Day Zero

Meet Amanda Rees:Amanda Rees is the co-founder and CEO of Bold, a digital platform that creates personalized science-based programs to help people age better. Previously, she was a Program Manager of Renewable Energy and Climate at the 11th Hour Project. Amanda received a BSE in Chemical and Biological Engineering from Princeton University.Key Insights:Amanda Rees wants to keep people healthy, active, and out of hospitals. Bold as a digitally scalable way to prevent falls and associated hospitalization for older adults. Healthy Digital Aging. Amanda and her co-founder faced ageist attitudes from potential partners and investors; they didn’t share the vision that the future of healthy aging would be digital. This perspective drastically shifted during the pandemic as people of all ages became more digitally connected. (5:58)Choosing the Business Model. Bold started with direct-to-consumer marketing so they could grow faster and support more members sooner. They eventually moved into business-to-business partnerships to make their platform more accessible. While it can feel like these business models are at odds, Amanda sees them as part of a holistic business system. (8:34)Do User Testing. Regardless of the product, Amanda recommends founders get feedback from potential customers. For Bold, Amanda knew that users don’t like being defined by their age. Bold acknowledges the aging process, but doesn’t focus on the specific age of its users. (18:11)This episode is hosted by Julie Yoo. He is a member of the Advisory Council for Day Zero and is a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz.Relevant Links:Learn more about BoldFollow Amanda on TwitterRead “Health tech startup Bold raises $7 million in seed funding for senior-focused fitness programs”

Meet Michael D. Abramoff, M.D., Ph.D.:Michael D. Abramoff, M.D., Ph.D. is neuroscientist, fellowship-trained retina specialist, and computer engineer. He is the Founder and Executive Chairman at Digital Diagnostics as well as the Robert C. Watzke, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa. Previously, he was the Founder, CEO, and Executive Chairman of IDx. Dr. Abramoff received his M.D. from the University of Amsterdam and Ph.D. in Medical Imaging from Utrecht University. Key Insights:Dr. Abramoff’s company Digital Diagnostics developed the first FDA approved autonomous AI. Closing the Care Gap. The primary care physicians and endocrinologists most involved in diabetes care lack the expertise to diagnose diabetic retinopathy. Digital Diagnostics’ autonomous AI can make that diagnosis in-office, rather than referring the patient out to another specialist. (8:29)Earning Reimbursement. To get buy in from clinicians and the FDA, Digital Diagnostics had to show that their product was safe, effective, and built on diverse data to prevent bias. Additionally, early on they claimed that as creators of the AI, they are liable for its performance. These features eventually led to a CPT code, creating proof of concept and a path for autonomous AI in healthcare. (12:58)Ethics in AI. When hiring engineers and developers, Dr. Abramoff emphasized the importance of ethics. Single characters in their code could make a difference for a patient. Their work at the aggregate needed to represent individual patients and account for their individual experiences. (22:16)This episode is hosted by Suchi Saria, Ph.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Day Zero and is the founder and CEO of Bayesian Health. She is also an Associate Professor of computer science, statistics, and health policy, and the Director of the Machine Learning and Healthcare Lab at Johns Hopkins UniversityRelevant Links:Learn more about Digital DiagnosticsLearn more about Dr. AbramoffListen to “Building the First FDA Approved Autonomous AI in Healthcare,” Digital Diagnostics’ podcast featuring Dr. Abramoff

Meet Mike McSherry:Mike McSherry is the CEO of Xealth, a platform that facilitates clinicians prescribing digital health tools to patients, tracking usage, and improving digital health recommendations. Previously, Mike was an entrepreneur in Residence at Providence. He has cofounded six startups including Boost Mobile, Swipe, and Zivo Internet Services. He received a B.A. in Economics and International Business from William and Mary.Key Insights:Mike McSherry has been an entrepreneur for 25 years. His experience is primarily with mobile and technology, but he moved into healthcare for his most recent project, Xealth. Know Your Audience. Founders in healthcare need to consider who is the customer. Is it health insurance, health systems, employers, pharmaceutical companies, consumers? While healthcare accounts for 18% of the U.S. GDP, when broken down by payer, healthcare is not a $1   trillion-dollar industry, rather it’s one thousand billion-dollar industries. (5:00)Advancing Healthcare Technology.  Healthcare innovation is extra challenging because healthcare often lags in adopting new technology. A hospital may have cutting edge MRIs, and yet also use fax machines. This is due to a combination of bureaucracy, reimbursement structures, and a reticence by staff to adopt new technology. (16:25)What’s Next for Xealth? Xealth will continue to expand the number of health systems they work with, and increase the number of digital tools available for prescription. Xealth is looking to be the bridge between healthcare and social determinants of health. (23:42)This episode is hosted by Aaron Martin. He is a member of the Day Zero Advisory Council and he is EVP and Chief Digital Officer of Providence and Managing General Partner of Providence Ventures.Relevant Links:Learn more about XealthRead “Xealth CEO Mike McSherry on Becoming ‘the Surescripts for Digital Health” 

