Send us a textMeasles is making a comeback, and with it comes a heated debate on vaccine mandates, public health, and personal freedom. In this episode of CareTalk, Michael F. Cannon (Director of Health Policy Studies, Cato Institute) joins hosts, David E. Williams and John Driscoll, to debate the challenges of balancing individual rights with public safety, why vaccine mandates can backfire, and how misinformation fuels the controversy.


ABOUT CARETALK: HEALTHCARE. UNFILTERED.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.


MICHAEL F. CANNONMichael F. Cannon is the Cato Institute’s director of health policy studies. His scholarship spans public health; regulation of clinicians, medical facilities, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices; employer-sponsored and other private health insurance; Medicare; Medicaid; CHIP; the Veterans Health Administration; medical malpractice litigation; administrative law; international health systems; political philosophy; and more. Cannon is “an influential health‐care wonk” (Washington Post) and “the most famous libertarian health care scholar” (Washington Examiner). Washingtonian magazine named Cannon one of Washington, DC’s Most Influential People in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.GET IN TOUCHFollow CareTalk on LinkedInBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.
March 28, 2025
Join Eric Goosby and Ben Plumley as they delve into the latest global health news coming out of Washington DC, including funding cuts from the US government to key international health programs, whether the administration will abide by the continuing resolution passed by Congress to fund all global health programs approved by Congress for 2025, and the implications for the UN, Gavi and US academic institutions. They also try to make sense of the significant job cuts announced by the administration to the Department of Health and Human Services today , and the continuing outbreak of measles in the US. These are hectic – if not entirely productive – times in the world of global health. But is a Trump administration strategy emerging from the chaos of executive orders, termination notices and the firing of so many key staff?
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:04 US Government Funding for International Development
01:49 Impact of Funding Cuts on Health and Human Services
02:12 The Growing Measles Crisis
02:36 Debate on Continuing Resolution and Budget Cuts
09:18 Termination of Funding to Gavi
13:25 Public Health Strategy and Administration Tactics
40:58 The Role of Individual Rights in Public Health
47:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join the Conversation
How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Subscribe & Stay Updated
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform
Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health discussions – www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
March 28, 2025
In this episode of HITea, recorded live at the ViVE conference, we learn from Teri Thomas, CEO of Volpara Health — a leader in AI-powered breast health solutions.
The conversation centers around the future of autonomous readings of mammograms and how this technology is shaping the next era of early detection and precision care. Teri shares her insights into the growing role of AI in radiology, the need for scalable and consistent screening tools, and how automation can improve clinical outcomes and reduce disparities in women’s health.
With global experience, Teri provides valuable perspective on how AI implementation differs across regions and what’s needed to support broader adoption. Whether you’re in digital health, radiology, or women’s health innovation, this episode offers a timely look into where the industry is headed — and why autonomous mammogram readings are a key part of that future.
March 27, 2025
In this heartfelt conversation, Heather Straughter shares her
profound journey through grief after the loss of her son, Jake. She discusses
the pivotal moments that shaped her path, the importance of community support,
and the ongoing nature of grief. Heather reflects on the complexities of
acknowledging loss, the unexpected triggers that can arise, and her evolving
perspective on grief hierarchies. Through her experiences, she emphasizes the
significance of finding one's own way to cope and the power of humor in
navigating the dark moments of grief. In this conversation, Heather Straughter
shares her personal journey through grief after the loss of her son, Jake. She
discusses societal expectations surrounding grief, the dual nature of grief as
both painful and transformative, and the importance of community support.
Heather also talks about the creation of her podcast, 'A Place of Yes,' aimed
at sharing stories of families dealing with similar challenges, and her mission
to help families navigate the complexities of caring for children with special
needs. The conversation emphasizes the need for compassion, understanding, and
proactive support for grieving families.
Follow:
Jake's Help From Heaven
A Place Of Yes Podcast on Instagram
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection
01:41 The Impact of Grief on Life Choices
02:50 Navigating Grief and Community Support
08:21 The Ongoing Nature of Grief
10:33 The Complexity of Grief and Acknowledgment
12:26 Triggers and Unexpected Moments of Grief
15:59 The Hierarchy of Grief
18:23 Coping Mechanisms and Humor in Grief
22:09 The Dark Side of Grief
24:22 Unspoken Aspects of Grief
26:07 Finding Your Own Path in Grief
29:20 Navigating Grief: Societal Expectations and Personal Experiences
32:43 The Dual Nature of Grief: Pain and Growth
36:47 Creating a Supportive Community: The Birth of a Podcast
42:06 Expanding the Mission: Helping Families Beyond Local Boundaries
54:16 Words of Comfort: Supporting Grieving Families
March 27, 2025
What if AI could guide every patient through their healthcare journey—nudging them toward better choices, anticipating their needs, and adapting in real time? We talk a lot about engagement in healthcare, but too often, the digital tools we use fail to improve outcomes. AI and data-driven personalization hold incredible promise, yet many health plans and providers still struggle with low participation rates. Dr. Erich Huang, Associate Chief Clinical Officer for Informatics and Technology at Verily, an Alphabet company leading the charge in precision health, joins Eric to discuss what’s next for AI in healthcare. The conversation touches on how AI is redefining patient engagement, the delicate balance between automation and human touch, and how platforms like Verily’s Lightpath are pioneering a new model for chronic care management. If you’re a health plan or hospital leader looking to unlock the next generation of patient engagement, you won’t want to miss this conversation. About Erich Erich leads a team focused on structuring clinical-grade data that integrates with the clinical research and healthcare data ecosystems and is optimized for precision medicine, analysis, and artificial intelligence. Erich was previously at Duke University where he served as the Chief Data Officer for Quality at Duke Health, Director of Duke Forge, Director of Duke Crucible, and Assistant Dean for Biomedical Informatics for Duke University School of Medicine. There, he led and deployed machine learning capabilities for complex care management in Duke Health’s Accountable Care Organization, led health data science initiatives, and helped develop Duke Health’s new institutional governance process for algorithmic decision support. He earned his MD and PhD from Duke University, trained and was a Chief Resident in the Duke General Surgery Residency Program. Erich is previously a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Innovations in Regulatory Science Award recipient, received a Sidney Kimmel Cancer Research Foundation Translational Scholar Award, and is twice a recipient of an IBM Faculty Award. About Verily Verily is an Alphabet health technology company focused on research, care, and health financing to deliver on the promise of precision health and help people live healthier lives. We are uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology, data science, and healthcare to create tools to accelerate evidence generation, products to enable more personalized care, and approaches to make costs more predictable.
March 26, 2025
What do angel investing, cosmonaut training, and funding a 10-year health community project have in common? Esther Dyson. Obviously.
In our latest episode #164 of #TheShot of #DigitalHealth Therapy, Jim Joyce and I had the pleasure to catchup with Esther.
We covered:

