The Health Technology Podcast

Breaking Boundaries in Healthtech Venture Capital with Vivien Ho

Our guest Vivien Ho, a dynamic partner at Pear VC, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage healthcare and life sciences companies. Vivien leads Pear's Healthcare practice, dedicating her expertise to human and planet health. She has founded the Pear's Female Technical Founders Circle and co-hosts the Healthcare Playbook Podcast.

Vivien's achievement lies in her instrumental role in guiding Pear VC's investments in groundbreaking healthcare startups, shaping the future of healthcare technology. She brings a unique perspective to the table, combining her background in engineering with a deep understanding of healthcare dynamics. Vivien's impact and contributions to the industry are not just about funding; they're about fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs in turning their visionary ideas into reality.

In our discussion today, we'll explore Vivien's journey, the challenges of investing in healthcare technology, and insights into the future of this vibrant sector.

Do you have any thoughts or guest suggestions? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

 

Innovating and Reimagining Weight Loss with Sarah Jones Simmer

As Found's Chief Operating Officer, Sarah Jones Simmer brings a wealth of experience in shifting social norms to foster positive change. Drawing from this background, Sarah approached the complexities of diabetes with empathy, crafting an evidence-based weight care platform that harmonizes cutting-edge medicine with personalized coaching.

Under Sarah's visionary leadership, the company has pioneered transformative initiatives within the weight loss community. By integrating personalized medicine and prescribed treatments from board-certified clinicians, they've harnessed the potent potential for sustainable change in the weight loss journey.

In this episode, Sarah shines light on a new perspective on how personalized medicine can be the pathway to solving obesity during our lifetime.

Do you have any thoughts or guest suggestions? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Integrating the Future of Healthcare: A Conversation with Cédric Kovacs-Johnson

During Cédric Kovacs-Johnson's pursuit of an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering, his initial focus didn't involve healthcare or business. However, the disparities in access and affordability in healthcare drove him to realizing how healthcare is another marketplace, waiting to be coordinated.

Committed to improving efficiencies in communication and coordination among healthcare vendors to lower overall costs, CEO & founder of Flume Health, Cedric dedicated a year to immerse himself in learning, listening, and engaging with telehealth experts to identify the key problem.

In this episode, Cedric discusses his journey in founding Flume, a digital health plan administrator designed to seamlessly connect insurance entities with the nuanced interactions between doctors and patients.

Do you have any thoughts or guest suggestions? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Health Policy Revolution: The Visionary Insights of Ruth Krystopolski

Our guest on this episode is Ruth Krystopolski, the President of Ayin Health Solutions at Providence Health Systems. Ruth's expertise in transforming healthcare policies, business strategies, and technological integration is nothing short of groundbreaking. Her role at Providence Health Systems has been integral in steering the course towards innovative healthcare solutions, shaping a future where health and wellness are approached with cutting-edge strategies and deep compassion.

Ruth's extensive experience and strategic insights have been instrumental in addressing some of the most challenging aspects of healthcare. Her leadership, marked by a deep understanding of the intricate dynamics of the industry, has led to significant advancements in managing healthcare costs and improving the quality of care through technology.

In our conversation, we will uncover the nuances of Ruth's journey, her contributions to transforming healthcare with technology, and her vision for a future where healthcare is not only efficient and accessible but also profoundly patient-centric.

Do you have any thoughts? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Mary Langowski: Leading the Charge in Digital Health Revolution

We interviewed Mary Langowski, who was the CEO of Solera Health, the premier value-based omni-condition management platform. But as this airs, we are thrilled to learn that Mary will be moving to Chairman of the Solera Board of Directors and assuming the role of Executive Vice President and President of US Healthcare at Walgreens Boots Alliance. Her expertise in strategy and policy in both the private and public healthcare sectors continues to shine brightly.

As a former key strategist at CVS Health, Mary has been a pivotal force in marrying technology with healthcare, redefining our approach to wellness and chronic disease management. Her journey from a small Minnesota town to leading roles in healthcare policy and corporate strategy, and now to a significant leadership position at Walgreens Boots Alliance, speaks volumes about her resilience, foresight, and ability to lead in complex environments.

Mary's significant contributions to the evolution of CVS Health and the foundational work for the Aetna acquisition showcase her adeptness in navigating and leading through transformative changes. Her deep insights into policy, technology, and patient needs enable us to explore the multifaceted world of digital health, strategic partnerships, and adaptive leadership.

Get ready to be enlightened by Mary Langowski's unique perspective on the future of healthcare and leadership.

Do you have any thoughts? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Christopher McGhee: Revolutionizing Home Healthcare

In his medical school journey, Christopher McGhee, co-founder and CEO of Current Health, received unfortunate news regarding his grandmother's health condition. This firsthand experience exposed the intricate challenges in hospital care logistics, revealing significant gaps between healthcare services and patient comfort.

Despite the exceptional care offered in hospitals, Chris observed a recurring pattern: unnecessary hospital admissions for issues that could be managed at home, intensifying the emotional, social, and familial strain on patients.

Chris leveraged his computer science and medicine expertise to co-found Current Health to address this disparity. This company is dedicated to enhancing healthcare quality by utilizing wearable health monitors to bring professional medical care directly to people's homes.

In this episode, Chris shares insights into his journey of developing wearable technologies that reduce clinical visits and enhance the home care experience for patients.

Do you have any thoughts? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Innovating with Heart: Joe Connolly's Journey to Transform Women's Healthcare

We are thrilled to have Joe Connolly, Founder and CEO of Visana Health and a respected member of our Rosenman Founder Community, on our podcast. Joe's commitment to women's healthcare is deeply rooted in his personal experience, watching his mother battle an undiagnosed menstrual pain condition for over two decades. His journey has led him to champion innovations in women's health, bridging significant care gaps.

At the forefront of Visana Health, Joe leverages his biomedical engineering expertise to broaden the scope of women's health beyond maternity care. Under his guidance, Visana Health has become a highlight of the Rosenman Institute's portfolio and gained distinction as an ADAPT Awardee within the Rosenman Institute’s ADAPT Program. This recognition afforded Visana Health the unique opportunity to collaborate with a leading healthcare payer, further enhancing its ability to deliver impactful health solutions.

Joe's prior leadership in medical device strategy has been pivotal in deploying digital health solutions that enhance patient care while reducing costs. In this episode, we'll discuss how Joe's drive spurs his professional pursuits, significantly impacting women's healthcare.

Do you have any thoughts? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Empowering Change: How Fumi Mitsuishi is Transforming Social Justice in Psychiatric Care

Coming from a family who aren’t afraid to plant big ideas and embracing risk-taking to achieve them, Fumi Mitsuishi has devoted her career to understanding the humane aspects of clinical psychiatry. Her rich experiences living in Japan, France, and the U.S. have fostered a deep appreciation for residing at the crossroads of diverse cultures and understanding the experience of “otherness”. 

As the director of Citywide Case Management (Citywide), a Division of the UCSF/Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Department of Psychiatry, where she is also an Associate Clinical Professor, Dr. Mitsuishi strives to enhance the path to recovery for adults navigating mental health challenges. Her focus remains on empowering them to secure stable housing, treatment, and employment, facilitating their successful reintegration into society.

In this episode, Dr. Mitsuishi discusses the prevalent misconceptions and stigmatization surrounding homelessness and individuals coping with mental health challenges and offers a refreshing perspective towards the importance of using a multidisciplinary approach to improve and honor the client’s quality of life.

Do you have any thoughts? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.

Robin Shah: Thyme Care – A Better Journey for All

As a pre-med biomedical engineering major student, Robin Shah, Founder & CEO of Thyme Care, focused on the medical route before delving into the business side of medicine. During his undergraduate years, he worked summers dedicated to working with his father in their oncology clinic, realizing the need to bring high-value care into the community.

To make cancer care more accessible for more people, Robin founded Thyme Care, a company comprised of longstanding leaders in the field of oncology and digital health to create a platform that treats people as the priority and connects providers, payers, and patients every step of cancer treatment journey.

In this episode, Robin discusses his journey in the world of oncology, from his undergraduate experiences to his most recent breakthrough in establishing a new digital healthcare resource for cancer patients.

Do you have any thoughts? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org

Andrew Farquharson: The Building Blocks of Success

If you’re an investor in biotechnology and MedTech companies, two things should always be at the top of your mind: trends and team dynamics. According to Andrew Farquharson, companies must be hitting relevant trends that will drive innovation and return for investors. They also have to exhibit good team collaboration, chemistry, and commitment. 

As the Managing Director at InCube Venture, Andrew spends most of his time investing in gene editing, cell therapy, biotech, and digital health. With decades of experience working in the life-science sector and an especially optimistic attitude, Andrew shares valuable insights on building a successful team in the startup world. 

In this episode, we discuss the current trends and challenges in the life-science arena, the importance of impact-driven work, and the need to strike a perfect balance between innovation and practicality. 

Do you have any thoughts? Please email us at hello@rosenmaninstitute.org.