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The Wellness Industry Is Misleading You w/ Dr. Zeke Emanuel, Author, Eat Your Ice Cream
The wellness industry is booming, but is it actually helping people live better lives? With trillions spent on supplements, special diets, and longevity hacks, it raises a bigger question about what really matters for long-term health.
Dr. Zeke Emanuel, Author, Eat Your Ice Cream joins CareTalk to discuss the wellness industrial complex, the health risks of loneliness, and why social connection, simple habits, and even ice cream may matter more than expensive longevity obsessions.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT ZEKE EMANUEL Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD, is the Vice Provost for Global Initiatives, the Co-Director of the Healthcare Transformation Institute, and the Diane v.S. Levy and Robert M. Levy University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.
Emanuel is an oncologist and world leader in health policy and bioethics. He is a Special Advisor to the Director General of the World Health Organization, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He was the founding chair of the Department of Bioethics at the National Institutes of Health and held that position until August of 2011. From 2009 to 2011, he served as a Special Advisor on Health Policy to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and National Economic Council. In this role, he was instrumental in drafting the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Emanuel also served on the Biden-Harris Transition Covid Advisory Board.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
Are medical errors still one of healthcare’s biggest failures?
In this clip from our episode “One Giant Leap for Healthcare AI”, host John Driscoll speaks with Dr. Robert Wachter, Author of A Giant Leap, about how AI could help reduce diagnostic mistakes at scale
🎙️⚕️ABOUT ROBERT WACHTER Robert Wachter, MD is Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Author of 300 articles and 6 books, he coined the term “hospitalist,” the fastest-growing medical specialty in U.S. history. He is past-president of the Society of Hospital Medicine, past-chair of the American Board of Internal Medicine, and an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine. In 2004, he received the John M. Eisenberg Award, the nation’s top honor in patient safety. Modern Healthcare magazine has ranked him as one of the 50 most influential physician-executives in the U.S. more than a dozen times; he was #1 on the list in 2015.
His 2015 book, "The Digital Doctor," was a New York Times bestseller. His new book, "A Giant Leap: How AI is Transforming Healthcare and What That Means for Our Future," was published by Portfolio/Penguin in 2026.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
Are GLP-1 drugs becoming a long-term foundation of healthcare?
In this clip from our episode "What JPM Signals for Healthcare in 2026", CareTalk hosts David Williams and John Driscoll discuss why GLP-1s may be evolving beyond short-term weight loss treatments.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Chairman, UConn Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
Small medical practices are competing and often losing to the giants of the healthcare industry.
But what if AI could give them an edge?
In this HealthBiz Brief, Weave CEO Brett White discusses how they are innovating how practitioners use AI to attract, engage, and retain customers while competitively driving business growth.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT BRETT WHITE Brett White is the CEO of Weave and has been on its board of directors since July 2020. He previously served as Weave's President and COO. White has been the Chief Financial Officer at Mindbody, Inc. since July 2013 and was its COO from 2016 to 2020. Additionally, he has been a member of the Dean Advisory Council and an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Orfalea College of Business, California Polytechnic State University, since April 2018. He holds a B.A. in Business Economics with honors and an Accounting emphasis from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT WEAVE Weave is the leading all-in-one customer experience software platform designed for small and medium-sized healthcare businesses. It revolutionizes how practitioners attract, engage, and retain customers to drive business growth. By integrating payments, texting, scheduling, reminders, reviews, phones, and more into a single, user-friendly platform, Weave enhances efficiency and boosts revenue. Recognized for its achievements and work culture, Weave has been named a leader in Patient Engagement, Optometry, Dental Practice Management, and Patient Relationship Management by G2 in the past year.
Chances are you've been hit with a medical bill far more expensive than you expected.
If so, you're not alone.
In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll dive into the complex, confusing, and often painful world of medical billing, discussing how you can protect yourself from unethical and erroneous charges.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
TOPICS: (0:24) Sponsorship (1:26) Why You Never Know How Much Your Medical Bill Will Cost (2:29) How Complex Healthcare Systems Confuse Billing (3:16) Why You Should Contest Your Bill (5:45) Can Extroverts Demand Lower Medical Costs? (8:11) Examining Itemized Billing (9:06) How the Biden Administration is Fighting for Medical Cost Transparency (10:00) Can you Plan for Medical Expenses? (11:55) Understanding Medical Bill Payment Plans (13:47) Doctors, Insurance, and Your Role in Medical Billing
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
Polycystic Kidney Disease is consider to be an uncurable and irreversible disease.
But what if this long-thought unstoppable disease could, in fact, be slowed or even prevented from being passed on to future generations?
In this week’s episode of HealthBiz Briefs, guest Richard Kellner, founder of PKD Outreach, shares his connection to the disease and how his company is working to end this debilitating condition for future generations.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT RICHARD KELLNER Richard Kellner is the founder of the PKD Outreach Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and funding genetic testing to eradicate Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), a leading cause of kidney failure. His deep commitment to ending PKD is driven by his own family's tragic experience with the disease. PKD is a genetic condition that often leads to kidney failure by a patient's late 40s or 50s and has a 50 percent chance of being inherited by children. However, through IVF and genetic testing, families can prevent the disease from being passed on to future generations.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT PKD OUTREACH FOUNDATION The PKD Outreach Foundation (pkDO) is dedicated to ending Polycystic Kidney Disease by preventing it from being inherited by future generations. As the only charitable organization with this specific mission, pkDO focuses on partnering with transplant centers and nutritionists to assist families in finding live kidney donors and discovering methods to slow the progression of PKD. In addition to working towards eradicating PKD, the foundation supports initiatives that aid families affected by the disease throughout its entire course. This includes increasing live kidney donations, slowing the progression of PKD in young adults, and preventing the disease from being passed down to future generations.
There’s no doubt that physicians who take money from pharmaceutical companies prescribe more expensive drugs.
But is that really best for patients?
And what are the real dangers of these financial incentives?
In this episode of CareTalk, David Williams and John Driscoll talk with Dr. Aaron Mitchell, a genitourinary medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, about the precarious role of financial incentives on physician behavior.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
TOPICS (0:22) Sponsorship: BetterHelp (1:44) Why Should We Care About Incentives in Healthcare? (2:40) The Nature of Relationships Between Doctors and Pharma (4:48) The Average Size of Incentives (6:53) The Impact of Incentives on Prescribing Patterns (7:45) How Pharma Justifies Financial Incentives (12:05) When Financial Incentives Lead to Prescribing Worse Drugs (14:44) A Doctor's Perspective on the Ethics of Incentives (17:31) Branded Drugs Versus Unbranded Drugs (20:26) How Doctors Have Reacted to Findings on Financial Incentives (23:26) Should Patients be Afraid of Getting the Wrong Drug? (27:15) What's Next for Dr. Aaron Mitchell?
