The Beat

About Reza Sanai: Reza Sanai, MD, FACC, is the co-CEO and founder of PicassoMD, a platform that gives primary care providers real-time access to a network of value-based specialists across major disciplines. Through curbside consultations and referral support, PicassoMD helps reduce unnecessary referrals and ER visits while improving care transitions, patient experience, and outcomes. In addition to leading PicassoMD, Reza has served in advisory roles with Mighty Health and VIDA Fitness & Aura Spa, and was previously a co-managing partner at Cardiocare LLC. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, where he was a member of the AOA Honor Society. Things You’ll Learn: Specialty care often functions like a black box, making it harder for primary care providers to get timely input and coordinate the next step for patients. Real-time access to specialists can help primary care providers make better decisions, reduce unnecessary referrals, and avoid preventable ER visits. Referral quality depends on more than specialty type alone, since factors like language, mission fit, geography, and appointment availability all shape patient access. Rural and underserved communities benefit when technology connects providers and patients with specialist expertise that may not be available locally. Successful healthcare innovation depends not just on the product itself, but on strong partnerships and an iterative approach to implementation. Resources: Connect with and follow Reza Sanai on LinkedIn or reach out via email. Follow PicassoMD on LinkedIn and visit their website. 

About Katie Whalen: Katie Whalen is a payments and partnerships leader with deep experience across financial services, digital payments, and merchant solutions. She currently serves as Head of SMB Sales & Partnerships for Merchant Solutions at Fiserv, where she helps drive growth and innovation for businesses navigating an increasingly digital economy. Before stepping into this role, she spent nearly seven years at Fiserv as Senior Vice President for North America Issuer Processing. Her career also includes leadership roles at Citi, where she focused on global digital payments strategy, and at American Express, where she worked in strategy, operations, and business development for enterprise growth and digital partnerships. Earlier in her career, she held product leadership roles at Thomson Reuters and worked in public service through the City of New York and the U.S. Senate. Katie holds a BA from Cornell University and an MBA from NYU Stern, bringing together policy, strategy, and business expertise. Things You’ll Learn: Healthcare payment systems are often fragmented, forcing providers to work across disconnected tools for claims, billing, and collections. This creates unnecessary administrative burden and slows down both staff workflows and payment reconciliation. Small and mid-sized healthcare practices have historically lacked access to the kind of payment technology already common in retail and other service industries. Modern platforms can help close that gap by making transactions easier for both practices and patients. A better patient payment experience depends on more than just accepting cards or digital payments. Transparency, convenience, and clear financial communication all play a role in helping patients feel more confident and informed. When payment collection and payer reconciliation are handled in one connected system, practices can reduce back-office friction and improve operational efficiency. This integration can also support healthier cash flow and a smoother overall workflow. Improving healthcare payments is not just about convenience at the point of transaction. It also creates opportunities for stronger information exchange across the broader care ecosystem, helping reduce inefficiencies over time. Resources: Connect with and follow Katie Whalen on LinkedIn. Follow Fiserve on LinkedIn and visit their website.

In this episode, host Sandy Vance sits down with Adam Kamor, Co-founder and Head of Engineering at Tonic.ai, to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare's AI adoption: what to do with sensitive data you legally cannot access.  Adam breaks down how Tonic AI helps healthcare organizations de-identify and synthesize unstructured data so they can train AI models safely, stay HIPAA compliant, and actually unlock the value sitting behind their firewalls.  If your organization is eager to build AI-powered workflows but unsure how to handle patient data responsibly, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, they talk about: Most valuable healthcare data is too sensitive to use for AI training without de-identification HIPAA is actually an advantage because it gives organizations a clear roadmap for safe data use Tonic Textual replaces PHI in unstructured documents with realistic synthetic values Synthetic data must closely mirror real data for AI models to perform well in the field If a model is trained on PHI, it risks regurgitating patient information in outputs Privacy compliance should be addressed at the start of an AI project, not as an afterthought Many organizations do not realize solutions already exist to help them use their data safely A Little About Adam: Adam manages the team creating Tonic Textual, Tonic.ai's platform for unstructured data redaction and synthesis. He has spent the last 12 years as a leader at the intersection of data privacy, AI, and software engineering.

Artificial intelligence in healthcare isn’t just about futuristic diagnostics or robots assisting surgeons. It’s also transforming the operational backbone of the healthcare industry.  In this episode, host Sandy Vance sits down with Anand Kumar, Vice President of Healthcare at Genpact, to explore how AI-driven automation is reshaping everything from payer operations to member experience. Together, they unpack how healthcare organizations can cut through the “AI buzz,” identify meaningful use cases, and drive measurable outcomes. From contact center automation to actuarial modeling and prior authorization workflows, this episode dives into the real-world impact of AI and how human expertise and intelligent agents can work together to improve both operational efficiency and patient experience. If you’re a healthcare leader trying to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape, this conversation offers practical insights into where the technology is delivering value today and what’s coming next. In this episode, they talk about: Healthcare organizations are adopting AI-first strategies to improve efficiency and operational outcomes Successful AI transformation requires aligning people, processes, and technology AI tools are helping contact centers resolve patient and member issues faster Many healthcare organizations are seeing 20–40% improvements in operational efficiency AI is helping actuaries analyze large datasets and identify trends more quickly Human experts and intelligent agents are working together to handle complex healthcare decisions Leaders should prioritize partners who demonstrate proven outcomes and operational expertise A Little About Anand: Anand Kumar is a distinguished leader in healthcare and technology, combining deep clinical expertise with advanced digital innovation. As Vice President at Genpact, Anand drives transformative strategies that integrate AI-driven solutions, digital platforms, and operational excellence to deliver measurable outcomes for global clients. Holding degrees as a Medical Doctor (MD), Chartered Accountant (CA), and a Ph.D. in Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Anand brings a unique multidisciplinary perspective to solving complex healthcare challenges. His work spans data engineering, automation, and advanced analytics, enabling payers and providers to reimagine care delivery and optimize patient engagement. At HLTH USA 2025, Anand is shaping conversations around generative AI in healthcare, population health strategies, and next-gen digital ecosystems. His leadership reflects a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and patient-centric solutions that redefine the future of health.   

