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CareTalk Podcast

CareTalk Podcast

Incisive debate on healthcare policy and politics - a no B.S. insider’s view of what works and what doesn’t in American healthcare.

Smarter Decision Support For Value-Based Success w/ Radial CEO, Thaddeus Fulford-Jones

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

Building a Smarter Healthcare Ecosystem w/ Vim CEO, Oron Afek

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

How AI Personalizes Patient Engagement w/ Robert Farrell, CEO, mPulse

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

Powering Personalized Senior Care at Home w/ WellBe CEO Jeffrey Kang

Send us a textWhole-person care is the gold standard for treating elderly patients by delivering care where they need it when they need it, but traditional healthcare models make it tough to scale.Can value-based care and home-based medicine change that?In this episode of CareTalk, host John Driscoll speaks with Jeffrey Kang, CEO of WellBe, to explore the challenges and opportunities of geriatric care, the evolution of Medicare risk adjustment, and why integrating whole-person care into value-based models is key to keeping vulnerable patients healthier.🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk 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 JEFFERY KANGDr. Jeffrey Kang, the founder of WellBe, was inspired by his personal experience caring for his mother during her battle with cancer. As both a physician and a son, he witnessed firsthand the importance of having a trusted medical guide to help navigate complex treatments and decisions. This experience led him to create WellBe, a service dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate care whenever and wherever patients need it. Under Dr. Kang’s leadership, WellBe is driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to a trusted doctor who understands their needs, supports them through every step of their health journey, and ensures they receive the best possible care.🎙️⚕️ABOUT WELLBE WellBe Senior Medical is transforming healthcare by delivering expert medical and mental health services directly to patients' homes, ensuring compassionate, personalized care at low or no cost. Collaborating with existing healthcare providers, WellBe's dedicated team offers in-home medical care, 24/7 provider access through a nurse hotline, and mental health support via telehealth and home visits. Currently serving patients across 10 states, WellBe continues to expand its reach, partnering with health plans nationwide to keep individuals healthy and comfortable in their own homes.GET IN TOUCHBecome 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.
February 28, 2025

Making Value-Based Care More Efficient with AI w/ CEO Jay Ackerman

Send us a textValue-based care is a great concept, providers get paid to keep patients healthy rather than just for treating them when they’re sick.But it’s not easy and results don’t always meet the potential.Can technology and AI help?In this episode of the HealthBiz Podcast, host David E. Williams speaks with Jay Ackerman, CEO of Reveleer on how AI can automate time-consuming tasks, streamline fragmented workflows, and consolidate critical risk adjustment and quality improvement all to improve value-based care.🎙️⚕️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 https://healthbusinessgroup.com/—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 JAY ACKERMANJay is the President and CEO of Reveleer, leading the company’s growth and innovation in clinical data collection and analytics for health plans and providers. He focuses on scaling operations, driving business expansion, and advancing product innovation to enhance healthcare outcomes.With over 25 years of experience in software and services, Jay has held leadership roles at major organizations. He was Chief Revenue Officer at Guidance Software, led global sales and customer success at ServiceSource, and served as President and CEO of WNS North America. Throughout his career, he has successfully driven growth, expanded markets, and strengthened customer relationships.🎙️⚕️ ABOUT REVELEERReveleer is a leading healthcare technology company specializing in AI-driven solutions for clinical data collection, risk adjustment, and quality improvement. Designed for health plans and providers, Reveleer’s platform streamlines medical record retrieval, coding, and analytics to enhance compliance, optimize reimbursements, and improve patient outcomes. By leveraging advanced automation and machine learning, Reveleer empowers organizations to efficiently manage healthcare data while reducing administrative burdens.With a commitment to innovation and accuracy, Reveleer helps healthcare organizations navigate the complexities of value-based care. Its comprehensive SaaS platform delivers actionable insights, ensuring payers and providers can make data-driven decisions with confidence.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.
February 21, 2025

