The Heart of Healthcare | A Digital Health Podcast

Tyler Shultz, a scientist and whistleblower, bravely exposed the fraudulent practices of Theranos, risking his career and safety. He shares gripping insights about the culture of fear within the company and the extreme measures taken to silence dissent. Tyler discusses what ethical leadership should look like under pressure and offers advice for job seekers on vetting company ethics. He also critiques Elizabeth Holmes' new venture while advocating for whistleblower compensation, emphasizing its role in protecting investors and patients.

This year has seen a monumental leap in digital health! Discover how non-AI startups can thrive in an AI-driven market. Dive into California's new chatbot regulations and UnitedHealthcare's surprising $9B deal with AARP amid Medicare challenges. Explore Hims’ innovative push into menopause care and the debate over clinical decision support tools. Plus, find out how AI is being utilized to address doctor shortages while facing clinician pushback. It's a whirlwind of insights into the evolving healthcare landscape!

Dr. Holly Urban, VP of Business Development and Strategy at Wolters Kluwer Health, discusses the innovative UpToDate Expert AI, designed specifically from verified medical content for clinician trust. She emphasizes the importance of grounding AI in credible sources to prevent hallucinations, explaining how it fits seamlessly into clinician workflows to combat app fatigue. Holly also explores the potential of AI in enhancing medical education and patient engagement, highlighting its role in upskilling healthcare professionals and transforming decision-making in patient care.

Clay Bavor, co-founder of Sierra and former Google VP, dives into the transformative power of AI agents in customer service, specifically within healthcare. He discusses how AI can enhance human interaction without losing empathy, comparing horizontal and vertical AI solutions. Clay highlights Sierra’s strategy to improve administrative tasks in healthcare while navigating integration challenges. He also addresses concerns about job displacement, emphasizing new roles that AI might create, and shares insights on remaining grounded in a fast-paced startup culture.

Tom X. Lee, a serial physician-founder and CEO of Galileo, shares insights from his impressive journey, having co-founded Epocrates and One Medical. He discusses why traditional medical training doesn't foster management skills and identifies key traits that make clinicians successful entrepreneurs. Tom also emphasizes that the greatest barrier to healthcare innovation lies in misaligned economics, not culture. He outlines Galileo's innovative approach to patient care, the impact of AI, and the balance between scaling startups for impact versus financial returns.

In the latest discussion, the hosts tackle a variety of hot-button topics. They dive into the implications of TrumpRx on drug pricing and examine the ACA tax credit standoff, potentially doubling premiums for many. UnitedHealthcare's new storefront aims to tackle vendor fatigue, while the booming GLP-1 market raises questions about competition and FDA warnings. The Doximity lawsuit highlights the complexities of AI intellectual property, and the acetaminophen-autism debate throws light on maternal health research gaps.

Reed Jobs, an investor leading Yosemite, is driven by a personal mission to make cancer non-lethal after losing his father to the disease. Joined by Matt Bettonville, they discuss the need for affordable cancer drugs and the surprising effectiveness of digital health tools in improving survival rates. They explore the potential of synthetic control arms to reduce clinical trial costs and emphasize the critical importance of early detection. Reed and Matt also highlight the urgency of maintaining U.S. leadership in global healthcare innovation.

In this engaging discussion, Christina Farr, editor-in-chief of Second Opinion and former journalist, shares her insights from years of analyzing startup pitches. She highlights the importance of storytelling in healthcare, emphasizing that personal experiences resonate most. Christina reveals the challenges of discussing failures in the industry and the advantages of the underdog narrative. She also explores the risks of media attention for female founders and underscores the need for authentic communication over spammy PR. Essential listening for aspiring founders!

Tom Hale, CEO of ŌURA, shares insights from his extensive career in tech as he leads the charge in wearable health. He discusses how wearables have matured from simple fitness trackers to powerful health tools, capable of predicting illness and changing behaviors. Listeners learn about building trust in healthcare, the critical role of design in user engagement, and how Oura integrates with healthcare systems. Hale also highlights practical advice for improving heart rate variability, which can impact stress and recovery.

Kent Bennett and Sofia Guerra from Bessemer Venture Partners break down the trends in AI shaping healthcare. They reveal that AI companies are achieving rapid growth, reshaping doctor-patient interactions. The duo discusses the difference between systems of record and action, emphasizing the urgency of AI adoption in healthcare. They also debate whether general models like ChatGPT will dominate or if specialized tools will prevail. Finally, they highlight the critical importance of data lineage for the safe deployment of AI in medical settings.