The Beat

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.

In this episode, host Sandy Vance sits down with Rob Stein of C2 Solutions, a division of Intellias, to explore how smart hospitals and connected device technology are reshaping the future of healthcare—both inside the hospital room and across rural communities.From defining what makes a hospital truly "smart" to navigating the challenges of interoperability and integration, this conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what it takes to go digital in healthcare today. Rob shares how Intellias is helping healthcare organizations modernize infrastructure, drive better patient outcomes, and expand care delivery beyond hospital walls.Whether you're a health IT leader, provider, or innovator looking to stay ahead of digital trends, this episode offers insights into the real-world challenges and opportunities of building smarter, more connected care systems.In this episode, they talk about:🧠 What defines a smart hospital in today’s evolving healthcare landscape⚙️ The core technologies powering next-generation, digital-first care environments🔗 How interoperability of connected devices is transforming patient care and workflows🌍 Why smart hospitals are enabling better access to care in rural and remote areas🤝 How Intellias collaborates with healthcare organizations during digital transformation🔄 What information flow looked like before and after connected tech—and what’s still evolving🧩 The complexities of integration and how to overcome them🏷️ Why device manufacturers must innovate and differentiate in an increasingly crowded marketA Little About Rob:Rob Stein has 10 years of consulting, advisory, managed services, and staffing experience. Focused on Medical Device and Healthcare technology consulting. C2 Solutions, offers comprehensive consulting services designed to elevate your operations in critical areas:Product Engineering: From concept to launch, develop innovative products that stand out in the market.Data Strategy and Analytics: Unlock actionable insights and drive smarter decision-making with our data expertise.Artificial Intelligence: Harness the power of AI to automate processes, enhance customer experiences, and unlock new opportunities.Cloud Application Development: Build custom, scalable, and secure applications tailored to meet your unique business needs.Quality Engineering: Ensure your products and services exceed customer expectations with our thorough our robust QE processes.Patient Experience (Px): In the healthcare sector, elevate the patient journey through technology that improves care outcomes and satisfaction

In the latest episode of The Beat Podcast, host Sandy Vance discusses the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare with Anmol Madan, CEO of RadiantGraph. They talk about how AI and Intelligent Personalization can improve the member experience with health plans. Their conversation also highlights the ongoing challenges in consumer engagement within the healthcare sector. RadiantGraph aims to bridge the gap by utilizing AI and machine learning to enhance consumer engagement for large healthcare organizations, particularly in the realm of health plans. If you have any questions about RadiantGraph, reach out to Anmol via LinkedIn or email him at anmolmadan@radiantgraph.com. In this episode, they talk about:❤️‍🩹How RadiantGraph improves consumer engagement in healthcare using AI.⏲️How quick implementation allows organizations to see results in weeks rather than years.🤝How veterans from digital health and health plan organizations bring valuable insights into what works in the industry.😊The evolution of digital health and the need for systems that effectively engage consumers at scale.🎯Aligning with the business goals of healthcare organizations, they can focus on improving member engagement and satisfaction.🧹The need for clean data and effective data architecture to support healthcare initiatives.A Little About Anmol:Anmol Madan is a healthcare technology innovator with 20+ years of experience using AI, machine learning, and data science to tackle some of the industry’s toughest challenges. He’s led breakthrough innovations in mental health, chronic care, telemedicine, and primary care, shaping the future of patient engagement. He also holds a PhD from MIT Media Lab, has authored 25+ scientific papers, and holds 25+ patents. As founder of RadiantGraph, Anmol is focused on transforming health engagement through AI-powered personalization, helping health plans and services drive meaningful connections with consumers. Previously, he served as Chief Data Scientist at Teladoc and Livongo and co-founded Ginger (now part of Headspace Health), where he built the first AI-driven tele-psychiatry platform.