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT DR. AARON MITCHELL Dr. Mitchell is an oncologist and health services researcher with extensive training. He completed his internal medicine residency at Duke University Hospital and his medical oncology fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research examines how financial incentives influence physician behavior and seeks to improve patient outcomes and reduce low-value care through changes in oncology reimbursement models.
Read Dr. Aaron Mitchell's research paper, "Are Financial Payments From the Pharmaceutical Industry Associated With Physician Prescribing? : A Systematic Review": https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33226858/
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER The team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) is driven by a unified mission: to end cancer for life. Their specialized care teams deliver personalized, compassionate, and expert care to patients of all ages. Guided by fundamental research from the Sloan Kettering Institute, MSK scientists work together on innovative translational and clinical research, advancing the understanding of cancer and enhancing methods for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Both patients and providers are more than familiar with the headaches associated with collecting payments.
But what solutions are there that support both patients and providers?
In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Tom Furr, CEO of PatientPay reveals how things like the Affordable Care Act are driving out-of-pocket costs and what the solutions are for supporting providers in collections without damaging patient opinions in the process.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT TOM FURR Tom Furr is a seasoned entrepreneur and industry leader with a wealth of experience in the healthcare and technology sectors. Before establishing PatientPay, Tom held pivotal roles at MobileSmith Health, where he served as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and a Board member. His strategic leadership and operational expertise played a crucial role in driving the company's growth and innovation.
Tom's entrepreneurial journey began with Kinetics, Inc., a pioneering online commerce provider focused on serving small businesses. As a co-founder and president of Kinetics, Tom spearheaded initiatives that established the company as a key player in the early days of online commerce. Under his leadership, Kinetics formed strategic partnerships with major players such as Wells Fargo, First Union, and Netscape, further solidifying its position in the market.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT PATIENTPAY PatientPay offers comprehensive patient payment solutions tailored to the needs of patients, medical groups, hospitals, and revenue cycle management (RCM) companies. As a leading end-to-end solution, PatientPay addresses the financial complexities of specialty healthcare, partnering with medical groups and RCM firms to streamline patient payments throughout the care process. With the rise of patients as major healthcare consumers in the U.S., PatientPay supports specialty services such as labs, radiology, and anesthesiology in improving payment collection efficiency. The platform enhances payment capture through patient-friendly statements aligned with Explanation of Benefits (EOB), flexible payment options, and streamlined billing workflows.
Mental health issues have surged at an alarming rate, affecting a vast swath of Americans.
In this episode, David Williams revisits our previous discussions on mental health, exploring topics such as the current state of mental health, its impact on various demographics, the future of care, and how new technology is innovating the mental health field.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
TOPICS (0:42) Sponsor (1:21) The Current State of Mental Health (1:56) Changes in the Healthcare Perspective on Mental Health (8:01) Understanding the Scope of the Mental Health Crisis (9:39) How Mental Illness Affects Lifespans (15:15) The Role of Telehealth in Mental Health Care (16:00) Inspiring Guests on Mental Health (16:23) Mental Health Concerns for Younger Generations (18:00) Revolutionizing Mental Health in the Black Community (20:05) Has the Public's Understanding of Mental Healthcare Changed? (24:04) How New Technology is Improving Mental Health Treatment (24:30) Should Employers Pay for Mental Health Services? (26:12) The State of Mental Health with Gen Z (28:15) The Lack of Access to Care for Mental Health Emergencies (30:44) Conclusion
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
Massachusetts has often found itself at the forefront of healthcare accessibility.
In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts CEO, Sarah Iselin reveals how they’re innovating healthcare for the Commonwealth State through initiatives from women’s health to quality, access, and affordability.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT SARAH ISELIN Sarah Iselin is the president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, a leading independent plan with over $9 billion in revenue and nearly 3 million members. The company is known for its commitment to affordable, equitable healthcare and is often rated among the top health plans for service. With nearly 30 years in healthcare strategy and policy, Sarah leads efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and empathy. She played a key role in the “Roadmap to Coverage,” which influenced Massachusetts’ 2006 health reform law and the Affordable Care Act. Sarah also served as president of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation and as the company’s chief strategy officer.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is committed to transforming healthcare through innovative services and plans that address rising costs and enhance care quality. Their Alternative Quality Contract, involving over 80% of the state’s doctors and hospitals, sets a national standard for high-quality, value-driven care. The company actively collaborates with members and providers to improve health outcomes, offering support from mental health advocates and care coordinators to reduce emergency visits and hospitalizations.
Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate, Tim Walz, has an extensive track record on healthcare policy. But his personal connection to reproductive freedom as an IVF dad might be the most salient factor in this election.
What has Walz accomplished in healthcare as a congressman and Governor? And what impact might he have as Vice President?
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
TOPICS (0:27) Sponsorship (1:39) Tim Walz's Record on Healthcare Policy (3:23) Tim Walz's Reproductive Freedom Initiatives (4:36) Understanding Where the Parties Stand on IVF (7:30) Examining Walz's Time as Governor (9:25) Walz's Track Record on Limiting the Costs of Prescription Drugs (11:59) Where Does Walz Stand on Mental Health? (14:20) The Minnesota Debt Fairness Act (15:54) How Will Walz's Policies Affect the Larger Healthcare Industry? (20:54) Looking at the Future of Medicare Under Walz's Policies (21:09) Final Thoughts on Walz's Healthcare Policy
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Jeff Greenfield, CEO of Provalytics, dives deep into the future of pharmaceutical marketing in a post-cookie world. Discover how innovative attribution alternatives are reshaping the landscape, empowering pharma marketers to transform brand awareness into tangible sales.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT JEFF GREENFIELD Entrepreneur, advisor, and disruptor with three decades of experience in strategy, growth, and marketing leadership.
Currently shaping the future of attribution as the co-founder of Provalytics.
Recognized at industry events such as NAPTE, NAB, Mediapost, BANFF, MASB, ANA, and TVOT, and featured in leading publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, WSJ, Bloomberg, ABC, CBS, and Investor’s Business Daily.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT PROVALYTICS Provalytics provides AI-driven attribution and planning tailored for a privacy-first world. Their award-winning methodology integrates all media, including walled gardens, deduplicates conversions, and eliminates the need for tags by relying solely on aggregated, non-personal data.