Meet Derek Streat:Derek Streat is the CEO of DexCare. He is also the current co-founder and Chairman of the Board at Improving Renal Outcomes Collaborative. Previously, he was the co-founder, CEO, and chairman of the Board at C-SATS, Medify, and AdReady. He was also involved in the early founding of Classmates. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Information Management Systems from the University of Iowa.Key Insights:Derek Streat is a technology entrepreneur on his sixth venture-backed start up. Advise for Entrepreneurs. To be a successful healthcare entrepreneur, you need to check yourself at the door and leverage the help of experts. The statistical chance of you being 100% right is low, you need the help of others. (5:37)Innovation Challenges Unique to Healthcare. Health systems requires founders to walk a fine line. You can’t promise too much and fail on delivery, but if you lack a far-reaching vision that aligns with the health system, you won’t land the partnership in the first place. (18:49)Let Vision Drive You. Never lose sight of the opportunity to do something that really matters. There will always be roadblocks, healthcare is uniquely challenging for entrepreneurs, but once you get over the hump you will have done what most other people don’t have the fortitude to do. (23:50)This episode is hosted by Aaron Martin. He is a member of the Advisory Council for Day Zero and is the Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer for Providence, and Managing General Partner of PV.Relevant Links:Learn more about DexCareLearn more about Improving Renal Outcomes CollaborativeListen to “Derek Streat, CEO of DexCare & Entrepreneur in Residence at Providence Health”

Meet Virna Little, Psy.D.:Virna Little, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist and the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Concert Health. She is also a Zero Suicide Faculty at the Education Development Center and an Advisory Board Member for the Network for Excellence in Health Innovation. She received her PsyD in Psychology from California Coast University and Master of Social Work from Fordham University.Meet Spencer Hutchins:Spencer Hutchins is the founder and CEO of Concert Health. Previously, Spencer was co-founded and CEO of Reflexion Health and Senior Director of Business Development and Strategy at West Wireless Health Institute. He also served as a member of the founding healthcare team at the Federal Communications Commission and as a consultant at Booz & Company. Spencer received an MBA from Yale School of Management.Key Insights:Virna Little, Psy.D., an experienced clinician, and Spencer Hutchins, an experienced entrepreneur, are working to seamlessly integrate physical, behavioral, and mental healthcare. Collaborative Care. Collaborative care is patient-centered care. Patients are given the flexibility to choose their treatment path. It leverages the trust and relationship patients build with their primary care physician and compliments it with a team of specialists. (8:36)How to Disrupt Healthcare. Spencer points out that sometimes disruptors pretend that the complexity of healthcare doesn’t exist. Effective disruption must take into account the complicated relationship between providers, patients, and payers. He emphasizes the importance of humility, and being honest when you don’t have all the answers. (12:26)Attracting Talent. It’s important to think about how clinicians fit into your product. Concert Health provides fair pay and benefits, as well as a broader value proposition: at Concert Health, providers can become better clinically, and do the most good for the largest number of people. (17:50)Advice for Entrepreneurs. Dr. Little advises that entrepreneurs be thoughtful about finding the right partner. Her and Spencer’s strong partnership is foundational to Concert Health. (28:28)This episode is hosted by Rich Roth. He is a member of the Advisory Council for Day Zero and is the Senior Vice President and Chief Strategic Innovation Officer with Common Spirit Health.Relevant Links:Learn more about Concert HealthListen to “The Future of Collaborative Mental Health with Spencer Hutchins of Concert Health”Listen to an “Interview with Dr. Virna Little” about healthcare workers’ mental health

Meet Jennifer Schneider, M.D., M.S.:Jennifer Schneider, M.D., M.S. is the co-founder and CEO of Welina Care. Dr. Schneider is on the board of Directors for Health Assurance Acquisition Corp. She is also the author of “Decoding Health Signals: Silicon Valley’s Consumer-First Approach to a New Era of Health.” Previously, Dr. Schneider served as Chief Medical Officer and President for Livongo, and the Chief Medical Officer for Castlight. She received a Doctor of Medicine from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and a Master’s in Health Services Research from Stanford University. Key Insights:Dr. Schneider’s background in data science and specialty care has led to her newest project, rearchitecting care delivery in rural America. Personalization Through Language. Using data to better personalize health recommendations improves patient outcomes. For example, Dr. Schneider found that using the phrase “a touch of sugar” instead of “diabetes” increased enrollment in a diabetes intervention in southern populations. (6:28)Improving Rural Healthcare. 20% of people live in rural America, but rural healthcare lacks access and resources. Welina Care is working to deliver high quality specialty care to rural populations through remote monitoring, medical home delivery, and telehealth. (15:36)Becoming an Entrepreneur. Find something that matters both to you and to the healthcare ecosystem. Then, build a team of like-minded people around that goal. And know that the innovator’s journey to success is never linear. (28:50)This episode is hosted by Aaron Martin. He is a member of the Advisory Council for Day Zero and is the Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer for Providence, and Managing General Partner of PV.Relevant Links:Check out Dr. Schneider’s book “Decoding Health Signals: Silicon Valley’s Consumer-First Approach to a New Era of Health”Read “Click-and mortar is a better model for healthcare” by Dr. Schneider

