

Digital Health Heavyweights
Norm Volsky
This conversational podcast brings you exclusive interviews with all the Heavyweights in Digital Health. Hosted by Norm Volsky, a top industry headhunter, whose team helped scale companies including Livongo, Hinge Health, Lyra, Virta, Progyny and many more. This series will bring listeners insights into the latest trends, technologies, and strategies driving the digital health revolution.In each episode, Norm sits down with some of the most influential and innovative leaders in healthcare technology today from legendary founders who have built successful companies, venture capitalists who have led funding rounds, HR/Benefits leaders at forward thinking companies, Consultants and Brokers at the top benefits consulting firms, and other impactful visionaries challenging the status quo in healthcare. Listeners can learn from the industry greats who have created what we now know as health benefits, and who are changing the face of healthcare as we know it.Whether you're a healthcare professional, a tech enthusiast, a start-up founder, benefits aficionado, jobseeker in Digital Health, or simply curious about the future of healthcare, Digital Health Heavyweights has something for you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 9, 2023 • 57min
Episode 14 – Jamie Hall, President & CEO of CirrusMD
Get ready for an insightful journey through the evolving landscape of healthcare with our latest episode of "Digital Health Heavyweights," hosted by Norm Volsky. Our distinguished guest, Jamie Hall, President & CEO of CirrusMD, takes us on a captivating ride through his illustrious career in healthcare. In this engaging conversation, Norm and Jamie explore the dynamic changes in the healthcare industry from its early days of innovation to its present state. They delve into the challenges and triumphs of healthcare sales, celebrating Jamie's proudest achievements along the way. The episode takes a deep dive into the birth of Transcarent and Jamie's instrumental role in its inception. Fast-forward to today, as Jamie leads CirrusMD, they discuss the significant impact it has on the industry and healthcare as a whole. Discover the invaluable contributions Jamie has made to CirrusMD's growth and the hurdles they conquered to become the industry powerhouse they are today. As heavyweight leaders, Norm and Jamie share insights on building exceptional cultures within their leadership teams, emphasizing the importance of trust. For those in sales-related roles looking to advance their careers, Jamie offers invaluable advice drawn from his extensive experience. In an exclusive revelation, we're unveiling groundbreaking developments at CirrusMD that will revolutionize the virtual care landscape. Tune in to this episode to be among the first to get the inside scoop! The episode concludes on a personal note as Jamie shares his approach to health and wellness, highlighting the significance of being purposeful in nurturing the body and mind. Don't miss this compelling episode as Norm Volsky and Jamie Hall take you on a journey through the past, present, and future of healthcare. Tune in now to stay ahead of the curve in the world of digital 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

Oct 2, 2023 • 1h 5min
Episode 13 - Rebecca Mitchell, MD and Executive Vice President, Investment Team and Product at Vive Collective
Welcome to another insightful episode, this time, featuring Rebecca Mitchell, MD and Executive Vice President, Investment Team and Product at Vive Collective! In this episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with Rebecca to delve into a wide range of topics that shed light on Rebecca's unique journey in the Digital Health field. The discussion takes us on a fascinating journey through Rebecca's move from clinical medicine to product leadership, including her tenure as the VP of Product Management at Livongo, a digital health heavyweight in its own right. She provides an insider's perspective on Livongo before and after its merger with Teladoc and shares the pivotal changes made to the product during her leadership.With a transition to Homeward, Rebecca shares her experiences of being on the ground during the company's first year, including product development and team building. She then walks us through her current role as EVP at Vive Collective, where she provides insight into her investment focus within digital health, and why she believes clinicians are so important in the investment community.Listeners gain valuable advice from Rebecca on what traits she looks for in founders and what entrepreneurs should consider before venturing into the healthcare sector or building a healthcare product.As usual, the episode wraps up with a glimpse into Rebecca's personal wellness practices, including her favorite exercises, stress reduction techniques, and healthy recipes.Join us for this enlightening conversation with Rebecca Mitchell, filled with insights into the digital health industry, entrepreneurship, and the guiding principles that have shaped her extraordinary career.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