By combining Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) with Multi-Touch Attribution (MTA), Provalytics delivers detailed insights and validated, incremental results.
Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has positioned herself as a strong advocate for female reproductive rights and progressive policies.
As she seeks to distinguish herself from the former president, does her stance on broader healthcare issues change as well?
In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore presidential hopeful Kamala Harris' views and potential future policies on everything from reproductive freedom to drug pricing and access to care.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
TOPICS (0:23) BetterHelp Sponsorship (1:30) Why Kamala Harris Matters for Healthcare (2:10) Understanding Kamala's Role in Healthcare as VP (3:04) The Impacts of Overturning Roe vs. Wade (4:29) Looking at the Rights Associated with Reproductive Freedoms (5:10) Women's Views on Abortion Access (6:46) Looking at Harris' Wider Healthcare Policy (7:39) The Problems with Prenatal Care in the U.S (10:17) How Harris Will Tackle Discrimination in Healthcare (11:46) Grappling with Pharmaceutical Pricing (13:02) What will Harris' Impact be on Medicare and Healthcare Mergers? (14:38) How J.D. Vance Contrasts with Kamala Harris on Healthcare Policy (17:26) Will Kamala Harris Implement Universal Healthcare? (19:36) Will Harris' Stances on Healthcare Have an Impact on Her Electability?
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
AI, GLP-1s, federal policy, and China. Those themes dominated last week’s JP Morgan Health Care Conference in San Francisco. But what, if anything are the implications for the broader healthcare world in 2026?
Hosts David Williams, President of Health Business Group, and John Driscoll, Chairman of UConn Health discuss what stood out most at JPM, including why the GLP-1 wave may be entering a new phase, how Big Tech and AI are reshaping the healthcare landscape, and why China’s growing presence in biotech is becoming harder to ignore.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Chairman, UConn Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
Digital therapeutics have experienced both significant promise and industry failures in equal measure.
That being said, according to a recent PWC report, research found that more than half of patients are willing to use digital therapeutics and that more than 56% of doctors are recommending them to their patients.
The need for digital therapeutics is clearly there, and patients are increasingly looking for personalized care.
In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Dr. Tryggvi Thorgeirsson, CEO of Sidekick, discusses how they’re reinvigorating digital therapeutics with AI, personalized care, and new strategies for empowering patients.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT TRYGGVI THORGEIRSSON Dr. Tryggvi Thorgeirsson, Sidekick's CEO and co-founder, brings a unique blend of medical expertise and engineering knowledge to his role. An accomplished physician and researcher, Thorgeirsson also serves as a guest lecturer at Harvard and MIT, where he speaks on data-driven health and the application of behavioral economics to lifestyle interventions. Additionally, he chairs Iceland’s Technology Innovation Fund and provides strategic advice to the government on innovation and implementation.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT SIDEKICK HEALTH The major challenge facing global healthcare systems today is effectively supporting and treating individuals with multiple lifestyle-related diseases. Addressing this issue, Sidekick offers a multi-chronic digital care platform designed to scale product development across all major chronic conditions. Founded by two medical doctors with extensive experience in treating patients with lifestyle-related chronic diseases, Sidekick's vision was to create a technology-driven solution that integrates gamification principles with scientific research and behavioral economics. This approach aims to maximize patient engagement and improve health outcomes through innovative, evidence-based care.
With JD Vance recently announced as Trump's running mate, many are seeking answers to where he stands on issues such as the opioid crisis, abortion, access to care, and the overall healthcare industry.
Does his record, opinions, and voting history provide insights into his potential impacts if elected as vice president?
In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore how JD Vance’s views could impact his campaign and what a potential vice presidency might mean for the future of healthcare policy and reform.
TOPICS 0:19 Sponsorship 1:24 Who is JD Vance? 2:23 How will JD Vance impact healthcare policy? 4:30 Understanding Vance's views on abortion 5:40 How will Trump's governing style mesh with Vance? 6:57 Understand possible policies on DACA and healthcare 8:08 Vance's history with the opioid crisis 8:59 Why was Vance picked as Trump's running mate 9:41 Revisiting the East Palestine disaster
This episode is brought to you by Matrix Medical Network.
Matrix Medical Network is an independent, at-scale provider of comprehensive in-home health assessments. The company’s national network of nearly 3,000 clinicians delivers comprehensive, personalized care for Medicare Advantage, Managed Medicaid, and Commercial patients across all 50 states.
Care visits include diagnostic testing, risk identification, medication management, and tailored lifestyle improvement plans.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
Recent political events have brought mental and cognitive health into the national spotlight.
As more Americans confront mental health crises, the urgency for both heightened attention and effective treatment solutions has never been greater.
According to MentalHealthAmerica, nearly 20% of adults are currently experiencing a mental illness, which translates to approximately 50 million Americans.
In our latest episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll welcome Patrick J. Kennedy for a compelling discussion on the complex and escalating challenges of mental health in the US, exploring their intersections with current political events and insights from his new book, Profiles in Mental Health Courage.
TOPICS 1:03 Understanding the President's Decision to Step Down 6:00 Holding our Leaders to a Standard of Cognitive Competence 7:50 The Momentous Opportunity of New Mental Health Rulings 12:43 Profiles in Mental Health Courage 14:29 Has the Public Understanding of Mental Health Needs Changed? 17:10 Critical Conversations of Early Treatment Needs 18:45 What is the Role of Employers in Mental Health 21:06 Looking to Global Solutions for Mental Health Treatment 23:50 The Role of Tech in Mental Health Care 26:35 Patrick J Kennedy's Role in Mental Health Advocacy
This episode is brought to you by Matrix Medical Network.
Matrix Medical Network is an independent, at-scale provider of comprehensive in-home health assessments. The company’s national network of nearly 3,000 clinicians delivers comprehensive, personalized care for Medicare Advantage, Managed Medicaid, and Commercial patients across all 50 states.
Care visits include diagnostic testing, risk identification, medication management, and tailored lifestyle improvement plans.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT PATRICK J KENNEDY Patrick Joseph Kennedy II is a retired American politician and mental health advocate. Serving as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 1st congressional district from 1995 to 2011, Kennedy made history as the first Generation X member elected to Congress.
Generation Z faces profound challenges, grappling with both a surge in behavioral health diagnoses and a deep-seated distrust of the healthcare system.
Research from the Walton Family Foundation reveals that 42% of Gen Z individuals struggle with depression and feelings of hopelessness, a rate nearly twice as high as that observed in Americans over the age of 25.
How can we bridge the gap between the growing need for mental health support and the effectiveness of available treatments?