Why she funded Wellville to rebuild social fabric in underserved communities (and what she really learned)

What 23andMe got right — and what it didn’t...

Her next chapter: writing "Term Limits", a book about being human in the age of infinite AI

And why “making new mistakes” is a better life motto than “move fast and break things”
Esther’s wisdom is as timeless as her curiosity — and we’re just glad she finally made it on #TheShot.

Fun mentions as always: Matthew Holt Unity Stoakes Marina Borukhovich Rick Brush Peter H. Diamandis Linda Avey Stepan Pachikov Anne Wojcicki

Section Breakdown (Topics + Timestamps):
Intro & Background Setup
Esther joins & shares how this podcast started as a pandemic experiment.

00:00 – 04:00
Esther’s Life Journey in 3 Speeds
From Oppenheimer roots to Forbes to cosmonaut training.

04:00 – 08:00
Cosmonaut Training & Health Discovery
How a space detour saved her life.

08:00 – 12:00
Wellness Habits & Biohacking Wisdom
Swimming, eating early, and NOT eating at cocktail parties.

12:00 – 14:00
Becoming an Angel Investor
How a million-dollar challenge turned her into an investor.

14:00 – 17:00
Why She Started Wellville
From judging the Healthcare XPrize to 10 years of social fabric repair.

18:00 – 25:00
Hard Truths About Systems & Poverty
Trust, grants-as-drugs, and funding that's actually fair.

25:00 – 27:00
On Government, Prevention & Food Systems
Sugar taxes, vaccines, and the real trends that matter.

27:00 – 29:00
23andMe’s Rise, Fall, and Lessons
She got the education, not the return.

29:00 – 33:00
Term Limits & Being Fully Human
Why we need constraints, not infinity — and why Pam the hygienist is the real hero.

