Raising Health

Elliot Cohen, cofounder of PillPack, a consumer-centric pharmacy acquired by Amazon, shares his journey in redesigning healthcare. He discusses the personal frustration that drove the creation of PillPack and the innovations that arose from it. Elliot highlights the shift to a direct-to-consumer approach and the challenges involved, including the integration of AI for better medication management. He reveals how technology is rapidly transforming consumer experiences in healthcare, balancing automation with essential human touch.

Neil Parikh and Daniel Cahn, cofounders of Slingshot AI, share their journey of transforming mental health care through artificial intelligence. They discuss the development of AI models designed to enhance therapeutic experiences and how these innovations expand access to subclinical support. The duo contrasts voice and text interactions in therapy, revealing how preferences vary by age. They emphasize empowering patients through data-driven care, envisioning a future where technology enhances the therapist-patient relationship.

Muthu Alagappan, founder and CEO of Counsel Health, joins Julie Yoo to discuss innovative healthcare solutions powered by AI. They explore how asynchronous care can connect patients with real doctors for instant guidance, reducing dependency on online searches. Muthu highlights the use of large language models to improve clinical workflows, creating a 'clinician cockpit' that supports physicians efficiently. The conversation also addresses the challenges of AI in healthcare and the potential for more equitable access to care.

In this engaging discussion, Ankit Jain, CEO and co-founder of Infinitus Systems, shares insights on leveraging AI-powered voice agents to tackle healthcare workforce shortages. He highlights how these technologies automate repetitive tasks like benefits verification, allowing human talent to focus on patient care. Ankit also reflects on the evolution of his company, scaling to over five million patient interactions. The conversation delves into the importance of integrating technical and human safeguards to mitigate AI errors, ensuring a safer healthcare environment.

Alexander Saint-Amand, cofounder and CEO of Topography, is on a mission to break down barriers to accessing clinical trials, inspired by his personal experiences. He discusses the significant challenges patients face, including physician participation issues and systemic inefficiencies. Highlighting the importance of community clinics, he proposes a hybrid approach that blends technology with hands-on support. Additionally, he envisions a future where research is integrated into standard care, fostering greater diversity in trials and speeding up drug development.

Rajaie Batniji and Sanjay Basu, co-founders of Waymark, blend medical expertise with innovation in Medicaid care. They discuss their pioneering use of machine learning to predict patient needs, which leads to a significant reduction in emergency visits. The duo highlights how community engagement and trust are vital in healthcare, emphasizing the success of community health workers. Listeners will learn about the balance of profit and purpose in healthcare, along with the importance of early interventions for improving health outcomes.

Munjal Shah, Co-founder and CEO of Hippocratic AI, dives deep into the transformative power of generative AI in healthcare. He highlights the 'voice renaissance' for improved patient communication, particularly for seniors. The conversation shifts to AI's role in 'super staffing' to optimize healthcare delivery and enhance patient outcomes. Munjal also discusses addressing safety in AI interactions, coupled with innovative training initiatives involving thousands of nurses, ensuring that empathy remains at the heart of technology.

Jeff Margolis, founder of TriZetto and a pioneer in healthcare technology, shares his journey of revolutionizing healthcare infrastructure. He discusses the evolution of managed care and the challenges of software fragmentation. Jeff highlights TriZetto’s innovative approaches to value-based care and the significance of data aggregation. The conversation also covers electronic transaction standards and the impact of AI on healthcare data, along with the importance of strategic growth in the ever-changing healthcare landscape.

Matt Wilsey, co-founder and CEO of Grace Science, shares a deeply personal journey after his daughter Grace was diagnosed with NGLY1 deficiency. He discusses the arduous path families face in rare disease diagnoses and the transformative advancements in genetic sequencing. Matt highlights innovative gene therapies, like AV9, aimed at treating NGLY1, and emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships with scientists such as Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi. The conversation also sheds light on navigating regulatory challenges in drug development.

Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi, renowned for her pioneering work in bioorthogonal chemistry, chats with Jorge Conde about her groundbreaking research. They discuss how manipulating chemical reactions in the body can enhance cancer treatment and drug delivery. Carolyn shares her journey through carbohydrate chemistry during the AIDS crisis, highlighting sugars' dual role in immune responses. The conversation also covers the challenges of translating discoveries into market-ready solutions and insights on bridging academia with biotech innovations.