The Beat

About Sasha Tyndale:Sasha Tyndale is a seasoned leader in the pharmaceutical industry with over 20 years of experience spanning oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and more. As Director of Diversity and Patient Inclusion at AbbVie, she drives patient-centric strategies and innovative clinical operations. With expertise in precision medicine and personalized healthcare, she collaborates cross-functionally to enhance patient engagement and future-proof organizations. Previously, she held key roles at PAREXEL and Johnson & Johnson, specializing in strategic patient recruitment and clinical innovation. Sasha holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Rutgers University. Passionate about advancing equitable healthcare, she is committed to transforming research and improving patient outcomes.Things You’ll Learn:AbbVie is making clinical trials more inclusive by ensuring they represent diverse populations affected by the diseases being studied.Through programs like ADMIRE, AbbVie is expanding research access by involving underrepresented healthcare providers in clinical research.AbbVie is simplifying participation in clinical trials by making study materials clearer and designing studies that minimize patient burden.Patient voices are essential in humanizing research, providing valuable insights into real-life disease challenges, and encouraging greater participation in clinical trials.AbbVie is taking bold action to challenge traditional research practices, collaborate with community partners, and improve healthcare access and representation.Educating individuals about clinical trials empowers communities to make informed decisions about participation in medical research.Resources:Connect with and follow Sasha Tyndale on LinkedIn.Discover more about AbbVie on their LinkedIn and website.Sign up for the ADMIRE program here.If you are considering participating in AbbVie’s clinical research program, click here.

About Dr. Karin Tollefson:Dr. Karin Tollefson is a highly accomplished pharmaceutical executive with over 30 years of experience dedicated to advancing cancer care. Currently serving as Chief Oncology Medical Officer at Pfizer, she leads the Oncology Global and US Medical Affairs Division. Before joining Pfizer in 2023, Dr. Tollefson held the role of Senior Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs at Seagen Inc., where she successfully launched three practice-changing medicines and built a global medical affairs organization. Her extensive career includes significant tenure at Eli Lilly and Company, where she held various leadership roles in clinical operations, development, and medical affairs. Throughout her career, she has contributed to the launch of eight new medicines, impacting patient care across multiple tumor types and therapeutic areas. Dr. Tollefson is an Independent Director on the Board for Verastem Oncology, and has also served on the boards of the American Lung Association and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She is a 2024 Healthcare Businesswomen's Association Luminary Award recipient, and is a strong advocate for women in the oncology field, being a sponsor of both the Oncology Women’s Network and the Pfizer Butterfly Community at Pfizer. She holds a Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Kansas and completed her undergraduate studies at Kansas State University.Things You’ll Learn:The incidence of cancer in people under 50 has increased by 79% since 1990, marking a significant and alarming trend that needs immediate attention, especially with colorectal cancer now the leading cause of cancer death in men and second in women younger than 50 years. Western lifestyle factors such as poor diet, obesity, sedentary behavior, and exposure to toxins are likely significant contributors to the rise of early-onset cancers, suggesting that shifts in lifestyle and public health initiatives could impact cancer rates.Younger cancer patients are often diagnosed at later stages due to a lack of preventative care and symptoms being easily dismissed.Increased screening accessibility is crucial for early detection and prevention. This includes molecular testing and colonoscopies, which offer the opportunity to remove precancerous polyps, preventing them from developing into something more serious.The battle against cancer requires collaborative efforts between healthcare providers, academic institutions, industry partners, and advocacy organizations. This is not just one organization's fight; collaborative efforts must continue.Resources:Follow Dr. Karin Tollefson, Chief Oncology Medical Officer at Pfizer, on LinkedIn.Discover more about Pfizer on their LinkedIn and website.Read more on Pfizer in Oncology here. Patient Resources/Advocacy Links:Explore This Is Living With Cancer’s Advocacy Support’s website.Visit the Global Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s website here. (Pfizer was one of their sponsors)Learn more about the transformative work CancerCare is doing.Find CancerCare’s guide on Biomarker Testing here.Read the best practices for Biomarker Testing Coverage here. (Pfizer had input and was a sponsor)Get AONN Biomarker Navigation here. For the Precision Medicine Toolkit, look here.Empower yourself or your patients with essential navigation resources–a site co-created with AONN, to find materials on breast, prostate, health equity, geriatric, and more. (Patient navigators can download and share educational tools for enhanced support.)Deepen your understanding of prostate cancer here. 