35:00 – 44:00
March 26, 2025
The news of the year for UK healthcare in March 2025 was the announcement of the abolishment of NHS England. Many people welcome the move, expecting the healthcare system in the UK to become more efficient. If we look at the history, NHS is under constant restructuring - in the past, for digitalization efforts, two entities were established - NHS X and NHS Digital, and were later merger into NHS England. A few years ago 200+ commissioning groups were restructured into 42 integrated care systems.
In this discussion Liam Cahill, Founder of Together Digital, Digital Advisor to Organisations and Healthtech Advisor talks about the impact of the latest restructuring and expected impact.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB3XXtxvfag&t=19s
www.facesofdigitalhealth.com
Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
March 26, 2025
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Charles Lie from Healthscope, Cathy Ryan from Cabrini Health, and Dean Breckenridge from Ramsay Health Care about the hurdles private hospitals in Australia are dealing with. They dive into outdated coding rules, workforce shortages, and the hiccups in revenue cycle management. They also cover how AI and automation come into play, discuss policy and funding roadblocks, and share some handy tips for staying financially sustainable.This episode was recorded as a live session in partnership with InfoMedix, bringing together representatives from across Australia's digital health ecosystem, including private hospitals, vendors, consulting firms, and government bodies, highlighting a broad interest and engagement with the topics discussed.Key Takeaways:• Coding complexity is a real headache for hospital cash flow, highlighting the need for skilled coders and efficient systems.• Bringing AI and automation into healthcare isn't smooth sailing because of specific coding standards and existing inefficiencies.• Everyone needs to team up to reduce admin redundancies and make systems more efficient.• Public vs. private hospital funding models are another ball game, making financial sustainability a big challenge.• Simplifying funding models helps reduce the admin burden and improve the quality of patient care.Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it.Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers, and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus
March 26, 2025
In this episode of A Shot in the Arm Podcast, hosts Yvette Raphael and Ben Plumley discuss the resilience of South Africa's healthcare system amidst U.S. aid cuts, particularly through USAID and PEPFAR. They highlight the devastating impacts on HIV treatment, TB care, and broader healthcare services due to the sudden cessation of funding. But the country is markedly more prepared than critics might have feared, to assume full responsibility for its infectious diseases strategies - including procurement and surveillance strategies that the US maintained control over in exchange for the aid. Their conversation extends to cover issues around mental health, future healthcare innovations like long-acting antiretrovirals, and the broader geopolitical implications of donor aid cuts.
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene
00:33 Impact of US Aid Cuts on South Africa
03:08 Healthcare Challenges and Government Response
07:04 The Role of Civil Society and Future Preparations
10:21 Consequences of Sudden Aid Withdrawal
14:17 Future of HIV Treatment and Advocacy
16:55 The Threat of Drug-Resistant TB
17:35 Government Investment in Healthcare
19:01 Mental Health Crisis Among Youth
19:41 Impact of USAID Funding Cuts
20:57 Soft Power and International Relations
22:37 South Africa's Self-Reliance
26:43 Addressing Racism and Emigration
32:42 Parting Thoughts and Optimism

Join the Conversation
How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Subscribe & Stay Updated

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform

Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health discussions - @shotarmpodcast
March 24, 2025
Send us a textIs smarter decision support the key to unlocking value-based success?In this episode of the HealthBiz Podcast, Thaddeus Fulford-Jones, CEO of Radial, joins host David Williams to explore how Radial’s AI-powered decision support software merges cutting-edge data science with clinical best practices to enhance patient outcomes, reduce costs, and optimize value-based provider operations.Thaddeus Fulford-Jones' book recommendation: Reservations for Nine by Dr. George Beauregard


ABOUT HEALTHBIZ PODCASTHealthBiz 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.


ABOUT THADDEUS FULFORD-JONESThaddeus Fulford-Jones is the Co-Founder & CEO of Radial (www.radialcare.com), a healthtech company leveraging AI and machine learning to improve patient outcomes and financial performance in value-based care. Radial develops next-generation decision support tools that help organizations target the right members with the right interventions at the right time. Previously, Thaddeus was the Co-Founder and CEO of Locately, a location analytics firm that pioneered mobile-based consumer insights. He holds a PhD from MIT, where his research focused on complex systems and modeling. Throughout his career, he has been passionate about applying technology to solve critical challenges in healthcare and beyond.GET IN TOUCHFollow CareTalk on LinkedInBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.
March 21, 2025
Reimagining Pediatric Care with Imagine Pediatrics
For families of medically complex kids, the healthcare system often feels broken—long hospital stays, insurance battles for basic needs, and constant caregiving without real support. But what if there was a better way?
In this episode, I’m joined by Taylor Beery, co-founder of Imagine Pediatrics, Jody Copp, a full-time rare disease dad of two boys with Combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency type 13 associated with a mutation in the PNPT1 gene and whose family has experienced firsthand the impact of their care model. Imagine Pediatrics is changing the game by providing 24/7, in-home, virtual-first medical care designed to keep kids safe at home—not in the hospital.
He also has a rad foundation that we will chat about in a future episode: Raising Wheels Foundation
If you are in Texas, Florida, and District of Columbia you have access to Imagine Pediatrics!
We discuss:

