HealthBiz with David E. Williams

Fertilis CEO Marty Gauvin and I explored the challenges of IVF accessibility and the global demand for fertility treatments. We discussed the potential for increased productivity through automation, the effects of environmental and lifestyle factors on fertility, and the consensus on the reason for falling fertility rates. Plus, we considered the future implications if IVF becomes the norm. Marty and I discussed how his upbringing and experiences with the healthcare system have shaped his career and parenting style (he has six kids). Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

In this engaging discussion with Shara Cohen, the CEO of Carallel, we explore her journey from a history major with a passion for volunteering to a leader in the healthcare industry. Shara shares her early experiences as a candy striper, delivering meals on wheels, and how those moments helped shape her career path. We also discuss her time at Berkeley, law school, and her work with the Oakland A's, which provided valuable life lessons and fueled her passion for healthcare and legal topics. We then dive into the mission and purpose of Carallel, a company geared to serving family caregivers. Discover how Carallel provides a human-led, tech-enabled service that makes caregiving easier and helps healthcare organizations and employers deliver a caregiver strategy to attract and retain members. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Growing up as the daughter of immigrants, Neepa Patel, CEO of WellRight, always knew she wanted to make a difference in healthcare. However, it wasn't until she dove into the business side that she found her true calling. In this episode, Neepa takes us through her unique journey and shares the invaluable lessons she's learned along the way—including the importance of making decisions quickly when you have enough information and how "done beats perfect." We also delve into employee wellness and the impact it can have on the workplace, especially during this global pandemic. Neepa shares insights on how companies are encouraging employees to interact with each other through friendly competitions, community giving, and volunteering activities, all facilitated by WellRight's innovative platform. Tune in as we explore the future of workplace wellness and the power of creating new habits, like the simple act of making your bed each morning, that can lead to a greater sense of accomplishment and well-being. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Hear insights on improving access to clinical trials with guest, Sam Eells, co-founder of Lightship. We dive deep into her inspiring journey from her early interests in science and healthcare, to her work in public health that led to the founding of Lightship. Learn how Sam's experiences at UCLA shaped her passion for creating better patient experiences and addressing health disparities in clinical trials. Sam and I explore the mission of Lightship and how it aims to revolutionize the clinical trial industry by providing improved patient experiences, greater access, and more choices for participants. We discuss the crucial relationship between clinical research and public health, and how the pandemic has shifted the industry's focus to collaboration and innovation. Find out why Lightship's customer-centric approach is a game-changer and why you should care about the services this groundbreaking company provides. We also examine the importance of social determinants of health in clinical trials and the role environmental sustainability can play in shaping the future of research. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

United Healthcare reported a data breach late last week. https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/united-healthcare-reports-data-breach-that-may-have-revealed-customers-personal-information/ Apparently a hacker used credential stuffing to break into some member portals in February. United just figured this out recently, and responded by forcing password resets and giving affected members two years of identity theft protection services. This leaves a lot of questions, like: 1. What is credential stuffing? 2. Why did it take so long to discover? 3. Should members be concerned? What about those who’ve had an abortion or gender affirming care? 4. Did United fix the problem? Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

In this episode, we discuss the impact of 9/11 on the pharmaceutical industry, role of medical science liaisons, and importance of establishing uniformity in medical affairs competencies with Will Soliman, CEO of the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA). We explore challenges of implementing standardization, role of PBMs in drug pricing, and potential for unethical behavior in the industry. (0:10) - 9/11 Impact on Pharma (7:33) - Medical Science Liaisons (12:13) - Establishing Uniformity in Medical Affairs Competencies (17:58) - Barriers to Standardization (21:13) - PBMs and Drug Pricing (0:10) - 9/11 Impact on Pharma In this episode, I speak with Will Soliman, CEO of the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA), about his background, the influence of his father, and the role of the pharmaceutical industry. Growing up in Jersey City, Will was encouraged by his parents to pursue a career in STEM, leading him to major in biochemistry in college. He discusses the impact of 9/11 on immigration policies and scientific output, as well as his early career as a pharmaceutical sales rep before transitioning to a medical science liaison role. (7:33) - Medical Science Liaisons In this chapter, we delve into the role of a medical science liaison (MSL) and the transition to managing MSLs. MSLs are the "Navy SEALs" of pharmaceutical companies, responsible for educating doctors about disease states and various products. They often have advanced degrees, such as MDs, PhDs, or pharmacy degrees. The conversation also highlights the move towards a more formal medical affairs function within pharmaceutical companies in the last couple of decades. The discussion then shifts to the entrepreneurial journey of founding a specialty pharmacy called US Pharmacy Lab, focusing on personalized service and compounding for high-end customers. (12:13) - Establishing Uniformity in Medical Affairs Competencies In this chapter, we explore the origins of the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) and the need for a uniform competency standard in the medical affairs industry. The lack of consistency and potential compliance nightmares within pharmaceutical companies led to the creation of the ACMA, which now works with around 200 pharmaceutical companies to provide board certification and establish uniformity within organizations. We also discuss the importance of maintaining the integrity of the medical affairs profession and ensuring that medical affairs professionals have the proper competencies to interpret and present data accurately' (17:58) - Barriers to Standardization (3 Minutes) We discuss the challenges faced in implementing standardization in the pharmaceutical industry, including resistance from the "old guard" who feel their existing qualifications are sufficient. Despite this, there has been an overwhelmingly positive response to the push for standardization, as it is seen as vital to the industry's future. We also touch on the implications of the Inflation and Reduction Act, which requires drug manufacturers to pay the federal government if their prices increase faster than inflation. This could impact innovation, favor biologics over small molecule drugs, and increase the use of biosimilars in the market' (21:13) - PBMs and Drug Pricing In this chapter, we examine the role of pharmacy benefit managers and the potential for unethical behavior in the pharmaceutical industry. We also introduce reportpharma.org, a new site allowing healthcare professionals to report unethical practices. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Dr. Barry Chaiken's book, Navigating the Code calls for revolutionary technology to transform the patient-physician journey. He believes in IT as healthcare's greatest problem solving tool for the 21st Century. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

