The Heart of Healthcare

Too often, those with complex health needs fall through the cracks. Dr. Toyin Ajayi, co-founder and CEO of Cityblock Health, is a passionate champion for health equity determined to change this reality. Her company specifically serves populations with Medicare, Medicaid, or both, often those who have been let down by the traditional healthcare system. In this episode, we cover: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a medical school-bound undergrad, Sean Duffy, co-founder and CEO of Omada Health, didn’t initially consider entrepreneurship as a career path. Today, Sean leads a virtual-first care provider for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and musculoskeletal disorders. Sean traces his journey from a "techie" upbringing to stints at Google and medical school, and how his early fascination with the potential of digital health ultimately led him to build Omada. Sean and Steve dive into: -The genesis of Omada's "digital DPP" (diabetes prevention program) model -How digital health has matured over the last decade -Omada’s approach to driving successful GLP-1 prescription outcomes -The Peterson report questioning the efficacy of diabetes tech -Sean's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever feel like you're lost in the healthcare maze, fighting for answers alone? Turns out, you're not. Patient communities are fueling a revolution that's changing healthcare. In this episode, Susannah Fox, author of Rebel Health, reveals how patients and caregivers are driving innovation that the traditional system can't, or won't, deliver. We cover: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Halle Tecco and Steve Kraus discuss the latest news and trends in digital health in April 2024. They cover: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Steve Kraus talks with Joanna Strober, co-founder and CEO of Midi Health, a virtual healthcare platform specifically for women in midlife (ages 35-65). Midi Health is a virtual care clinic created by specialists in perimenopause and menopause to address the massive unmet needs of women in this demographic. Joanna explains why women often lose touch with an OBGYN after child-bearing years but don't get the care they need from primary care physicians. She shares insights on her current company's impressive retention and patient outcomes, plus lessons learned from her previous digital health startup, Kurbo Health, which focused on childhood obesity. As a former investor at Bessemer Venture Partners, Joanna reflects on what entrepreneurs should expect from their investors. As a mother, Joanna discusses the importance of resilience, prioritization, and partnership in enabling women to thrive as parents and professionals. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In February, Change Healthcare, the largest processor of medical claims in the U.S., was hit by a devastating cyberattack. Some are even calling it the most significant and consequential cyberattack on our healthcare system in American history. The fallout exposed deep vulnerabilities in healthcare infrastructure and how healthcare data is protected, highlighting the fragility of a system built on fragmented networks and a patchwork of cybersecurity measures. In this episode, Washington Post national health reporter Dan Diamond helps us understand the fallout of the Change Healthcare hack, digging into the consequences for providers, patients, and the industry at large. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Dr. Allie Sharma shares her expertise on the fascinating topic of using ketamine infusion therapy and other psychedelic treatments to treat mental health conditions. As an experienced psychiatrist and the co-founder of Being Health, Dr. Sharma explains how ketamine, a well-established anesthetic medicine, has shown remarkable promise in treating treatment-resistant depression. Dr. Sharma provides a comprehensive walkthrough of a ketamine therapy session, from the preparation phase to the infusion itself, what it's like for the patient, and the crucial integration sessions that follow. We also explore the latest research and evidence surrounding its effectiveness and other psychedelic treatments being researched. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a patient, or simply someone interested in the fascinating field of psychedelic medicine, this episode is sure to captivate and inform. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we cover 5 big headlines in digital health from the Change Healthcare disaster to a VC buying a hospital. AND after 2.5 years of going at this podcast alone, I'm excited to now bring on a co-host! Listen to find out who will be joining me to host this show. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

February is Cancer Prevention Month. Nearly 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes. The good news is that continued advancements in medical research has led to more people surviving cancer. But what if we could prevent cancer altogether? Is it possible? In this episode, Jody Hoyos, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, discusses cancer prevention and early detection. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a controversial decision, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are entitled to the same legal protections as children. This bombshell ruling has sent shockwaves through the healthcare community. I'll break down the legal arguments, unpack the implications for IVF clinics and families, and discuss the chilling potential impact on reproductive healthcare across the US. With Roe v. Wade overturned and legal "personhood" being granted to embryos, the future of fertility treatments hangs in the balance. Go to https://fightforfamilies.resolve.org/ to learn how to take action and fight for families. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death in 18-45 year olds in the US, claiming more lives than car crashes and gun violence combined. After Dr. Beth Weinstock lost her son to what she calls “the most devastating health crisis this generation has ever seen,” she decided to do something about it. In this episode, we discuss a harm-reduction approach to protecting young people from accidental fentanyl poisoning. This is a replay from 2022. Learn more about Dr. Weinstock's organization, BirdieLight. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David, meet Goliath. In this episode, digital health veteran Stuart Green (SVP and General Manager of the Life Science Business at Veridigm) shares all the secrets of what large incumbents want when working with startups. Stuart offers great insights and advice to founders looking to sell to, partner with, or get acquired by the Goliaths of healthcare. We cover: Follow Stuart Green on X Learn more about Veradigm See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Ali Diab, co-founder and CEO of Collective Health, discusses his journey in building Collective Health and solving the problem of complex and costly healthcare experiences. He also shares advice to founders from his experience scaling Collective Health, which is now a market leader. We cover: - When founders should (and shouldn’t) worry about incumbents - The sales cycle to employers - How to move from an oligarchical healthcare system to a free market one - Why the health insurance industry loves information asymmetry and does not like self insurance - How employers play a crucial role in the healthcare system and can drive positive change - How transparency and interoperability are key to simplifying benefits and improving the healthcare system Follow Ali Diab on X Learn more about Collective Health Listen to the episode on healthcare costs we mentioned with Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week's guest, Brad Kittredge, believes in a world where everyone suffering with mental health can get personalized care, and he knows technology can get us there. Learn how his company, Brightside, is working with the system (not against it) for real change. And how his experiences working at Jawbone and 23andMe helped inform his work this time around. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guests Sofia Guerra and Morgan Cheatham from BVP join me in this episode as we dive into 2024 healthcare predictions. From the the exodus of tourist VCs to a renaissance in consumer healthcare, this episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in the intersection of healthcare and technology, offering a glimpse into what 2024 may hold for our sector. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Six imperatives for AI-first companies - BVP 2024 Healthcare and Life Sciences Predictions - Seven Charts That Sum Up U.S. Healthcare In 2023 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a special episode from my other podcast Closing Time. In 2023, digital health M&A was down 23% YoY. How did this compare to the tech sector? What are digital health acquirers looking for today? And what will 2024 have in store for us? We dive into all these questions and more in this episode about M&A. Here is the link to the blog post Selling Your Healthcare Startup that is mentioned in this episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In our 100th (!!!) episode of the Heart of Healthcare Podcast, I share a 2023 recap for healthcare, including findings from the latest Rock Health Funding report. The episode delves into the significant changes in Medicaid, with a massive disenrollment impacting vulnerable populations, and discusses the growing privatization of Medicare through Medicare Advantage. It highlights the surge in GLP-1 medication use for obesity treatment and its societal impact, alongside the transformative role of AI in healthcare, exemplified by ChatGPT's performance in medical exams. The episode also discusses how digital health fared in venture funding and the public markets in 2023. Check out my blog for more digital health goodness. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For our last episode of 2023— our 99th episode since launching this show— I talk about the responsibility of the healthcare "old guard" and emphasize the need for talent and optimism in the face of a healthcare system where change happens at a snail's pace. I also discuss what I've been up to on my blog, and answer the question I keep getting about if I'm going to write a book. You can visit my blog here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you have had any interaction with the healthcare system whatsoever, you have probably experienced the labyrinthine nature of its processes, from navigating insurance coverage and understanding medical bills, to coordinating between different healthcare providers, all of which highlight the complexity and potential for confusion inherent in the current system. In this episode, I dive into the key stakeholders, aka the four P's of healthcare—Providers, Payers, Pharma, and Patients. You can read the full article on my blog here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Healthcare is not simply a void which was just waiting for tech to fill in and solve all of its problems." In this podcast episode, Owen Tripp, Founder and CEO of Included Health, shares his thoughts on digital health. We discuss how the space has changed in the last decade and where he thinks we'll be in 10 years, if big tech can really change healthcare, if virtual care matters or more less than it did a few years ago, the troubling M&A of incumbents, and much, much more. Follow guest Owen Tripp on X. Learn more about Included Health. Follow host Halle Tecco on X. Visit the Heart of Healthcare website for episode recaps. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.