About Kimbery Powlell:Kimberly Powell is the Vice President of Healthcare at NVIDIA, overseeing the global healthcare sector. She leads efforts to advance hardware and software platforms for accelerated computing, AI, and visualization, driving innovation in medical imaging, life sciences, drug discovery, and healthcare analytics. Before this role, Kim managed NVIDIA’s higher education and research initiatives, strategic evangelism programs, NVIDIA AI Labs, and the NVIDIA Inception program. Since joining NVIDIA in 2008, she has been instrumental in positioning NVIDIA GPUs as a foundational technology for medical imaging systems.Things You’ll Learn:Generative AI is transforming surgical procedures by supporting all phases of the process, including pre-operative patient education, real-time surgical guidance, and automatic post-surgical documentation, resulting in safer and more efficient operations.Privacy and ethical concerns in healthcare AI are being addressed by embedding models directly into medical devices and introducing reasoning layers to ensure safe, responsible, and ethical operation.Ethical safeguards, or "guardrails," are essential for reducing AI-related risks by preventing the system from operating in unsafe or untrustworthy ways.AI should be seen as a "digital human" teammate in healthcare, enhancing staff efficiency and productivity while improving care quality.Evaluating the ROI of AI requires analyzing its ability to reduce costs from rescheduled surgeries and automate tasks, allowing healthcare staff to focus on patients with the greatest need.Resources:Connect with and follow Kimberly Powell on LinkedIn.Discover more about NVIDIA on their LinkedIn and website.

About Dr. Brian Anderson:Dr. Brian Anderson is a leading voice in health AI as CEO and Co-Founder of the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI), guiding the development of national standards for safe and effective AI in healthcare. Formerly Chief Digital Health Physician at MITRE, he spearheaded crucial research initiatives, including advancements in clinical trials and oncology. An internationally recognized expert, Dr. Anderson speaks frequently on digital health, AI assurance, and interoperability. A Harvard Medical School graduate with an MD (honors) and a BA (cum laude), Dr. Anderson trained at Mass General, practiced at Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, and lives in Boston with his family.Things You’ll Learn:A significant gap exists in the lack of independent labs to evaluate health AI, as these are already standard practice in other sectors with regulated technologies. The proposed national network of certified labs will fill this gap by providing independent assessments of AI models, promoting trust in their use.AI model cards are crucial for transparency because they detail the training methodologies and ingredients of AI models. This information helps users, such as physicians, make informed decisions about the tool’s appropriateness for their patients.Clinicians need upskilling to critically evaluate AI tools and make informed decisions about their use in patient care.Generative AI applications like ambient scribes have the potential to greatly mitigate physician burnout by streamlining administrative tasks. This can give them more time to focus on their patients and improve their work-life balance.The creation of quality assurance labs will be a critical first step in AI regulation, helping to bridge the gap between rapidly evolving technology and established safety standards.Resources:Connect with and follow Dr. Brian Anderson on LinkedIn.Discover more about Coalition for Health AI (CHAI) on their LinkedIn and website.

About Dr. Maria Ryan: Maria Ryan, DDS, PhD, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Colgate-Palmolive Company, where she oversees the Dental and Dermal Clinical teams, as well as the Knowledge Management and Scientific Communications departments. Before joining Colgate-Palmolive, Dr. Ryan was a Professor and Chair of the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology at Stony Brook University, where she focused on teaching, practicing periodontology, and conducting research. She is the former President of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and has served on various academic and foundation boards. Dr. Ryan has earned several honors, including NIH National Research Service Awards and a Physician Scientist Award. She was also the recipient of the American Dental Association’s Achievement Award and the Victress Health Award for her contributions to women’s health research. Dr. Ryan is a renowned speaker and author, frequently appearing in media to highlight the connection between oral and overall health.Things You’ll Learn:Oral diseases are a global health crisis affecting 50% of the world's population and significantly impacting overall health.There is a critical disconnect between medical and dental care, leading to neglect of oral health's importance in overall well-being.Untreated oral diseases, like cavities and gum disease, can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.The "Oral Health Quotient" (OQ) aims to educate the public on their oral health knowledge and practices. Many people don't realize that cavities and gum disease are chronic inflammatory diseases that require treatment.Addressing periodontal disease can lead to reductions in medical costs related to conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.Preventive measures, like proper brushing, flossing, and limiting sugar, are crucial for avoiding most oral diseases.Resources:Connect with and follow Dr. Maria Ryan on LinkedIn.Discover more about Colgate-Palmolive on LinkedIn and their website.