Sep 25, 2023 • 1h 3min
Episode 12 - Evan Falchuk, CEO & Alaina Melena, Senior Vice President of Innovation & Strategy at Family First
Welcome to a groundbreaking episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, hosted by Norm Volsky. In this special episode, we're joined by two remarkable guests: Evan Falchuk, CEO of Family First, and Alaina Melena, Senior Vice President of Innovation & Strategy at Family First.Discover how Evan transitioned from an attorney to a healthcare leader and what inspired his journey with Best Doctors. Alaina, with an Economics and Anthropology background, shares her path into healthcare and Mercer. Evan takes us from developing contracts to leading Best Doctors, while Alaina navigates two decades in Broker Consulting. Learn about the healthcare landscape of the early 2000s, their experiences, and if they crossed paths at Best Doctors.Evan's major challenges, proudest accomplishments, and tips for effective team leadership are unveiled, while Alaina shares her challenges and insights as a Broker Consultant. Explore their guiding principles, Evan's move to Family First, the changing landscape of family caregiving, and lessons from Best Doctors. Dive into Family First's recent funding success and gain funding advice from Evan.Discover why Alaina joined Family First after consulting and hear their wisdom for potential entrepreneurs. They discuss essential traits for founders and share bold predictions for digital health.In a personal touch, learn about their wellness practices, favorite exercises, stress-reduction techniques, and go-to healthy recipes.Join us as we delve deep into the minds of Evan Falchuk and Alaina Melena, two healthcare titans, on the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast. Don't miss this insight-packed episode on the future of digital health and personal well-being.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

Sep 18, 2023 • 60min
Episode 11 - Sami Inkinen, CEO & Founder of Virta Health
Join host Norm Volsky in this captivating episode of Digital Health Heavyweights as he sits down with Sami Inkinen, the visionary CEO and Founder of Virta Health. In this thought-provoking conversation, Sami shares his journey from the tech world to healthcare, the accidental discovery that ignited his passion for revolutionizing diabetes care, and the critical traits of successful founders.Sami tells us that 'Silicon Valley was his Hollywood'- he always dreamed of building. He goes into his story with Trulia, the IPO of Trulia and its eventual merger with Zillow Group. Reflecting on his time at Trulia, Sami emphasizes the importance of building a successful template from scratch, hiring the best talent, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to excellence.At Virta Health, Sami is on a mission to reverse type 2 diabetes through telemedicine and technology. He delves into the profound responsibility that comes with healthcare, where the margin for error can be a matter of life and death. Sami shares the challenges of merging engineering and medical mindsets to create a cohesive team.The episode also explores Sami's personal journey from manual labor on a farm to becoming a championship rower and how physical health is integral to mental performance. Sami's dedication to reversing diabetes in 100 million people started as an accidental discovery, leading to the birth of Virta Health. Sami discusses the transformative impact of Virta Health, from its humble beginnings to its current valuation in the BILLIONS, highlighting the importance of humility and continuous improvement. He explains the significance of having a physical outlet for mental resilience.The conversation touches on Virta's transition from clinical trials to securing its first customers and the explosive growth that followed, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sami reveals the strategic decision to sell to self-insured employers and the rationale behind the B2B2C model.Throughout the episode, Sami shares valuable insights for aspiring founders, emphasizing the importance of unwavering passion, perseverance, ethics, and problem-solving skills. He challenges the notion of IQ as the sole indicator of success and highlights the significance of curiosity paired with intellect.Tune in to this enlightening episode of Digital Health Heavyweights to gain a deeper understanding of Sami Inkinen's remarkable journey and the groundbreaking work being done at Virta Health to reverse diabetes and transform lives. Don't miss this inspiring conversation with one of the digital health industry's true heavyweights.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