The problems with the current healthcare system for medically complex kids

Why "safe days at home" should be the goal of pediatric care

How Imagine Pediatrics partners with families rather than making them fight for care

The economic case for home-based care and why insurance should want this model

Walker’s legacy— how Taylor’s son inspired a movement to improve pediatric healthcare Kids Join the Fight

Listen now & share with families who need this
March 20, 2025
Imagine starting life with a speech impediment and ending up as a Broadway's beatboxing, improv master - that’s Anthony Veneziale’s journey! A presentation and storytelling expert, Grammy-nominated star of both Broadway and film, he is the co-creator of the acclaimed Freestyle Love Supreme, an improvised, hip hop, live musical performance with a rolling cast of characters including the likes of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Christopher Jackson and Daveed Diggs. Anthony proves that the best ideas come from embracing yes, and...
Jim Joyce and I had a blast on today's episode of #TheShot of #DigitalHealth today as it was packed with epic freestyle moments, brain science, and enough energy to light up all of Las Vegas.

Bonus: We even got Anthony to drop a custom freestyle rap about ClearIP!
If you want to laugh, learn, and maybe rethink how improv can revolutionize creativity, mental health, and business, this one’s for you.


Top 3 Key Insights

Improv fuels confidence, creativity & problem-solving

Brain science proves improv enhances cognition & mental agility

Saying ‘Yes, And’ unlocks innovation & business success
Fun mentions as always: Matthew Holt Daniel Couchman Kendall Roberto Ascione Kristin Milburn Frontiers Health Rachel Loui Christie Pitts Matt Loeb
#YesAnd #Improvisation #Creativity #Neuroscience #MentalFitness #FreestyleInnovation
Podcast Breakdown

Welcome & Icebreaker (00:00 - 03:00)

Hosts discuss podcast rankings, meeting Anthony, and app testing.

Anthony’s Origin Story (03:00 - 07:00)

From speech therapy struggles to founding Freestyle Love Supreme.

The Birth of Freestyle Love Supreme (07:00 - 10:00)

How a college improv troupe shaped his career & led to Broadway.

The Magic of Improv (10:00 - 14:00)

Why improv is a tool for confidence, creativity & problem-solving.

Neuroscience & Improv (14:00 - 19:00)

Brain science behind improv, fMRI studies, and cognitive benefits.

Mindless, Inc. & AI-Powered Games (19:00 - 25:00)

AI-driven mental fitness games & their impact on mental health.

The Art of Freestyle & Startup Pitches (25:00 - 29:00)

Freestyling startup pitches at AARP & turning ideas into rap.

Clear IP Freestyle Moment (29:00 - 33:00)

Anthony creates an impromptu rap about Jim’s startup.

The Power of Yes, And (33:00 - 36:00)

How embracing ‘yes, and’ can transform business & creativity.

Closing Advice & Big Takeaways (36:00 - End)

