Digital Health Heavyweights

Vinay Nagaraj, co-founder and CEO of Bonfire Analytics, has a unique background in biomedical engineering and healthcare sales. He discusses how his analytical skills enhance the sales process, emphasizing the need for authentic relationships in sales. Vinay shares insights on common pitfalls in healthcare sales, market opportunities in behavioral health, and the importance of making data actionable. He also provides tips for aspiring founders on fundraising and values stress relief through basketball and family favorite healthy recipes.

Joseph Kitonga, founder and CEO of Vitable Health, shares his inspiring journey from caregiving roots to creating a healthcare model for underserved workers. He discusses how the Thiel Fellowship empowered him to focus on innovation in direct primary care. Vitable's unique membership model reduces barriers to access via hybrid care, combining in-home services with virtual visits. With around 100,000 members, Joseph highlights the importance of empathy, effective communication, and continuous user feedback in building a successful healthcare startup.

In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Joe Perekupka, CEO of Freespira, a company focused on medication-free treatments for panic attacks and PTSD. Joe shares his journey into healthcare, his leadership experiences, and the importance of learning from mistakes. He discusses the mission of FreeSpira, the impact of COVID-19 on mental health treatment, and shares patient success stories. Joe also emphasizes the significance of cultural fitness in hiring and offers advice for employees of companies approaching IPOs. The conversation highlights the innovative approach of Freespira in addressing mental health issues and the importance of action and adaptability in leadership. Takeaways🩺 Healthcare offers a chance to positively impact society. 👥 Building a team in a startup requires cultural alignment. 💡 Embracing mistakes is crucial for growth. 🚀 Action creates opportunities and learning experiences. 🌬️ Freespira’s treatment is medication-free and effective. 🎖️ PTSD affects more than just combat veterans. 🌐 COVID-19 highlighted the need for virtual mental health care. 🗣️ Patient testimonials are powerful in demonstrating impact. 📈 Adherence rates for Freespira are higher than traditional therapies. 🍳 Healthy cooking can be simple and enjoyable. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Freespira and Joe Perekupka02:12 Joe's Journey in Healthcare06:37 Building a US Subsidiary for Brainsway10:11 Learning from Mistakes in Leadership13:23 Successes and Milestones at Brainsway16:10 Hiring for Sales in Startups17:28 Freespira Mission and Mental Health20:08 Understanding PTSD Beyond Combat22:40 Impact of COVID on Freespira23:43 The Shift to Virtual Care in Mental Health24:38 Patient Success Stories with Freespira28:11 Understanding the 17-Minute Protocol30:17 Real-World Impact and Statistics32:11 Veterans and the Ease of Use of Freespira33:42 CO2 Hypersensitivity and Its Effects34:56 Comparing Freespira to Traditional Treatments39:18 Managing Stress and Personal Well-being42:16 Healthy Eating and Family RecipesFollow, connect and subscribe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweightsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast

Spencer Smith, SVP of Sales at Pareto Health and host of a healthcare podcast, shares his insights from his unexpected journey into the healthcare sector. He debunks myths around stop-loss insurance, revealing how self-funding is a smart choice for mid-sized employers. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of digital health vendors in cost management and how effective leadership hinges on empathy and self-care. Spencer emphasizes building trust with brokers and the transformative potential of innovative healthcare solutions in today’s market.

Kristian Ranta, CEO and founder of Meru Health, shares his journey from launching a glucose monitor for diabetes to innovating mental health care. He discusses the cultural contrasts between Finnish and U.S. healthcare systems and the importance of Y Combinator for networking. Ranta delves into holistic approaches, highlighting peer support and HRV therapy's benefits for anxiety management. He emphasizes how technology shapes modern mental health challenges and the crucial traits needed for healthcare founders, all while prioritizing personal health practices for industry success.

Akifa Khattak, co-founder of Her Health AI, is a healthcare attorney and a fierce advocate for women’s health technology. She shares her personal struggles with endometriosis and the urgent need for better diagnostics. The conversation reveals the staggering 10-year diagnostic timeline for this condition affecting 200 million women globally. Akifa emphasizes breaking taboos, the financial burden of treatment, and how Her Health AI aims to revolutionize women's healthcare with non-invasive solutions. The future of fem-tech is bright, driven by awareness and innovation.

In this engaging discussion, Elena Gambon, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer at First Stop Health, and Dr. Cole Barfield, Chief Medical Officer, share their inspiring journeys into healthcare. They emphasize the importance of patient engagement and accessible care while exploring the financial and emotional aspects of healthcare delivery. They also highlight the role of AI in transforming services and discuss stress management techniques, blending professional insights with personal anecdotes for a well-rounded conversation.