Sep 13, 2023 • 60min
Episode 10 - Sean McBride, CRO of Lyra Health
Join your host, Norm Volsky, for an enlightening and inspiring episode of Digital Health Heavyweights as he steps into the ring with Sean McBride, the Chief Revenue Officer of Lyra Health. In this captivating conversation, Norm and Sean delve into Sean's remarkable journey, from his beginnings in politics to his current pivotal role at Lyra Health, where he's driving transformative change in the realm of mental health. Lyra Health, a leading provider of innovative mental health benefits, is on a mission to revolutionize mental healthcare by making it seamless for more than 15 million people globally. Through state-of-the-art AI matching technology and an innovative digital platform, Lyra Health swiftly connects companies and their employees, and dependents, to world-class therapists, mental health coaches, and personalized medication prescribing. In this episode, Sean and Norm explore the profound impact Lyra Health is having within the industry, helping employers deliver tailored, value-driven mental health benefits to their people. They discuss the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and fostering open conversations. Sean also shares insights from his background in politics, highlighting the vital role of listening and promoting dialogue in the world of sales. But that's not all. Sean McBride also reveals his personal strategies for maintaining mental and physical well-being in today's fast-paced world. As someone who's dedicated his career to improving mental health access and reducing barriers, Sean's insights are both enlightening and actionable. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode of Digital Health Heavyweights to gain valuable perspectives on transforming mental health care, breaking down barriers, and ensuring that mental health remains at the forefront of the healthcare conversation. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a true heavyweight in the field.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

Sep 5, 2023 • 51min
Episode 9 - Nate Counts, AVP Total Rewards at AMTRAK
Welcome to Episode 9 of 'Digital Health Heavyweights' where Norm Volsky, interviews one of the brightest leaders in the Benefits space, Nate Counts. From Nate's early career at AON, to leading Benefits at AT&T and Amtrak, discover his journey, challenges, and strategies for success.Get insights on reducing benefits overhead by $20 BILLION, while maintaining quality. Learn about Nate's influencing of a healthcare spend of $3+ billion. Get ready for the poignant advice Nate offers to Digital Health entrepreneurs before they try to sell to Broker Consultants. Prepare to peel back the layers of health benefits, and even go into Nate's favorite health and wellness routine! Don't miss this enlightening and inspiring episode! 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

Aug 22, 2023 • 57min
Episode 8 - Robin Glass, President of Included Health
In this electrifying episode of Digital Healthy Heavyweights, your host Norm Volsky dives deep into the world of virtual care and care navigation with none other than Robin Glass, the remarkable President of Included Health. Prepare to be inspired as they explore Robin's transformative journey, from her influential role at Evolent, a pioneering organization dedicated to improving outcomes for those with complex health conditions, to her current leadership at Included Health, an organization on a mission to raise the standard of healthcare for everyone.Robin's expertise shines as she walks us through her experience at Evolent, where she collaborated with health plans and providers across diverse medical specialties to align care plans with clinical evidence while respecting individual goals and preferences. As a strong advocate for equal and compassionate healthcare, she demonstrates how every individual deserves the highest level of care, regardless of their background or circumstance.But the conversation doesn't stop there. Norm and Robin delve into her tenure at Doctor on Demand, a pivotal point that paved the way for her impactful role at Included Health. Together, they unravel the organization's commitment to dismantling barriers and delivering integrated virtual care and navigation. Whether it's urgent care, primary care, behavioral health, or specialty care, Included Health encompasses it all – truly a one-stop destination for comprehensive and personalized healthcare.And it's not just professional insights that shine in this episode. Prepare to witness the personal side of these two dynamic individuals as they bond over their shared passion for live music. Robin and Norm's camaraderie extends beyond the healthcare realm, proving that even in the most fast-paced industries, connections can be built on common interests and shared experiences.Join Norm Volsky and Robin Glass as they paint a vivid picture of a healthcare landscape that transcends boundaries and embraces everyone, regardless of their health status or location. Digital Healthy Heavyweights invites you to be part of a conversation that's poised to shape the future of healthcare, one episode at a time.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

