The Beat

About Rob MacNaughton:Rob MacNaughton is the CEO of Calibrate and a leader in weight and obesity management. With a strong background in operations, strategic planning, and product development, Rob has focused on innovative solutions to manage obesity using a combination of anti-obesity medications and lifestyle interventions.Things You’ll Learn:Calibrate combines anti-obesity medications and lifestyle interventions to achieve sustainable weight loss.Real-world results demonstrate how Calibrate enables individuals to maintain weight loss even after stopping medication.Clinical integrity and data-driven solutions are essential in addressing obesity effectively.Self-insured employers are increasingly promoting sustainable health outcomes through corporate wellness programs.Resources:Connect with and follow Rob MacNaughton on LinkedIn.Follow Calibrate on LinkedIn and explore their website!

About Peri Avitan:Peri Avitan is a dynamic leader with a proven track record in the healthcare technology sector. As the CEO of Clinii (formerly LiveCare), he has been instrumental in developing a web and mobile solution designed to streamline care team management and workflow efficiency. His efforts have focused on automating time-consuming tasks, optimizing practice efficiency, and boosting revenue through virtualizing both administrative and clinical operations. Peri's leadership extends to his role as Managing Partner at Vision USA Investments, where he continues to drive innovation and growth in the healthcare industry.With a strong background in healthcare technology, Peri is dedicated to transforming complex care management and transitioning to value-based care. His work at Clinii has garnered significant attention, positioning the company as a leader in leveraging AI and digital tools to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Peri's commitment to innovation and his strategic vision have made him a key figure in the ongoing evolution of healthcare technology.Things You’ll Learn:Clinii leverages AI and digital tools to enhance healthcare efficiency and improve patient outcomes.The company integrates with approximately 19 electronic medical records (EMRs), streamlining data processes and optimizing care management workflows.Clinii addresses the challenge of limited internal resources by making healthcare staff more efficient, reducing non-care tasks, and saving costs.The Clinii AI tools help monitor patient care plans, automate task recommendations, and alert care gaps, reducing the risk of hospitalizations.Clinii maintains a strong customer focus, engaging with clients weekly to tailor services and explore hybrid care models blending fee-for-service with value-based care.Resources:Connect with and follow Peri Avitan on LinkedIn.Follow Clinii on LinkedIn and visit their website.

About Leo Barella:Leo Barella is a results-driven technology leader with a passion for leveraging cutting-edge solutions to transform the healthcare industry. As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Takeda, Leo is dedicated to driving innovation and digital transformation to improve patient quality of life and enhance operational efficiency.Throughout his career, Leo has successfully led cross-functional teams and delivered strategic initiatives. His expertise lies in developing and implementing technology strategies, driving digital innovation, and optimizing processes, people, data, and technology to support business growth. Leo has spearheaded the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics to drive insights and improve decision-making processes.Deeply committed to fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, Leo empowers teams to think creatively and embrace change. By cultivating strong partnerships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and industry experts, he has successfully implemented transformative technology solutions that have significantly impacted patient care and business outcomes.Things You’ll Learn:The role of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is evolving to focus on driving enterprise strategy and maximizing ROI.Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming industries, particularly healthcare.Leading Takeda's cloud program, Leo provides insights into the benefits and challenges of cloud transitions.CTOs play a crucial role in making strategic decisions that increase ROI and promote organizational growth.Optimizing organizational structure varies for services-based and product-based companies.Resources:Connect with and follow Leo Barella on LinkedIn.Follow Takeda on LinkedIn and visit their website.

About Colleen Lindholz:Colleen Lindholz is a visionary leader and advocate for integrating innovative healthcare approaches with a community-first mindset. With a career spanning decades in healthcare, Colleen champions initiatives such as "Food as Medicine" to address chronic disease prevention and improve population health. She brings a wealth of experience in pharmacy innovation and community outreach, bridging the gap between healthcare access and everyday well-being. As a passionate advocate, Colleen focuses on leveraging the trusted relationship between pharmacists and patients to drive impactful change.Things You’ll Learn:The concept of "Food as Medicine" plays a vital role in preventing chronic diseases.Pharmacists hold a unique position to significantly improve community health outcomes.Building healthcare systems rooted in accessibility and trust is essential for better patient care.Fostering collaboration between community health initiatives and healthcare providers enhances health outcomes.Addressing social determinants of health leads to meaningful and impactful change, as demonstrated by real-world examples.Resources:Connect with and follow Colleen Lindholz on LinkedIn.Follow Kroger Health on LinkedIn and visit their website. 

