Breaking Health

Sumit Kadakia, co-founder and CEO of Midstream Health, builds autonomous financial tools for health systems. He discusses why “more revenue” is no longer enough, how contract gaps, pricing delays, rebates, and invoice errors drain hospital margins, and why procurement and pharmacy offer fast savings. He also explores AI adoption, CommonSpirit’s role in Midstream’s development, and the trust required for a “second financial brain.”

Sandra Abrevaya, CEO and co-founder of Synapticure and co-founder of I AM ALS, turned a personal ALS journey into large-scale advocacy and care innovation. She discusses moving breakthroughs into real-world access, Synapticure’s care-and-cures focus using clinical data, strategies to reach patients quickly, scaling dementia and neurology care, and debunking myths about virtual neurology.

Sofia Noori, psychiatrist and CEO of Nema Health focused on scalable, evidence-based PTSD care. She explains who experiences trauma, why sexual assault and domestic violence drive many cases, and how people get misdiagnosed. Sofia outlines Nema’s intensive dosing model for faster completion, payer partnerships that enable coverage, and the impact of public figures in raising awareness.

Brigham Hyde, CEO and cofounder of Atropos Health, joins Breaking Health to discuss his journey transitioning from clinical research to bridging the evidence gap—and how he and his team created more evidence than many others in the field. With host Michelle Snyder, their conversation explores impressive moves by big tech companies, the AI hype cycle (and how significant agentic AI is in healthcare), and what the industry talks about too much—and too little. Plus, an exciting announcement on what’s next for Atropos! LINKS:    HealthEdge   McKesson Ventures Atropos Health 

What will the obesity landscape look like in the next few years? Brooke Boyarsky Pratt, founder and CEO of knownwell, shares her thoughts on the impact of GLP-1s on Breaking Health, hosted by Michelle Snyder. Boyarsky Pratt also discusses the shifting mindset on treating obesity as a disease instead of just an issue of willpower, creating a space for obesity patients to feel comfortable seeking help, and the use of AI, as well as the impact of pivotal decisions toward company growth and lessons learned from expanding into new markets.  LINKS:    HealthEdge  McKesson Ventures knownwell, Inc.  

Jess Gaulton, CEO and founder of FamilyWell, has created a space where women can find care for their mental health during their reproductive journey, including for post-partum depression. In this episode of Breaking Health, hosted by Payal Agrawal Divakaran, Gaulton discusses why her company is also focused on menopause, how they're making their resources accessible and affordable, and why OB-GYN's are so willing to send patients to FamilyWell. Plus, Gaulton shares what inspired her to go from practicing medicine to entrepreneurship, her venture capital experiences, and the best and worst parts of being a founder. LINKS:    HealthEdge.406 Ventures FamilyWell Health 

Joanna Strober, CEO of Midi Health and a pioneer in virtual women's health, discusses her journey from venture capital to revolutionizing menopause care. She emphasizes the importance of accessible health resources for women and shares how her platform adapts to their needs. Joanna explains how Midi trains clinicians, offers a comprehensive approach to menopause, and utilizes AI to enhance care. She also dives into the necessity for improved branding and the powerful stories behind patient experiences, alongside insights on fundraising and market opportunities.

How are innovators driving sustainable ventures to transform Medicaid and improve care for underserved populations? During May’s Digital Healthcare Innovation Summit, Zeena Johar, entrepreneur in residence of Frist Cressey Ventures; Chris Johnson, founder and CEO of Bluebird Kids Health; Aditi Mallick, former CMO of Medicaid and director of Minority Health at CMS; and Jenny Ismert, CEO of Community Plan of Kansas at UnitedHealthcare Community & State gathered to discuss scalable solutions, funding strategies, and the role of technology in addressing complex challenges within Medicaid. Moderated by .406 Ventures’ Payal Agrawal Divakaran, the panel provided insights into creating lasting impact while navigating the evolving digital health and policy landscape. 

Ty Wang, co-founder and CEO of Angle Health, is on a mission to revolutionize healthcare accessibility. He shares insights on transitioning from engineering to the healthcare sector, emphasizing his platform's ability to eliminate administrative barriers. Wang discusses the need for customizable health plans, especially for hourly workers, and highlights the innovative, AI-native approach Angle Health takes. He also offers valuable advice for early-stage entrepreneurs navigating the complex healthcare landscape.