In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Sarah Adler, founder and CEO of Wave, explores how emerging technologies and societal shifts have created a distinct mental health crisis for Generation Z and discusses innovative solutions to meet this generation's unique needs.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT SARAH ADLER Sarah Adler is the founder and CEO of Wave, a pioneering virtual behavioral health platform designed for digital natives. Leveraging her background in clinical psychology, finance, and healthcare delivery, she leads Wave’s evidence-based, transdiagnostic care model, which integrates virtual coaching, online tools, and exercises to improve mental health and manage daily life.
In addition to her role at Wave, Sarah Adler is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University Medical School, where she focuses on improving care delivery through technology, user-centered design, and predictive modeling.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT WAVE Wave is the first virtual behavioral health platform designed specifically for digital natives. Wave offers an evidence-based, transdiagnostic care model that integrates virtual coaching, online exercises, and tools to enhance mental health and support daily life. The platform personalizes each user’s experience to optimize engagement and improve outcomes, while its infrastructure provides clear data reporting for providers, payors, and enterprises to demonstrate both clinical effectiveness and financial impact.
In this installment of CareTalk: Executive Features, host David Williams is joined by Matrix Medical Network’s CEO Catherine Tabaka and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Cantor, as they reveal why whole-person care is the critical solution for improving health equity.
TOPICS: 0:55 How much is the U.S spending on Medicare? 3:18 How did Medicare start? 5:18 What are Dual Eligibles? 9:37 What are the challenges of Dual Eligibles? 13:33 What is whole person care? 19:03 What are the motivations for Health Equity Initiatives? 26:58 Are disparities in care increasing? 29:29 Should the government-sponsored medical insurance work as social welfare? 33:17 Understanding in-home and whole-person care
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT CATHERINE TABAKA Catherine J. Tabaka is the CEO of Matrix Medical Network, a role she assumed in July 2022 after serving as interim CEO since February 2022. She joined the company in 2021, bringing with her nearly 30 years of experience in organizational management, operational and financial performance, and leading transformative change.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT DR. MICHAEL CANTOR Dr. Michael Cantor is a geriatrician and attorney, currently serving as Chief Medical Officer at Matrix Medical Network and CEO of The Cantor Group. He has extensive experience in value-based care, quality improvement, and care management for healthcare providers and health plans.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT MATRIX MEDICAL NETWORK Matrix is the only independent national provider of large-scale in-home health assessments. We serve Medicare Advantage, Managed Medicaid, and Commercial beneficiaries through in-person and virtual visits.
Antibiotic-resistant infections are on the rise, and common treatments are rapidly becoming ineffective.
The UNEP reports that by 2050, up to 10 million deaths annually could be attributed to antibiotic-resistant infections globally.
This alarming projection has many medical professionals and healthcare experts deeply concerned.
In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Greg Mario, CEO of Taxis Pharmaceuticals, joins David E. Williams to discuss the real and potentially imminent dangers of antibiotic-resistant infections and the new technologies being developed to combat this growing threat.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT GREG MARIO
Greg Mario joined TAXIS with over 20 years of experience in the life sciences industry, bringing a strong background in sales, marketing, business development, and licensing and acquisitions. Before his role at TAXIS, Greg served as the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Talk America, a local and long-distance telecommunications provider.
He also remains a Partner at MFP, LP, a private equity investment firm specializing in the life sciences sector. Additionally, Greg co-founded the Brownstone Advisory Group, a real estate investment fund, and serves as a Director at Evogen, Inc., a development-stage laboratory diagnostics company focused on central nervous system disease management. Greg earned a B.S. in Biochemistry from Trinity College.
AI is becoming increasingly prevalent in healthcare as providers look to cut costs and speed up patient response times.
However, a study by the Pew Research Center found that 57% of patients say using artificial intelligence to diagnose diseases and recommend treatments would worsen the patient-provider relationship.
So how does AI bridge the disconnect between effective patient care and streamlined operations?
In this week's episode of CareTalk:Healthcare. Unfiltered., hosts David Williams and John Driscoll meet with Israel Krush, CEO and Co-Founder of Hyro, to discuss how they’re revolutionizing conversational AI and improving the AI experience in healthcare.
TOPICS: 0:55 How chatbots relate to healthcare 2:45 What are the advantages and challenges of chat boxes? 5:07 The role of empathy in chat boxes 7:50 What is responsible AI? 10:04 How healthcare AI differs from other AI systems 13:48 Experts' thoughts on responsible AI 15:15 How AI can tap into medical knowledge 16:48 How AI can find new treatments 19:23 Why nurses are raising the alarm on AI
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT ISRAEL KRUSH Israel is the CEO and Co-Founder of Hyro. He earned his BSc in Computer Science and Statistics from Tel Aviv University before embarking on his career in the startup ecosystem as a software developer. Transitioning into product management, Israel furthered his education with an MBA from Cornell Tech, solidifying his foundation in business and technology.
His journey into entrepreneurship culminated in his current role as CEO of Hyro. Beginning his career as a software engineer at Intel, Israel advanced steadily, assuming leadership roles in engineering and product management across several prominent startups. Notably, he contributed to Zeekit, a pioneering computer vision company later acquired by Walmart.
Transforming the System with Accountable Care w/ President of CVS Accountable Care and Senior Vice President of CVS Health, Mohamed Diab | HealthBiz Briefs
Traditional medical systems frequently focus on treating patients only after their conditions have become severe.
This approach often results in worse outcomes and higher costs for patients and providers.
Can preventative care models offer a solution?
In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, host David E. Williams speaks with Mohamed Diab, President of CVS Accountable Care and Senior Vice President of CVS Health, to explore how value-based accountable care systems could revolutionize patient care by emphasizing prevention and proactive risk management.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT MOHAMED DIAB Mohamed Diab has been the CEO of CVS Accountable Care since April 2022, where he oversees the development and execution of value-based care strategies. A trained physician with an MBA from St. John’s University, Mohamed previously served as President and CEO of ActiveHealth Management and Health Data Management Solutions at CVS/Aetna. He also led Aetna’s provider transformation efforts, creating joint-venture strategies with major health systems.
Before joining HDMS, Mohamed was a Principal at PwC’s Health Industries Advisory practice and managed medical and pharmacy benefit operations at two large regional health plans. He has extensive experience working nationally on value-based care models, including pay-for-performance and payer-provider partnerships.
A recent Supreme Court ruling has granted local officials the authority to arrest homeless individuals found sleeping in public spaces.
According to Security.com, the number of homeless Americans has risen to over half a million and shows no signs of slowing down.
With homelessness growing nationwide, what will be the impact of this decision?
