

Outcomes Rocket
Saul Marquez
At Outcomes Rocket, we are the shared knowledge hub for healthcare's toughest problems. Our goal is twofold and clear. To help inspire and guide our listeners to 1. Improve patient outcomes and 2. Experience business success in healthcare. Tune in to learn more!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 5, 2025 • 17min
Bridging Finance and Healthcare for a Better Patient Experience: Misty Grambow & Tom Priedeman, U.S. Bank
Bridging financial services and healthcare can lead to powerful advancements, streamlining processes, and improving patient experiences.
In this episode, Misty Grambow, Healthcare Business Development Consulting at U.S. Bank, and Tom Priedeman, Head of US Bank's Middle Market Healthcare Team, discuss how U.S. Bank is driving change at the intersection of finance and healthcare. They highlight the role of capital in advancing healthcare and the importance of payment capabilities, particularly in revenue cycle management. They address challenges in managing non-patient payments and explore how AI and other technologies are shaping patient care, financial systems, and cybersecurity. Finally, they emphasize the need for seamless payment solutions, including automation and patient-centric approaches like mobile payments and transparent billing.
Tune in to learn how US Bank is committed to supporting the healthcare industry through finance and innovative payment solutions!
Resources:
Connect with and follow Misty Grambow on LinkedIn.
Follow and connect with Tom Priedeman on LinkedIn.
Learn more about U.S. Bank on their LinkedIn and website.

May 5, 2025 • 16min
Transforming Healthcare with a Digital-First, Data-First Approach: Pranam Ben, Founder & CEO of The Garage
The key to scaling value-based care lies in a digital-first, data-first approach that prioritizes human-centricity.
In this episode, Pranam Ben, Founder and CEO of The Garage, explores how his organization is transforming healthcare through value-based care and a digital-first, data-first approach. He explains how their platform integrates diverse data sources, social, lifestyle, and genetic, to provide a comprehensive view of patient health. Pranam discusses emerging trends like AI copilots, machine learning, and natural language processing, which simplify user experiences. He also shares real-world examples of how The Garage’s approach has led to cost savings, improved quality scores, and fraud detection.
Tune in and learn how a digital-first, data-first approach can transform healthcare and drive better outcomes!
Resources:
Connect with and follow Pranam Ben on LinkedIn.
Learn more about The Garage on their LinkedIn and website.

May 5, 2025 • 18min
Revolutionizing Patient Communication with AI: Vijay Verma, VP of Product Management at TeleVox
Good clinical outcomes are built on strong communication platforms and experiences.
In this episode, Vijay Verma, Vice President of Product Management at TeleVox, discusses how the organization helps bridge the communication gap between healthcare providers and patients. He highlights the emerging impact of generative AI in reducing the burden on healthcare staff and improving patient care. Vijay addresses the common pain point of inefficient communication channels, emphasizing the need for personalized, proactive, and automated conversations across various platforms like voice and SMS. He also details TeleVox's solutions, including Smart SMS and Smart Voice, which leverage generative AI to provide persistent, actionable, and conversational experiences in multiple languages.
Tune in and learn how TeleVox is revolutionizing patient relationship management and engagement!
Resources:
Connect with and follow Vijay Verma on LinkedIn.
Learn more about TeleVox Healthcare on their LinkedIn and website.

May 5, 2025 • 15min
Optimizing Healthcare Through Cloud Solutions: PV SubbaRao, SVP of Global Healthcare at Rackspace Technology
Rackspace Technology leverages decades of experience and a cloud-first approach to help healthcare organizations optimize costs, drive transformation, and enhance security.
In this episode, PV SubbaRao, Senior Vice President of Global Healthcare and Life Sciences at Rackspace Technology, shares how his organization partners with key healthcare sectors to drive innovation. He discusses Rackspace's evolution from early internet hosting to leading cloud solutions that optimize costs and enhance efficiency. PV highlights how the company supports EHR implementations, data center transformations, and security improvements, helping health systems achieve 18-25% savings. He also explores the future of healthcare technology, emphasizing AI, quantum computing, and extended reality as key drivers of personalized medicine and data-driven value.
Join us and learn how Rackspace's specialized healthcare team can help your organization transform and scale for the future!
Resources:
Connect with and follow PV SubbaRao on LinkedIn.
Learn more about Rackspace Technology on their LinkedIn and website.

