedIn.
• Visit the ZS website here.

About Shannon Klinger:

Shannon Thyme Klinger, the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Moderna is in charge of Moderna's legal and corporate compliance matters. Throughout her career, Shannon has been dedicated to improving long-term business performance, building trust with the public, ensuring access to medicine, and facilitating successful product launches. She is also a strong supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, she served on the board of directors of the SIX Group in Switzerland from 2016 to 2020.

Shannon earned her Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Notre Dame. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the District of Columbia Bar.

Things You’ll Learn:

• Many individuals choose healthcare as their career path due to their personal experiences.
• Regarding AI and healthcare, balancing regulation and innovation is crucial.
• Organizations should ethically use AI applications for the benefit of the public.
• Excessive regulation can hinder the pace of innovation, potentially leading to fewer lives being protected.
• Imagine the impossible and make it possible.
• Moderna's goal is to ensure that people worldwide, regardless of their place of birth, have access to high-quality treatments.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Shannon Klinger on LinkedIn.
• Follow Moderna on LinkedIn.
• Discover the Moderna Website.
• Check out the mRNA Access Website.
• Visit Moderna’s Charitable Foundation Website.
• Listen to Shannon's previous interview here.

About James Wantuck:

James Wantuck is the Associate Chief Medical Officer at Accolade, where he manages a large, growing group of physicians, therapists, and clinical operations staff while working with patients daily. He's a board-certified internal medicine physician who co-founded PlushCare in 2015 and grew it to over 200 physicians offering high-quality, accessible, direct-to-consumer virtual care. James earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh and then earned his doctorate in Medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. His mission is to help people at scale.

Things You’ll Learn:

• There is a rising popularity of weight management medication in healthcare.
• GLP-1s are driving the trend when it comes to weight management medications. They are not magic, though.
• Healthcare is complicated, and most people don’t think about it until they need it.
• Hiring a physician with entrepreneurial skills can greatly benefit a healthcare organization.
• Staying responsive to market changes is essential for helping patients access better care.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow James Wantuck on LinkedIn.
• Follow Accolade on LinkedIn and visit their website.
• Learn more about PlushCare on their website and follow them on LinkedIn.
• The Accolade App has over 17,000 positive reviews. Download it here.

In traditional healthcare, patients don’t control the flow of funds. And that leaves payers or health systems in the driver’s seat when it comes to decision making.

But Ro designed a business that gives control back to patients. A business where health insurance doesn’t stand in the way of patients being able to access the care they want and need.

Dr. Melynda Barnes is Chief Medical Officer at Ro, a direct-to-patient health care platform that provides high-quality, affordable care without the need for insurance.
 

Dr. Barnes is one of Fierce Healthcare’s Most Influential Minority Executives and a 40 Under 40 Leader in Health, and she is passionate about democratizing access to quality care.

On this episode of HLTH Matters, Melynda joins hosts Dr. Jessica Shepherd and Dr. Gautam Gulati to discuss the future of vertically integrated primary care.
 

Melynda walks us through Ro’s suite of product offerings, explaining how her team addresses stigmatized conditions and why patients are more willing to discuss these issues with the Ro care team.

Listen in to understand why Ro built out its own pharmacy and learn how patients benefit from the company’s scale—and its very high bar for asynchronous telehealth care.

Topics Covered

• What inspired Melynda’s shift from practicing medicine to healthcare startup exec
• How Ro offers a direct-to-patient model where insurance doesn’t stand in the way of quality care
• The stigma around obesity and why there’s debate on covering medication to address it
• Ro’s suite of product offerings and why Melynda’s team focuses on stigmatized conditions
• Why patients are more willing to discuss conditions that carry stigma virtually
• How Ro sets the bar very high for asynchronous telemedicine
• How patients pay for Ro’s services through memberships, cash pay and insurance
• What members of the Ro Body program get with their membership
• What enabled Ro to scale so quickly and get their visits down to a $15 price point
• How the Ro platform is built for patients, providers and pharmacists
• Ro’s patient-first approach to expanding its service offerings
• Why Ro built out its own pharmacy and the benefits of such vertical integration
   