Anthony’s wisdom for entrepreneurs & creators.
March 19, 2025
As care delivery shifts beyond traditional hospital settings, how do we ensure patient safety, cybersecurity, and equitable access to high-quality care?
In this episode of HITea at the ViVE conference, we sit down with Laura Rogers, Senior Director, Healthcare Strategy at SHI International, to explore how the "Care Anywhere" model is transforming healthcare. We discuss the driving forces behind home-based care, the IT infrastructure needed to support it, and the biggest challenges—from cybersecurity risks to reimbursement hurdles. Plus, we dive into how this shift impacts women, who often juggle their own health alongside caregiving responsibilities.
What cutting-edge innovations are making Care Anywhere a reality? And what’s still standing in the way? Tune in to find out!
March 18, 2025
What if your health plan’s biggest opportunity to improve outcomes wasn’t in a hospital or clinic—but in a home, a grocery store, or a child’s support system? Mark Rakowski, President of Chorus Community Health Plans (CCHP) and Senior Vice President of Children's Wisconsin, joins Eric to explore the plan’s innovative approach to social determinants of health. From its Housing Navigator Program and Foodsmart initiative to its groundbreaking mental health strategy, CCHP is driving better health, lowering costs, and achieving remarkable results—including a 70% treatment adherence rate among Medicaid members. If you’re a healthcare leader looking for scalable, high-impact strategies to address social determinants of health and improve member outcomes, this episode is a must-listen! About CCHP Chorus Community Health Plans, which is owned by Children’s Wisconsin – the state’s only health care system dedicated 100% to children and teens, is focused on improving the health and well-being of its members by providing access to a broad network of health services and providers, as well as prevention programs. CCHP is the second-largest Medicaid health plan in the state. The plan serves 150,000 Medicaid members in 28 counties in eastern Wisconsin. In 2017, CCHP began offering individual and family plans in the Marketplace in southeastern Wisconsin, and the plan has now expanded to 15 counties in eastern Wisconsin, covering 15,000 members in 2022. About Mark Mark is responsible for the health plan's overall operation. He directs the development of strategies and budgets, negotiates contracts and ensures compliance. In addition to these roles, Mark oversees the contractual relationship with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and monitors and influences state and local healthcare policy. Mark is also actively involved in the Children’s Wisconsin strategic plan to improve children’s health in Wisconsin. The plan focuses on increasing access to preventive services, addressing social drivers of health, and partnering with providers to improve care coordination. Mark joined Children’s Wisconsin and the CCHP team in 1999 as director of managed care. Before that, he had 11 years of experience in healthcare-managed care roles. Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and a master’s in accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. In 2010, Mark was recognized as a notable health care hero by BizTimes Milwaukee, which was an advancement in healthcare.
March 18, 2025
6% of the hospital budget, EPIC and 100 healthcare IT systems.
That's the description of the infrastructure in the Cleveland clinic London.
CIO Raihaan Mughal likes to emphasize CEOs are concerned about three things:

Increasing revenue

Reducing cost

Mitigating risk
When investing, Cleveland clinic is mindful of Return on investment, return on employee.
When it comes to AI, CIO Raihaan Mughal says: "Take your time, be skeptical about vendor promises." Cleveland Clinic in the US is running a pilot comparing 5 ambient solutions before they sign a long-term contract.
Tune in to the full discussion with Raihaan, recorded at the Digital Health Excellence Forum by Smart Bridges GmbH in Berlin.
Youtube: https://lnkd.in/dKzBrAxS
www.facesofdigitalhealth.com
Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
March 17, 2025
This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HEREEpisode Overview: The traditional infusion care experience is overdue for a consumer-centered transformation. Our next guest, Torben Nielsen, is leading this revolution as CEO and Co-Founder of Uptiv Health. With 15+ years building innovative healthcare solutions and executive experience at retail giants like LEGO, Torben brings a unique consumer-first perspective to healthcare delivery. After successful leadership roles at ZoomCare and HealthSparq, he's now reimagining infusion care for patients with chronic conditions through Uptiv Health's retail-based centers. The platform combines comfortable, private treatment suites with a comprehensive digital experience that extends care beyond the infusion chair. Join us to discover how Uptiv Health is delivering spa-like experiences at half the cost of hospital settings while setting a new standard for whole-person care in the $150 billion infusion market. Let's go!Episode Highlights:Uptiv moves infusion care from hospitals to retail locations, offering a "spa-like" experience at 40-70% lower cost.Private suites and a 1:3 nurse-to-patient ratio help achieve a remarkable 99 NPS score.90% of patients use Uptiv's app for appointment management, messaging, and health data access.Beyond infusion, Uptiv provides whole-person care including behavioral health screening and therapy services.Raising Series A funding to expand, while seeking partnerships with health systems to shift biologics to retail settings. About our Guest: Torben is the CEO and Co-Founder of Uptiv Health, a fast-growing tech-enabled infusion care platform providing in-person and virtual infusion and chronic condition management services. Prior to Uptiv, Torben was CEO of ZoomCare, an on-demand retail & virtual healthcare platform, scaling it to the largest primary and urgent care provider in the Pacific Northwest serving 350,000+ patients annually. Prior to ZoomCare, Torben co-founded a software-as-a-service company, HealthSparq, in 2012 and grew it to the second-fastest-growing digital health company in the US in 2016. Before entering healthcare, Torben held executive roles in technology and consumer companies like XEROX and LEGO. His leadership was recognized by the Portland Business Journal as "Executive of the Year" in Oregon in 2021. Links Supporting This Episode: Uptiv Health Website: CLICK HERETorben Nielsen LinkedIn page: CLICK HEREUptiv Health LinkedIn: CLICK HEREMike Biselli LinkedIn page: CLICK HEREMike Biselli Twitter page: CLICK HEREVisit our website: CLICK HERESubscribe to newsletter: CLICK HEREGuest nomination form:
March 17, 2025
In early March HIMSS Global (https://www.himssconference.com/), the currently biggest global gathering about healthcare IT took place Las Vegas. A few tens of thousands of people visit HIMSS Global every year, it can take 20 minutes to get from one session to another in another building, therefor preparation and planning are key.
This year, the key topic seemed to be how are companies embedding AI in their solutions. Hospital leaders talked about cybersecurity, and political uncertainty impacting the future of digital health development. I asked a few participants at HIMSS Global, who are also speaking at HIMSS Europe in Paris in June 2025, about their reflections on the content at HIMSS.
You will hear from:
Guido Gunti, Chief Digital Officer at St. James Hospital, Ireland
Mathew Little, Chief Nurse Information Officer (CNIO) & Associate Chief Nurse, Gloucestershire Hospital NHS Trust, UK
Rasu Shrestha, Executive Vice President, Chief Innovation & Commercialization Officer at Advocate Health, USA,
Henrique Martins, Associate Professor in Health Management & Leadership, Portugal,
Rachel Dunscombe, CEO of openEHR International
www.facesofdigitalhealth.com
https://fodh.substack.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@facesofdigitalhealth
March 14, 2025
Send us a textIn this episode of CareTalk, John Driscoll sits down with Oron Afek, CEO of Vim, to discuss how Vim is transforming healthcare by creating a smarter, more connected ecosystem for doctors and patients. Oron shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his early days in the Israeli military to building a healthcare platform that integrates seamlessly with electronic health records (EHRs) to improve clinical decision-making. Learn how Vim’s technology is helping doctors make better decisions at the point of care, streamlining workflows, and driving better patient outcomes, all while empowering developers to build innovative healthcare solutions.