May 5, 2025 • 13min
AI as a Clinical Co-Pilot: Shay Perera, Co-Founder & CTO of Navina
AI is set to revolutionize healthcare by streamlining workflows and improving patient care.
In this episode, Shay Perera, Co-Founder and CTO of Navina, shares how his company uses AI to create a clinical co-pilot that enhances efficiency for healthcare providers. He explains how Navina helps make sense of overwhelming data, turning it into actionable insights. Shay envisions AI transforming patient care by reducing repetitive tasks and administrative burdens while integrating seamlessly into existing workflows. He also highlights the challenges of scaling value-based care and advocates for AI to simplify these processes for physicians.
Tune in and learn how AI can improve healthcare's clinical and economic outcomes!
Resources:
Connect with and follow Shay Perera on LinkedIn.
Learn more about Navina on their LinkedIn and website.
Email Shay directly here.

May 5, 2025 • 12min
Scaling AI Innovation in Healthcare: Kali Arduini Ihde, Director of Innovation at Northwestern Medicine
Prioritizing real-world solutions and fostering a culture of innovation is key to successfully implementing new technologies in healthcare.
In this episode, Karli Arduini Ihde, Director of Innovation at Northwestern Medicine, discusses the organization's approach to evaluating and implementing innovative technology solutions. She highlights the challenge of navigating numerous AI options and the importance of selecting solutions that address key problems and show value within a 3–6 month pilot. Northwestern Medicine ensures responsible AI implementation with a team of data scientists who assess technologies for bias and effectiveness. Karli also shares how the organization is scaling AI innovation to improve efficiency and identify patient risks earlier than ever before.
Tune in and learn why healthcare is on the cusp of transformative change!
Resources:
Connect with and follow Kali Arduini Ihde on LinkedIn.
Learn more about Northwestern Medicine on their LinkedIn and website.
Discover more about Northwestern Medicine’s innovations here.

May 2, 2025 • 13min
How AMGEN is Transforming Patient Engagement and Trial Diversity with Dr. Marisa Cruz, Vice President of Global Digital Medicine at AMGEN
Technology can be used to address critical healthcare gaps and improve clinical trial diversity.
In this episode, Dr. Marisa Cruz, Vice President of Global Digital Medicine at AMGEN, shares her insights into AMGEN’s forward-thinking digital health initiatives. From the company’s ambitious goal to reduce cardiovascular incidents to innovations in AI-driven clinical trial diversity, Dr. Cruz discusses how cutting-edge technologies are being integrated to enhance patient outcomes and make healthcare more accessible. She also highlights the company’s initiatives to empower patients directly, allowing them to take a proactive role in their health through digital engagement. Dr. Cruz dives into the future of digital health and patient-centered care, spotlighting how innovation can bridge gaps in accessibility and improve health outcomes globally. This episode was sponsored by Amgen.
Tune in and learn how AI and machine learning are bridging the gaps in healthcare!
Resources:
Connect with and follow Marisa Cruz on LinkedIn.
Follow Amgen on LinkedIn and visit their website.
Explore Amgen PARC website.
Discover the LATTICE Consortium website.