Will it effectively reduce homelessness by directing unhoused individuals to local resources?
Or does it represent a harsh and unusual punishment that criminalizes homelessness?
In this episode of CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered., hosts David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore the implications of this landmark ruling and its far-reaching effects on affected individuals and communities nationwide.
TOPICS 0:52 What is the new ruling on homeless encampments? 3:11 How will other recent rulings affect healthcare? 3:53 How should cities and states grapple with the homelessness crisis? 4:55 Are homeless people still receiving care? 6:15 Why do homeless people need easy access to care? 7:20 What is the impact of relocating homeless people? 10:48 How many homeless people are there nationwide? 13:30 Should housing be classified as healthcare? 16:06 Can recent rulings help with homelessness?
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, host David Williams is joined by Rocco Coniglio, Business Builder for Red Rock Capital and Advisory, to discuss the inadequate state of mental health treatments in long-term care. They explore how leveraging advanced-practice nurses and telehealth can better support patients, families, and medical providers.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT ROCCO CONIGLIO Rocco Coniglio is a seasoned healthcare executive and visionary leader with a diverse educational background from Mount Union College, Robert Morris University, and the Fuqua School of Business. His journey in healthcare began in 2001 when he and his wife, Nicole Coniglio, founded Psych360 out of a shared passion for improving mental health care in long-term care settings. With over 40 years of combined experience, they led Psych360 to remarkable growth, serving 600 locations across four states and facilitating 140,000 patient encounters annually. After achieving an eight-figure exit, Rocco and Nicole continued to shape the company's trajectory as COO and President, significantly improving its financial performance.
Will AI actually replace jobs in healthcare, or change what people work on?
In this clip from our episode Top Insights From JPM Conference 2026, CareTalk hosts David Williams and John Driscoll discuss why concerns about job loss came up at JPM, and how industry leaders are instead focusing on the new kinds of work AI could enable
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Chairman, UConn Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
A simple Tylenol order can require up to 62 clicks for approval in certain medical systems.
Inefficiencies like this can extend far beyond inconvenience and even result in fatal outcomes.
The Institute of Medicine reports that computerized prescriber order entry medication errors are the most common type of error in healthcare, contributing to approximately 7,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.
With more patients and doctors relying on technology for accessing and delivering care, streamlined systems are more critical than ever before. Could AI offer a solution to this challenge?
On this episode of CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered., host David E. Williams sits down with Emmanuel Bilbault, CEO of POSOS, to explore the transformative role of AI in prescription fulfillment. They delve into POSOS’s cutting-edge system that’s revolutionizing healthcare efficiency through voice-activated ordering and personalized patient treatment recommendations.
TOPICS 1:15 What are the challenges of electronic prescribing? 3:40 Disconnect between technology and doctors 5:37 How AI can drive progress in healthcare 7:37 Are there problems with AI's use in healthcare? 9:56 How AI support doctors 11:51 How voice technology is improving care 14:28 Understanding the partnership between Microsoft Nuance and POSOS 17:35 Does AI need to change to match global needs? 19:45 What are the issues with medical reconciliation and how AI can fix them 21:30 What is the future of POSOS?
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT EMMANUEL BILBAULT Emmanuel Bilbault has amassed diverse experience since 2004, starting at Boehringer-Ingelheim in Clinical Operations for Virology and Cardiology. He subsequently served as Project Manager in Logistics at OCP Répartition in 2007. In 2008, Emmanuel held roles including International Junior Product Manager at Servier and Product Manager at AstraZeneca Vietnam. By 2010, they were a Product Manager at AstraZeneca. At Teva Pharmaceuticals from 2012 to 2018, Emmanuel held key positions such as Head of Innovation and Strategic Transformation, Head of Medical Operations Europe, European Medical Operations Manager, and Medical Science Liaison in Neurology. Since 2018, Emmanuel has served as Co-Founder and CEO of POSOS, a startup specializing in Medical Natural Language Processing (NLP).
Coping with a tooth cavity is a universally dreaded experience.
But what if we could detect and treat them before they cause trouble?
In this week’s HealthBiz Brief, Jordan Rubinson, CEO of Cavisense, elucidates how their technology detects cavities early, aiming to prevent tooth decay, safeguard oral health, and potentially reverse damage.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT JORDAN RUBINSON Jordan Rubinson, CEO of CaviSense, brings over 20 years of pharmaceutical industry expertise from Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Aventis. Notably, he led Regenera Pharma and served as Chief Commercial Officer for Champions Oncology. His tenure includes successful CEO roles, such as at Polyheal Ltd, acquired by TEVA for $90M. With experience in marketing and management across various regions, Jordan holds degrees from Columbia University and MIT.
Concerns are growing in Terre Haute, Indiana, following the recent merger of two major hospitals. In Q1 2024 alone, hospital mergers and acquisitions hit their highest level since 2020, with 20 deals totaling $12 billion, according to Kaufman Hall. But what does this wave of consolidation mean for patients and the healthcare industry at large?
In this episode of CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered., hosts David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore the far-reaching implications of this merger and similar trends shaping healthcare across the nation.
TOPICS: 0:54 Why What's Going on in Terre Haute Matters" 2:05 The Rising Number of Medical Consolidations" 3:35 Why Medical Monopolies Are Concerning" 4:59 What Is COPA?" 6:04 How Hospitals Are Adapting and Changing" 8:50 Are There Any Benefits to Consolidation?" 14:45 Explaining the Terre Haute Merger" 16:10 Are Mergers Worse for Patients?"
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
Are stem-cell treatments the future of self-therapy and regenerative medicine?
Or is there something better?
In the latest episode of HealthBiz Briefs, host, David Williams, is joined by Pete O’Heeron, CEO of Fibrobiologics, explores the untapped potential of fibroblasts and their promise as a potentially superior and more affordable alternative to traditional stem-cell treatments.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT PETE O'HEERON Pete O'Heeron, an esteemed biopharma inventor, boasts over 300 patents in biologics, cell therapy, and medical devices. With 25+ years of expertise, he leads FibroBiologics as CEO, driving its emergence as a global leader in fibroblast-based cell therapies for chronic diseases. Previously, he founded Advanced Medical Technologies, identifying early-stage medical opportunities, and NeoSurg Technologies, known for the T2000 Minimally Invasive Access System sold to Cooper Surgical in 2006. With executive roles at Christus Health Care Corporation, strategic advisory, and academic background, including degrees from Texas State University, University of Houston Clear Lake, and University of Chicago,
Just a few short years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe, leaving economies in tatters, claiming millions of lives, and fundamentally altering the world as we knew it.