In this episode of The Beat podcast, host Sandy Vance sits down with Michael Frank, Director of Digital Health at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK), to explore how MSK is teaming up with AWS and leveraging AI to revolutionize cancer care. Michael shares insights into MSK’s mission to end cancer for life, their journey into digital transformation, and how AI technologies (like large language models and advanced data analytics) are streamlining clinical workflows, improving patient interactions, and unlocking new treatment possibilities. They also dive into the real-world impact of AI on back-office operations, the ethical considerations of using data in clinical decision-making, and why collaboration with tech partners is essential to driving meaningful change in healthcare.In this episode, they talk about:Memorial Sloan Kettering’s bold mission to end cancer for lifeThe journey that brought MSK and AWS together in a shared digital health visionHow AI is transforming clinical workflows and enhancing patient interactionsTechniques for extracting and modeling patient data to inform treatment decisionsUsing data comparison and analysis to uncover clues that guide oncology careLeveraging large language models (LLMs) to connect and make sense of scattered patient informationThe importance of adapting existing tools rather than reinventing the wheelWhy healthcare leaders should lean into AI and embrace emerging technologiesHow AI may reshape the patient–provider relationship in the years to comeWhat the next wave of AI use cases in healthcare might look likePotential risks of using data in clinical decision support—and how to navigate themOpportunities to reduce healthcare costs through AI-powered back-office automationThe critical role of strong partnerships between healthcare institutions and tech innovatorsA Little About Michael:Michael Frank is Director of Digital Health at Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Business Development, Strategy, and Innovation Group, where he leads efforts to develop, partner, and commercialize digital technologies including AI and precision oncology platforms. Prior to joining MSK in 2021, he held leadership roles at Pfizer, Booz & Co, PA Consulting, Phosplatin Therapeutics, and CombinatoRx, with over 15 years of experience in life sciences, innovation, and strategy. An entrepreneur at heart, Michael has launched products ranging from kitchen gadgets to medical diagnostics, and enjoys helping others bring ideas to market. He holds degrees in Biology (University of Michigan), Biomedical Engineering (Boston University), and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

In this episode of The Beat, host Sandy Vance sits down with Solventum’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Travis Bias, to explore how ambient clinician documentation is transforming healthcare. As AI-powered solutions continue to evolve, clinicians are under increasing pressure to deliver high-quality care while managing growing administrative demands. Dr. Bias shares how Solventum is leveraging artificial intelligence to support ambient listening tools that streamline documentation, without replacing the human touch. Together, they discuss the technology’s accuracy, its role in clinical workflows, and why physicians who don’t adapt may find themselves falling behind. Tune in to learn how ambient documentation has evolved, how it's being measured, and what it means for the future of care delivery.Learn More about Solventum HEREIn this episode, they talk about:What Solventum is doing with AI these daysHow clinicians can use ambient listening for documentation Clinicians are being asked to do more with less these daysAmbient documentation is a tool, not a replacementMeasuring accuracy by comparison and instances when they are usedThe evolution of ambient clinician documentation since its conceptionPhysicians will find themselves behind if they are not using itA Little About Travis:Travis Bias, DO, MPH, FAAFP, is a family medicine physician, chief medical officer, and business director of clinician productivity solutions for Solventum's Health Information Systems business. He is also co-director of a Comparative Health Systems course at the University of California, San Francisco Institute of Global Health Sciences.

In this episode of The Beat, host Sandy Vance sits down with Dr. Heather Bassett, Chief Medical Officer at Xsolis and creator of the proprietary Care Level Score. Together, they explore the future of AI in healthcare and how real-world AI applications are already driving improved operational efficiency, reducing clinician burnout, and enhancing payer-provider collaboration. Dr. Bassett also shares insights from her recent involvement with CHAI.org, emphasizing why healthcare leaders must take initiative in developing responsible AI—without waiting for government mandates. Tune in to hear how Xsolis is helping health systems move from spreadsheets to smart automation, making data more actionable, and building a more transparent, interoperable ecosystem.In this episode, they talk about:How Xsolis is working toward creating a frictionless healthcare systemHow Xsolis reduces manual tasks, decreasing clinician burnout, and boosting productivityXsolis’ use of data aggregation to minimize redundancy in the healthcare industryMoving healthcare teams off spreadsheets and into AI-driven solutionsHow client collaboration helps maximize the value Xsolis deliversCMS recognition of the need to eliminate unnecessary steps to accelerate patient careThe role of interoperability in standardizing data exchange and enhancing contextWhy transparency is critical when vendors integrate artificial intelligenceEvaluating whether vendors have the people and processes to support AI change managementA Little About Heather:Dr. Heather Bassett is the Chief Medical Officer at Xsolis, an AI-driven health technology company transforming healthcare through a human-centered approach. With over 20 years of experience in clinical care and health IT, she leads Xsolis’ medical and data science teams and co-developed the company’s signature innovation—the Care Level Score, which blends clinical expertise with AI and machine learning to assess patient status in real time.A board-certified internist and former hospitalist, Dr. Bassett oversees Xsolis’ award-winning physician advisor program, denials management, and AI model development. She’s a frequent speaker at national healthcare conferences, including ACMA and HFMA, and has been featured in Becker’s, MedCity News, and Medical Economics. Recognized as CMO of the Year by the Nashville Business Journal and named one of Becker’s Women in Health IT to Know (2023, 2024), Dr. Bassett is also a member of CHAI.org, advocating for responsible AI in healthcare.