About Dr. Carolyn Jasik:Carolyn is a board-certified physician with a background in health technology startups, multidisciplinary care, education, and research. As Chief Medical Officer at Omada, she uses her diverse expertise to improve user experience and introduce integrated healthcare solutions. Before joining Omada, Carolyn spent 14 years at the University of California as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Clinical Instructor at San Francisco General Hospital. She also served as Vice President of Medical Outcomes at Mango Health, a digital health startup. Carolyn earned a Bachelor's in Public Policy from Princeton University, a Medical Degree from the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine, and completed her research training at the University of California, San Francisco. She is board-certified in clinical informatics, adolescent medicine, and pediatrics. At Omada, Carolyn supports clinical and research teams, contributing to the development of innovative healthcare solutions.Things You’ll Learn:GLP-1 medications require comprehensive wraparound support, including lifestyle changes, mental health, and physical therapy, for effective and sustainable outcomes. The speed of weight loss, rather than the GLP-1 itself, is often the primary driver of muscle mass reduction.Many individuals on GLP-1s aim to eventually discontinue the medication, making long-term lifestyle planning a crucial part of the treatment.Stopping GLP-1s abruptly can trigger rebound weight gain due to the body's natural metabolic response.AI's role in healthcare should be focused on enhancing human care delivery, not replacing the crucial empathetic connection.The future of healthcare will include advanced primary care that addresses the gaps between traditional doctor visits.Resources:Connect with and follow Dr. Carolyn Jasik on LinkedIn.Discover more about Omada Health on LinkedIn and their website.

About Andrew Adams:Andrew Adams is the co-founder of Oak HC/FT, established in 2014 to focus exclusively on investing in healthcare and fintech startups. In 2023, the firm was ranked among the top ten venture capital firms globally. With over 25 years of experience, Andrew has been a key investor in numerous high-profile healthcare companies, including One Medical (acquired by Amazon), iHealth Technologies (merged with Connolly), Therapy Brands (acquired by KKR), and PharMEDium Healthcare (acquired by CD&R), among others. He serves on the boards of several healthcare organizations, including August Bioservices, DispatchHealth, and Unified Women's Healthcare. Andrew has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Healthcare Investors of 2024 by GrowthCap. Prior to co-founding Oak HC/FT, he began his career at Alex. Brown & Sons and holds a BA from Princeton University. His extensive track record highlights his deep expertise in healthcare investment and innovation.Things You’ll Learn:Identifying and backing the best entrepreneurs with a strong track record is crucial for achieving impactful scale in healthcare.A blend of technology and personalized services is necessary to effectively engage patients and meet their diverse needs.Effective patient engagement involves an omnichannel approach, meeting patients where they are, whether virtually, in person, or at home.Companies should target specific patient populations with tailored tools, services, and a deep understanding of their needs.The future of healthcare investment lies in companies that deliver real value by addressing cost, quality, and the consumer experience across the healthcare continuum.Resources:Connect with and follow Andrew Adams on LinkedIn.Discover more about OAK HC/FT on LinkedIn and their website.