About Mark Edwards:Mark Edwards is the co-founder and CEO of Upstream USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to contraceptive care in primary healthcare settings. Raised with a strong sense of opportunity, Mark's journey began with local anti-poverty work and the launch of a preschool program for homeless children. His commitment to social change led him to found Opportunity Nation, a bipartisan coalition focused on expanding economic mobility through federal policy reform. Inspired by the challenges faced by young people due to unplanned pregnancies, Mark co-founded Upstream USA to ensure that all women have same-day access to their preferred contraceptive methods. He is also a Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation entrepreneur, an Ashoka Fellow, and serves on multiple nonprofit boards, including the Barr Foundation.Things You’ll Learn:Upstream's mission is to integrate high-quality contraceptive care into primary healthcare, ensuring accessibility, particularly in underserved areas.The organization addresses "contraceptive deserts" and supports clinicians in challenging reproductive health environments through tailored digital and in-person training.Upstream provides customized training to fit the needs of individual healthcare organizations, enhancing their ability to offer contraceptive services.Success stories highlight how healthcare organizations in states with restricted abortion access have expanded contraceptive offerings.Upstream aims to expand nationwide, with a goal of providing services to health centers serving up to 5 million patients, encouraging organizations to prioritize this essential care.Resources:Connect with and follow Mark Edwards on LinkedIn.Follow Upstream USA on LinkedIn and visit their website.Contact Upstream USA at info@upstream.org

About Dan Mendelson:Dan Mendelson is the CEO of Morgan Health, a healthcare innovation and investment arm focused on improving employer-sponsored healthcare. With a robust background in healthcare policy, Mendelson has been instrumental in bridging the gap between business needs and health equity. His leadership centers on developing impactful strategies emphasizing quality, equity, and affordability.Things You’ll Learn:Employers play an essential role in driving the adoption of value-based care.A successful primary care pilot program has demonstrated the ability to improve health outcomes.Practical approaches can be used to address healthcare disparities in employer-sponsored plans.Small businesses can implement cost-effective, quality-driven healthcare solutions.Resources:Connect with and follow Dan Mendelson on LinkedIn.Follow Morgan Health on LinkedIn and visit their website. 

About Timshel Tarbet:Timshel Tarbet is the Chief Healthcare Experience and Equity Officer at Providence Health Plan. She leads initiatives focused on healthcare equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering a culture that puts members and caregivers at the center of the healthcare experience. With her extensive background in health equity, Timshel champions efforts to ensure that community partnerships and social determinants of health are prioritized, enabling Providence to deliver more accessible, empathetic, and effective care.Things You’ll Learn:Providence Health Plan integrates equity, diversity, and inclusion to build a more supportive culture.Community partnerships are crucial in advancing health equity.Addressing social determinants of health can create more equitable healthcare outcomes.Healthcare providers must break down internal silos to improve community health.Providence's Health for All Initiative is reshaping healthcare access in underserved communities.Resources:Connect with and follow Timshel Tarbet on LinkedIn.Follow Providence Health Plan on LinkedIn and Instagram and visit their website!