In this episode, host Sandy Vance sits down with Dr. Will Morris, Chief Medical Officer at Ambience Healthcare, to explore how AI is transforming the healthcare industry. From enhancing clinical documentation to improving patient care and supporting back-office operations, Ambience is creating intelligent solutions tailored for the entire healthcare ecosystem.Dr. Morris shares insights on how AI, when used as an assistive—not replacement—tool, can help alleviate clinician burnout and empower medical professionals to focus on what matters most: delivering compassionate, human-centered care. Whether you're a healthcare leader, clinician, or innovator, this episode offers practical insights into leveraging AI to drive real value across your organization.In this episode, they talk about:● AI should assist—not replace—medical professionals, enabling them to focus on essential human-centered care.● AI is not a commodity; it must address critical pain points to drive real value.● Ambient AI must work for all specialties, not just primary care. AI models must be tuned to the nuances of each specialty.● Reducing burnout is just the start. When coding-aware, Ambient AI greatly improves clinical documentation integrity and provides coding support at the point-of-care, capturing other lost revenue.● Always measure results, outputs, and processes when implementing new healthcare technologies.● The effectiveness of any system depends on the quality and consistency of clinical documentation.● Successful AI adoption requires a unified, enterprise-wide strategy.A Little About Will:Will Morris, MD, MBA, is board-certified in Internal Medicine and is a health technology leader, currently serving as Chief Medical Officer at Ambience Healthcare. In this role, he drives the company’s vision for clinical AI, collaborating with leading health systems to transform clinician workflows and improve patient care. Before joining Ambience, Dr. Morris was Chief Medical Information Officer at Google Cloud Healthcare and Life Sciences, contributing to cutting-edge healthcare innovations. He previously held leadership roles at Cleveland Clinic, including Chief Innovation Officer and Associate Chief Information Officer, overseeing clinical IT systems and health IT advancements.

Gen AI fails without accurate data extraction. Upstage liberates messy healthcare and insurance data with precision to power gen AI applications. Host Sandy Vance gets behind the mic with Galina Fendikevich, US GTM.  In this episode of The Beat Podcast, Galina Fendikevich, US GTM Lead at Upstage, joins host Sandy Vance for a deep dive into the fast-evolving world of AI and large language models (LLMs). From breaking down the key differences between small and large language models to exploring what sets Upstage apart in a crowded AI landscape, the conversation offers valuable insights for tech leaders and innovators alike. They also address critical factors that AI systems need to function effectively. Listen in as Galina and Sandy highlight the remarkable potential of AI in healthcare.Have a question for Galina or Upstage.ai? Reach out by emailing Galina directly at galena@upstage.ai or hit the Contact Us button on the website.In this episode, they talk about:The difference between small and large language modelsWhat makes Upstage AI stand out from other modelsGalena’s journey to Upstage and Upstage’s journey to the USWhat Upstage AI needs to work wellWhy does AI in healthcare work so well?Overcoming challenges like hallucinations with large language modelsWhat is and how to start the process of bringing in an AI modelA Little About Galina:Galina Fendikevich’s expertise spans product, strategy, engineering, and scaling operations for high-growth companies. With 10+ years of experience in finance, blockchain, and AI, she began her career on Wall Street before co-founding a team acquired by Niantic, creators of Pokémon Go.