The Health Technology Podcast

Healthcare is a team effort, but we don’t always see the full team. Behind every physician visit, every hospital discharge, and every community clinic, there’s a vast, often invisible network of professionals keeping the system running. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sunita Mutha, Director of the Healthforce Center and Professor of Medicine at UCSF, to talk about these hidden threads holding our healthcare system together. She shines a light on the vital roles played by medical assistants, patient navigators, community health workers, and clinic leaders—roles that are essential, yet too often overlooked. Dr. Mutha walks us through the Healthforce Center’s mission to strengthen this workforce, from building lasting leadership programs that ripple across organizations, to fostering statewide collaborations, to producing data-driven insights that inform policy at every level. We also dive deep into the realities of burnout—why it’s not just about overwork, but about the erosion of meaning in the work itself. Dr. Mutha reframes burnout as a structural failure, not a personal shortcoming, and shares practical ways to design systems that support the people who make care possible. This is an honest, inspiring look at the human infrastructure of healthcare—what it takes to sustain it, and why investing in people is the key to a more equitable and resilient system. Do you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

What does it mean to provide care when medicine can no longer cure? In this episode, UCSF palliative care physician Dr. Brieze Bell shares her journey from professional dancer to integrative medicine leader, and how those seemingly unrelated paths came together in a life devoted to service, presence, and healing at the edge of life. Dr. Bell reflects on the principle of non-abandonment, the emotional complexity of medical aid in dying, and her role leading UCSF’s End of Life Option Act program. She describes the system's work behind transforming this sensitive process into a compassionate, accessible, and legally sound experience for patients and families. Alongside deeply personal stories—including the death of her mother and a heartfelt posthumous letter from a patient—Dr. Bell reminds us that showing up for someone in their most vulnerable moment can change everything. This conversation is essential listening for clinicians, caregivers, and anyone contemplating the ethics and emotions surrounding end-of-life care. Listen in as Christine Winoto, director of the UCSF Rosenman Institute, explores the dignity, discomfort, and transformative grace that define this powerful chapter of healthcare. Tune in to hear what it truly means to be a companion at the end of life. Do you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

What if we could cure genetic disease before a baby is even born? In this episode, pediatric and fetal surgeon Tippi MacKenzie shares how in utero gene therapy and stem cell transplants could stop devastating diseases before life begins. Dr. MacKenzie is a pioneer in fetal genome surgery and in utero stem cell therapy, with a mission to give every child a healthy start. As Director of the UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center, she leads groundbreaking clinical trials treating disorders like alpha thalassemia while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in regenerative medicine. She also opens up about her personal journey—from Juilliard-trained pianist to surgeon-scientist—and the New England Journal of Medicine article that changed the course of her career. We discuss the unique biology of the fetus, why fetal immune tolerance presents a once-in-a-lifetime treatment window, and how her team is using lipid nanoparticles to develop future-ready gene editing strategies. We also explore how to better support the next generation of clinician-scientists and why stronger partnerships between academia and industry are key to bringing therapies from lab to patient. Do you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Troy Tazbaz, currently Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy & Operations at Oracle and formerly Director of Digital Health at the FDA, has a powerful vision: making healthcare human again digitally. Driven by a profound personal experience supporting his wife through complex medical decisions during her battle with cancer, Troy recognized the deep inefficiencies and overwhelming demands placed on patients and caregivers. His journey inspired him to challenge the status quo, transitioning from a corporate technology career into healthcare innovation. In this deeply personal and insightful episode, Troy discusses key moments that fueled his commitment to humanizing healthcare. He vividly describes the confusion at his wife's bedside, questioning drug interactions, and navigating complicated medical decisions. As Director of Digital Health at the FDA, Troy spearheaded efforts to integrate digital technologies into healthcare responsibly, establishing frameworks that ensure AI and other digital medical tools remain safe and effective. Now back at Oracle, Troy continues his mission of transforming healthcare by shaping corporate strategies and operations that support impactful technological solutions. He emphasizes why slowing down to implement digital innovation thoughtfully is essential, and how human-centered design can restore compassion and simplicity to healthcare delivery. Beyond his professional roles, Troy shares powerful reflections on personal resilience and insights gained from cycling across America—an experience highlighting the importance of slowing down to appreciate life's subtle beauty. Join us for this compelling conversation hosted by Christine Winoto of the UCSF Rosenman Institute, as we explore how digital tools can genuinely serve patients and caregivers, returning humanity to the core of healthcare. Do you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

What every healthcare leader should know is at the heart of this episode featuring Dr. Todd Brinton, Chief Scientific Officer at Edwards Lifesciences and a leading figure in medtech innovation. Dr. Brinton’s journey began in a sixth-grade classroom, where a fascination with the heart sparked a lifelong passion for both medicine and technology. That early curiosity led him to pursue engineering, medicine, and eventually leadership in heart health. Before becoming a recognized leader, Dr. Brinton faced the same questions many young professionals do—wondering if he belonged, and whether he could move from engineering into medicine. Throughout his career, mentors played a crucial role in helping him find his potential, and setbacks became opportunities for growth. These experiences shaped his approach to leadership, resilience, and innovation in healthcare. Dr. Brinton discusses lessons learned from building teams, founding companies like Shockwave Medical and BioParadox, and making difficult choices as both a physician and entrepreneur. He shares why honesty and kindness matter in leadership, how to create meaningful mentor relationships, and what it really takes to move ideas from the clinic to the corporate world. The conversation covers why embracing mistakes is essential for progress, why people—not just technology—will define the future of health innovation, and advice for those building their own path in healthcare. Whether you’re leading a startup, managing a hospital team, or just starting your career, Dr. Brinton’s story offers practical insight for every stage. Hear directly from Dr. Todd Brinton as he joins Christine Winoto for a candid discussion about career pivots, mentorship, and the realities of healthcare leadership, brought to you by the UCSF Rosenman Institute. For more on healthcare innovation, check out What 2 Billion Data Points Can Tell Us: James Mault on Smarter Care. Do you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Covered California is leading the way in making healthcare more accessible and equitable. Under the leadership of Executive Director Jessica Altman, the state’s health insurance marketplace has reached nearly 2 million enrollees, setting new records for affordable health coverage in California. In this episode, Jessica dives into how Covered California’s innovative outreach, tailored language support, and affordability programs are closing the coverage gap, especially for freelancers, gig workers, and families who often fall through the cracks. Jessica draws on her roots in healthcare policy, shaped by family and her work at the US Department of Health and Human Services, to explain why insurance is so complex and how California’s unique blend of state and federal policy makes a real-world difference. We discuss why the “last mile” to coverage is often the hardest, how creative partnerships with community organizations break down language and cultural barriers, and why affordability remains the foundation of any successful health insurance system. This episode also tackles the impact of the Affordable Care Act, the pros and cons of state vs. federal insurance regulation, and what other states can learn from California’s investments in outreach, Medi-Cal expansion, and targeted subsidies. Jessica shares real examples of how public opinion around coverage is shifting as families experience the benefits firsthand, and why Covered California’s commitment to customer service is rebuilding trust in a system long seen as confusing and impersonal. Join us for this compelling conversation hosted by Christine Winoto of the UCSF Rosenman Institute. Do you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, striking without warning and demanding urgent emergency response. In this episode of The Health Technology Podcast, we spotlight cardiac arrest prevention, portable defibrillator innovation, and next-generation AED technology featuring Sameer Jafri, CEO and co-founder of Avive Solutions. From his early days volunteering at cardiac screenings to founding a nonprofit focused on heart health at UCLA, Sameer’s dedication to life-saving innovation has always been personal. With Avive Solutions, he is pioneering the development of connected, portable AEDs, making advanced emergency response accessible in homes, schools, sports fields, and public spaces everywhere. Sameer shares how Avive’s smart defibrillator ecosystem is changing outcomes by bridging the gap between bystanders and medical professionals. By integrating real-time data and rapid response capabilities, Avive’s technology empowers communities to act decisively and improve cardiac arrest survival rates. Whether you’re a healthcare innovator, a clinician, or someone passionate about medical technology, this episode reveals what it takes to challenge the status quo in cardiac care. Tune in to hear how Sameer Jafri is transforming the future of emergency medicine through connected devices, better access, and relentless advocacy for cardiac arrest prevention. Do you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