Yet, scarcely after the dust settled from that crisis, virologists are now raising urgent concerns.
The specter of the bird flu looms large as it breaches the species barrier, with an alarming number of cows falling victim, and a recent human transmission case being confirmed.
With a nearly 50% mortality rate according to Yale Medicine, the bird flu is making global headlines.
In the face of these developments, the question begs: how concerned should we be?
In this episode of CareTalk, guest, Rick Bright (Former Head of BARDA) delves into the escalating fears surrounding a potential new pandemic and the tangible threats posed by the bird flu.
TOPICS (2:14) The last pandemic and sounding the alarm on Covid (5:41) What is the bird flu? (10:12) Why should Americans care about the bird flu? (13:16) Who's most at risk for contracting the bird flu? (15:48) How viruses and the bird flu evolve (17:55) Can we prevent the next pandemic? (20:44) The dangers of a slow response to bird flu (23:13) Screening and testing for the bird flu (25:06) How worried should we be about the bird flu?
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT RICK BRIGHT Rick A. Bright, PhD, serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Pandemic Prevention Institute at The Rockefeller Foundation. With a background in immunology and virology, he has spearheaded the development of numerous drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics. Prior to his current role, Bright held prominent positions such as Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
He has also contributed his expertise as a member of the Biden-Harris Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board. In addition, Bright is recognized as a Senior Fellow of the Foreign Policy Association and serves on the Executive Board of the International Science Reserve.
Why Value-Based Care is the Future of Healthcare w/ Tufts Medicine President, Emily Young and Navvis President and CEO, Courtney Fortner | HealthBiz Briefs
The healthcare system is in freefall with rising costs, worse care, and frayed patient-provider relationships.
Is value-based care the cure?
In the latest episode of HealthBiz Briefs, guest Emily Young, President of Tufts Medicine, and Courtney Fortner, President and CEO of Navvis, detail how their partnership is expanding value-based care with an eye on improving quality, affordability, and experience.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT EMILY YOUNG Emily Young, President of Tufts Medicine Integrated Network, boasts over two decades of healthcare management experience. She's a results-driven executive with a knack for strategic thinking and fostering innovation through physician collaboration. Prior to her current role, Emily served as Vice President of Population Health and Transformation at Circle Health/Lowell General Hospital. There, she spearheaded the organization's transition to value-based care, optimized provider performance, and crafted a robust population health strategy, setting the stage for comprehensive care delivery.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT COURTNEY FORTNER Courtney Fortner, a forward-thinking healthcare innovator, drives transformative solutions for health systems, physician enterprises, and health plans. As Navvis’ President and CEO, she's committed to revolutionizing healthcare nationwide, prioritizing physician-led, patient-centric care.
Before Navvis, Courtney excelled at Northeast Georgia Health System and Evolent Health. Her roles spanned patient care, where she implemented a Patient-Centered Medical Home model, achieving Level 3 NCQA accreditation, and served as a patient advocate in the emergency department. At Evolent Health, she further honed her leadership in driving healthcare transformation and operational excellence.
Physicians are increasingly leveraging social media platforms like TikTok, X, and Facebook to share their insights and opinions.
Alongside this trend, there's a clear uptick in doctors endorsing new pharmaceuticals and medical tools through their social media handles.
But amidst this influence, questions arise:
Are doctors being compensated for their endorsements? And can we trust their intentions?
TOPICS (1:08) Can you buy a doctor's endorsement? (2:30) Big Pharma's influence on the medical field (7:30) How Pharma is leveraging doctors to endorse drugs on social media (9:19) Disclosure and conflict of interest in healthcare (11:00) Is there any system in place to guardrail the influence of social media? (14:41) Has transparency in healthcare been helpful?
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
Travis Morgan (President and CFO, DecisionRX) delves into the underlying reason for soaring costs and medication failures.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT TRAVIS MORGAN Travis is an entrepreneurial private equity operating executive with 25 years of diverse success in building companies, creating jobs, and realizing shareholder value. Directly responsible for 18 capital infusions into 12 different operating companies, serving as the full-time President or CFO of 7 of those portfolio companies. Over $180 million in career-to-date capital transactions closed, including three liquidity events with publicly traded firms.
Considerable lower-middle-market executive leadership experience with a strong emphasis on accounting, finance, ERP Implementation, bank/ investor relations, and operations. Demonstrated success navigating challenges associated with start-ups, turnarounds, changing government regulations, and rapid growth. Proven ability to make complex decisions and drive implementation through highly empowered cross-functional teams.
Anxiety and depression in the US have surged, and consequently, poor sleep habits have increased as well.
According to Gallup, over 17% of Americans report depression, and the Sleep Health Foundation states that up to 40% of those individuals also suffer from insomnia.
Getting help is harder than ever, due to caregiver shortages, soaring costs, and persistent social stigma.
But what if an app could help?
While smartphones are often criticized for their negative impact on sleep and mental health, Calm is reshaping that narrative.
Originally conceptualized as a meditation app, Calm has swiftly expanded its offerings to address a spectrum of issues from insomnia to mental health, amassing over 160 million users.
In our latest episode, David E. Williams and John Driscoll are joined by David Ko, CEO of Calm, to explore how his company seamlessly integrates meditation, sleep, and mental health solutions directly into your smartphone.
TOPICS (3:57) Applying gamification to healthcare engagement (8:30) How do you even begin to tackle a problem as big as mental health? (9:17) The importance of brands in healthcare (11:21) What is Calm and how did it start? (16:43) Is there a good rationale for an employer to be managing stress and reducing burnout? (18:18) What role can Calm play in helping people reduce anxiety and depression? (21:59) Key takeaways from Calm and Harvard Business Review’s joint study (24:09) Has Mental Health Awareness Month been successful?
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT DAVID KO David is the CEO of Calm, a top app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation, where he also sits on the Board of Directors. Before joining Calm, David co-founded and served as CEO of Ripple Health Group, a health tech company acquired by Calm in 2022. Under his leadership, Calm launched Calm Health, a mental health care solution aimed at payers, providers, and self-insured employers, bridging the gap between mental and physical health care.
Prior to founding Ripple Health Group, David was a Board Member, President, and COO of Rally Health, a digital health company. Rally’s solutions serve nearly 55 million people through health plans, care providers, and over 200,000 employers. In 2017, Rally was acquired by UnitedHealth Group.