ABOUT CARETALK: HEALTHCARE. UNFILTERED.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 ORON AFEKOron is both the Chief Executive Officer of Vim and the company's visionary. Oron's dynamic leadership shapes Vim's corporate strategy, which is defined by bold innovation balanced with strategic focus. Oron pushes boundaries and helps the company innovate where no one else can. He ensures that the company - and all its partners - are aligned on a shared purpose to revolutionize healthcare and lower the complexity for providers to participate in value-based care. Before his remarkable journey in healthcare, Oron honed his skills serving in a special forces unit of the Israel Defense Forces, embodying a spirit of determination and fearlessness. Drawing from his diverse background, he founded and spearheaded the business development for four groundbreaking companies across telecommunications, gaming, real estate, and education.


ABOUT VIM Vim seamlessly integrates essential data, insights, and applications into existing EHR workflows, enabling healthcare providers to work more efficiently, enhance patient outcomes, and optimize operations.GET IN TOUCHFollow CareTalk on LinkedInBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.
March 14, 2025

Music as medicine? More like a prescription for good vibes!

In our latest episode of #TheShot of #DigitalHealth Therapy, Jim Joyce and I jammed with Rachel Francine, CEO of Musical Health Technologies aka SingFit, the company bringing singing-based therapy to people worldwide. Turns out, belting out tunes can be as powerful as a prescription—especially for dementia care

Rachel’s journey? From growing up in a beanbag factory (yes, really) with an opera-singing inventor dad, to riding every major tech wave before it was cool. Now, she’s scaling music therapy to change lives at scale—because, let’s be real, we could all use some more dopamine and less stress.
What’s next? SingFit is making waves in care homes, hospitals, and even football clubs..
Top 5 Key Takeaways

Singing is therapy

Music unlocks memories

Less meds, more music Singing reduces anxiety & agitation

Singing reduces anxiety & agitation

Scaling music therapy
Fun mentions as always: Andy Tubman Chandana Fitzgerald Francesca Wuttke Ali Parsa Jorge Juan Fernández García

[00:00 - 04:00] | Intro & Banter
Jim & Eugene joke about podcast delays, St. Patrick’s Day, and Irish gifts to the White House.

[04:00 - 10:00] | Meet Rachel Francine: A Life in Tech
From VHS vs. Beta to CitySearch, Rachel recounts her wild career journey.