What happens when a heart surgeon sees too many patients discharged too soon, with no clear way to monitor their recovery? For Dr. James Mault, MD, it sparked a 25-year journey to reshape the future of healthcare. From operating rooms in Denver to boardrooms at Microsoft and Qualcomm, James’s mission has remained the same: bridge the gap between hospital care and home through continuous, remote patient monitoring. Today, as Founder and Executive Chairman of BioIntelliSense, James is pioneering wearable technology that tracks vital signs in real-time, empowering clinicians and families to catch warning signs early, before they become emergencies. With over 80 patents, multiple startup exits, and leadership roles at major tech companies, his career blends deep clinical expertise with bold innovation. James shares his remarkable path from aspiring astronaut to serial healthcare entrepreneur. We explore the origin of his passion, the turning points that shaped his career, and how his technology is already transforming care for hundreds of thousands of patients across the globe. You’ll hear how James is scaling clinical insights through data, simplicity, and purpose, revealing what 2 billion data points can teach us about smarter, more human-centered care. Whether you're a founder, clinician, or caregiver, this episode offers a powerful look at how one surgeon’s mission is changing the way the world heals. Do you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Picture a hospital room late at night, the soft hum of machines in the background. A family gathers quietly around their loved one, unsure how to navigate the complexities of end-of-life care. It’s a scene playing out every day across the country, highlighting a crucial yet often neglected part of healthcare—the way we care for people as their lives near an end. Joining me today is Ira Byock, a renowned physician, author, and passionate advocate for palliative care, whose groundbreaking work has transformed how we think about living—and dying—well. As the founder and chief medical officer of the Institute for Human Caring at Providence St. Joseph Health, Ira has dedicated his career to ensuring that end-of-life care is compassionate, comprehensive, and patient-centered. From developing the influential Missoula Demonstration Project to leading the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's initiatives on end-of-life care, Ira’s pioneering efforts have touched millions of lives. Drawing deeply from his early experiences in rural family medicine, Ira witnessed firsthand the profound gaps in care for dying patients, sparking a lifelong mission to humanize healthcare. His belief that moments of crisis can also be opportunities for growth and wellbeing and reshaped our understanding of what it means to care for the whole person. In this episode, we explore Ira's remarkable journey—from a young physician confronting ethical dilemmas, to a visionary leader reshaping the landscape of hospice and palliative care. We'll discuss the challenges of balancing compassionate care with a profit-driven healthcare system, the transformative power of treating patients as whole people, and Ira’s innovative vision for a more humane and effective healthcare future. Do you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Think of a mother living in a remote village in Alaska. It’s a cold morning, temperatures well below freezing, and she needs urgent medical care for her child—but there’s no road connecting her village to any hospital. Her only hope is a plane or a boat, neither of which might arrive in time. Across America, thousands of Native Americans face similar hurdles every day—lack of access to basic healthcare, clean water, and enough nutrition. This is not a challenge of the distant past; it’s happening today, in the wealthiest country in the world. I first met Roselyn Tso at last year’s Rosenman Symposium, where her talk left a profound impression on me. Her insights into the healthcare barriers that tribal communities face struck a deep chord, highlighting an urgent issue that many of us rarely think about. Stepping forward to tackle these issues head-on is Roselyn, a proud Navajo Nation citizen who has dedicated her life to improving healthcare for American Indians and Alaska Natives. As Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) from 2022 to 2025, Roselyn managed healthcare delivery to approximately 2.8 million individuals, becoming the first Navajo citizen and second woman to ever hold this role. Her career spans more than four decades, each day driven by a deep personal commitment shaped by her own upbringing on the Navajo reservation. Roselyn believes real solutions require more than just medicine—they demand community engagement, cultural sensitivity, and innovation. Under her leadership, Indian Health Service championed initiatives addressing food insecurity, transportation challenges, and infrastructure gaps, fundamentally reshaping what healthcare means in tribal communities. In our conversation, Roselyn shares her powerful personal journey, the realities faced by Native communities, and her visionary approach to leadership and collaboration. She offers compelling insights into the systemic changes needed to make healthcare truly equitable and effective. Do you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

It’s late at night, and you’re sitting in a hospital room, holding the hand of a loved one who’s just been diagnosed with a serious illness. The doctor has explained the treatment options, but the weight of the diagnosis feels overwhelming. Questions swirl in your mind: How do we make the most of the time we have? How do we ensure they’re comfortable, supported, and able to live well, even in the face of illness? This is where palliative care steps in—a field dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients and their families during some of life’s most challenging moments. And few people understand this better than Dr. Steven Pantilat, a pioneer in palliative care and a leading voice in redefining how we approach serious illness. As the Chief of the Division of Palliative Medicine at UCSF, Steven has spent decades advocating for patient-centered care, focusing on symptoms, values, and emotional support. His work began during the AIDS crisis in San Francisco, where he saw firsthand the importance of honoring patients’ wishes and providing compassionate care, even when a cure wasn’t possible. In this episode, Steven shares his journey from those early days to