The Beat

About Max Cohen:Max Cohen serves as the CEO and Co-founder of Sprinter Health, headquartered in California. The company deploys W-2 employees, dubbed "Sprinters," equipped with the medical assistant, phlebotomy, and Community Health Worker expertise, directly into households to engage patient populations that may otherwise be disengaged. Sprinter collaborates with health plans and health systems, offering preventive services with no copay or deductible. Prior to launching Sprinter Health, Max held the position of VP of Mobile at Oculus, and following the acquisition by Facebook continued to oversee various initiatives including Mobile VR, Mobile and Platform Products, and Media. Before his tenure at Oculus, Max contributed to the Product team at Google in Los Angeles and gained experience at McKinsey and Company, as well as Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works. Max holds a BSE in Electrical Engineering and a BS in Physics from Duke University, supplemented by an MBA from Harvard Business School.Things You’ll Learn:Sprinter Health revolutionizes healthcare delivery by deploying W-2 "Sprinters" with diverse medical skills into homes, targeting under-engaged patient populations and bridging care gaps.By partnering directly with health plans and systems, Sprinter Health offers preventive services with no financial barriers, promoting accessibility and proactive care.Max Cohen's background at Oculus and Google informs Sprinter Health's innovative approach, prioritizing patient engagement and efficient execution.Sprinter Health's commitment to quality care is reflected in its high patient satisfaction ratings, demonstrating the effectiveness of in-home healthcare solutions.Strategic expansion plans aim to maximize market impact by prioritizing regions with existing business partnerships and potential for growth.Resources:Connect with and follow Max Cohen on LinkedIn.Learn more about Sprinter Health on LinkedIn and their website.

About Yuechen Zhao :Yuechen is a Partner at GSR Ventures, where he focuses on early-stage investments in enterprise software and consumer platforms. Prior to GSR Ventures, Yuechen founded a personalized travel startup and built products at Google, Uber, and Meixin (fintech). Yuechen received his BA in Computer Science from Harvard University.Things You’ll Learn:Despite public and private market fluctuations, a steady, long-view approach in investment strategy remains central, with a focus on substantive innovations with enduring value.Emerging AI technologies offer transformative potential in healthcare accessibility and patient empowerment.Successful investing is anchored in a decade-long commitment and the intimate support between founders and investors that goes beyond mere financial transactions.As investment climates shift and the health tech scene faces valuation declines, GSR Ventures strategizes to remain steadfast, resourceful, and committed to its portfolio companies.Entrepreneurs need market momentum and passion for problem-solving to sustainable business models that promise scalability and defensibility.Resources:Connect with and follow Yuechen Zhao on LinkedIn.Learn more about GSR Ventures on their LinkedIn and website.

About Novlet Mattis :Novlet Mattis, Senior Vice President, Chief Digital and Information Officer, As Orlando Health’s chief digital and information officer, Novlet provides executive leadership for information technology, digital capability supply chain, and systems that advance clinical and business strategies, digitally engage patients, providers, and businesses, and optimize operational processes.Before joining Orlando Health in 2018, she was with Ascension Health in St. Louis, where she served as vice president of information technology, supporting more than 125 hospitals across the U.S. and international joint ventures.Novlet was also vice president of IT and chief information officer at UNC Rex Healthcare in Raleigh, North Carolina, and has held leadership positions at Dell Global Services, Lucent Technologies, and AT&T.She earned a bachelor’s in business administration from Howard University and an MBA from George Washington University, both in Washington, D.C. She is a Certified Healthcare CIO through the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME).Things You’ll Learn:Orlando Health strikes a crucial balance between managing finances and innovating, particularly by adopting a unified EMR system and ventures into AI to improve patient care.The organization is not just expanding its physical footprint but also investing in data and digital platforms for future growth. Orlando Health’s response to COVID-19 and push towards digital innovations like virtual sitters demonstrate resilience and forward thinking. By centralizing their data, the organization is paving the way to monetize information while ensuring enhanced patient care.Orlando Health stands out because of physician loyalty, strong economies, and unparalleled patient care.Resources:Connect with and follow Novlet Mattis on LinkedIn.Learn more about Orlando Health on their LinkedIn and website.