[10:00 - 15:00] | Growing Up in a Beanbag Factory with an Opera-Singing Inventor Dad
Yes, really. Also, how patents were dinner table conversations.

[15:00 - 20:00] | From Nashville to Music Tech: The Road to SingFit
Rachel’s experience in the music industry & early digital platforms.

[20:00 - 27:00] | What is SingFit? And Why Singing is Medicine
Explaining the science of active music therapy and its impact.

[27:00 - 33:00] | Case Studies: Dementia, Autism & Mental Health
How singing reduces agitation, anxiety, and even hospital visits.

[33:00 - 37:00] | Scaling Music Therapy: The Market Challenge
Why music therapists are rare & how SingFit is bridging the gap.

[37:00 - 40:00] | The Future of SingFit & Big Announcements Coming
Expansion to B2C, football clubs, and a mystery mega-partnership.

[40:00 - 42:00] | Jim’s “Famous Last Question”
Rachel’s advice? Follow the money & understand the music business.

[42:00 - End] | Wrap-Up & Subscribe!
Final thoughts, audience shout-outs, and the importance of hitting that subscribe button.
March 12, 2025
myTomorrows combines AI with healthcare expertise to solve the complex challenge of matching patients to clinical trials, making advanced treatment options more accessible worldwide.
March 11, 2025
What if I told you that in 2025, the way we access and exchange healthcare data will be fundamentally different? For years, we've talked about interoperability—but now, we’re seeing it take shape. Nearly 40% of the CommonWell network and most Q-HINs are responding to patient access requests, opening the door to a new era of seamless, secure, and patient-driven data exchange. Paul L. Wilder, Executive Director of CommonWell Health Alliance, joins Eric to explore the future of healthcare data and the evolving landscape of healthcare interoperability. Learn about the CommonWell Marketplace, how patient access to data is improving, the increasing role of FHIR, and the critical aspects of trust and AI in healthcare. Paul provides key insights to help you and your organization position yourself for success. This episode was recorded live at ViVE 2025 in Nashville. About CommonWell CommonWell is a not-for-profit interoperability advocate and Qualified Health Information Network under the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), which facilitates the secure exchange of patient data across more than 36,000 provider sites, representing over 238 million individuals nationwide. CommonWell has enabled the exchange of more than 7.7 billion healthcare records. Visit https://www.commonwellalliance.org/. About Paul Paul is leading the organization as it enters a new chapter in its pursuit of empowering clinicians, practitioners and individuals with interoperability services via its robust, nationwide network. With more than two decades of experience in health IT, Paul has held various roles focusing on imaging, clinical informatics, and interoperability. Before joining CommonWell, Paul was Vice President of Strategy & Business Development for Philips Interoperability Solutions. He also spent close to 10 years with one of the largest regional HIE networks in the world, the New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC)—serving as its Chief Information Officer, Vice President of Product Management and Program Director for NYeC’s Regional Extension Center. During his time with the NYeC, he helped nearly 10,000 primary care providers attest to Meaningful Use and solidified the state’s status as one of the national leaders in health IT adoption. Each role enabled him to work and hear directly from providers and end-users of Electronic Health Records (EHRs)—which gives him an important perspective as a leader in health IT adoption and execution. Paul received his Master of Business Administration from New York University, with a concentration in Finance and Operations. He also holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania: one from the College of Arts and Sciences in Economics and the other from the School of Engineering and Applied Science in Biomedical Science. Paul lives in the New York area with his wife, two daughters and their newest family member, their dog Penny. Bright Spots in Healthcare is produced by Bright Spots Ventures Bright Spots Ventures brings healthcare leaders together to share working solutions or "bright spots" to common challenges. We build valuable and meaningful relationships through our Bright Spots in Healthcare podcast, webinar series, leadership councils, customized peer events, and sales and go-to-market consulting. We believe finding a bright spot and cloning it is the most effective strategy to improve healthcare in our lifetime. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com
March 11, 2025
Hosted by
Ben Plumley & Professor Ambassador Eric Goosby
Episode Summary
In this episode of Global Health Diplomats, Ben Plumley and Eric Goosby take a hard look at the state of global health in the wake of major funding shifts and policy changes. With U.S. global health programs facing an uncertain future, can they be salvaged, or are we witnessing the dismantling of decades of progress?
Ben and Eric discuss:

The impact of U.S. policy changes on PEPFAR, USAID, and global health funding

The realities of restarting health programs amid political roadblocks

How countries are shifting towards self-sufficiency in health systems

Lessons learned from HIV programs pivoting to COVID-19 responses

The role of European and global players—can they fill the funding gap?