About Joyce Tung:Joyce Tung, Ph.D., is the Vice President of Research at 23andMe, where she has been since 2007. She leads the research team responsible for consumer health and ancestry research, academic and industry collaborations, computational analyses for therapeutics, and the development of new research methods and tools. Prior to her work at 23andMe, Joyce was a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, where she focused on the genetics of mouse and human pigmentation. She earned her Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of California, San Francisco, where she was also a National Science Foundation graduate research fellow. Joyce's leadership at 23andMe has been instrumental in advancing genetic research and innovation in both consumer health and scientific development.Things You’ll Learn:Current genetic research heavily favors people of European ancestry, hindering the application of findings to other populations.Large-scale genetic studies, driven by consumer participation, are revealing previously unknown health associations.Empowering consumers with their genetic information shifts the power dynamic in healthcare towards individual control.Genetic research findings are not universally applicable, making diverse participation critical for accuracy and benefit.Consumer participation in research provides individuals with a way to fight back against diseases and contribute to future advancements.Resources:Connect with and follow Joyce Tung on LinkedIn.Discover more about 23andMe on LinkedIn and their website.Read 23andMe’s depression report here.Learn more about 23andMe’s article on sickle cell trait here.

AI and automation in healthcare isn’t just efficient – it can improve patient and worker satisfaction. In this interview, Sandy Vance discusses AI and automation in healthcare with Ted Dinsmore, the Managing Director of SphereGen Technologies. Ted explains that while the concept of AI has recently exploded as it has seen widespread adoption on the consumer side, the technology that it is based on has existed for years and can help automate mundane processes in hospitals. It can also improve worker retention by removing unfulfilling and repetitive work, freeing up time to focus on higher-value aspects of their roles. Sandy and Ted also cover the downsides of waiting to adopt AI and automation technology, which are mostly related to stagnation and a loss of opportunity. In this episode, they discuss:Using AI automation to fill staffing shortages and increase job satisfaction by taking over mundane tasksAutomating prior authorization, eligibility, and denial disputes while increasing patient satisfaction through human interactionHelping clients customize their automation and integration to match their workflowUse cases and ROI seen from organizations who adopt SphereGen automationCreating intelligent document processes to extract data from PDFsThe downsides of waiting to adopt AI automation, which mostly relate to a loss of opportunity A little about Dinsmore:Ted Dinsmore is the President of SphereGen. The software consulting firm drives digital transformation in the healthcare ecosystem by using AI and automation to make systems more efficient and effective. He helps clients in the US and Europe with automation, software development, and extended reality technology. When Ted founded his first consulting firm, he became invested in supporting Microsoft solutions for large multinational companies. Striving to stay ahead of new technology, Dinsmore embraced artificial intelligence and extended realities with a focus on improving healthcare processes. Under Dinsmore’s leadership since its inception, SphereGen has received multiple awards for its services, including the GNHCC Innovation Award and the Most Promising AR/VR Solutions Provider Award in 2023 from CIOReview. SphereGen guides clients throughout the US and Europe as they begin adopting AI, automation, and expanded realities; customizing technology to meet client needs. 

About Maria Torroella Carney: Dr. Maria Torroella Carney is a highly respected internist, geriatrician, and palliative care physician with a robust background in public health. She is the Chief of the Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine and an Associate Professor of Medicine. She also holds the position of Chief of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine for Northwell Health. As the first geriatrician to serve as a health department commissioner in New York State, Dr. Carney has made significant contributions to the field of longevity promotion and the care of vulnerable populations. Her research focuses on advanced care planning, shared decision-making, elder abuse, and capacity assessment. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding community service and leadership.Things You’ll Learn:Hospice is a model of care focused on quality of life, not just end-of-life, and includes comprehensive support services. It's underutilized due to a lack of understanding and difficult decisions required regarding foregoing certain treatments.Patients should be able to explore hospice without feeling obligated to stop other care immediately.Family caregivers are an "invisible workforce" that requires more support, education, and resources. They are integral to the healthcare team yet often overlooked.Elder orphans, those aging without family support, are a growing concern and need early identification and tailored support.Geriatric medicine and palliative care are in their infancy and require more attention and specialists to meet their increasing needs. There's an insufficient number of professionals in these fields.Resources:Connect with and follow Maria Torroella Carney on LinkedIn.Discover more about Northwell Health on LinkedIn and their website.Buy Maria Torroella Carney’s The Aging Revolution here.