Connect with Melynda Barnes

Ro

Melynda on LinkedIn

Connect with Dr. Jessica Shepherd & Dr. Gautam Gulati

HLTH

Dr. Shepherd on X

Dr. Shepherd on LinkedIn

Dr. Gulati on X

Dr. Gulati on LinkedIn
 

Resources

Stanford Biodesign Fellowships

GLP-1 Obesity Meds

Ro Body Program

About Jason Sherwin:

Jason Sherwin is the Senior Director of Business Development at Clear. He is a passionate strategic thinker who is driven to challenge long-held healthcare standards. Jason has 13 years of expertise in the health technology field, focusing on product planning and commercial growth. In his role at Clear, Jason works cross-functionally with executives and other leaders in marketing, operations, and IT to maximize outcomes.

Jason completed his MBA at the Stern School of Business, which enabled him to apply the principles he learned to his real-world work. His expertise in designing successful strategies for managing organizational change and gauging success was further boosted by his specialization in Leadership & Change Management. Jason also completed his Bachelor of Science at Skidmore College in 2009.

About Ryan Howells:

Ryan Howells is Principal at Leavitt Partners and Program Manager at CARIN Alliance. He focuses on healthcare policy and interoperability issues, working with key stakeholders, including the White House, Congress, HHS, and VHA. His role is instrumental in driving consumer access to healthcare data and enabling interoperability in the healthcare ecosystem.

Ryan is also a Member of the Medicaid Information Technology Architecture (MITA) Governance Board at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, intending to provide strategic direction and tactic oversight. Ryan has earned his Master of Arts in Health Services Administration at the University of Southern California.

Things You’ll Learn:

• In healthcare, identity is critical. Getting the patient's identity wrong isn't an option.
• Streamlining healthcare through digital identity can significantly reduce provider costs and improve patient matching.
• The 21st Century Cures Act, Fire APIs, and identity-proof credentials are revolutionizing how consumers access their healthcare data.
• Individuals can prove their identity, for example, when checking in for an appointment with their doctor, through a unique digital identity, similar to taking a selfie.
• The goal is to place patients in control of their health information, providing a seamless experience.
• Trust is a crucial aspect, making the digital identity a reliable solution for healthcare data.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Jason on LinkedIn.
• Visit CLEAR on their website and follow them on LinkedIn.
• Connect with and follow Ryan on LinkedIn.
• Learn more about Leavitt Partners on this website and LinkedIn.
• Visit CARIN Alliance on their website and follow them on LinkedIn. 

About Larissa D’Andrea:

Larissa D’Andrea is the Global Vice President of Impact at ResMed, an organization striving to improve quality of life, reduce the impact of chronic disease, and lower costs for consumers and healthcare systems in more than 120 countries. Her goal at ResMed is to bring significant leadership experience to the patient-centered healthcare space and advance ResMed’s focus on impacting over 250 million lives through its 2025 strategy. Larissa has spent 25 years in healthcare, and her portfolio encompasses enterprise ESG stewardship, government affairs, clinical advocacy, and patient advocacy. She is a graduate of the San Diego University Law School and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

Her professional passion for the patient, health equity, and access led her to start and lead two organizations focused on social impact, Art into Activism and Hard Knock Productions, which have delivered on many projects in the past period and have a full range of activities on the runway for 2023. Larissa believes that storytelling fosters understanding, empathy, and inspires change, whether in self-care, relationships, or policy decisions. Authenticity is key.

Things You’ll Learn:

• A patient-centric approach should include patients, clinicians, and caregivers to provide holistic and effective care.
• Empowering individuals with information and engaging them in their healthcare decisions leads to better outcomes and improved health.
• Patients can drive positive changes in healthcare by sharing their experiences.
• Health involves not only medical care but also the well-being of our physical, mental, and emotional aspects.
• Collaboration between individuals and healthcare organizations is crucial to collectively working towards better outcomes in healthcare.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Larissa D'Andrea on LinkedIn.
• Follow ResMed on LinkedIn.
• Visit the ResMed website here.

In the dynamic world of weight loss, Weight Watchers, now rebranded as WW, has long been a prominent figure, dedicated to science-backed methods that promote sustainable weight management.

However, the weight management landscape is experiencing notable shifts, that are reshaping the way individuals perceive their health and weight.