becoming a national leader in palliative care. We’ll explore the challenges he’s faced, the lessons he’s learned, and his vision for a future where palliative care is an integral part of healthcare for everyone facing serious illness. Do you have thoughts on this episode or suggestions for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Managing medications shouldn’t be this hard. For millions of people, it’s a daily struggle—juggling prescriptions from multiple doctors, refilling at different pharmacies, and trying to keep track of what to take and when. Copays are confusing, refill schedules don’t align, and the stress of managing it all often falls on caregivers. This isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a crisis. Missed doses, medication errors, and the sheer administrative burden can lead to worse health outcomes and unnecessary stress for families. This is the problem Laura Jensen has spent her career tackling. Laura is the Director of Manufacturer & Provider Business Development at Amazon, where she worked to make pharmacy care more transparent, affordable, and accessible. Her journey began at PillPack, where she helped pioneer a model that brought the best of long-term care pharmacy into the homes of everyday patients. At Amazon Pharmacy, she built on that foundation to create a seamless, patient-centered experience that leverages technology to simplify medication management. She continues to drive innovation in healthcare, building on her deep expertise and passion for patient advocacy. In this episode, Laura shares her journey from PillPack to Amazon Pharmacy, the challenges of rebuilding pharmacy systems from the ground up, and her vision for a future where accessing medications is as easy as clicking “buy now.” She also opens up about how her upbringing as the daughter of a nurse shaped her perspective on healthcare and why patient advocacy is at the heart of everything she does. This is a conversation about innovation, empathy, and the power of technology to transform lives. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a caregiver, or someone who’s ever struggled to manage medications, Laura’s insights will inspire you. Do you have thoughts on this episode or suggestions for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Imagine this: a patient arrives in the ER, their life hanging in the balance. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is overwhelming. But here’s the thing—it’s not just about having the right knowledge or tools. It’s about how a team, often strangers to each other, can come together in seconds to deliver the right care at the right moment. This “last mile” problem—getting critical care to the patient when and where it’s needed—is one of the most urgent challenges in healthcare. This is where Dr. Dan Dworkis comes in. Dan is an emergency physician, researcher, and the Chief Medical Officer of the Mission Critical Teams Institute. With a background in molecular medicine and emergency care, Dan has spent his career studying how individuals and teams perform under pressure. His work isn’t just about saving lives in the ER—it’s about understanding the science of stress, resilience, and teamwork, and applying those lessons to high-stakes environments everywhere. Dan’s journey started with a love for science and technology, but it was in the emergency department where he found his calling. There, he saw how systemic issues—like access to care, poverty, and social inequities—intersected with medicine. But what really grabbed his attention was the art of performance under pressure: how people and teams rise to the occasion in the most demanding moments. Through his work at the Mission Critical Teams Institute, Dan has collaborated with organizations like NASA, fire departments, and space programs to rethink how teams prepare for and respond to crisis. His insights are helping reshape how we think about stress, teamwork, and delivering results when it matters most. Do you have thoughts on this episode or suggestions for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Every day, in many communities without enough resources, millions suffer from blindness that could be prevented. A lack of proper eye care, old training methods, and few modern tools leave many in the dark. In places where a simple cataract surgery could bring back both sight and hope, big challenges and a shortage of new ideas block the way. Inspired by these problems, an amazing journey spans continents and changes lives. Born in a small town in Virginia, Dr. Hunter Cherwek—Vice President, Clinical Services and Technologies at Orbis International—took a path from the halls of Duke and Emory Universities to remote parts of the world. What began as a simple interest in medicine grew into a strong promise to end preventable blindness. A life-changing experience in Kenya set him on a course that reshaped his mission in eye care and pushed him to find better solutions for communities in need. Dr. Cherwek is a well-known eye doctor and he is also a visionary who mixes the latest technology with a deep passion for teaching. His work at Orbis International, especially on the famous Flying Eye Hospital, has helped perform surgeries that restore sight in over 20 countries. He also created a prize-winning online learning and remote care program that supports health workers around the world. His six years as Medical Director of Strategic Markets in Beijing show his steady drive to change old ways and bring better eye care all over the world. In this episode, Dr. Cherwek explains how a lucky scholarship and early global experiences shaped his promise to end preventable blindness, the challenges of providing modern eye care in low-resource areas, and how using tools like remote care and training simulations can change how we teach and treat patients. Here is our conversation.