About Jayme Strauss:Jayme Strauss is the Chief Clinical Officer of Viz.ai. Jayme has over 10 years of experience as a healthcare executive building clinical service lines in the areas of Neuroscience and Oncology. Jayme previously was the Executive Director of Neuroscience at Piedmont Healthcare in Georgia and Assistant Vice President of Neuroscience and Oncology at Baptist Health South Florida. Jayme is passionate about evolving the way that healthcare is delivered globally, ensuring patients have access to life-saving therapies, and moving science forward through research.Things You’ll Learn:Leveraging a wealth of healthcare data, AI is applied by Viz.ai to enhance early patient identification for treatment, potentially revolutionizing patient outcomes, specifically in stroke care and cardiac monitoring.Commitment to rigorous clinical evidence and real-world application signifies an impactful step away from AI speculation to tangible, measurable improvements, demonstrating decreased hospital stays and faster treatment times by Viz.ai.Successfully navigating complex healthcare systems to deliver personalized, impactful AI solutions, Viz.ai intricately involves diverse care teams in product design and focuses on scalability.Engaging with everyone from physicians to clinic schedulers, tailored AI tools addressing the intricate needs of patient care are created by Viz.ai.Getting through to the complex web of healthcare stakeholders isn't easy, and that's where Viz.ai’s bespoke solutions shine.Resources:Connect with and follow Jayme Strauss on LinkedIn.Learn more about Viz.ai on their LinkedIn and website.

Historically, the FDA was used to approving material health products and medical devices.But with the rise of health technology, including generative AI, the department must approach regulations differently to ensure that digital products remain safe and effective once they’re on the market.So, how does the FDA think about monitoring digital health products and diagnostics? How do they assess the risks associated with innovations in the healthcare space?Troy Tazbaz is Director of the Digital Health Center of Excellence at the FDA, where he's responsible for envisioning a future of safe and effective healthcare delivery with a focus on advancing public health goals with the use of technology.On this episode of The Beat, Troy joins hosts Dr. Jessica Shepherd and Dr. Gautam Gulati to discuss the role of the FDA in the regulatory oversight and safety of digital health products and diagnostics.Troy explains how losing his wife to cancer informs his work and shares the risk management framework the FDA uses to keep up with the speed of health innovation.Listen in for Troy’s insight on prioritizing technology that addresses labor shortages that delay care and learn how the FDA develops policy around emerging technologies in healthcare. Topics CoveredTroy’s 4 areas of focus as Director of Digital Health at the FDAHow losing his wife to cancer informs Troy’s approach to innovation and regulations in healthcareHow not being a doctor or lawyer gives Troy a different perspective on digital health regulationsThe risk management framework the FDA uses to keep up with the speed of innovationWhy it’s the health system’s decision whether to integrate digital health products based on the level of risk they’re comfortable with How Troy thinks about mental health concerns that might arise from generative AI productsPrioritizing technology that addresses labor shortages that delay careWho should be responsible for identifying when things go wrong in digital health productsThe potential to exacerbate the digital divide when health systems must monitor digital health products and diagnostics on their ownWhy prevention is the best way to deal with chronic conditionsWhat Troy is most excited about when it comes to innovation in healthcareWhat federal agencies can do to build trust with the publicConnect with Troy TazbazFDA Digital Health Center of ExcellenceTroy on LinkedInConnect with Dr. Gautam Gulati & Dr. Jessica ShepherdViVEHLTHDr. Shepherd on TwitterDr. Shepherd on LinkedInDr. Gulati on TwitterDr. Gulati on LinkedInResourcesThe Continuum Diaries

About  Maneesh Goyal:Maneesh leads operations, strategy, and financial performance for Mayo Clinic's Platform initiativeHe brings a cross-disciplinary background in finance, investing, product development and engineering. Prior to joining Welltok, Maneesh was a Managing Director with Miramar Venture Partners, a leading early-stage investor focusing on the information technology space. With Miramar, Maneesh led investments and was an advisor and board member for several health and consumer Internet companies. Before entering the venture world, Maneesh was an early employee with Broadcom, a Fortune 500 Company, leading product development and engineering efforts in more than a dozen communications technology solutions.Maneesh earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, a master’s in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California, and an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA.Things You’ll Learn:AI is utilized for early disease detection and precision medicine, revolutionizing patient outcomes while significantly reducing costs compared to traditional methods.The Mayo Clinic Platform integrates technology to facilitate a seamless convergence of providers, innovators, and healthcare institutions, emphasizing its holistic approach beyond mere technological advancements.Mayo Clinic's collaborations drive healthcare progress, facilitating global accessibility to clinically validated tools and highlighting their dedication to integrated medicine.The Mayo Clinic platform seeks to overhaul the healthcare system, aiming for reduced infection risks and more efficient home care, thereby modernizing hospitals that have remained largely unchanged for 150 years.Through seamless partnerships, the Mayo Clinic platform utilizes technology to deliver healthcare services in unprecedented ways, prioritizing innovation and efficiency.Resources:Connect with and follow Maneesh Goyal on LinkedIn.Follow the Mayo Clinic on LinkedIn and visit their website.

