HealthBiz with David E. Williams

Shan Sinha is confronting the urgent issue of workplace violence in healthcare. Delving into the alarming rise of aggression against healthcare workers, particularly exacerbated by the pandemic, Shan discusses pioneering solutions like Canopy's wearable safety buttons that empower staff with connectivity and protection. Shan shares his extraordinary journey through the fast-paced world of technology and innovation. We embark on a captivating exploration of Shan's upbringing in Texas, his academic pursuit at MIT during the pivotal shift from Microsoft's reign to Google's ascension, and his leap into the startup ecosystem influenced by the dot-com boom. Shan's experiences highlight the challenges and triumphs faced by children of immigrants, shedding light on their vital contributions to technological advancement and healthcare innovation.We trace the transformative evolution of cloud-based collaboration tools, punctuated by the early dominance of Amazon S3 and the emergence of Dropbox and Box. Shan recounts his bold decision to leave Microsoft, paving the way for his startup's critical role in shaping Google Drive, and reflects on Google's prescient embrace of hybrid work and video conferencing well before the pandemic. The journey through Shan's entrepreneurial ventures culminates in a successful acquisition by Dialpad, underscoring the dynamic interplay between technological growth and societal demands.This episode challenges us to rethink how we safeguard our essential healthcare workers, drawing insights from Numbers on't Lie, by Vaclav Smil. It's a thought-provoking book on exponential growth and innovation that offers hope for addressing today's pressing issues, from energy to food waste. As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/ Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

In this episode I welcome back Mohan Giridharadas, CEO and founder of LeanTaaS, who shares his  journey in revolutionizing healthcare capacity through AI and prescriptive analytics. Mohan provides insights into LeanTaas's evolution since pivoting to healthcare in 2015, tackling pressing challenges such as increased demand, financial pressures and staffing shortages. With innovative solutions now optimizing a third of the U.S. chemotherapy capacity and enhancing 15% of the nation's surgical capacity, LeanTaaS is transforming the landscape of healthcare efficiency. Our discussion highlights the  strides made in optimizing infusion centers, operating rooms, and inpatient beds.We explore the intricacies of improving hospital flow using predictive AI. Mohan and I discuss the similarities between hospital bed management and hotel room turnover, offering insightful comparisons. By employing algorithms to predict bed shortages and prioritize discharges, hospitals can improve patient flow and efficiency. The conversation extends to interconnected issues like ambulance capacity and post-acute care constraints, emphasizing the potential of predictive analytics to revolutionize hospital operations and patient care.Finally, discover how LeanTaaS is harnessing the power of generative AI with their innovative iQueue products. Mohan discusses the challenges of preventing AI hallucinations and the importance of human oversight in decision-making processes. We also touch on LeanTaas's cybersecurity measures and the critical need for robust data protection in healthcare. Additionally, Mohan shares his excitement about a newly released book and reflects on the company's growth, including reaching a billion-dollar valuation. As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/ Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Join me in exploring value-based care with George Aloth, co-founder and CEO of Chamber. George shares his inspiring journey from his upbringing in Baltimore to his pivotal role in shaping healthcare. With a unique educational background in accounting and law, he honed his expertise in Medicaid and Medicare through early career experiences at CMS and Cigna. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found a Medicaid insurance startup and eventually become CEO of CareFirst's Medicaid division. George reflects on his tenure at Somatus, a kidney value-based care company, which sparked his passion for transforming specialty care, specifically cardiology, into a value-based model.In our conversation, we tackle the pressing issues of cardiology access and equity, emphasizing the challenges faced by vulnerable populations reliant on Medicaid. The discussion highlights the economic decisions cardiology practices must make amidst high demand and limited supply. We explore strategies to enhance efficiency and ensure equitable treatment for all patients, regardless of insurance status. Drawing insights from the book "Good to Great" by Jim Collins, we underscore the importance of building a strong team during rapid growth phases. Don't miss this enlightening discussion with George Aloth as we envision a future of improved access and quality in cardiology care.As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/ Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