Aug 17, 2023 • 53min
Episode 7 - Daniel Perez, Co-Founder & CEO at Hinge Health
Join industry expert Norm Volsky as he delves into the journey of another influential leader shaping the landscape of Digital Health; Daniel Perez, Co-Founder and CEO of Hinge Health. The two discuss Daniel's career prior to Hinge Health, the inspiration behind the company, as well has his early success and challenges. Together, Norm and Daniel dive into the world of hybrid care options, the benefits landscape and more in this riveting conversation. In this episode, they discuss building top tier teams and the crucial traits of top talent in the industry. Whether you're a digital health leader, an industry insider, or simply love learning about the future of healthcare, this episode of "Digital Health Heavyweights" offers amazing insights with a top industry leader. Tune in as we uncover the transformative journey of Hinge Health with Daniel Perez!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

Jul 28, 2023 • 47min
Episode 6 - Chirag Shah, Partner at Define Ventures
Welcome to Episode 6 of the Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast, as our host, Norm Volsky sits down with Chirag Shah, Partner at Define Ventures. In this riveting conversation, we learn about Chirag's background before embarking on his remarkable career. Discover what inspired him to dedicate his talents and passion to the healthcare industry and how he found his path to the venture capital world. Chirag shares his journey through the early years at Castlight, and the challenges and triumphs faced in those formative times, as well as what brought him to later join the innovative world of Imagine Health.Learn about how Chirag began his career at Define Ventures, an esteemed VC firm, and how he has made impactful investments in the digital health landscape. We'll get a glimpse of the inner workings of venture capital, including how deals are sourced and evaluated. Chirag shares the unique approach he and his team take to add value to their investments, fostering growth and innovation in the digital health startups they support.Beyond the professional realm, we step into the personal sphere, discovering how Chirag participates in wellness. Find out his favorite ways to exercise, how he reduces stress, and even get a glimpse of his favorite healthy recipes to make at home.Join us for an episode filled with inspiration, insights, and a look into the exciting future of digital 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

Jul 25, 2023 • 51min
Episode 5 - Transforming Healthcare: A Journey with Julie Stadlbauer from CIGNA to Progyny
Join host Norm Volsky on an illuminating episode of Digital Health Heavyweights, as he engages in a captivating conversation with the accomplished Julie Stadlbauer. In this episode, Norm explores Julie's remarkable career journey, from her influential roles at CIGNA and Bloom Health to her current position as a driving force at Progyny.Julie Stadlbauer, a seasoned professional and digital health visionary, has left an indelible mark on the industry through her diverse experiences. Norm delves into Julie's early career at CIGNA, a global health services company, where she honed her expertise in healthcare and gained valuable insights into the complexities of the industry.Continuing the discussion, Norm and Julie navigate through her pivotal role at Bloom Health, a leading digital health company. Julie's time at Bloom Health allowed her to harness her entrepreneurial spirit, as she spearheaded initiatives to deliver innovative solutions that empowered individuals to make informed healthcare choices.The conversation then transitions to Julie's current position at Progyny, a renowned fertility benefits and family building management company. Norm and Julie explore Progyny's groundbreaking advancements and how Julie's leadership has played a vital role in revolutionizing reproductive healthcare. Listeners will gain insights into Progyny's comprehensive benefits packages, data-driven approach, and commitment to transparency, all of which have elevated the standards of fertility care.Throughout the episode, Julie's passion for improving the patient experience and driving positive change shines through. Norm and Julie discuss how her experiences at CIGNA, Bloom Health, and Progyny have shaped her vision for a more accessible, patient-centric healthcare system. Listeners will witness the transformative power of Julie's expertise and her unwavering dedication to making a lasting impact on individuals' lives. Join us for this enlightening episode of Digital Health Heavyweights as Norm Volsky and Julie Stadlbauer delve into the pivotal moments and influential roles that have defined Julie's career. Gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare and discover the innovative solutions that are reshaping the future of the 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