In this episode of the Digital Health Heavy Weights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Dickon Waterfield, president of Lantern, a specialty care platform. They discuss Dickon's journey from strategy consulting to healthcare, his experiences in investing, and his pivotal roles at Big Health and Lantern. The conversation delves into the challenges of the PBM industry, the importance of direct contracting, and the future of healthcare innovations, particularly in specialty care and oncology. Dickon emphasizes the need for transparency, quality care, and the alignment of incentives in the healthcare system.  Takeaways ❤️ Healthcare is a deep personal field that impacts everyone. 🔄 Transitioning from investing to operational roles can provide valuable insights. 🤝 Sales in healthcare requires a focus on building relationships and trust. 🔍 Understanding the details of the product and the buyer is crucial for success. ⚠️ The PBM industry faces significant challenges due to misaligned incentives. 💼 Direct contracting models can lead to substantial cost savings for employers. 🔎 Quality care and transparency are essential in specialty care. 👥 Building a strong team is vital for scaling a healthcare business. 🎯 Focusing on a few core services can lead to greater impact than spreading too thin. 🧘 Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important for long-term success.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dickon Waterfield and Lantern 02:22 The Personal Connection to Healthcare 04:50 Early Career at Monitor Group 06:29 Transition to Investing and Early-Stage Companies 09:43 Lessons from the Investment Side 11:47 Joining Big Health and Early Challenges 13:52 The Role of Sales in Early-Stage Companies 16:53 Building Relationships in Sales 19:41 Navigating the Two-Sided Marketplace 21:03 Scaling from Zero to 2.5 million Members 23:41 The Evolving Landscape of Healthcare Sales 25:12 The Difference Between Evangelists and Scalers 26:40 The Importance of Mentorship in Business Growth 27:56 Building Effective Sales Teams: Experience vs. Potential 31:16 Navigating Challenges in the PBM Industry 39:21 The Evolution of Direct Contracting Models 41:01 Expanding Horizons: The Future of Lantern 56:45 Personal Health Practices in a Stressful Industry Follow, connect and subscribe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweightsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast

In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Ryan Coplon, founder and CEO of Health Wallet. They discussed Ryan's transition from risk finance to healthcare, the inception of Health Wallet, and the challenges faced in the industry. Ryan shares insights on how Health Wallet simplifies benefits for stakeholders, leverages technology and AI for engagement, and maintains cost efficiency compared to competitors. The conversation also touches on the company's growth, hiring philosophy, and personal health practices of Ryan Coplon.  Takeaways 📱 Health Wallet simplifies access to benefits through a mobile platform. 🔄 Ryan transitioned from risk finance to healthcare to address employee benefits challenges. 🚀 Echelon Advisors helped incubate Health Wallet's concept. ⛰️ Self-funding benefits were not popular when they started, presenting challenges. 📉 Health Wallet addresses underutilization of point solutions in healthcare. 🌟 The platform enhances member experience and engagement. 🔗 Health Wallet integrates various third-party solutions for better service. 💸 The company operates at a lower cost compared to its competitors. 📈 Customer retention is high due to continuous product developments. 🤝 Ryan emphasizes the importance of autonomy and trust in his team.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Health Wallet and Ryan Coplon 01:32 Transitioning from Risk Finance to Healthcare 03:03 Challenges in Employee Benefits and Self-Funding 06:33 Inception of Health Wallet 08:33 Simplifying Benefits for Stakeholders 11:56 Common Issues Addressed by Health Wallet 14:04 Leveraging Technology for Engagement 16:47 Introduction of Benny AI Bot 17:58 Pricing and Competitive Advantage 19:25 Customer Retention and Product Enhancements 21:20 Broadening Service Offerings 25:13 Company Growth and Team Dynamics 26:35 The Evolution of Software Infrastructure 28:05 Hiring and Leadership Philosophies for a Lean Team 31:06 The Importance of Autonomy and Trust in Teams 33:57 Milestones and Achievements at Health Wallet 38:54 Future Growth and Industry Awareness 41:43 Anticipating Changes in the Benefits Landscape 45:16 Personal Health Practices and Lifestyle Choices Follow, connect and subscribe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweightsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast

In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, our host Norm Volsky speaks with Dr. Tim Church, Chief Medical Officer at Wondr Health about his journey in healthcare, the challenges and successes in digital health, and the importance of behavior change in weight loss. They discussed the impact of GLP-1 medications, the role of AI in healthcare, and the essential leadership skills needed for success in the digital health landscape. Tim emphasizes the need for clinicians in digital health and shares insights on how to inspire doctors to transition into this innovative field.  Takeaways 🩺 Dr. Tim Church emphasizes the importance of helping people through healthcare. ⚖️ The obesity epidemic is a significant concern that needs attention. 🧪 Digital health companies face challenges in differentiation and scientific backing. 🔁 Behavior change is crucial for effective weight loss and health improvement. 💉 GLP-1 medications are a game changer but should be used wisely. 🤖 AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare but requires quality data. 🎓 Leadership skills are essential for success in digital health companies. 👩‍⚕️ Clinicians should be involved in digital health to ensure effective solutions. 🌍 Understanding population-based medicine is key for healthcare professionals transitioning to digital health. 🥗 Practicing a balanced diet and exercise is vital for personal health.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Tim Church and Digital Health 02:20 Journey into Healthcare and Digital Health 04:05 Founding Catapult Health 05:43 Challenges in Digital Health 10:23 Successes in Health Initiatives 13:20 Customer Acquisition in Digital Health 15:25 Lessons Learned in Digital Health 20:41 Navigating the Digital Health Ecosystem 27:56 Understanding ROI in Digital Health 30:26 Key Traits for Digital Health Founders 32:42 The Importance of Clinical Expertise in Digital Health 36:49 Navigating the Digital Health Landscape 40:34 Behavior Change: The Holy Grail of Digital Health 42:54 The Role of GLP-1s in Weight Management 48:25 AI's Impact on Healthcare 53:44 Practicing What You Preach in Health Follow, connect and subscribe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweightsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast