The Beat

In this episode, host Sandy Vance sits down with Dr. Bilal Naved from Clearstep Health to explore how AI is transforming the patient experience. From improving access and engagement to streamlining provider workflows, Clearstep’s AI agents are helping healthcare organizations deliver care more efficiently and effectively.It’s a pivotal moment for the industry: AI isn’t here to replace expertise, but to amplify it. When developed responsibly, these tools can become powerful partners by reducing friction for patients, supporting providers, and ensuring care reaches those who need it most.In this episode, they talk about:How Clearstep uses AI to balance patient access with provider capacityWhat it really means to leverage expert AI systemsTangible benefits for provider organizationsCutting call center volume, boosting patient care, and seeing 3–10x ROIFlexible deployment: from pre-visit automation to call center efficiency to data insightsA Little About Bilal:Dr. Bilal Naved co-founded Clearstep while completing his MD/PhD at Northwestern University. With a passion for blending engineering and medicine, he’s dedicated to pushing the boundaries of how care is delivered. Today, Bilal focuses on using advanced informatics to both optimize healthcare systems and measure real-world outcomes: work that’s making healthcare more efficient, effective, and patient-centered.

In this episode, host Sandy Vance sits with Derek Lo, CEO and Founder at Medallion, to explore how technology is reshaping one of the most overlooked but critical parts of healthcare: managing provider networks. Derek shares the story behind Medallion, why he set out to tackle the complexities of credentialing, licensing, and provider management, and how his team is using automation and AI to make life easier for both providers and organizations.Medallion builds software that simplifies the complexity of running a provider network. From credentialing to licensing, the platform helps organizations get providers seeing patients faster while offering greater efficiency, visibility, and control.In this episode, they talk about:How Medallion helps accurately manage provider networks with AI automationThe complicated and complex process of credentialing—and why it sparked Derek’s journeyWhere Medallion comes into play in recruiting and hiring providersHow this benefits organizations beyond the administrative processThe future of AI management software in healthcareHow Medallion is helping drive transformation across the industryA Little About Derek:Derek Lo is the CEO and Founder of Medallion, the leading platform for provider network management. Since launching in 2020, he’s grown the company to over 300 customers, built a 150+ person team, and raised $140 million from top investors like Sequoia Capital and Optum Ventures. A second-time founder, Derek previously built and sold Py to Hired.com in 2019. He’s a Yale graduate in Computer Science and Statistics, a two-time Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and is driving Medallion’s mission to simplify healthcare operations with AI-powered automation.

In this podcast, Vishal Iyengar, Principal at Deloitte\, and Mike Stimpson, CTO at enGen, discuss the strategic value that AI Agents can unlock to transform healthcare outcomes, operations, and stakeholder experience. They explore the practical use of Agents to answer foundational questions and address requests for information from members and providers that routinely cause abrasion, confusion, and administrative overhead. Vishal and Mike also highlight what is needed for these Agentic solutions to be deployed and adopted for organizations to achieve the expected results – data integrity, cyber security, governance and compliance, and targeted talent. In this episode, they talk about:How AI has grown from traditional machine learning to GenAI to today’s Agentic capabilitiesA simple 3-layer setup: domain agents (specialists), reasoning agents (the organizer), and an enterprise model (the professor)Real-life use cases, like “Is this service covered?” or “Why was my claim denied?”What enGen focuses on to succeed: fresh thinking, outside perspectives, curiosity, a willingness to rebuild, and the right teamenGen’s vision is transforming healthcare by supporting members on their whole health journey and creating seamless experiencesSmarter data with AI-enabled APIs that make information easy to use across different needsWhy speed matters but not at the cost of security and trustA Little About Vishal and Mike:Vishal brings over 2 decades of technology and business transformation experience in the Health Care industry. He specializes in the infusion and adoption of new-age technologies into today's complex ecosystem that enables Payers and Providers to manage, deliver, and reimburse for care. Most recently, he has focused on real-world use of AI to augment technologists, operators, and business experts to meaningfully change how Health Care systems support their stakeholders. Mike comes to enGen with over 25 years of experience in technology and operations within both the health care and financial services industries. For the past 20 years, he consulted with health care organizations in transforming their businesses through technology-enabled solutions and large-scale business transformations specifically focused in core administration and service transformation . Mike leads enGen’s person-centric solutions focused on digital, clinical and provider transformation that puts the member and patient at the center of their healthcare journey.

How much time do care team members spend piecing together a patient’s story—reviewing past visits, tracking what’s changed, and understanding their current needs? The answer is often too much. A large share of clinical energy goes into gathering and analyzing patient data, leaving less time for what matters most: direct care.That’s where virtual care platforms and AI-driven healthcare solutions come in. By streamlining workflows and surfacing the right insights at the right time, these tools cut the administrative load in half, giving providers more time with patients while reducing the risk of burnout.In this episode, host Sandy Vance sits with Peter Burns, from SoftServe, and Tim Wright from Teladoc to explore how their organizations are reimagining care team workflows. They discuss practical ways technology can boost efficiency, speed up patient support, and strengthen trust—the foundation for any successful digital health adoption.In this episode, they talk about:The vision behind SoftServe and Teladoc Health and how they’re shaping the future of care deliveryThe expanding reach of virtual care and what it means for patients and providersHow AI-driven healthcare tools are redefining care team workflows for greater efficiencyReal-world examples of how Teladoc and SoftServe are improving the way care teams collaborate and deliver patient supportThe role of smart hospital rooms and what they signal for the next era of connected careWhy the partnership between SoftServe and Teladoc is unlocking new possibilities in digital health innovationA Little About Peter:Peter Burns brings more than 25 years of healthcare experience to his role as Director of Consulting & Domain Solutions at SoftServe. He’s passionate about bridging the gap between technology and healthcare, helping payers and providers solve complex business challenges with innovative, real-world solutions.At SoftServe, Peter combines deep industry expertise with cutting-edge technical capabilities to design strategies that improve workflows, enhance patient outcomes, and drive lasting impact across the healthcare ecosystem.A Little About Tim:Tim Wright is passionate about using technology to make healthcare more accessible and effective. As Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at Teladoc Health, he helps shape the future of virtual care by building collaborations that improve patient experiences and support care teams.Before joining Teladoc in 2020, Tim was a founding leader at InTouch Health. Prior to that he held management positions at HCR ManorCare, and even Marriott International, giving him a unique perspective that blends healthcare innovation with customer-centered strategy. He actually started his career in IT as an Information Systems Manager at King Broadcasting Company, a role that sparked his lifelong interest in technology and innovation.Tim holds an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Washington, and studied at Sciences Po Bordeaux.

In this episode, host Sandy Vance, along with Anand Iyer, discuss Welldoc's core philosophy of responsible innovation, particularly how they are pushing the boundaries of AI while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, compliance, and member trust. Anand reveals how Welldoc is shaping the future of AI in healthcare by collaborating with the FDA, addressing bias, and leading a national effort for interoperability. Discover why responsibility, trust, and consumer empowerment are the keys to turning digital health innovation into safer, more proactive care. Healthcare innovation must be responsible in order to be effective.In this episode, they talk about:Healthcare innovation must be responsible.The four levels of AI and how they are best usedWorking with the FDA to advance safe, high-risk features.Driving interoperability, reducing friction, and encouraging consumer empowerment.Addressing Bias by using diverse data, garnering trust, and establishing the right guardrailsGovernance through consistent standardsPartnerships are the key to growing AI responsiblyKey Takeaways:Trust, safety, and compliance are non-negotiable foundations of innovation.Regulators are partners in shaping the future of AI, not barriers.Responsible AI creates safer, more equitable, and more proactive careA Little About Anand Iyer:Anand is a respected global digital health innovator and leader, most known for his insights on and experience with technology, strategy, and regulatory policy. Anand has been instrumental in Welldoc’s success and the development of BlueStar®, the first FDA-cleared digital therapeutic for adults with type 2 diabetes. Since joining Welldoc in 2008, he has held core leadership positions that included President and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. In 2013, Anand was named “Maryland Healthcare Innovator of the Year” in the field of mobile health. Anand was also recognized as a top AI thought leader globally when he was named to Constellation Research’s prestigious AI 150 list in 2024.

In this episode, host Sandy Vance sits down with Henry O’Connell, Co-Founder & CEO of Canary Speech, to explore how voice AI is transforming healthcare. Canary Speech is pioneering vocal biomarker technology—using subtle patterns in speech to replace subjective assessments with objective, actionable data.From measuring pain levels to aiding in the diagnosis of conditions like Anxiety, depression, Huntington's, Parkinson's, MCI, Canary’s tools are designed to improve accuracy and speed in healthcare decision-making. This innovation not only helps patients receive the right care faster, but also supports nurses and clinicians by reducing burnout, improving workplace safety, and streamlining workflows.If you’re curious about the future of AI in healthcare, digital health innovation, or how speech analysis can change the way we approach diagnostics and patient care, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.In this episode, they talk about:Addressing the growing challenge of aggression in healthcare settingsMeasuring ROI while reducing risk, preventing burnout, and improving employee retentionUsing voice AI to assist in diagnosing ADHD, autism, and scaling pain assessmentsUpcoming projects at Canary Speech, including collaboration with Microsoft’s Dragon softwareHelping providers deliver more empathetic, patient-centered careFast implementation! Canary can be deployed in days, not weeks, for new clientsA Little About Henry:Henry O’Connell is the CEO and co-founder of Canary Speech, a leading AI health tech company using real-time vocal biomarkers to screen for mental health and neurological conditions. With over two decades of experience in technology leadership, including roles at Hewlett-Packard, Gilson, and the NIH, he has served on the boards of multiple tech companies globally. A passionate advocate for voice technology in healthcare, O’Connell regularly speaks on the transformative potential of AI and vocal biomarkers to improve disease detection, patient monitoring, and clinical decision-making. He aims to provide health screening that is accessible, objective, and scalable.

In this episode, host Sandy Vance sits with Jon Shreve, CEO of MCG, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of clinical guidelines and decision support. They discuss how MCG is leveraging AI to strengthen its offerings for payer organizations and stakeholders across the healthcare spectrum, why consistent interpretation of guidelines is critical, and how trust plays a central role in the process. The conversation also dives into the question of whether AI standards will ever be unified and gives a sneak peek into the exciting new directions MCG is heading.In this episode, they talk about:How healthcare AI is transforming clinical guidelines and MCG’s approachClinical decision support solutions for payers and healthcare organizationsWhy consistent guideline interpretation matters in healthcareBuilding trust in AI-powered clinical decision-makingWill AI standards in healthcare ever be unified?Future innovations in clinical decision support at MCGA Little About Jon:Mr. Shreve oversees all facets of MCG Health’s growth and management. He was Chairman of MCG from 2002 to 2009 and became its CEO in 2007. In 2018, Glassdoor recognized him as one of the Top 50 CEOs for Medium and Small Businesses. In 2024, Glassdoor also named MCG a Best Place to Work. Under his leadership, MCG has grown by over 20x. Before MCG’s acquisition by Hearst in 2012, Mr. Shreve had been with Milliman for over 25 years as an Equity Principal and Consulting Actuary. In addition to MCG, Mr. Shreve led or sponsored twenty other practices and was on Milliman’s Board of Directors. Mr. Shreve received his Bachelor of Arts with distinction in Mathematics from Carleton College in Minnesota, and he is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, as well as a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

In this episode, host Sandy Vance sits down with  Krishna Bharathala and Isaac Gateño, members of the Agent Development team at Sierra, to explore how companies can confidently take their first steps into the world of artificial intelligence. Sierra helps businesses build better, more human experiences with AI, and this conversation pulls back the curtain on what that really looks like.If you’ve ever wondered where to begin with AI adoption, how to overcome common barriers, or what kind of impact AI can have on your organization, this episode is packed with insights. Krishna and Isaac share practical strategies, explain how Sierra tackles real-world challenges like interoperability and security, and highlight ways companies can measure AI success.Whether you’re curious about streamlining manual processes, building customer trust, or simply trying to understand the baseline knowledge your team needs to get started, this episode will give you a clear roadmap for moving forward with AI.In this episode, they talk about:How Sierra helps organizations and companies leverage AI to improve customer experiencesWays the Agent Development team addresses interoperability challenges across systemsThe concept of the “agent iceberg” and what it means for building stronger securityFoundational AI knowledge every organization should understand before getting startedCommon goals and barriers companies face when adopting AI solutionsHow to measure AI success through cost savings, faster operations, and improved member satisfactionWhy the best place to start with AI is the area of your company that requires the most manual time and effort to operateA Little About Krishna:Krishna Bharathala is an Agent Product Manager at Sierra. Prior to Sierra he was a two-time start-up founder and, before that, was a Product Manager on Google Ads. He holds an MBA from Stanford, and an MS & BS in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania.A Little About Isaac:Isaac Gateño is an Agent Engineer at Sierra. He is a hands-on technical leader with over ten years of experience building teams, working with cross-functional stakeholders, and managing complex projects at high-growth companies, including Forward Health, Plaid, and Palantir. He has a BS in computer science from Stanford.

In this episode, Lorna Borenstein shares how Grokker has evolved into a powerful platform that uses AI to help us stay connected and healthy, why they decided to go with an open system instead of utilizing the directory model they started with, and how Grokker empowers individuals to take ownership of their own wellness. Grokker’s vision is to make your health both accessible and welcoming.If you’re curious about the future of digital wellbeing, the role of AI in personal health, and how to build tools that truly empower people, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.In this episode, they talk about:Grokker uses AI to help us stay connected and healthy Directory models versus open systems in the vendor ecosystemHow Grokker helps empower people to take their wellness into their own handsThe implementation that will help people the most and lead to the most ROIA Little About Lorna and Grokker:Lorna Borenstein is the CEO and Founder of Grokker, the award-winning innovative engagement engine that powers both life-changing outcomes for employees and the results Fortune 1000 clients demand. Supporting millions of employees in over 135 countries on any device, Grokker is trusted by industry leaders, including Boston Children’s Hospital, CVS Health, Delta Air Lines, Dominos, eBay, G.E., MGM Resorts, Pfizer, Target, and more.The idea for Grokker came to Lorna Borenstein while on a multi-year sabbatical, traveling the world with her husband and three children. Hoping to use the internet to practice yoga and fitness while on vacation, she became frustrated with the lack of high-quality instructional videos available, as well as the difficulty in finding videos in one place. In 2012, Lorna founded Grokker.com, the on-demand wellbeing solution you can access from anywhere, anytime, on any device.

Sam Schifman, an Innovation Architect at Vantiq with a rich background in IT and healthcare, dives into how adaptive automation and agentic AI are transforming the healthcare landscape. He discusses the advantages of intelligent, collaborative AI agents that ease clinical burdens and adapt in real-time. Sam contrasts traditional automation with this new, flexible approach, emphasizing the need for responsible AI implementation. He also highlights Vantiq's innovative strategies and partnerships aimed at enhancing healthcare solutions globally.