Digital Health Heavyweights

Join us for another amazing episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast where we interview the heaviest hitters in the Digital Health Industry and chat about the future of Digital Health!! This week we sit down with Justin Leader, CEO of BenefitsDNA! He shares insights on transforming employer benefits through transparency, fiduciary accountability, and innovative strategies to reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes. Discover how his punk rock spirit drives systemic change in healthcare decision-making. “Overpayment recoupments happens all the time.” We chat through Misaligned incentives in healthcare, the need for transparency and fiduciary standards and hidden cost drivers that everyone should be thinking about. Let’s take a systemic approach to innovate benefits! Sit down with Justin this week and hear about their incredible work at BenefitsDNA, and more! Takeaways🔍 Transparency in benefits leads to better decision-making.📊 Fiduciary duty requires ongoing oversight, not a one-time check.💸 Hidden fees and shared savings fees inflate costs.🤝 Direct contracting and schedule-based care reduce expenses.🧠 Ego and lack of education hinder benefits decision-makingFollow, connect and subscribe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweightsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast

Welcome back for another great week on the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast with your host Norm Volsky, this week we sit down for a fascinating conversation with the wonderful Scilla Andreen, CEO and founder of Impactful Networks. Together we discuss her journey from the film industry to mental health education. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in creating community and connection, the role of ethical AI in emotional wellness, and the need for empathy in mental health technology. Scilla shares insights on the evolution of her organization, the impact of their programs, and the future goals for making mental health education accessible to all. “We are human beings wired to connect.” The conversation highlights the significance of seeking help, building trust, and the power of community in addressing mental health challenges. Learn how they are transforming mental health education through the power of storytelling!Takeaways🎬 Scilla Andreen emphasizes the importance of storytelling in mental health education. 🌍 Impactful Networks aims to make mental health education accessible and engaging. 🌱 The organization has evolved from film to focus on emotional wellness and resilience. 🤝 Community and connection are vital for mental health support. 🛤️ Sheila's journey reflects the organic evolution of her career into healthcare. 🆘 The need for teaching people to seek help is crucial in mental health. 🤖 Ethical AI can support emotional wellness but should not replace human connection. ⚠️ There are risks associated with mental health technology built without empathy. 📱 Misunderstood trends in digital mental health include the reliance on AI as a therapist. 🎓 Success for Impactful Networks includes raising funds to provide free programs in schools. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Impactful Networks02:25 Sheila's Journey from Media to Mental Health04:34 The Power of Storytelling in Mental Health08:48 Creating Change Through Community Engagement10:30 Evolving Focus on Mental Health Education17:20 Preventative Approaches to Emotional Wellness19:51 The Role of Storytelling in Behavior Change25:21 Ethical AI and Human Connection25:56 Balancing AI and Human Connection27:11 The Risks of Technology Without Empathy28:16 Misunderstood Trends in Digital Mental Health30:05 The Power of Storytelling in Mental Health33:58 Success Stories and Corporate Impact40:31 Personal Wellness Practices and Mindset47:24 Outro (1).mp4Follow, connect and subscribe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweightsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast

Donovan Pyle, founder and CEO of Health Compass Consulting and author focused on employer-led healthcare reform, challenges outdated benefits models. He discusses hidden waste in employer plans, conflicts of interest in traditional consulting, procurement tactics like PBM RFPs and direct contracting, and a fiduciary playbook for transparent, cost-saving vendor selection.

Mark Mincy, Chief Commercial Officer at USRX Care and a pharmacist with decades in pharmacy benefits, explains why PBM structures can drive up drug costs. He discusses fiduciary risk, transparency, conflicts of interest, specialty drug drivers, legislative shifts, and how employers can reclaim control with fiduciary-aligned strategies and alternative PBM models.

Sims Tillirson, founder and principal of Tillirson Consulting Group and seasoned benefits operator, shares career twists from carriers to startups and consulting. He talks storytelling, building long-term relationships, the need for transparency in healthcare, broker fatigue with point solutions, and why vendors must prove real ROI. He also touches on cost containment, coaching sales, and maintaining personal balance.

Lee Lewis, Chief Strategy Officer and GM of Medical Solutions at the Health Transformation Alliance, designs employer-led healthcare strategies to cut waste and improve value. He debates three dogmas that block change. He unpacks price vs quality, misaligned employer incentives, the power of primary care and data-driven steering. He also names what makes point solutions truly work.

Anish Sebastian, co-founder and CEO of BabyScripts, builds digital tools to improve prenatal and postpartum care. He discusses remote monitoring for detecting preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The conversation covers how COVID accelerated virtual maternity care, racial and system-level drivers of poor U.S. maternal outcomes, and practical roles for AI and nutrition in scalable maternal health.