In this discussion hosts Dr. Gautam Gulati and Dr. Jessica Shepherd are joined by two distinguished experts in the field of weight loss.

Dr. Gary Foster, the Chief Scientific Officer at WW, brings a wealth of knowledge in obesity research and a deep commitment to scaling science-validated approaches for sustained weight management.

Dr. Spencer Nadolsky serves as the Medical Director at WW and is a fervent advocate of telemedicine. He played a pivotal role in developing "Sequence," an online weight management program that Weight Watchers acquired in April 2023.

The discussion walks listeners through the behavior changes, patient empowerment, and obesity-related stigma that need to be addressed for a more comprehensive and compassionate approach to treatment.

Listen in as Dr. Foster and Dr. Nadolsky discuss the multifaceted aspects of obesity treatment and explore the evolving landscape of individualized and science-proven methods for sustainable weight management and improved health.

About Dr. Gary Foster

Gary Foster, PhD is a clinical psychologist, obesity researcher and behavior change expert. He also serves as the Chief Scientific Officer at WeightWatchers and is an Adjunct Professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, he was the Founder and Director of the Center of Obesity Research and Education and Laura Carnell Professor of Medicine, Public Health and Psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia, where Gary is based.

Gary has authored more than 250 scientific publications and four books on the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity. He has received numerous honors including President of The Obesity Society, the Atkinson-Stern Award for Distinguished Public Service from The Obesity Society, and the George Bray Outstanding Scientific Achievements Award in Obesity Research from the American Society for Nutrition. His most recent book, The Shift: 7 Powerful Mindset Shifts for Lasting Weight Loss, is a national bestseller.

At WeightWatchers, Gary leads the Science Team and is a member of the Leadership Team.    

About Dr. Spencer Nadolsky

Spencer Nadolsky, DO, is an obesity and lipid specialist physician with a passion for improving patient outcomes through innovative solutions. As the Medical Director for WeightWatchers, Dr. Nadolsky supports the WW clinical program research and development, bringing his knowledge and expertise from the field alongside his experience scaling Sequence, the online comprehensive chronic weight management program and telehealth platform which was acquired by WeightWatchers in April 2023. Dr. Nadolsky is committed to research and development, informing science-backed program creation to transform the way weight management is delivered to individuals in support of their overall health. With a background in telemedicine and fitness coaching, Dr. Nadolsky brings a unique perspective to the digital healthcare space.

Topics Covered

• The shift away from unsustainable fad diets to more holistic and sustainable weight management approaches
• How scientists are leveraging positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindset changes to improve the weight loss journey
• How WW is addressing the stigma associated with obesity by challenging societal biases and advocating for a compassionate and informed approach
• The significance of maintaining an "adiposity-based" approach to addressing the root cause of obesity
• Advancements in obesity treatment with the introduction of GLP-1 medications that offer substantial weight loss and minimal side effects
• The efforts to raise awareness about the biological factors influencing weight gain
• The WW program's key components, including a points-based food system, activity, mindset, and sleep, provide science-based guidance for healthy habits

Connect with Dr. Gary Foster

Dr. Foster on LinkedIn

Dr. Foster on X

Connect with Dr. Spencer Nadolsky

Dr. Spencer Nadolsky

Dr. Nadolsky on X

Connect with Dr. Gautam Gulati & Dr. Jessica Shepherd

HLTH

Dr. Gulati on X

Dr. Gulati on LinkedIn

Dr. Jessica Shepherd MD

Dr. Shepherd on X
 

Resources

Weight Watchers (WW)

The Shift by Gary Foster, PhD 

About Jean-Claude Saghbini:

Jean-Claude Saghbini is a technology and engineering leader at Lumeris, focusing on improving healthcare outcomes and reducing costs in value-based care. With over 15 years of healthcare experience, he's dedicated to integrating technology into clinical workflows seamlessly.Before Lumeris, he served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Wolters Kluwer Health, leading AI innovation and clinical support solutions. He also worked as the General Manager and CTO at Cardinal Health, where he developed RFID solutions to enhance patient safety, clinical documentation accuracy, and operational efficiency. Jean-Claude holds multiple healthcare technology patents, and he has a strong educational background, including a Master's degree from MIT and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. He serves on various boards.