The future of long-acting HIV treatments and barriers to adoption

The ethics of global health governance—are programs being abandoned?

The human cost of these decisions on communities and health professionals
This episode is a must-listen for anyone engaged in global health, policy advocacy, and public health strategy.
Timestamps for Key Moments
00:00 - Welcome & opening remarks: Ben and Eric set the stage for a critical conversation
00:38 - Is global health dead? A frank discussion on where things stand
02:31 - U.S. policy shifts & the fallout for global health programs
07:12 - Can shuttered programs be restarted? The logistical and ethical challenges
13:52 - Global health self-sufficiency: Are countries ready to take control?
17:23 - Can Europe or others step up? The feasibility of alternative funding sources
22:19 - What national programs must prioritize to survive funding cuts
26:29 - Procurement & supply chain challenges—what's at risk?
27:52 - Surveillance & monitoring—a critical piece of the puzzle
29:34 - Long-acting HIV treatments—revolutionary but at risk
32:37 - The politics of health funding—will programs be forced to regress?
36:32 - Clinical guidelines vs. financial and political realities—who decides?
37:55 - Key populations at risk: Why marginalized communities may suffer the most
40:02 - Beyond government funding: Can faith-based organizations & business leaders help?
41:06 - The personal toll on health professionals: How this crisis is affecting those in the field
44:32 - Global solidarity under threat: How shifting geopolitics impact health
47:16 - What happens next? Ben and Eric’s final reflections on the way forward
Join the Conversation
How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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March 7, 2025
Tristan Roberts, founder of Dog Years DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization focused on improving canine longevity. They discuss the potential of using blockchain technology to manage decentralized trials and gather data more effectively. Tristan shares his journey from cognitive neuroscience to biohacking and gene therapy, detailing his experiences with HIV gene therapy and how it led to the creation of Minicircle. The conversation covers the science behind follistatin, a protein that may extend the lifespan of dogs by reducing inflammation and preventing muscle breakdown. Tristan explains the proposed methodology for the Dog Years DAO experiment, emphasizing the importance of acquiring reliable data through a system of deposits and incentives for participants. The episode also explores the ethical challenges and potential of decentralized clinical trials in the broader context of healthcare innovation.

Health Unchained is the Top #15 of 100 Healthcare Technology Podcasts on the web - Check us out on Feedspot
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:31 Guest Introduction: Tristan Roberts
02:16 Tristan's Journey into Gene Therapy
04:18 Gene Therapy for HIV
06:42 Canine Longevity and Gene Therapy
13:11 The Concept of Dog Year's DAO
18:58 Challenges and Future of Decentralized Trials
30:44 Closing Thoughts
Guests Links
Tristan Roberts website
LinkedIn
X
Mentioned Resources
Dog Years DAO website
Dog Years DAO TG group
Research Collective Telegram Group
Longevity Events
https://www.infinita.city/
https://www.vitalistbay.com/
https://edgecity.live/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41990981
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231127326868/en/FDA-Agrees-Loyal-Data-Supports-Reasonable-Expectation-of-Effectiveness-for-Large-Dog-Lifespan-Extension
Health Unchained Links
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LinkedIn
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March 7, 2025
Send us a textAI behavioral science and digital communications are transforming how patients interact with the system, but are they actually improving outcomes or just adding noise and costs?In this episode of the Health Biz Podcast, host David Williams speaks with Robert Farrell, CEO of mPulse, about how AI-driven personalization is transforming patient engagement. They discuss how conversational AI, behavioral science, and predictive analytics are helping healthcare organizations improve outcomes, boost health literacy, and engage patients more effectively.


ABOUT HEALTHBIZ PODCASTHealthbiz 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.


ABOUT ROBERT FARRELLBob Farrell is a 4-time CEO with a proven track record of building high growth, profitable software and technology-enabled service companies backed by private equity and public markets. Bob currently serves as an outside Member on the Board of Directors at Worldwide Express, Recycle Track Systems, Transportation Impact, Meal Ticket, and Tenstreet.


ABOUT mPULSEmPulse combines predictive analytics and advanced digital experience technology to deliver business efficiencies and more equitable health outcomes at scale. That’s why 400+ healthcare organizations trust them to orchestrate personalized health journeys for their populations.GET IN TOUCHFollow CareTalk on LinkedInBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.
March 7, 2025