In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, host Norm Volsky speaks with Jacob Peters, founder of Superpower, and Prabhat Dhar, Executive Vice President of Enterprise at Superpower. They discuss their personal journeys into healthcare, the founding of Superpower, and the challenges and opportunities in the preventative health space. The conversation covers the importance of proactive healthcare, the need for actionable health data, and the role of technology in transforming the healthcare experience. They also touch on the challenges of scaling a health tech company, measuring success, and the importance of personal health intelligence. Takeaways🧠 Jacob Peters’ personal health journey was the catalyst behind founding Superpower.❤️ Prabhat Dhar emphasizes the humanity that must remain central to healthcare.🚀 Superpower is reimagining preventative health through a technology-enabled approach.🧪 The platform turns biomarker testing into clear, actionable insights.👥 Consumer education and awareness are critical drivers of enterprise health adoption.💪 Superpower’s model empowers individuals to take ownership of their health.📊 Digital health often prioritizes engagement metrics over true outcomes.🧩 Employers face point-solution fatigue across today’s healthcare ecosystem.📈 Preventative health ROI can be demonstrated through early risk identification.🧘 Stress management is essential for executives in high-pressure environment Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Superpower and Founders' Backgrounds02:08 Jacob Peters' Journey into Healthcare04:17 Prabhat Dhar's Perspective on Healthcare and Technology08:54 The Early Days of Superpower and Founding Vision12:44 Prabhat's Personal Experience and Motivation16:47 Investor Interest and the Future of Preventative Health19:25 Challenges in Preventative Healthcare21:28 The Need for Proactive Health Models24:13 Defining Success in Preventative Health26:22 Making Biomarker Data Actionable26:58 Transforming Healthcare with AI and Intelligence29:46 Navigating the Point Solution Landscape33:56 ROI in Preventative Healthcare Solutions37:53 Scaling Superpower: Challenges and Successes40:42 Measuring Impact: Success Stories from Superpower43:21 The Digital Health Ecosystem: What’s Missing?45:46 Managing Stress in a High-Stakes Environment48:26 Healthy Eating: Recipes for Optimal Health49:56 OutroFollow, connect and subscribe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweightsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast

In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Kris Davis, the Chief Operating Officer at OneImaging. Kris shares his journey from Google to the startup world, discussing his experiences at Virta and Sword Health, and the lessons learned from each role. He emphasizes the importance of customer success, leadership styles, and the need for a strong product focus in the digital health space. Kris also highlights the unique value proposition of OneImaging, which aims to cut imaging costs significantly while improving patient care. The conversation touches on maintaining balance in high-stress environments and the importance of healthy living performance.  Takeaways 🚀 Kris transitioned from Google to startups for the thrill of building something valuable. 📈 At Virta, Kris focused on customer success and implementation, scaling the company significantly. 🧠 Leadership styles can greatly impact team motivation and performance. 🎯 A strong product focus and customer experience are crucial for success in digital health. 🩺 Kris learned the importance of clinical integrity from Sami at Virta. 🛠️ Building a customer success function from scratch requires a solid blueprint. 💸 One Imaging's value proposition is centered around significant cost savings in imaging. ⚖️ Maintaining balance in a high-stress startup environment is essential for long-term success. 🥗 Healthy living and nutrition play a key role in performance and stress management. 🤝 Collaboration and team dynamics are vital for startup success.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kris Davis and OneImaging 02:07 Transition from Google to Startups 03:51 Joining Virta and Its Mission 06:16 Building Customer Success at Virta 09:51 Lessons Learned from Sami at Virta 13:27 Leadership Styles and Team Dynamics 17:12 The Importance of Product and Customer Experience 18:57 Scaling Customer Success at Sword 22:55 The Journey from Zero to One at Sword 26:36 Joining One Imaging and Future Aspirations 28:25 Choosing One Imaging: A Strategic Decision 32:51 Elan: A Visionary Leader in Radiology 38:53 Pivotal Year for One Imaging: Growth and Challenges 44:23 Innovative Technology: Beyond Radiology 51:34 Maintaining Balance in a High-Stress EnvironmentFollow, connect and subscribe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweightsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast

In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Nandan Rao, CEO of Starlight, a virtual proactive care clinic. Nandan shares his background, including his experience founding Virtual Lab and his transition from international public health to digital health. He discusses the importance of culturally sensitive coaching, the mission of Starlight to improve patient adherence, and the successes the company has achieved in partnership with major health systems. Following the model of CMS ACCESS, Starlight coordinates closely with provider groups for referrals and co-management The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, the importance of technology in enhancing patient care, and the personal experiences that shape Nandan's leadership style.Check out their website here: https://hellostarlight.com/Takeaways🧠 Nandan Rao has a diverse background in public health and technology. 🌟 Starlight focuses on improving patient adherence through health coaching.🤝 Culturally sensitive coaching is crucial for patient engagement.💻 The integration of technology with healthcare can enhance patient outcomes.📉 Value-based care is essential for improving healthcare efficiency.🩺 Patient relationships with coaches drive better health outcomes.🏥 Starlight has successfully partnered with major health systems.🧩 Understanding patient behavior is key to increasing program participation.💰 The healthcare system often prioritizes profit over patient care.🧘‍♂️ Nandan emphasizes the importance of self-care and stress management for leaders. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Nandan Rao and Starlight01:27 Founding Virtual Lab and Its Impact04:41 Comparing International Public Health and Digital Health07:13 The Value of an Eclectic Career in Leadership12:17 The Inspiration Behind Starlight23:48 Starlight's Mission and Approach24:58 Success Stories and Outcomes from Starlight29:15 Enhancing Patient Engagement through Referrals32:15 The Balance of Technology and Human Touch in Healthcare36:06 Leveraging Technology for Better Patient Outcomes39:28 Creating Meaningful Patient Experiences40:23 Scaling Healthcare Solutions Across Diverse Populations44:14 Navigating the Financial Landscape of Healthcare55:30 Personal Well-being in a High-Stress EnvironmentFollow, connect and subscribe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweightsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast