Shan Sinha is confronting the urgent issue of workplace violence in healthcare. Delving into the alarming rise of aggression against healthcare workers, particularly exacerbated by the pandemic, Shan discusses pioneering solutions like Canopy's wearable safety buttons that empower staff with connectivity and protection.

Shan shares his extraordinary journey through the fast-paced world of technology and innovation. We embark on a captivating exploration of Shan's upbringing in Texas, his academic pursuit at MIT during the pivotal shift from Microsoft's reign to Google's ascension, and his leap into the startup ecosystem influenced by the dot-com boom. Shan's experiences highlight the challenges and triumphs faced by children of immigrants, shedding light on their vital contributions to technological advancement and healthcare innovation.

We trace the transformative evolution of cloud-based collaboration tools, punctuated by the early dominance of Amazon S3 and the emergence of Dropbox and Box. Shan recounts his bold decision to leave Microsoft, paving the way for his startup's critical role in shaping Google Drive, and reflects on Google's prescient embrace of hybrid work and video conferencing well before the pandemic. The journey through Shan's entrepreneurial ventures culminates in a successful acquisition by Dialpad, underscoring the dynamic interplay between technological growth and societal demands.

This episode challenges us to rethink how we safeguard our essential healthcare workers, drawing insights from Numbers on't Lie, by Vaclav Smil. It's a thought-provoking book on exponential growth and innovation that offers hope for addressing today's pressing issues, from energy to food waste.

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

In this episode I welcome back Mohan Giridharadas, CEO and founder of LeanTaaS, who shares his journey in revolutionizing healthcare capacity through AI and prescriptive analytics. Mohan provides insights into LeanTaas's evolution since pivoting to healthcare in 2015, tackling pressing challenges such as increased demand, financial pressures and staffing shortages. With innovative solutions now optimizing a third of the U.S. chemotherapy capacity and enhancing 15% of the nation's surgical capacity, LeanTaaS is transforming the landscape of healthcare efficiency. Our discussion highlights the strides made in optimizing infusion centers, operating rooms, and inpatient beds.

We explore the intricacies of improving hospital flow using predictive AI. Mohan and I discuss the similarities between hospital bed management and hotel room turnover, offering insightful comparisons. By employing algorithms to predict bed shortages and prioritize discharges, hospitals can improve patient flow and efficiency. The conversation extends to interconnected issues like ambulance capacity and post-acute care constraints, emphasizing the potential of predictive analytics to revolutionize hospital operations and patient care.

Finally, discover how LeanTaaS is harnessing the power of generative AI with their innovative iQueue products. Mohan discusses the challenges of preventing AI hallucinations and the importance of human oversight in decision-making processes. We also touch on LeanTaas's cybersecurity measures and the critical need for robust data protection in healthcare. Additionally, Mohan shares his excitement about a newly released book and reflects on the company's growth, including reaching a billion-dollar valuation.

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Join me in exploring value-based care with George Aloth, co-founder and CEO of Chamber. George shares his inspiring journey from his upbringing in Baltimore to his pivotal role in shaping healthcare. With a unique educational background in accounting and law, he honed his expertise in Medicaid and Medicare through early career experiences at CMS and Cigna. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found a Medicaid insurance startup and eventually become CEO of CareFirst's Medicaid division. George reflects on his tenure at Somatus, a kidney value-based care company, which sparked his passion for transforming specialty care, specifically cardiology, into a value-based model.

In our conversation, we tackle the pressing issues of cardiology access and equity, emphasizing the challenges faced by vulnerable populations reliant on Medicaid. The discussion highlights the economic decisions cardiology practices must make amidst high demand and limited supply. We explore strategies to enhance efficiency and ensure equitable treatment for all patients, regardless of insurance status. Drawing insights from the book "Good to Great" by Jim Collins, we underscore the importance of building a strong team during rapid growth phases. Don't miss this enlightening discussion with George Aloth as we envision a future of improved access and quality in cardiology care.