What are patients looking for in a health care provider?Zocdoc has been in business for 17 years, and in that time, the platform has collected a significant amount of data regarding what patients want from their health care.And you may be surprised to learn what matters most to consumers in the process of choosing a provider, be it a primary care doctor or specialist. Dr. Oliver Kharraz is Founder and CEO of Zocdoc, the leading healthcare marketplace in the US. Millions of patients visit Zocdoc monthly to find quality, in-network doctors and book appointments for in-person or virtual care.In his wide-ranging career, Dr. Kharraz has gained comprehensive experience in building efficiency and affecting change in large scale health organizations using information technology.On this episode of The Beat, Dr. Kharraz joins host Dr. Gautam Gulati to discuss the latest research and insights on patient and physician engagement from Zocdoc’s 2023 Report: What Patients Want.Dr. Kharraz discusses the pros and cons of offering patients a suite of choices for access to care and shares Zocdoc’s guided search experience for selecting the right provider.Listen in to understand how Zocdoc uses machine learning and AI to serve consumers and clinicians and learn the top three things patients consider as they choose a health care provider.Topics CoveredThe pros and cons of offering a suite of choices for patients to access careHow often Zocdoc patients go back to the same provider (once the initial choice is made)How Zocdoc functions as the interoperability layer for logistics in the healthcare systemCategorizing the different types of access to care from a patient’s perspectiveHealthcare technologies that the consumer isn’t ready for vs. healthcare technologies that haven’t figured out their business modelZocdoc’s guided search experience for choosing between telehealth and in-person visitsThe challenges Zocdoc faces in publishing prices for different care optionsHow Zodoc uses machine learning and AI to serve consumers and cliniciansDr. Kharraz’s vision for using the blockchain to solve for trust in healthcare informationDr. Kharraz’s top 3 key takeaways from Zocdoc’s What Patients Want ReportWhy the needle hasn’t moved on the primary issues in healthcare despite significant advancements in technologyConnect with Dr. Oliver KharrazDr. Kharraz at ZocdocDr. Kharraz on LinkedInConnect with Dr. Gautam Gulati & Dr. Jessica ShepherdViVEHLTHDr. Shepherd on TwitterDr. Shepherd on LinkedInDr. Gulati on TwitterDr. Gulati on LinkedInResourcesZocdoc Practice SolutionsZocdoc 2023 Report on What Patients WantAtul Gawande’s 2017 Piece on Incremental Care

We know that diverse founders only receive a fraction of VC funding. And that healthcare inequality is exacerbated by the lack of diverse perspectives and solutions in healthcare tech.But what if there was a venture fund that focused on diverse founders building healthcare technology for the communities they come from?Justin Williams is Principal at Seae Ventures, an investment firm specializing in early-stage healthcare technology companies founded by diverse entrepreneurs.In his role at Seae, Justin leads portfolio sourcing, deal due diligence, financial modeling and portfolio management.On this episode of The Beat, Justin joins host Dr. Jessica Shepherd to discuss healthcare portfolios that focus on diversity and disadvantaged communities.Justin shares examples of Seae’s portfolio companies, explaining how Functional Fluidics serves patients with sickle cell disease and Kiyatec helps cancer patients make personalized therapy decisions.Listen in for insight on implementing new innovations in diverse patient populations and learn how Seae is moving the needle on health equity by investing in diverse founders of healthcare tech.Topics CoveredWhat inspired Justin’s transition from finance to healthcare investingHow its mission to advance equity through opportunity drew Justin to SeaeHow Functional Fluidics serves patients with sickle cell diseaseThe benefit of founders being a part of the communities they serveJustin’s passion for investing in diverse founders who help underserved communitiesHow Kiyatec helps cancer patients make personalized treatment decisionsIdentifying how certain communities, ethnicities and genders respond to cancer therapiesSeae’s strategies for finding new portfolio companiesThe diversity among Seae’s team and the company’s group of foundersHow Seae works with FQHCs to implement tech solutions in diverse patient populationsJustin’s advice for aspiring VCs from diverse communitiesConnect with Justin WilliamsSeae VenturesJustin on LinkedInConnect with Dr. Gautam Gulati & Dr. Jessica ShepherdViVEHLTHDr. Shepherd on TwitterDr. Shepherd on LinkedInDr. Gulati on TwitterDr. Gulati on LinkedInResourcesFunctional FluidicsKiyatecSeae’s Partnership with EBNHC