Breaking Down Data Silos with Interoperability w/ Dr. Donald Rucker

Send us a textInteroperability has long been a buzzword in healthcare In an ideal world, our healthcare system would exchange timely, high-quality data to empower patients, improve clinical quality, and keep costs under control. How close are we to making this a reality?In this episode of the HealthBiz Podcast, host David E Williams talks with Dr. Donald Rucker, Chief Strategy Officer at 1upHealth, about how their health data management platform is transforming the way healthcare organizations access, share, and leverage patient data to improve outcomes, enhance efficiency, and drive more personalized care.TOPICS(0:25) Introduction(0:52) How Dr. Donald Rucker Got Into Healthcare(2:54) Rucker's Educational Path and Career(11:14) What Does 1upHealth Do?(21:13) Why Are CMS APIs So Important?(25:15) How Do APIs Affect Prior Authorization?(31:37) Book Recommendations from Dr. Donald Rucker🎙️⚕️ABOUT HEALTHBIZ 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 https://healthbusinessgroup.com/—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 DR. DONALD RUCKERDr. Donald Rucker is the Chief Strategy Officer at 1upHealth and a nationally recognized leader in health IT. As National Coordinator of Health IT at HHS from 2017 to 2021, he led the development of the ONC’s 21st Century Cures Act Interoperability Rule, which standardized FHIR APIs and advanced patient access to electronic health data by enforcing the ban on information blocking.A board-certified physician with experience at Kaiser Permanente, Beth Israel Deaconess, and the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Rucker has made significant contributions to clinical informatics. He co-developed the first Microsoft Windows-based electronic medical record and designed a computerized physician order entry module that won the 2003 HIMSS Nicholas Davies Award. He holds degrees from Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford.🎙️⚕️ ABOUT 1UPHEALTH1upHealth is revolutionizing healthcare data interoperability by enabling seamless access, exchange, and analytics through modern FHIR-based technology. Founded with a mission to bridge the gap between payers, providers, and app developers, 1upHealth empowers organizations to unlock the full potential of their health data, driving better outcomes and efficiency.With a focus on simplicity, scalability, and compliance, 1upHealth delivers cutting-edge solutions that transform healthcare operations. By leveraging standardized FHIR APIs, the company ensures secure and actionable data sharing, making healthcare more connected, patient-centric, and innovative.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.
February 14, 2025

States Clash Over Abortion Pills

Send us a textA New York doctor has been indicted for prescribing abortion pills to a patient in Louisiana, sparking a legal showdown between the two states.Now, New York is striking back with a law to shield physicians. Which state will prevail?In this episode of CareTalk, hosts David E Williams and John Driscoll unpack the fight over abortion pill prescriptions and what it means for the future of reproductive rights across the country.TOPICS(0:20) Introduction(0:35) Why Did Louisiana Indict a Doctor from New York?(2:04) The Impact of Political Strategy on Healthcare(3:29) The State's Role in Abortion Policy(6:48) How New York and Abortion Advocates Are Striking Back(7:28) Understanding Laws Protecting Providers(10:09) How Trump Will Influence Abortion Policy(11:23) How Pharmacies Are Reacting to Conflicting Policies(13:22) Hope for the Future of Healthcare in America🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk 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. GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.
February 7, 2025

Improving Medication Adherence with AI Solutions w/ AllazoHealth CEO Bill Grambley