In this conversation, Yaw Fellin, Vice President of Product and Solutions for Clinical Effectiveness at Wolters Kluwer Health, discusses the integration of AI in healthcare, focusing on clinical decision support, partnerships, and the importance of responsible AI practices. He shares insights from the HLTH 2024 conference, highlighting the enthusiasm for AI technologies and the need for improvements in provider workflows. The discussion also covers significant partnerships aimed at enhancing clinical care and the evolving role of AI in reducing provider burden.In this episode they discuss:The focus is on helping clinicians make the best decisions.Small time increments in workflows can lead to significant improvements.There's genuine enthusiasm for AI's tangible benefits in healthcare.Responsible approaches to AI are crucial to eliminate bias.Partnerships are essential for advancing healthcare technology.AI can significantly reduce provider burnout and improve workflows.The integration of AI in clinical settings is a powerful opportunity.Investing in responsible AI practices is a priority for healthcare organizations.Collaboration across care teams can enhance patient care.The future of AI in healthcare is promising but requires careful navigation.A little bit about Yaw : Yaw Fellin brings more than 20 years of experience as a healthcare executive, with proven results leading cross-functional teams, generating value and revenue growth.Prior to joining Wolters Kluwer Health, Yaw spent 3 years at Optum, a global healthcare IT company. Before that, Yaw spent over 15 years at the Advisory Board, a leading healthcare research, consulting and technology firm, where he led multiple high growth SaaS business lines. He received a BS in Healthcare Administration from Penn State University.

About Mark Bertolini:Mark Bertolini is a pioneer in the healthcare industry and currently serves as the CEO of Oscar Health, a tech-driven health insurance company. With an illustrious career spanning several decades, Mark has held key executive positions at renowned organizations such as Cigna, NYLCare Health Plans, and SelectCare, Inc. Notably, he served as Chairman and CEO of Aetna from 2010 to 2018, where he led the company's transformation into a consumer-oriented healthcare entity, culminating in its $69 billion acquisition by CVS Health. His leadership at Aetna was marked by a focus on delivering integrated care and improving healthcare accessibility and affordability.Beyond his professional roles, Mark is a respected thought leader in the national healthcare landscape, advocating for the integration of mental health services within standard insurance offerings. He brings a personal touch to his work, often sharing his own experiences of overcoming chronic pain with cognitive behavioral therapy. Mark's commitment to philanthropy is evident through his involvement with organizations like the FIDELCO Guide Dog Foundation and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. His journey from being a paramedic to becoming a top executive underscores his dedication to advancing healthcare for all.Things You’ll Learn:Mark Bertolini presents an innovative vision for disrupting the health insurance industry, using the metaphor of a pirate ship to describe Oscar Health’s approach to challenging established insurers.Tailoring individual insurance markets through the creation of consumer health reimbursement accounts can enhance consumer choice and potentially cover 110 million lives.Integrating mental health services into standard insurance offerings is essential, with cognitive behavioral therapy serving as a valuable tool in overcoming chronic pain.Value-based contracts are critiqued in favor of high-performing networks that naturally deliver better care without disrupting existing provider-patient relationships.AI and data can improve administrative efficiency, reduce costs, and address biases in clinical data while utilizing mechanisms to expand consumer choice despite political challenges.Resources:Connect with and follow Mark Bertolini on LinkedIn.Follow Oscar Health on LinkedIn and visit their website. 

About Bernardo Tavares:Bernardo Tavares is the Chief Technology & Data Officer for Kenvue, where he oversees the Information Technology and Data Science groups. As a key enabler of innovation and growth, he leads the data and technology agenda by scaling digital capabilities to better serve customers and consumers.With extensive experience in business technology life-cycle management and value creation, IT transformation and optimization, Bernardo has worked across consumer, healthcare, and technology industries. His expertise spans sales, digital marketing and analytics, strategic and solutions architecture, organization design and management, IT governance and risk management, program and portfolio optimization, application services, business analysis, and talent development.Passionate about commercial innovation, digital transformation, precision marketing, and digital solution development, Bernardo believes that technology, science, data, and design can unlock value for customers while improving sustainability, health, and well-being for the communities served by Kenvue.Things You’ll Learn:AI and data are being leveraged to personalize consumer experiences, reduce operational friction, and support growth in the healthcare sector.Maintaining privacy and building trust with consumers is crucial for the successful implementation of AI and data-driven solutions.Kenvue is committed to sustainability, ensuring clean data and innovation that aligns with its ESG goals.Kenvue has launched a digital menopause platform designed to break societal taboos and provide comprehensive care.A mindset of continuous learning, trust, and curiosity would responsibly harness the power of technology and drive innovation.Resources:Connect with and follow Bernardo Tavares on LinkedIn.Follow Kenvue on LinkedIn and Instagram and visit their website.