Sarah Emond (President and CEO, ICER) delves into the efficacy of gene therapy in enhancing patient outcomes and discusses the necessary adjustments the healthcare industry must make to accommodate the cost.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT SARAH K. EMOND, MPP With 25 years of experience in the business and policy of health care, Sarah leads the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, a leading non-profit health policy research organization, as President and Chief Executive Officer. She joined ICER in 2009 as its first Chief Operating Officer and third employee, and has worked to grow the organization’s approach, scope, and impact over the years.
Prior to joining ICER, Sarah spent time as a communications consultant, with six years in the corporate communications and investor relations department at a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, and several years with a healthcare communications firm. Sarah began her healthcare career in clinical research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
A graduate of the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, Sarah holds a Master of Public Policy degree with a concentration in health policy.
Unsurprisingly, AI dominated the headlines at this year’s JPMorgan Healthcare Conference, but there were some other exciting developments that shouldn’t be overlooked.
CareTalk hosts, David Williams, President of Health Business Group, and John Driscoll, Chairman of UConn Health, share their on-the-ground insights from JPM, including where AI is delivering substance over hype, why government partnership will play a larger role in health sector reform, and what’s driving a renewed sense of optimism across healthcare.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Chairman, UConn Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
With Memorial Day weekend upon us, it's time to dust off those BBQ grills, lace up those hiking boots, and dive into all the fun that comes with the sunny season.
But as with all good things in life, the warm weather comes with a few risks.
From skin disease to the dangers of heat stroke, summer brings its own set of challenges.
TOPICS (2:20) Why sun protection is crucial for skin health (4:22) Debunking the sunscreen and UV ray controversy (6:38) The regulatory differences of sunscreen in the US and Europe (8:51) Skin cancer prevention and risks (10:51) Swimming risks and sun exposure (12:52) Skin issues caused by wearing masks (15:10) The role of advocacy in hospital settings
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
Eileen McAnneny (CEO, Employer Coalition on Health) discusses the importance of employers in the healthcare ecosystem and how they play an integral role in access to care.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT EILEEN MCANNENY Eileen currently serves as the President and CEO of the Employer Coalition on Health. She was previously the president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation from 2015 through 2022. McAnneny also played a key role representing employers during the legislative debates that led to the state’s 2006 and 2012 health care reform laws, when she worked as a lobbyist with Associated Industries of Massachusetts.
Nurses in San Francisco are protesting the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Nurses elsewhere are complaining, too, claiming that untested, unregulated technology is making their lives harder and endangering patients.
Do they have a point? Or are they just holding back progress to protect their own financial interest?
TOPICS (1:08) Are nurses overly concerned about AI? (2:26) The critical role of nurses in caregiving and healing (6:58) Kaiser Permanente protests and nurses pushing back on the use of AI (9:12) What is AI and its role in digital workflows? (11:47) Can AI increase the value of electronic medical health records for nurses? (13:48) Will AI be used to reduce the healthcare labor force? (15:27) Is AI a viable resource for reducing healthcare costs? (17:27) What impact can AI have when it comes to reducing violence against hospital staff?
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
BK Nayak, PhD (CEO, Spikewell) discusses how hospitals are grappling with significant IT hurdles and how his company helps hospitals with IT by providing software solutions designed to be adaptable to the specific needs of each hospital.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT BK NAYAK, PHD A visionary leader, BK brings over 15 years of experience in technology and innovation to the table. He has a proven track record of building successful businesses, having grown Spikewell, a mobile-first, cloud-first, AI-first software company, from the ground up.
Renowned for his ability to translate cutting-edge ideas into high-impact solutions, BK's inventions have generated billions in revenue. Further solidifying his expertise, BK is a prolific inventor with 21 US patents and 11 more in process, along with a distinguished record of academic publications and international conference presentations.
Walmart Health is closing. That’s a big reversal for a company that was poised to shake up healthcare and raises questions about whether other retailers can succeed.
So why is Walmart Health shutting down? And why now?
TOPICS (:50) Why is Walmart closing its health centers? (2:06) What went wrong and why? (3:34) Why is Walmart able to run pharmacies and vision centers profitability but not primary care? (6:37) The challenges of primary care in rural areas (8:37) Why are Amazon and CVS doubling down on primary care, while Walmart is backing out? (12:14) Why is Walmart reversing course so quickly after recently announcing new clinic openings?
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
Population health flips the usual model of US healthcare on its head. Instead of waiting until patients get sick and then billing on a fee-for-service basis when they seek care, population health is proactive.
It addresses the root causes of disease in the community by focusing on prevention and the social determinants of health.
It sounds great in theory, but is anyone actually doing it?
TOPICS (0:54) Tracing the career of TriHealth President & CEO Mark Clement (5:31) What is population health? (7:13) The Triple Aim in Healthcare (11:34) Perverse incentives in the healthcare system (15:52 )Transforming Healthcare for the Better (24:00) Addressing health disparities and challenges in the US (27:36) Cradle Cincinnati and reducing infant and maternal mortality (32:08) Building community coalitions for health equity
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT CARETALK EXECUTIVE FEATURES Caretalk Executive Features is a series where we spotlight innovative companies and leaders working to advance the healthcare field.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT MARK C. CLEMENT CEO, TRIHEALTH In 2016, under Mark’s leadership, TriHealth began its journey towards population health because they saw that the healthcare system was broken and that it was up to them to get care right. Mark’s vision for providing better care, health, value, and experience is the basis for a more human approach to healthcare, designed to keep people healthy rather than simply helping them access treatment when they’re sick. This shift in approach has transformed healthcare in Greater Cincinnati and established Mark and TriHealth as the vanguards for adopting and effectively implementing the population health model.
Through Mark’s leadership and a concerted effort to improve access, TriHealth has been able to direct 70% of its caseload to the outpatient setting (compared to 55% for the next closest health system), ensuring consumers are always within 10 minutes of TriHealth facilities. Areas that were once healthcare deserts now have access to state-of-the-art care.
🎙️⚕️ ABOUT TRIHEALTH TriHealth operates 5 hospitals and over 100 other ambulatory, post-acute, and other sites of care throughout the Tri-State region of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The organization also operates the largest corporate health and fitness program in Greater Cincinnati, the largest not-for-profit hospice in the region, and major teaching programs, including nine residencies and fellowships.
In 2016, TriHealth began its journey towards population health because it saw that the healthcare system was broken and it was up to them to get care right. TriHealth has made a steadfast commitment to delivering better care, better health, and better value.
Tamir Aldad, MD, MBA (CEO, Mindful Care) discusses the challenges of access to care in mental health and his company's mission to focus on the well-being of individuals and infuse convenience into mental health care.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT TAMIR ALDAD Tamir is an experienced Chief Executive Officer and Physician committed to innovation in medicine, healthcare reform, and biomedical research.