CalmWave uses AI to combat alarm fatigue in the ICU. CEO Ophir Ronen is a multi-time entrepreneur and a Search & Rescue volunteer. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Surgeon, technologist and entrepreneur Dan Riskin founded Verantos to ensure that Real World Evidence (RWE) would fulfill its potential. High-fidelity RWE is challenging and expensive to create, especially at scale. But Verantos appear well on its way. Chapters: (0:00:10) - Real World Evidence (0:13:51) - High Validity Real World Evidence (0:21:19) - Real World Evidence Challenges (0:29:19) - Revolutionizing Healthcare With Technology (0:35:24) - Thanks for listening Chapter Summaries: (0:00:10) - Real World Evidence (14 Minutes) In this episode, we explore the potential of real-world evidence (RWE) in healthcare and the challenges faced in realizing its full potential. Guest, Dan Riskin, CEO of Verantos, shares his journey from an early interest in healthcare and technology to becoming a leading figure in the field. We discuss his involvement in health policy, his work with Health Fidelity and Dock Dock, and the founding of his latest venture, Verantos, which aims to provide high-validity RWE at scale. (0:13:51) - High Validity Real World Evidence (7 Minutes) We delve into the challenges of using routinely collected data in healthcare and the fear that it would be done poorly, potentially leading to incorrect treatments and patient harm. The FDA's involvement in setting a framework for real-world evidence (RWE) is discussed, as well as the difficulties and expenses in achieving high validity RWE - including accuracy, completeness, and traceability. The success of Verantos in this field is attributed to its early visibility into the framework, years of experience, and advanced technology, including the use of AI. (0:21:19) - Real World Evidence Challenges (8 Minutes) In this portion of the conversation, we discuss the limitations of traditional natural language processing (NLP) in real-world evidence (RWE) and how AI-based inference can improve accuracy and insights. We also touch on the need for RWE companies to expand beyond oncology and into other therapeutic areas, and the importance of maintaining patient privacy and security when working with health systems. Finally, we explore the challenges of generating profits in the RWE industry and the potential for innovative business models to address these issues. (0:29:19) - Revolutionizing Healthcare With Technology (6 Minutes) We explore the importance of knowing whether a company is a pharma services firm or a pharma tech firm, as each comes with its own business model, growth, and margin prospects. Focusing on the pharma tech side, we discuss the potential for cash efficiency, breakeven success, and a path to profitability. Furthermore, we look ahead at the future of healthcare, emphasizing the need to learn from every patient interaction and leverage technology, data, and compute power to create tailored treatment plans. Finally, we touch on the love for science fiction and its influence on the technological advancements in various industries' (0:35:24) - Thanks for listening (1 Minute) In this part of the conversation, we express our thanks to the listeners for joining us on the Health Biz podcast, where we conduct in-depth interviews with leaders in healthcare business and policy. For more insightful discussions, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms. If your organization seeks strategy consulting services in healthcare, visit healthbusinessgroup.com.' Keywords #RealWorldEvidence #Healthcare, #DanRiskin #Verantos #HealthFidelity #HealthBizPodcast Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Arrive Health provides information to prescribers at the point of care, helping improve affordability, which leads to better access and outcomes. CEO Kyle Kiser describes how it all works. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Becky Payne led development of The Federal Plan for Equitable Long-Term Recovery and Resilience, which commits federal agencies to strengthen the vital conditions needed to improve nationwide well-being. It’s a government-wide approach to bring to bear the huge breadth of federal resources to improve resilience at the individual and community level. She is now President and CEO of the Rippel Foundation, whose vision is a cohesive system of health that focuses on health and well-being; a system that is thriving, equitable, and sustainable. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Jonathan Baktari MD is CEO of e7 Health (vaccine-based prevention) and US Drug Test Centers (a nationwide network). He's a lively voice among physician entrepreneurs. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Kermit CEO Rich Palarea share his company's approach to enabling hospitals and health systems to keep the cost of implantable medical devices under control. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Matt Schwartz founded Virgo to improve patient outcomes and clinical workflows in endoscopy with automation and AI tools. It was a logical progression from seeing videos of surgeries as a kid and then working in the field at NuVasive and Intuitive Surgical. And yes, this is the same guy who invented a penile implant for his senior engineering project. