Daniel Brillman and Taylor Justice, Unite Us, on bridging health and social care
Apr 9, 2020
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Daniel Brillman and Taylor Justice, co-founders of Unite Us, are revolutionizing health and social care through coordinated networks. They share their military backgrounds, which inspired their mission to aid veterans and active personnel. The discussion highlights their response to COVID-19 and the partnership with CVS-Aetna to tackle social determinants of health. They emphasize the significance of tech in bridging gaps between health services and communities while discussing the company’s growth and job opportunities in healthcare tech.
Unite Us addresses the fragmented access to healthcare and social services for veterans, streamlining service delivery through coordinated care networks.
The founders emphasize the importance of inclusivity and collaboration among diverse stakeholders to enhance service delivery and improve health outcomes.
Deep dives
Founders' Backgrounds and Military Influence
The founders of Unite Us, Daniel Brillman and Taylor Justice, draw significant influence from their military backgrounds as they transitioned to civilian life. Daniel, a pilot in the Air Force reserves, and Taylor, an infantry officer in the Army, experienced firsthand the inefficiencies faced by veterans seeking healthcare and social services after their service. They recognized the fragmented nature of service access and the challenges individuals encountered when navigating complex systems for support. This shared understanding of the pain points in transitioning from military to civilian life drove them to develop a solution that would streamline service delivery and eliminate obstacles for vulnerable populations.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health
Unite Us focuses on enhancing social determinants of health (SDOH) by creating networks that connect health and social service providers. The notion is that around 80% of health outcomes are influenced by non-clinical factors, yet existing service systems were siloed. By establishing a coordinated supply chain among various service organizations, Unite Us aims to standardize how they communicate and collaborate for effective patient care. This holistic approach ensures that individuals receive comprehensive support for their basic needs, such as housing, food, and employment, which are crucial for overall health.
Building a Technology-Enabled Network
The founders emphasized the importance of inclusivity in building the Unite Us network, which requires all participating organizations to agree on common standards and outcomes. Initially working in New York City with about 40 organizations, they developed a structured data-sharing model to facilitate effective communication and ensure that individuals in need receive appropriate services without falling through the cracks. The challenge of transitioning from manual processes to a cohesive technology platform was significant, yet crucial for unifying various community resources. As the network has expanded, it has integrated more organizations and developed methodologies for quickly establishing new networks in response to emerging needs, such as during the COVID-19 crisis.
Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement
Unite Us has fostered collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including insurance companies, healthcare providers, and government entities, to enhance the effectiveness of service delivery. These stakeholders share a mutual interest in achieving successful outcomes for patients, which has allowed Unite Us to create a synergistic model that delivers value to all parties involved. By aligning incentives for stakeholders to participate in the model, they can streamline services and improve health outcomes while simultaneously mitigating costs. This cross-sector collaboration exemplifies a modern approach to healthcare, bridging gaps between clinical care and social services for a more comprehensive support system.
In this episode of the Pulse Podcast, Vivien interviews Dan Brillman and Taylor Justice, Co-Founders of Unite Us, an outcome-focused technology company that builds coordinated care networks of health and social service providers. Based out of New York, Unite Us has raised a total of $45M after their latest Series B round in March 2019, led by prominent healthcare investors Oak HC/FT, Define Ventures and Town Hall Ventures. Unite Us today has active networks in 35 states and has tripled in employees in the last year.
We cover topics from how Unite Us is supporting their partners and communities on the frontlines of the COVID-19 public health crisis and building the foundational infrastructure and network to support Public Health 2.0.
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