The Health Technology Podcast

Dr. Matthew Lungren’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of empathy, curiosity, and innovation. Starting as an English major, his career took a pivotal turn while volunteering at a Kosovo refugee camp, where he discovered the profound impact of combining knowledge, data, and compassion to address healthcare challenges—particularly in underserved communities. Dr. Lungren earned his MD and MPH, practiced as an interventional radiologist, and became a prominent leader in medical AI. At Stanford, he directed the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI), contributing to over 200 publications on groundbreaking research in multi-modal data fusion, computer vision, and natural language processing for healthcare applications. His influence extends beyond academia through his work at Amazon, his popular Stanford Coursera course on machine learning in healthcare, and his current role as Chief Scientific Officer for Microsoft Health & Life Sciences. Dr. Lungren also maintains a part-time clinical practice at UCSF and holds an adjunct professorship at Stanford University, demonstrating his commitment to patient care and mentorship. In this episode, Dr. Lungren explores the integration of AI into healthcare, offering insights on reducing physician burnout, uncovering new patient data insights, and building a more equitable and innovative future for healthcare. Do you have thoughts on this episode or suggestions for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Dr. Sanjeev Arora’s quiet determination and profound sense of purpose shine through in everything he does. A renowned liver disease specialist and visionary social entrepreneur, Dr. Arora has spent over 30 years creating innovative solutions to address some of the most critical gaps in healthcare. As the Founder and Executive Director of Project ECHO, he has transformed healthcare equity with a revolutionary vision: democratizing specialized medical knowledge so no one, regardless of their location, is left behind. What began in 2003 as a small effort to address hepatitis C in underserved areas has grown into a global movement spanning 194 countries, empowering health workers and logging over 4 million attendances. Dr. Arora’s passion for equity goes beyond treating diseases. His mission empowers communities to tackle systemic challenges like education and climate change while building resilient networks of knowledge that span the globe. In this episode, Dr. Arora discusses the powerful story behind Project ECHO, the challenges of scaling such an ambitious model, and the transformative impact it has had on millions of lives. He also shares his bold vision of reaching 6 billion people and how shared expertise can strengthen entire communities. Do you have thoughts on this episode or suggestions for future guests? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Imagine a healthcare experience where doctors spend less time on hold with insurance companies and more time connecting with their patients. In “How AI is Freeing Up Your Doctor,” we sit down with Ankit Jain—founder of Infinitus—to explore how advanced AI automation is streamlining the communication channels that underpin our healthcare system. Ankit’s story reflects a career defined by innovation. He drew on his engineering expertise at Google, where he played a pivotal role in launching Google Play, before striking out on his own. After founding Quettra—acquired by SimilarWeb—Ankit set his sights on one of healthcare’s greatest pain points: endless back-office tasks that absorb time and resources. With Infinitus, he’s leveraging AI to handle these administrative calls and workflows, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on what truly matters—patient care. In this episode, we discuss the challenges of integrating AI into a complex healthcare ecosystem and explore the opportunities it creates for more effective data sharing, better patient outcomes, and renewed clinician satisfaction. Join us as we delve into the story behind Infinitus, uncovering how AI-driven solutions are not just freeing up doctors, but opening the door to a more connected and compassionate healthcare future. Do you have any thoughts or guest suggestions? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Dr. Vin Gupta, Chief Medical Officer of Amazon Pharmacy and expert in public health, shares insights from his journey in healthcare. He discusses Amazon's consumer-centric approach to pharmacy, emphasizing technology's role in enhancing patient experiences. Gupta highlights the impact of military service on his perspective and advocates for long-term investments in healthcare. He addresses the challenges of traditional healthcare models and explores how Amazon is revolutionizing the industry through innovative partnerships and efficient mail-order solutions.

Our guest today is Dr. Diana Thiara, the medical director of the UCSF Weight Management Program. She also serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF, and the Program Director of the UCSF Obesity Medicine Fellowship. Dr. Thiara specializes in internal medicine, focusing on obesity and weight management. Her work integrates innovative patient programming, culinary medicine, and virtual curriculums for obesity patients. Dr. Thiara's journey from a small town in Illinois to leading obesity medicine on the West Coast is nothing short of inspiring. Her passion for community and medicine, influenced by her father's role as a town doctor, guided her career path, resulting in extensive contributions to medical education and patient care, including the Robert H. Crede Award for Excellence in Community Service. In this episode, you will hear Dr. Thiara discuss the nuances of obesity management, her perspective on GLP-1 drugs, and her innovative approaches to patient care. Do you have any thoughts or guest suggestions? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Roni Zeiger, a distinguished physician and technologist known for his transformative work in digital health, shares insights from his roles at Google and Smart Patients. He discusses how technology can empower patients and address healthcare disparities within communities. Roni also highlights the importance of community-led initiatives, particularly through GirlTrek, which focuses on improving health outcomes for Black women by promoting walking and tackling social injustices. His journey illustrates the synergy between healthcare, technology, and community engagement.

Our guest today is Gloria Lau, co-founder and CEO of Hello Alpha. With a mission to improve access to women's healthcare, Gloria brings over a decade of experience in data science, machine learning, and AI from her time at LinkedIn, Google, and Stanford University, where she serves as consulting faculty.  Gloria's unique perspective stems from her personal challenge in navigating the complex US healthcare system, which inspired her to create Hello Alpha. Her work is transforming women's health by providing affordable and comprehensive virtual primary care. In this episode, we discuss Gloria’s journey from technologist to healthcare pioneer, the challenges she faced in founding Hello Alpha, and the impact of her work on making healthcare accessible and affordable.  Do you have any thoughts or guest suggestions? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Graham Gardner, co-founder and CEO of Kyruus Health, brings a wealth of experience from his cardiology background to the forefront of healthcare innovation. He discusses his journey from medicine to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the critical role of data-driven decision-making in improving patient care. Gardner delves into the challenges of healthcare access and the transformative power of real-time database integration for better patient-provider matching. He also reflects on leadership lessons and the importance of effective collaboration within healthcare teams.

Dr. Monica Gandhi, a Professor of Medicine at UCSF, dives into the pressing issue of trust in healthcare. She shares insights on the decline in public confidence in major health institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear communication to rebuild trust, tackle vaccine skepticism, and enhance public health compliance. Dr. Gandhi highlights the intersection of individualism and community health, advocating for collective responsibility and compassion in promoting vaccinations and restoring faith in health organizations.

Drew Hobby, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of Blue Cross of Idaho, leads the charge in transforming healthcare economics. He discusses the shift from fee-for-service to value-based payments, emphasizing proactive care management. Drew delves into addressing primary care shortages and shares insights on the Civica RX initiative aimed at reducing medication costs. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, he highlights strategies to overcome the healthcare affordability crisis, enhancing access for underserved populations.