Send us a textArtificial intelligence is destined to play a big role in the pharmaceutical industry in 2025.With this rapid growth, what specific changes can we expect in patient support and pharmaceutical marketing?And how will that impact healthcare costs and patient experience?In this episode of the HealthBiz Podcast, guest Bill Grambley, CEO of AllazoHealth, discusses how artificial intelligence and patient-level data can lower operating costs, improve medication adherence, and create tailored solutions for patients at every stage of their journey.TOPICS(0:23) Intro(1:02) Background on Bill Grambley(2:34) How Naval Service Shaped Bill Grambley(3:23) The Role of Experience and Work History(6:38) What Brought Bill to AllazoHealth(9:05) Understanding Compliance, Persistence, and Adherence(10:36) Examining Low Levels of Adherence(12:28) How Issues with Medication Adherence Have Changed Over Time(15:00) Distinguishing Between Adherence and Therapy Initiation(17:32) The Importance of Personalization(20:35) The Future of Pharma and AI in 2025(25:02) Dynamic Change and Personalization(27:36) GLP-1s and Adherence(30:30) Book Recommendations from Bill Grambley🎙️⚕️ABOUT HEALTHBIZ 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 https://healthbusinessgroup.com/—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 BILL GRAMBLEYWilliam Grambley is the CEO of AllazoHealth, where he leads efforts to improve medication adherence and patient support programs, driven by his passion for personalizing the patient experience. He joined AllazoHealth as Chief Operating Officer before stepping into the CEO role as the organization expanded. Previously, William held leadership roles at CVS Health, including Vice President of Strategy and Product Management, where he delivered industry-leading clinical programs like the award-winning Pharmacy Advisor. A U.S. Navy veteran, William earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and held roles at Bain & Company and EMC before CVS Health.🎙️⚕️ABOUT ALLAZOHEALTHAllazoHealth is a pioneer in AI-powered personalization, dedicated to enhancing therapy initiation, medication adherence, and health outcomes. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence, AllazoHealth delivers truly personalized communications based on identified patient data, utilizing over 500 behavioral predictors to determine the optimal content, channels, timing, and cadence for each individual. This approach enables pharmaceutical companies and patient support programs to create one-to-one patient health journeys, resulting in improved engagement and outcomes. Founded by experts from leading organizations such as CVS Health and Boston Consulting Group, AllazoHealth combines cutting-edge AI technology with deep industry knowledge to drive sustainable progress in healthcare. GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.
January 31, 2025
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CareTalk

Caretalk is a weekly podcast that provides incisive debate on healthcare policy and politics - a no B.S. insider’s view of what works and what doesn’t in American healthcare. After a quarter century bantering with one another, John Driscoll (CEO, CareCentrix) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) launched CareTalk to publicly debate healthcare policy and business topics, including drug pricing, digital health, the pandemic, Medicare for All, racial disparities and more. Since 2017 they’ve co-hosted 110+ episodes and interrogated prominent guests from industry, government, and academia.

Team

John Driscoll, President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance

John Driscoll, President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance

John Driscoll has been at the center of healthcare innovation for more than two decades, leading large companies across sectors.

He is currently the President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance. Prior to this role, John was the CEO of CareCentrix, the industry leader in bringing healthcare to the home. His career includes roles in healthcare technology (Castlight), pharmacy benefit managers (Medco, SureScripts) and insurance (Oxford) companies. John’s ongoing interest in and dedication to public health and healthcare innovation led to being selected by the Obama White House for its Entrepreneurs in Residence program to advise the FDA on innovation. John also serves as the Chairman of the Waystar Corporation and is an active investor in emerging healthcare technologies.

He helped found Testing for America and serves on its Governing Council and is the Co-Chair of the United States of Care’s Entrepreneurs Council. He chairs the Truman National Security Project, and served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. John is a Board Member for the Alliance for Hunger. John has published articles in national publications including the Los Angeles Times, Time Magazine, The Guardian and Politico.
David Williams, President, Health Business Group

David Williams, President, Health Business Group

David Williams is a healthcare business consultant, board member and blogger. He is President of Health Business Group, which he co-founded in 2003 after more than a decade with the Boston Consulting Group and LEK. As an independent board member, David helps build value for companies including iCardiac Technologies (cardiac safety), Clerio Vision (medical lasers), Vericred (data utility for health insurance), and Home Care Delivered (medical supplies). For a decade he chaired the board of the Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troupe, which provides professionally trained volunteer clowns at the bedside.

David has been a reviewer and chairman for the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, helping implement HITECH and Obamacare. He is frequently quoted on healthcare topics by NPR, Business Week, Al Jazeera, US News, The Boston Globe, and others. He has written and podcasted for his Health Business Blog since 2005. David holds a BA in Economics from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

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