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

As a physician and healthcare CEO, Russ Richmond already knew a lot about healthcare. But when a bad accident put him into the hospital for three months he developed a much more profound understanding of caregiving.

In particular, he learned that many of the nurses and therapists who provided him with such great care were thinking of quitting their jobs!

Once he was released he did some research and discovered that a root cause of burnout was a lack of effective management and high administrative burden. He zeroed in on a solution: support for frontline nurse managers.

These insights formed the basis for the founding of Laudio, an intelligent platform that streamlines work for frontline leaders to drive large-scale change.

Before talking about Laudio, we also discuss Russ's earlier career, including a stint leading APS, where I had previously been chairman of the board. I'm grateful to Russ for growing and exiting that business.

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Richard Kellner is on a mission to end polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a leading cause of kidney failure in younger people. The key is combining pre-implantation genetic testing with in vitro fertilization to prevent the disease from being passed from parent to child. The PKD Outreach Foundation, run by Richard is raising awareness so that physicians and parents-to-be know about this option. PKD Outreach is also making testing and IVF more affordable and accessible through a partnership with US Fertility and by making cash grants to families.

In addition, PKD Outreach is publicizing ways to slowing the progression in young adults with lifestyle and drugs, and supporting live kidney donation.

Richard has a compelling personal story. His late wife passed away from PKD, even after receiving a kidney donation from Richard. His adult kids have it, too.

I like the organization's mission and determination so I decided to donate. You might want to do the same.

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Explore the life and career of Brett White, CEO of Weave, an AI-powered platform designed to support small and mid-sized medical practices. Brett shares his formative experiences growing up in Northern California, working on a farm, and benefiting from his father's career as an airline pilot. These early influences instilled in him a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the value of hard work and simple living, shaping his approach to leadership and innovation in healthcare.

We trace Brett's professional journey, starting from his decision to study business economics at UC Santa Barbara, leading to a career in accounting with Arthur Young, and later transitioning to Oracle. Brett's career trajectory underscores the importance of hustle and results in achieving success. He eventually moved on to become CFO for various companies, including Mindbody, before joining Weave. Brett discusses his passion for helping small business owners, particularly doctors, and the satisfaction derived from supporting their success through technology.

In our conversation, we examine the current landscape of small and mid-sized specialty medical practices and how they thrive by focusing on key metrics and efficient processes. Brett explains how technology and AI can enhance efficiency, improve revenue cycle management, and reduce staff workload, citing specific examples like AI assistants automating review responses. Additionally, we explore how modern communication and payment systems can significantly enhance patient experience, reduce no-shows, and streamline collections, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare providers.

Listen in as Brett White provides valuable insights and perspectives on the integration of technology in healthcare and its potential to transform patient care and business operations.

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

PatientPay and ClearGage are merging. I interviewed CEO Tom Furr to get his take. The combined offering is intended to deliver a comprehensive billing and payment platform that includes estimation and eligibility along with streamlined patient payments.

Doctors offices are generally set up to bill insurance, but patients are now responsible for a lot more of the bill. Offices that manage patient payments effectively perform much better financially and reduce friction. That's what PatientPay enables.

Patients (i.e., consumers) have become accustomed to smooth transactions through Amazon and other e-commerce and in-person experiences. So physician offices can appear archaic in comparison unless they're using something like PatientPay.

Tom was a guest on the show several years ago, and it was great to have him back to share the big progress his company has made.

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Sarah Iselin is a great asset for Massachusetts. I admired her work when she ran the Department of Healthcare Finance and Policy and then the BCBS Foundation, and was grateful for her rescue of Massachusetts' implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

After a decade-long sojourn to Florida and California she's come back to Massachusetts just in time to address some big challenges. Among the topics we discussed:

1. The Steward Healthcare bankruptcy
2. Access to care -especially behavioral health
3. The health care cost crisis
4. Women's health
5. Value based care and the Alternative Quality Contract

I also enjoyed learning about how Sarah was inspired by her parents to enter public service and her early dates as an art student.

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.