As a physician and healthcare CEO, Russ Richmond already knew a lot about healthcare. But when a bad accident put him into the hospital for three months he developed a much more profound understanding of caregiving.In particular, he learned that many of the nurses and therapists who provided him with such great care were thinking of quitting their jobs!Once he was released he did some research and discovered that a root cause of burnout was a lack of effective management and high administrative burden. He zeroed in on a solution: support for frontline nurse managers.These insights formed the basis for the founding of Laudio, an intelligent platform that streamlines work for frontline leaders to drive large-scale change.Before talking about Laudio, we also discuss Russ's earlier career, including a stint leading APS, where I had previously been chairman of the board. I'm grateful to Russ for growing and exiting that business.As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/ Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Richard Kellner, founder of the PKD Outreach Foundation, shares his passionate mission to eradicate polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a leading cause of kidney failure affecting families. He discusses innovative solutions like combining pre-implantation genetic testing with in vitro fertilization to prevent passing PKD to children. Richard's personal story adds depth as he reflects on the loss of his wife to the disease and the challenges it brought to his family. The foundation's initiatives to raise awareness, make testing affordable, and support live kidney donation are truly inspiring.

Brett White, CEO of Weave, an AI-powered platform for medical practices, shares insights from his intriguing journey from Northern California farm life to leading a tech innovator. He discusses how personal experiences shaped his strong work ethic and leadership style. The conversation dives into the transformative role of AI in enhancing efficiency, patient engagement, and revenue management in small medical practices. Brett also emphasizes the importance of technology in streamlining operational challenges, particularly in independent healthcare settings.

Tom Furr, CEO of PatientPay and ClearGage, discusses their recent merger aimed at transforming healthcare billing and payments. He highlights the challenges patients face with high-deductible plans and the need for clear, user-friendly billing similar to e-commerce experiences. Tom emphasizes innovative solutions like digital wallets and upfront cost estimates to enhance patient payment transparency. He also touches on the importance of effective revenue cycle management to improve financial outcomes for healthcare providers.

In this engaging conversation, Sarah Iselin, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts, shares her journey from art to healthcare after a decade spent in California and Florida. She tackles the pressing issues of escalating healthcare costs, particularly for women's health and mental health services, while emphasizing the importance of value-based care. Sarah also discusses the challenges facing Steward Health Care and the community's response to its bankruptcy. Her personal inspirations and commitment to public service make this a truly insightful discussion.

Jeff Greenfield's journey is fascinating. As a child he was enchanted with magic, fell in love with Disney, and was transformed by a year in Israel during high school. Jeff shares how his early experiences shaped his career path, from studying biochemistry at the University of Maryland to becoming a chiropractor, all the while nurturing his passion for close-up magic. A car accident meant he had to stop practicing, but ultimately led him to embrace the burgeoning internet era of the mid-90s.Next, we lift the veil on the complexities of modern digital advertising. We explore how digital marketing has shifted the focus to the bottom of the funnel, increasing competition and costs. A captivating case study about leveraging MasterCard data to target weight loss customers highlights the sophisticated and costly nature of today's advertising strategies. In the final chapter, we delve into the intricate world of healthcare and pharmaceutical marketing privacy. Jeff sheds light on the dual-focus strategy of targeting both healthcare providers and consumers, explaining how pharmaceutical companies educate providers while raising consumer awareness. The evolution from traditional TV and radio ads to digital marketing is discussed, with an emphasis on the impact of iOS privacy changes and browser policy updates. We explore the significance of first-party and third-party cookies in the ad economy and the challenges posed by their potential phase-out. As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/ Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Dr. Tryggvi Thorgeirsson, CEO of Sidekick Health, shares his dynamic journey from Iceland to the forefront of digital health. He discusses the challenges and innovations in managing multiple chronic conditions with a platform approach. The conversation delves into the integration of technology and patient behavior change, as well as strategic partnerships driving Sidekick's impressive growth. With insights on recent industry developments, Tryggvi's story highlights the vital intersection of healthcare and technology.