About  Russ Richmond:Russ Richmond has diverse work experience spanning various industries and roles. Russ is the CEO and Co-founder of Laudio, a healthcare leadership company that improves frontline actions. Russ has also served as a Member of the Innovation Growth Board at Mass General Brigham. In addition, they have held positions such as Executive Chairman and Independent Board Director at Validic, Member of the Board of Directors at BioDigital, and CEO and Board Director at Advanced Practice Strategies (APS), where they successfully restructured the company and facilitated its acquisition. Russ has also worked at Explorys, an IBM company, as an Independent Board Director. Prior to that, they were the CEO and co-founder of Objective Health, a startup within McKinsey & Company, where they played a significant role in establishing the company and leading its performance insights efforts. Russ had earlier worked as a Consultant and Associate Principal at McKinsey & Company. Russ also has experience as the Executive Vice President of Verisk Health and as a resident physician at the University of Michigan Health System.Things You’ll Learn:Laudio redefines healthcare management by empowering frontline leaders with integrated, AI-powered workflows, addressing issues like burnout and turnover.Laudio's strategy of publishing data-driven insights fosters a culture of informed leadership and drives the spread of Laudio's solutions.Laudio accelerates market adoption despite the typically slow healthcare sales cycle, building a teamwork-based approach to engage multiple executive stakeholders for impactful collaboration.The platform's AI-driven approach to automating managerial tasks can save up to 6 hours a week for health managers. The strategies that Laudio employs to foster customer acquisition, scaling effectively in an industry known for long sales cycles.Resources:Connect with and follow Dr. Russ Richmond on LinkedIn.Follow Laudio on LinkedIn and visit their website.

About Nasim Afsar:Nasim Afsar is relentlessly focused on advancing the health and care of the world through Healthy People, Healthy Workforce, and Healthy Business. As Chief Health Officer, Dr. Afsar leads Product Strategy, Global Market Strategy, and Entry and Third Party Partnerships. Last year, her team delivered higher quality care for over 2 million people (Healthy People), saved physicians and nurses nearly 200,000 hours (Healthy Workforce), and positively impacted the financial performance of clients (Healthy Business). She leads Oracle Health’s Steering Committees on AI/ML in Healthcare, Retail in Healthcare, and Payers. Her team has a focus on health equity, working closely with key stakeholders globally. She also works on building the larger ecosystem of healthcare, including working closely with payers, retail, pharma food and beverage, and public health agencies.Previously, Dr. Afsar served as Chief Operating Officer for UCI (University of California, Irvine) Health. She led inpatient and ambulatory operations, including ambulatory care, inpatient progression efforts, clinical support services, ancillary services, public safety, building and construction, and emergency management. She led health system contracting, working closely with payers to bring new products to market. Her work led to historically high ambulatory growth, inpatient volumes, surgeries, and tertiary care transfers to the institution. During her tenure at UCI Health, Dr. Afsar spearheaded and co-led innovative programs, such as telehealth, hospital-at-home, and strategic partnerships, to help provide value for patients and communities. After the onset of COVID-19, Dr. Afsar created a mobile field hospital, led the licensure of ambulatory spaces, created drive-thru COVID-19 testing centers, and led a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination program.Things You’ll Learn:Oracle Health is committed to advancing healthcare by combining best-in-class technology with clinical, operational, and financial outcomes.The potential of Oracle's health data intelligence platform is groundbreaking as it brings together various healthcare entities.Oracle integrates data from numerous sources and applies intelligence to potentially lost data crucial for precision medicine.Oracle's aim is to empower healthcare providers in different roles.Current digital innovations should be designed to reduce administrative burden and enhance decision-making processes for healthcare providers, ultimately enriching patient care and potentially revolutionizing the industry.Resources:Connect with and follow Nasim Afsar on LinkedIn.Follow Oracle on LinkedIn and visit their website.