The Beat

In this conversation, Sandy Vance interviews Waleed Nasr, CEO of Medely, a healthcare staffing platform that utilizes data and AI to optimize workforce management in healthcare facilities. Waleed shares his background in technology and the semiconductor industry, leading to the creation of Medely to address staffing challenges in healthcare. The discussion covers the impact of AI on healthcare staffing, the benefits of using Medely for facilities, and what sets it apart from competitors. Waleed emphasizes the importance of integrating workforce solutions and the future applications of AI in healthcare.In this episode , they discuss:Medely connects healthcare facilities with professionals using data and AI.Waleed's background in technology led to the creation of Medely.AI can optimize staffing and improve patient outcomes.Healthcare facilities can schedule resources faster to see more patients with Medely's platform.Medely reduces staffing costs compared to traditional agencies.The platform helps reduce staff burnout and increase retention.Medely integrates total workforce management and scheduling into one solution.Flexibility in staffing solutions is crucial for healthcare organizations.Automating credentialing processes saves time and resources.Medely supports a wide range of healthcare facilities.A little about Waleed:Waleed Nasr is the CEO of Medely, a healthcare staffing platform that connects healthcare facilities to manage their entire extended workforce and connects them with experienced independent healthcare contractors. With a strong background in technology and business, Waleed has led Medely to become one of the leading platforms in the healthcare staffing industry, revolutionizing how healthcare facilities and professionals connect in an increasingly gig-oriented economy.Waleed earned a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the California State University, Northridge. Before joining Medely, he gained extensive experience in leadership roles as founder of two semiconductor companies, focusing on scaling operations and driving innovation. His expertise in building tech-driven solutions has been instrumental in Medely’s growth, enabling the company to streamline the staffing process and improve the quality of care in healthcare facilities.Under Waleed’s leadership, Medely has expanded its services nationwide, providing healthcare professionals greater flexibility and opportunities while ensuring that healthcare facilities can efficiently meet their staffing needs. Waleed is passionate about using technology to create meaningful impacts in the healthcare sector, continuously pushing for advancements that benefit healthcare professionals, facilities, and patients.

About Shaun Noorian:Shaun Noorian is the founder, CEO, and Chairman of Empower Pharmacy, a leader in the compounding pharmaceutical industry. Under Shaun’s leadership, Empower Pharmacy has become the largest compounding pharmacy in the U.S., dedicated to making high-quality, affordable, personalized medications accessible to everyone.Things You'll Learn:Personalized medications can harness the power of compounding to achieve better health outcomes at a lower cost.Telemedicine and compounding pharmacies enhance healthcare accessibility and transparency.The traditional retail pharmacy model is shifting toward centralized compounding facilities that distribute medications directly to patients.Empower Pharmacy’s investments in infrastructure, automation, and scaling are improving patient access to personalized therapies.ResourcesConnect with and follow Shaun Noorian on LinkedIn.Follow Empower Pharmacy on LinkedIn and explore their website.

About Andrea Daniels:She is the Director of Clinical Services at Strive Pharmacy, where she oversees patient care initiatives and collaborates with healthcare providers to optimize treatment plans.About Kaleo Alo:He is the VP of Business Development at Strive Pharmacy, working to build partnerships and expand Strive's impact in the personalized healthcare space.Things You’ll Learn:Compounding and personalized care are essential elements of modern healthcare.Telehealth improves access to personalized treatment and enhances patient satisfaction.Education empowers patients to understand and manage their compounded medications effectively.Strive Pharmacy is dedicated to advocating for functional medicine and promoting patient wellness.Strive Pharmacy envisions a future of transforming patient care through innovative approaches and continuous growth.Resources:Connect with and follow Andrea Daniels on LinkedIn.Connect with and follow Kaleo Alo on LinkedIn.Follow Strive Pharmacy on LinkedIn and visit their website.

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!