Meet Sean Mehra:Sean Mehra is the founder and CEO of HealthTap, a virtual-first, affordable urgent and primary care clinic. He is also a board member for Infocon Systems. Previously, Sean was the founder and CEO of PayoutHub and GXStudios. He was also the founder and a member of the operating board for the Yale Entrepreneurial Institute. Sean received a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering from Yale University, and an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Key Insights:Sean Mehra succinctly describes the state of the healthcare economy, and explores how entrepreneurs should best approach innovation.Defining the Market. Sean boils down healthcare to two parties: providers and consumers. To make true disruptive change in healthcare, solutions much directly speak to those two parties. Too much healthcare innovation caters to middlemen or ancillary institutions. (1:54)Expanding the Production Possibility Frontier. In the next 5-10 years, Sean predicts that technology will make supply and demand transactions more efficient, such as telehealth better connecting patients to providers, and make supply itself more efficient, like AI and algorithms to help providers. (8:38)The Art of Problem Solving. Great companies often don’t follow a straight line to success, rather it’s a circuitous path. It is important for entrepreneurs to be fluid and adaptable, as the market, team, and business model can evolve. Things rarely work out perfectly the first time. (16:30)This episode is hosted by Marcus Osborne. He is a member of the Advisory Council for Day Zero and the former Senior Vice President for Walmart.Relevant Links:Learn more about HealthTapFollow Sean on Twitter“HealthTap Announces Sean Mehra as Chief Executive Officer”

Meet Chakri Toleti:Chakri Toleti is the founder and CEO of care.ai, an artificial intelligence platform that helps organizations create smart care facilities with autonomous monitoring. Prior to founding care.ai, Chakri was the founder and CEO of HealthGrid, which was acquired by Allscripts in 2018. He was a co-founder of Galvanon, which was acquired by NCR in 2005. He also founded organizations Mahathi Software Pvt Ltd. and Cytura.Key Insights:Chakri Toleti is an experienced entrepreneur, and has a vision that healthcare can better use AI and automation for better patient outcomes.What is care.ai? Care.ai couples artificial intelligence with ambient intelligent monitoring, which collects data and develops real-time insights about clinical and operational workflows. (3:35)Scaling Up During the Pandemic.Due to the pandemic, the care.ai team could not visit client sites. They had to create hardware that was easy to install and set up. Their easy to use “plug and play” infrastructure allowed them to scale up. (10:21)Finding the Right Investors. During the fundraising process, Chakri emphasizes finding a partner that truly believes in what you are doing, and shares your long-term strategic view. (15:56)This episode is hosted by Rich Roth. He is a member of the Advisory Council for Day Zero and is the SVP and Chief Strategic Innovation Officer at CommonSpirit Health. Relevant Links:Learn more about care.aiFollow Chakri on TwitterListen to “Chakri Toleti Safeguards Patients and Improve Outcomes By Providing AI-Powered Autonomous Monitoring Platform”

In this episode, we get to know Day Zero Advisory Council Member Rich Roth. Rich serves as SVP and Chief Strategic Innovation Officer, CommonSpirit Health. Rich is interviewed by Gary Bisbee, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Think Medium. Gary and Rich discuss the role of the Chief Strategic Innovation Officer, CommonSpirit’s priorities, and Rich’s role on the advisory council.

Meet Melissa Eamer:Melissa Eamer is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Modern Age, an organization that helps people take control over how they age. Previously, she was the Chief Operating Officer of Glossier, Inc. She was also the VP of Sales & Marketing for Amazon Devices, and worked at Amazon in a number of roles for 20 years. She received an MBA in Marketing from the University of Michigan and a BA in English from the University of Vermont. Key Insights:Melissa Eamer felt like there was a better way of caring for people as they age. She brings her experience as a builder and manager of software, to healthcare.The Modern Age Mission. Their goal is to help people understand their “subjective age,” the age you feel rather than the age you are. Some research suggests that if people feel younger, they take better care of themselves, and live longer. (7:02)Balancing Patience and Speed. One of the challenges Melissa faces is balancing between being patient, for the right team member or right idea, while working fast enough so that the start-up doesn’t run out of money. (12:24)Finding the Right Board Members. Melissa searched for board members that offset gaps in her experience, and would be willing to push back or have serious debates to build a better product. (16:55) This episode is hosted by Aaron Martin. He is a member of the Advisory Council for Day Zero and is the Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer for Providence as well as Managing General Partner of PV.Relevant Links:Learn more about Modern Age“Taking Control of the Aging Journey: Why I started Modern Age” by Melissa Eamer“Modern Age is on a mission to put people in the driver’s seat of their aging journey” by TechCrunch