When patients leave the hospital, they often face a dangerous gap in care—a system where outdated methods and heavy paperwork leave them at risk for complications, repeat visits, and needless stress. Every day, many worry about returning home without the clear, compassionate support they need, and the burden falls on both patients and overworked care teams. In this episode, we highlight a leader who turned personal loss into a mission for change. Yoni Shtein, the CEO and co-founder of Laguna Health, brings a blend of technical skill and business insight—from his early days in software engineering and high-stakes finance to confronting very human challenges. After the sudden loss of his mother-in-law, a tragedy that sparked his drive to improve post-hospital care, Yoni set out to build a solution that bridges the critical gap between hospital discharge and complete recovery. Laguna Health has earned special recognition as the ADAPT awardee from the UCSF Rosenman Institute for its innovative approach to care management. Their breakthrough AI-powered co-pilot has also been honored with the Time Best Inventions Award. In addition, their work has been validated through strong clinical research partnerships with renowned institutions like Mayo Clinic and UCSF, and their collaboration with Elevance Health underscores their growing impact on care transitions. Tune in as we explore Yoni’s journey from personal loss to healthcare leadership, discuss the evolution of Laguna Health’s groundbreaking technology, and uncover the insights that are changing how we think about post-hospital recovery. Here is our conversation! Do you have thoughts on this episode or suggestions for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Meeting Jason McKeown was like watching someone quietly change the future of healthcare. I first met him through the Rosenman Innovators program—where his company, Neurovalens, was honored in 2022—and it quickly became clear that his vision goes beyond ordinary medicine. A UK-trained doctor with a PhD in non-invasive neurostimulation, Jason is not only a doctor or a researcher; he’s a forward-thinking leader who has spent more than a decade combining brain science with technology to help people manage anxiety, insomnia, and metabolic disorders. As the founder and CEO of Neurovalens, Jason has developed devices like Modius Sleep and Modius Stress. Both devices have received FDA approval and work by using gentle electrical signals to adjust the brainstem—the part of the brain that controls stress and sleep. His journey wasn’t easy, though. In our conversation, Jason explained how he balanced working as a doctor in the UK with building a startup until 2017, when he made the big decision to focus entirely on Neurovalens. What began as a project inspired by NASA research at UC San Diego has now grown into a mission to make advanced brain therapies available worldwide. What impressed me most was Jason’s determination to challenge the norm. Whether he was sharing how veterans can now access Modius devices through the VA or describing how his team’s use of remote clinical trials sped up FDA approvals, his work is all about changing the way patient care is delivered. In this episode, Jason explains the science behind non-invasive neurostimulation, discusses the challenges of growing a medtech startup, and tells how a NASA study on astronauts’ metabolism led to his obesity-focused device. He also shares why treating investors as key customers early on was a game changer for him. Listening to him, you’ll see there is still so much to learn about the brain—and that we might be closer than ever to unlocking its secrets. Do you have thoughts on this episode or suggestions for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Note: This episode was recorded on December 17, 2024, and reflects the policy landscape and political context of that time. When Krista Drobac arrived in Washington, D.C., fresh out of college, she had no car, no connections, and no clear path—just a determination to make a difference in politics. What began as a leap of faith quickly turned into a lifelong mission to transform healthcare policy. Today, as a founding partner of Sirona Strategies, Krista is a driving force behind some of the most innovative approaches to care delivery—from telehealth to home-based models. Her career took root in the late 1990s, when she led a groundbreaking campaign for stem cell research, uniting patient groups to advocate for life-changing treatments. Since then, Krista has become a trusted voice in healthcare policy. She is a true leader focused on spotting growth opportunities and mitigating risks stemming from policy changes at both federal and state levels. By merging market dynamics with regulatory shifts in Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial care, she guides companies—from startups to Fortune 10 giants—in building models of care that capture new opportunities. With deep relationships across both industry and government, and a rich history in the United States Senate, the Obama Administration, the National Governors Association, and state government, she is uniquely qualified to spot trends that drive change. In addition, she founded three coalitions dedicated to ensuring patients have access to telehealth, more home-based care, and integrated social services. In our conversation, Krista takes us behind the scenes of her journey—from her early days advocating for stem cell research to her current efforts to revolutionize care delivery. She opens up about the challenges of balancing innovation with affordability, the importance of addressing the root causes of chronic disease, and why now is the time for bold, transformative ideas in healthcare. Do you have thoughts on this episode or suggestions for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