May 2, 2025 • 16min
Kevin Mahoney on Tackling Workforce Challenges & Tech-Driven Solutions at Penn Medicine
Tackling the labor shortage in science and medicine requires valuing healthcare as a noble profession and using technology to streamline training.
In this episode, Kevin Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, discusses the challenges of talent shortages amid a retiring baby boomer generation and a smaller incoming workforce, emphasizing the need for technology to fill the gap. He shares Penn Medicine's innovative initiatives, including flash radiation for cancer treatment and a startup providing maternal support, highlighting their commitment to both technological advancements and human connections. Kevin touches on the need to repair broken systems by speaking to the patients and fixing the issues, refocusing on clinical outcomes, and reimagining the delivery of care. He also underscores that embracing change management with intentionality is crucial for healthcare organizations.
Tune in and learn how one of the nation's leading health systems is embracing bold strategies to improve healthcare delivery and workforce development!
Resources:
Connect with and follow Kevin Mahoney on LinkedIn.
Discover more about Penn Medicine’s University of Pennsylvania Health System on their LinkedIn and website.

May 2, 2025 • 17min
Redefining Clinical Trials: Sasha Tyndale on Inclusive Research at AbbVie
Diseases don't discriminate, so it is crucial that medicines are accessible to and effective for as many people as possible.
In this episode, Sasha Tyndale, Director of Diversity and Patient Inclusion at AbbVie, discusses the company’s commitment to inclusive clinical research, highlighting the importance of representing diverse populations affected by diseases. Sasha shares how her team integrates patient perspectives into clinical program design to proactively address potential barriers. She introduces the ADMIRE program, which is focused on engaging underrepresented healthcare professionals in research. Sasha also emphasizes humanizing the healthcare experience by hearing patient stories and addressing challenges. She delves into AbbVie's bold initiatives, including foundational changes to clinical development processes and partnerships with community organizations to increase access to clinical trials and simplify language in study materials. Finally, Sasha challenges listeners to educate themselves and others about clinical research.
Tune in and learn how to become an advocate for inclusive healthcare!
Resources:
Connect with and follow Sasha Tyndale on LinkedIn.
Discover more about AbbVie on their LinkedIn and website.
Sign up for the ADMIRE program here.
If you are considering participating in AbbVie’s clinical research program, click here.

May 2, 2025 • 19min
Addressing the Alarming Rise of Early-Onset Cancers with Dr. Karin Tollefson of Pfizer
The alarming rise of early-onset cancers, particularly in individuals under 50, demands a critical shift in our understanding and approach to cancer care.
In this episode, Dr. Karin Tollefson, Chief Oncology Medical Officer at Pfizer, discusses the concerning 79% increase in cancer diagnoses among younger people since 1990, highlighting the urgent need to address this trend. She emphasizes that this is a multifactorial issue, with likely contributors including Western lifestyle factors such as poor diet, obesity, sedentary habits, and exposure to toxins, as well as genetic predispositions. Dr. Tollefson also underscores the need for increased screening accessibility, particularly with colonoscopies, and molecular testing to tailor treatments for younger patients often diagnosed at later stages. Furthermore, she addresses the importance of making clinical trials more accessible to diverse populations and ensuring comprehensive survivorship care, including mental health, family planning, and fertility considerations, as cancer survival rates increase. Finally, Dr. Tollefson calls on the need to partner with advocacy organizations and to educate the public about early detection, healthy lifestyles, and available resources.
Tune in and learn about the critical shifts needed in cancer care to address early-onset cases.
Resources:
Follow Dr. Karin Tollefson, Chief Oncology Medical Officer at Pfizer, on LinkedIn.
Discover more about Pfizer on their LinkedIn and website.
Read more on Pfizer in Oncology here.
Patient Resources/Advocacy Links:
Explore This Is Living With Cancer’s Advocacy Support’s website.
Visit the Global Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s website here. (Pfizer was one of their sponsors)
Learn more about the transformative work CancerCare is doing.
Find CancerCare’s guide on Biomarker Testing here.
Read the best practices for Biomarker Testing Coverage here. (Pfizer had input and was a sponsor)
Get AONN Biomarker Navigation here. For the Precision Medicine Toolkit, look here.
Empower yourself or your patients with essential navigation resources–a site co-created with AONN, to find materials on breast, prostate, health equity, geriatric, and more. (Patient navigators can download and share educational tools for enhanced support.)
Deepen your understanding of prostate cancer here.