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Ethan Bechtel, CEO and Co-Founder of OhMD, a HIPAA compliant texting and telehealth platform discusses challenges of communication between patients & doctors through text messaging. We dive into Ethan's entrepreneurial upbringing and personal journey through healthcare, which has shaped his vision for an ideal healthcare experience. We explore the early days of developing patient portals and the challenges with getting users to adopt them, leading to the eventual shift towards text messaging as an entry point for improved communication. Our conversation also touches on the importance of prioritizing the patient experience, evolving value propositions for different types of practices, and the need for flexibility and adaptability in communication technology. Additionally, we discuss the challenges of focusing on a specific market segment and the company's financing strategy. Lastly, we delve into the future of OMD, the role of AI in enhancing efficient conversations and human connections, and the economic future of Vermont in attracting more tech businesses and talent. Join us for this insightful conversation about the benefits of texting in healthcare and the journey towards building a sustainable business in this space. Chapters: (0:00:11) - The Benefits of Texting in Healthcare (0:04:41) - Adoption of Technology in Healthcare (0:11:46) - Improving Healthcare Outcomes (0:20:51) - Building a Sustainable Business (0:00:11) - The Benefits of Texting in Healthcare (5 Minutes) Ethan shares his background growing up in an entrepreneurial family with a strong connection to healthcare, as his mother founded an orthopedic clinic at Killington Mountain Resort. Ethan's personal journey through healthcare, dealing with multiple orthopedic injuries, has shaped his vision for an ideal healthcare experience and led him to create OMD. (0:04:41) - Adoption of Technology in Healthcare (7 Minutes) We dive deeper into the journey of creating a better communication experience for patients and doctors, discussing the early days of developing patient portals and the challenges with getting users to adopt them. The conversation explores the eventual shift towards text messaging as an entry point for improved communication and the development of secure messaging systems for healthcare. The influence of Rich Tarrin, former CEO of IDX Systems, and his encouragement to build software around solving specific healthcare problems is also highlighted, illustrating the path to creating more patient-centric solutions' (0:11:46) - Improving Healthcare Outcomes (9 Minutes) We discuss the importance of prioritizing patient experience when developing solutions for healthcare, as well as the evolving value propositions for different types of practices. In addition to improving patient acquisition and reducing no-shows, we explore how communication platforms help streamline operations and deliver higher service levels. The conversation also touches on the need for flexibility and adaptability in communication technology as it continues to evolve, as well as the potential for expanding customer segments beyond physician practices' (0:20:51) - Building a Sustainable Business (11 Minutes) We examine the challenges of focusing on a specific market segment for a business like OhMD. We discuss the company's financing strategy, leveraging organic growth rather than raising significant venture capital. We delve into the future of OhMD and the role of AI. And we discuss the economic future of Vermont and its potential to attract more tech businesses and talent. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Jason Matuszwewski is CEO and Andrew Van Vurst is COO of BioStem Technologies, which develops and makes placental-derived tissue allografts for wound healing applications. From racing cars to building biotech companies they have exciting stories to share. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

One of the worst things that can happen is when a curable cancer case falls through the cracks causing needless pain, suffering, expense, and even premature death. Yet it happens all the time in the US healthcare system, for example when incidental findings discovered during an examination for another reason are not followed up due to labor shortages or confusion about who’s responsible or what the findings mean. Guest Chris Cashwell is CEO and Founder of Azra AI, whose technology interprets unstructured data to identify patients who need treatment and follow up care. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

GENIXUS co-founders Kendall Foster and Seth Coombs combined their expertise and mobilized investors and partners to develop a platform to reinvent how critical care medicines are manufactured and delivered. The first product, a ready to administer Propofol is already shipping to customers. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Ready for artificial intelligence to make an impact in healthcare? Meet Encord CEO Eric Landau. His company provides a comprehensive AI-assisted active learning platform for computer vision, enabling AI in radiology and beyond. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Dry January sounds like a great idea, an opportunity to sober up after an overindulgent holiday season. But complete abstinence doesn’t always work and is falling out of vogue. Instead, harm reduction is the new mantra. Ria Health CEO Tom Nix talks about his company's approach to treating Alcohol Use Disorder. Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.