When I first spoke with Dr. BJ Miller, I felt the weight of his experiences transform into something unexpectedly hopeful. BJ is a palliative care physician and he’s also a storyteller of life’s hardest truths, a triple amputee who turned personal tragedy into a mission to redefine how we approach suffering, dignity, and mortality. Years ago, I watched BJ Miller’s TED Talk on What Really Matters at the End of Life, I was struck by his bold challenge to healthcare’s design—how it was built around diseases rather than people. He spoke with a clarity that cut through the clinical detachment of modern medicine, emphasizing that suffering is not just something to be erased but an intrinsic part of being human. He invited us to see death and illness not as failures but as natural, even meaningful, parts of life. When my husband, Dan Rosenman, died suddenly of a heart attack while mountain biking 11 years ago, BJ’s words became a lifeline. His reflection on the difference between necessary and unnecessary suffering helped me shift my perspective: rather than trying to “fix” my grief, I learned to live alongside it and open my eyes to see the beauty of grief. That’s why I invited him here—to share how we might reshape our approach to life’s most difficult realities with creativity, presence, and compassion. Known globally for that groundbreaking talk, he co-founded Mettle Health, a telehealth service providing support for patients and caregivers. His journey began with a life-altering accident at Princeton, where he lost three limbs—an event that reshaped his understanding of vulnerability and resilience. Through his work at UCSF, the Zen Hospice Project, and now Mettle Health, he has challenged medicine to prioritize humanity over cure rates, integrating art, spirituality, and raw honesty into care. Do you have thoughts on this episode or suggestions for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

The obesity epidemic demands solutions that go beyond temporary fixes or single-medication approaches. While drugs like GLP-1 agonists dominate headlines, lasting change requires reimagining care delivery, addressing systemic inefficiencies, and tackling root causes. Enter Sloan Saunders, a former investment banker turned healthcare innovator, whose company FlyteHealth is pioneering a holistic model for obesity treatment—one that merges financial strategy, advanced technology, and patient-centered care. After a 15-year career in banking and private equity, Sloan co-founded FlyteHealth to confront the gaps he saw in obesity care: outdated clinical practices, fragmented insurance coverage, and an over-reliance on short-term interventions. Selected for the UCSF Rosenman Innovators Program in 2022, FlyteHealth now partners with employers, payers, and health systems—including a groundbreaking initiative with the state of Connecticut—to deliver scalable, cost-effective care that prioritizes long-term health over quick fixes. In this episode, Sloan shares his unconventional leap from finance to healthcare entrepreneurship, the lessons that shaped FlyteHealth’s mission, and how technology tackles clinical inefficiencies to personalize care and address root causes. He also offers insights into the future of obesity treatment, from employer partnerships to redefining health investments. Tune in for a candid conversation about disrupting norms, overcoming founder challenges, and building solutions that prove sustainable obesity care is possible—when we look beyond the prescription pad.

Joanna Strober, Founder & CEO of MIDI Health, is a trailblazer in women’s health innovation. With a career marked by resilience and vision, Joanna has consistently driven meaningful change across industries. From her early days in venture capital to founding Kurbo Health—a digital therapeutic for childhood obesity that served tens of thousands of adolescents worldwide before being acquired by Weight Watchers in 2018—Joanna has always sought to make a lasting impact. Today, she leads MIDI Health, a groundbreaking platform dedicated to transforming women’s midlife health. Selected as a Rosenman ADAPT finalist, MIDI Health joined the prestigious Rosenman Institute cohort, solidifying its role as the only holistic women’s health platform for perimenopause and menopause care covered by insurance. Inspired by her own experiences with hormone transition and its profound effects on sleep, energy, weight, and mood, Joanna created MIDI Health to make expert midlife care accessible, equitable, and comprehensive. In this episode, Joanna shares her unconventional career journey, the lessons she’s learned from each pivot, and how her personal experiences shaped the mission of MIDI Health. She delves into the challenges of scaling a virtual healthcare platform for menopause, the importance of insurance coverage in digital health, and her vision for a future where women receive the care they deserve. Listeners will gain valuable insights into resilient leadership, healthcare innovation, and the power of turning personal challenges into transformative solutions.