Currently serving as the CEO of Mindful Care - the first ever chain of psychiatric urgent-care clinics, offering same-day in-network medication management, therapy, and substance use counseling. Mindful currently has locations in New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Florida, Connecticut, and Illinois, as well as a telehealth offering, serving over 30,000 visits a month.
Is TikTok a threat to public health? That was one of Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi’s (IL-08) concerns when he co-sponsored the bill that forces ByteDance to divest the social media app.
Representative Krishnamoorthi is with us today to share his take.
TOPICS (:46) The importance of separating TikTok from Bytedance
(1:21) TikTok's content and public health concerns
(5:12) Legislation to address foreign control of media outlets
(8:31) TikTok's influence campaign and concerns
(9:44) Public health concerns and foreign adversary control
(14:48) Future steps in addressing digital privacy and public health
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi was elected to Congress in 2016 and is now in his fourth term representing Illinois’ 8th District, which includes Chicago’s west and northwest suburbs as well as the 41st ward of the city. He serves as Ranking Member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, making him the first South Asian American in history to lead a Congressional Committee.
He also serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability as a member of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs. The Congressman is a Vice-Chair of the Equality Caucus and Co-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Immigration Task Force. In addition, he is the founder and Chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus to End the Youth Vaping Epidemic and the bipartisan Solar Caucus.
Electronic medical record giant Epic has accused interoperability company Particle Health of violating HIPAA and putting patient medical records at risk. The dispute provides an early test of the new federal interoperability framework.
So why exactly are they fighting? And what does it mean for patient rights and the future of medical record sharing?
TOPICS (2:15) Misuse of Personal Information (4:39) The Broken Market of Healthcare Data Players (6:49) Access to Medical Data Beyond Treatment (8:49) The Broad Potential and Narrow Definitions in Health IT (11:24) Privacy Concerns and Data Usage in Insurance (13:31) Reducing Medical Costs and the Role of Data (16:08) Moving towards faster implementation of TEFCA (18:41) Navigating the Health Data Exchange Landscape
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
Lora M. Pellegrini, ESQ (President & CEO, Massachusetts Association of Health Plans) discusses the role of health plans in the healthcare system and her company's mission to promote high-quality, affordable, and equitable health care in Massachusetts through advocacy, education, and health policy research.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT LORA M. PELLEGRINI, ESQ Lora has been President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans (MAHP) since February 2010. Under her leadership, MAHP has focused on providing access to high-quality, affordable, and equitable health care for all Massachusetts residents.
During her tenure at MAHP, Lora has served as a member of the Health Policy Commission’s Advisory Council, served on the Legislature’s 2017 Special Commission on Provider Price Variation, and was appointed by Governor Baker to both the Digital Health Council and the Merged Market Advisory Council. Lora also serves as Vice President of the Massachusetts Health Council.
Prior to joining MAHP, Lora was the Vice President of Government Affairs and Community Relations at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, where she oversaw over $1M in community giving annually. She also worked on the staffs of Governors Deval Patrick and Michael Dukakis, and as an assistant attorney general.
What does truly personalized cancer care actually look like in the years ahead?
In this clip from our episode “When AI Spots What Doctors Miss”, HealthBiz Podcast host David Williams speaks with Steve Brown, Founder and CEO of CureWise, about how AI and full-genome sequencing could enable truly individualized cancer treatment.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT STEVE BROWN Tech innovator and AI expert with a passion for creating impactful solutions. As a developer, he's built numerous apps and led two startups to successful acquisitions by global companies. As a filmmaker, his award-winning documentaries have been featured in theaters and on major networks. Driven by the power of media and technology to transform relationships and make a lasting impact.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT HEALTH BIZ PODCAST HealthBiz is a CareTalk podcast that delivers in-depth interviews on healthcare business, technology, and policy with entrepreneurs and CEOs. Host David E. Williams — president of the healthcare strategy consulting boutique Health Business Group — is also a board member, investor in private healthcare companies, and author of the Health Business Blog. Known for his strategic insights and sharp humor, David offers a refreshing break from the usual healthcare industry BS.
Dr. Jonathan Baktari is a triple-board certified physician, a successful healthcare entrepreneur, and, is an avid podcaster, too.
What can he tell us about the use of AI in drug testing software, do not resuscitate orders, and how to hire a consultant?
(7:26) The importance of education on adult vaccination (11:00) Outsourcing employee health departments (14:35) Meeting the needs of corporate clients (17:28) The importance of employee drug testing (21:14) Leveraging AI for government compliance and optimization (25:18) The challenges of healthcare technology (28:51) The stigma of genetic code use
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT JONATHAN BAKTARI Jonathan Baktari MD is the CEO of eNational Testing, e7 Health, & US Drug Test Centers. Dr. Baktari brings over 20 years of clinical, administrative, and entrepreneurial experience. He has been a triple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonary, and critical care medicine.
Dr. Baktari is a preeminent, national business thought leader interviewed in The Washington Post, USA Today, Forbes, Barron’s, and many other national publications. He is also an opinion writer for The Hill and the Toronto Star.
Robbie Hughes (Founder & CEO, Lumeon) discusses the chaotic and wasteful nature of healthcare, and how his company brings predictability and consistency to care delivery by orchestrating teams and automating tasks to ensure the right care to every patient, every time.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.
🎙️⚕️ABOUT ROBBIE HUGHES Robbie is the Founder and CEO of Lumeon. An engineer by training, he started the company after first-hand experience of the impact that fragmented care delivery processes have on patient experience. Taking a step back to develop a fresh approach, he built the award-winning care journey orchestration platform to connect care teams, patients and technology across the care continuum. The platform enables healthcare providers to automate and orchestrate end-to-end processes by creating their own unique care journeys.
Under Robbie’s leadership, Lumeon has grown to an enterprise-level solution, currently in use by 65 major healthcare providers across the US and Europe managing over six million patient lives. Under Robbie’s leadership, Lumeon has grown from his bedroom with a business funded by individual clients, to an enterprise-level solution that is currently in use by 65 major healthcare organizations and growing.
First, it was Olivia Munn, then Kate Middleton. A rash of high-profile people under 50 have been getting cancer and many people are worried.
Is cancer becoming more common among younger adults? And if so, what’s causing the increase?
TOPICS (0:48) How worried should we be about an increased incidence of cancer among young people? (3:52) What are the causes of rising cancer rates? (5:52) What role do environmental factors play in cancer rates? (12:33) Opioids, addiction, and policy issues
🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (Senior Advisor, Walgreens Health) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.