Digital Health Heavyweights Episode 27: Elena Gambon (CGO/CSO) & Dr. Cole Barfield (CMO) at First Stop Health
Aug 4, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Elena Gambon, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer at First Stop Health, and Dr. Cole Barfield, Chief Medical Officer, share their inspiring journeys into healthcare. They emphasize the importance of patient engagement and accessible care while exploring the financial and emotional aspects of healthcare delivery. They also highlight the role of AI in transforming services and discuss stress management techniques, blending professional insights with personal anecdotes for a well-rounded conversation.
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Episode notes
Cole's Medical Calling in Sudan
- Dr. Cole Barfield's journey into medicine began after impactful experiences working with a general surgeon in Sudan during college.
- This exposure to simple, immediate doctor-patient care inspired him to pursue medicine despite initial doubts about schooling.
High Patient Usage Strategy
- First Stop Health achieves around 60% annual usage with one in three people having a visit.
- High usage is driven by zero cost to patient and frictionless access through excellent design and engagement.
Value of Chief Strategy Officer
- A chief strategy officer’s role is to hold accountability for long-term thinking and help others on the team do strategic work.
- Naming someone accountable ensures strategy doesn’t get sidelined among daily operational tasks.