Things You’ll Learn:

• Technology is the foundation of value-based care. In order to succeed, healthcare organizations need access to vast amounts of data and the ability to derive actionable insights from it. 
• Technology plays a central role in aggregating, normalizing, and analyzing this data to improve quality and reduce costs.
• Generative AI, the latest frontier in AI technology, has the potential to revolutionize care delivery. From automating routine tasks to understanding messy data and extracting meaningful insights, generative AI can empower healthcare professionals to make faster and more informed decisions.
• While the benefits of AI are promising, it's crucial to have appropriate Guardrails in place to ensure quality and safety. 
• Organizations must keep physicians and clinicians in the driver's seat while leveraging AI to automate tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance patient satisfaction.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Jean-Claude on LinkedIn.
• Follow Lumeris on LinkedIn.
• Visit Lumeris on their Website.

About Mariya Filipova:

Mariya Filipova, MBA Chief Innovation Officer, CareQuest Innovation Partners. Mariya is a member of the CareQuest Institute leadership team and serves as chief innovation officer of CareQuest Innovation Partners, the for-profit affiliate of CareQuest Institute. In her role, she oversees innovation, incubation, and investment activities aimed at developing solutions that advance oral health access, equity and integration for underserved populations. 

Formerly, Vice President of Innovation at Anthem Inc, Mariya led efforts in scaling emerging technologies and new business models to accelerate Anthem’s transformation to a digital-first enterprise. Mariya’s vision and leadership in these areas resulted in the development of several breakthrough solutions and programs including the $5 million XPRIZE Rapid COVID-19 Testing competition, in partnership with seven Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans, to identify and validate fast, frequent, cheap, and easy-to-use testing solutions for SARS-CoV-2 and Anthem’s Digital Data Sandbox —the largest, certified de-identified commercial data set

About Maria Ryan:

Maria Emanuel Ryan, DDS, Ph.D. is Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at the Colgate-Palmolive Company where she provides oversight and leadership to dental and dermal clinical organizations, knowledge management, and scientific communications teams. Dr. Ryan previously served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology at Stony Brook University where she was actively involved in teaching, clinical practice, and research. She is the Past President of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and has served on many academic and foundation boards. Dr. Ryan has received numerous awards including NIH National Research Service Awards and a Physician Scientist Award. She received an achievement award from the American Dental Association and was the first recipient of the Victress Health Award to recognize her educational and research efforts in the area of women’s health. Dr. Ryan is a nationally and internationally known speaker and author who has appeared on multiple media outlets to discuss the importance of oral health to overall health and wellbeing as well as the role of the dental professional in the provision of optimal overall health care.

Things You’ll Learn:

• Oral health is an integral part of systemic health.
• What happens in our mouth can have a significant impact on our overall health and well-being. From gum disease to oral cancers, understanding these connections is crucial for improving outcomes.
• The disparity between oral health spending and investment in oral health startups is striking. There's a huge opportunity for innovators and entrepreneurs to address this gap.
• Collaboration and partnerships are key to driving innovation in oral health. Colgate Palmolive and Carequest Innovation Partners both emphasize the importance of working with external partners to bring new solutions to the market.
• If you're a startup looking to make a difference, reach out to these organizations for potential collaborations.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Mariya Filipova on LinkedIn.
• Visit CareQuest Innovation on their Website.
• Email CareQuest Innovation Partners here.
• Connect with and follow Maria Ryan on LinkedIn.
• Visit the Colgate-Palmolive Website.
• Email Maria here.

About Jenny Yu:

Jenny Yu, MD FACS, is the Chief Health Officer for Healthline Media, the number one health publisher that drives well-being forward by leading our audience of 74 million people to take action and improve their lives. She leads the Medical Affairs team and supports the organization in strategy, growth, and medical integrity. Before joining the organization in 2020, she was a practicing academic clinician with experience in research and operation. She is the Co-founder of a non-profit, Project Theia, focusing on education, care, and innovation in facial reconstructive surgeries for global communities. She has a broad interest in innovation and solutions that help patients navigate the complexity of the healthcare systems.

