

The Beat
HLTH
The Beat, powered by HLTH, is a weekly interview series dedicated to paving a better path forward for the future of health. Each week a variety of hosts bring you authentic conversations with prominent thought leaders. Through these interviews with people at the forefront of change in healthcare, we hope to spark new ideas and encourage new collaborations among listeners.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 25, 2025 • 24min
AI @ HLTH : Listening to Health: Using Speech to Improve Care and Reduce Burnout
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.
Sep 23, 2025 • 20min
AI @ HLTH : From Guidelines to Innovation, How AI is Shaping Clinical Decision Support
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.
Sep 12, 2025 • 25min
AI@HLTH : AI Made Human: How Sierra Helps Businesses Build Better Customer Experiences
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.
Aug 27, 2025 • 25min
AI@HLTH : HR’s Secret Weapon: AI That Cuts Costs and Drives Care
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.
Aug 5, 2025 • 25min
AI@HLTH : Discovering Adaptive Automation: How Agentic AI is Revolutionizing Healthcare
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.
Jun 9, 2025 • 18min
AI @ ViVE: Smart Hospitals Without Walls - The Future of Connected Care
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
Jun 2, 2025 • 25min
AI @ ViVE: How AI Is Making Your Health Plan Smarter and More Personal
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.
May 29, 2025 • 21min
AI @ ViVE: The Journey That Brought MSK and AWS Together in a Shared Digital Health Vision
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.
May 22, 2025 • 19min
AI @ ViVE: Maximizing Ambient Clinician Documentation with Solventum
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.
May 19, 2025 • 23min
AI @ ViVE: Beyond Hype: Responsible AI Leadership in Healthcare
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.