During her tenure at Healthline Media and RVO Health, she has engaged in various thought leadership opportunities and provided her clinical perspective internally and externally onbroad-ranging topics such as access and adherence, whole-person health, and health literacy.

She graduated from The Ohio State University Medical School and completed an ophthalmology residency and an Oculoplastics fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She has over 20+ publications in peer-reviewed journals, numerous book chapters, and various speaking engagements during her 15+ years of clinical practice.

Things You’ll Learn:

• Access to reliable and accessible health information is crucial for patients and consumers. 
• High healthcare costs significantly impact patient outcomes, highlighting the necessity for affordable healthcare solutions.
• Personalized communication and consistent messaging play a vital role in effective healthcare practices.
• Cross-functional partnerships and collaborations are essential in addressing holistic health needs and promoting preventive care.
• Technology and innovative services have a substantial impact on improving healthcare accessibility, education, and cost concerns.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Jenny Yu on LinkedIn.
• Follow Healthline on LinkedIn.
• Visit the Healthline Website and here.

Abstract:

Learn how Evernorth Health Services and Alma are empowering providers to deliver high quality care and demonstrate successful outcomes.

In this episode, Melissa Reilly, the Evernorth Chief Strategy Officer of Behavioral Health, Douglas Nemecek, the Evernorth Chief Medical Officer of Behavioral Health, and Dr. Harry Ritter, founder and CEO of Alma, share how they are transforming the behavioral health landscape. Harry shares how his team assists behavioral health clinicians in providing modern care by offering technology and infrastructure. They are centered around supporting and empowering providers in the mental health sector, who have traditionally operated independently. Through technology and their service platform, Alma fosters a sense of community, enabling these providers to participate in the modern healthcare system, collaborate with partners like Evernorth, and deliver affordable, high-quality care. Doug and Melissa discuss how they are focused on improving access to high-quality behavioral healthcare by simplifying the complex behavioral health journey for individuals, making it easy for them to receive the care they need. They use data from various sources, including medical, behavioral, and pharmacy information, to help people access the right care. Harry, Doug, and Melissa shed light on the importance of measurement in providing behavioral care. They discuss how measurement-based care strategies help strengthen and optimize patient care and foster collaboration with provider groups like Alma.

Stay tuned for an enlightening conversation with these remarkable guests as they share their insights and experiences in revolutionizing the behavioral healthcare landscape. 

About Melissa Reilly:

Melissa Reilly, a change-making behavioral healthcare executive, currently serves as Evernorth’s Chief Strategy Officer of Behavioral Health, where she has spearheaded its strategy and business development initiatives since 2021. Melissa is passionate about removing barriers and using technology to improve the member experience.

About Doug Nemecek:

Dr. Doug Nemecek is a psychiatrist and Evernorth’s Chief Medical Officer of Behavioral Health, overseeing health quality, integration, and clinical operations. Doug is passionate about and focused on making sure that all of Evernorth’s members are able to get timely access to high-quality, evidence-based behavioral healthcare.

About Harry Ritter:

Dr. Harry Ritter is the Founder and CEO of Alma, a company on a mission to simplify access to high-quality, affordable mental health care. Prior to founding Alma, Harry was the Vice President of Care Delivery at Oscar Health where he built out their flagship primary care and wellness center.

Things You’ll Learn:

• Collaboration is key: By bringing together providers and leveraging technology, we can build a community of practice that supports and empowers healthcare providers. This empowers them to deliver affordable, high-quality care and have a maximum impact on patients’ lives.
• Evernorth is dedicated to simplifying the complex behavioral health journey for people.
• Leveraging data and strategic partnerships, Evernorth aims to ensure that everyone has access to high-quality care, ultimately improving individuals’ functioning at home, work, and in their communities.
• In order to strengthen and optimize care, measurement-based care is essential.
• By using data and aligning with providers like Alma, Evernorth aims to co-create interventions that focus on quality outcomes for patients, providers, and the healthcare system as a whole.

Resources:

• Visit  Evernorth's  Website.
• Follow  Evernorth on LinkedIn
• Connect with and follow Melissa Reilly on LinkedIn.
• Connect with and follow Doug Nemecek on LinkedIn.
• Visit Alma on their Website.
• Connect with and follow Harry Ritter on LinkedIn.