In this episode of the Cybersecurity at ViVE series on The Beat Podcast, host Sandy Vance sits down with Chad Alessi, Managing Director of Cybersecurity at CTG, for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to protect healthcare organizations in today's threat landscape. With a background spanning chemical engineering, the U.S. Marines, energy sector Operational Technology security, and IT consulting, Chad brings a unique cross-industry perspective to healthcare cybersecurity. From the difference between cybersecurity and cyber resilience to the rise of AI-powered attacks, this episode is packed with practical insights for healthcare leaders who want to stay ahead of what is coming. In this episode, they talk about how: Cyber resilience focuses on operational continuity when an attack happens, not just prevention Breaches resolved within 200 days can save organizations over $1 million Bad actors often sit idle inside networks for months, collecting data before launching an attack Baseline requirements are identity-first security, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) and privileged access management Human-only Security Operations Center (SOC) models are too slow to keep up with today's automated, AI-powered attacks CTG uses Microsoft's Unified Security Operations (SecOps) platform to eliminate tool sprawl and improve response time Zero-trust architecture is expanding from department-level to enterprise-wide in healthcare New HIPAA regulations now require provable network segmentation for legacy medical devices AI-assisted security operations will continue to grow in the next few years A Little About Chad: As CTG's Managing Director of Cybersecurity, Chad Alessi leverages decades of experience in technology, cybersecurity, and operational strategy across enterprise and mid-market sectors to meet the evolving cybersecurity needs of clients in the U.S. During his time in IT consulting, Chad was instrumental in driving IT transformation in the company's regulated pipeline and gas processing business units. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering, an MBA from the University of Alabama, an MS in Information Systems with a concentration in Information Security from Syracuse University, and post-graduate certifications in leadership, full stack development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Chad is known for his strong work ethic, integrity, resourcefulness, and service-based leadership, which he attributes to his time in the U.S. Marine Corps.

How can health systems help nurses confidently adopt and trust AI? We’ll explore how nurse-led design, clear guardrails (policy, consent, privacy), and intentional change management strategies help when implementing AI solutions that reduce cognitive burden, elevate the patient experience, and meet frontline expectations for safety, control, and transparency. In this episode of the AI at ViVE series on the BEAT podcast, host Sandy Vance sits down with Angie Curry, BSN, RN, CCDS, Chief Nursing Informatics Officer at Microsoft, to discuss how ambient AI is finally giving nurses the technological support they deserve. They chat about everything from the documentation burden nurses face, to the importance of workflow fit in driving adoption, to the critical role of human oversight in building trust with AI. If you're a nurse leader, clinical informatics professional, or healthcare innovator thinking about ambient AI, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, they talk about: Microsoft developed the first ambient AI solution designed specifically for nurses, integrated with Epic's mobile Rover app Nurses spend roughly 40% of their shift on documentation, making them a prime candidate for ambient technology The solution captures spoken nurse-patient interactions and converts them into flow sheet-ready documentation for nurse review Nurses remain in full control, reviewing and approving all AI-generated content before it enters the patient record Trust in AI adoption is less about the technology itself and more about whether it fits naturally into existing nursing workflows Ambient listening captures "invisible care" that nurses often skip documenting due to time constraints Organizations have seen success with piloting on dedicated innovation units before scaling system-wide Documentation habits and language vary across organizations so designing solutions with nurses rather than for them is critical A Little About Angie: As a Chief Nursing Informatics Officer at Microsoft, Angie is passionate about transforming the way nurses experience technology. Drawing on years of bedside experience, she understands firsthand the challenges of documentation and the profound impact it has on patient care. Her mission is simple: to help nurses reclaim time for what matters most, caring for patients. Angie works at the intersection of clinical expertise and innovation, partnering with healthcare leaders to design solutions that feel intuitive, reduce cognitive load, and restore the joy of nursing. From ambient AI to workflow optimization, she believes technology should empower—never overwhelm—the caregivers who keep health systems running. Two Sentence Summary of Podcast Focus: How can health systems help nurses confidently adopt and trust AI? We’ll explore how nurse-led design, clear guardrails (policy, consent, privacy), and intentional change management strategies can help when implementing AI solutions that reduce cognitive burden, elevate the patient experience, and meet frontline expectations for safety, control, and transparency.

By 2030, prior authorization as we know it will be unrecognizable. The convergence of CMS-0057, WISeR pilots, and nationwide interoperability mandates—paired with breakthroughs in AI—will transform prior authorization from a costly administrative burden into an intelligent, patient-centered clearance process.    Jeremy Friese, MD, founder and CEO of Humata Health, joins Sandy Vance to talk about one of the most frustrating problems in healthcare: prior authorization. Luckily, AI may finally be the tool that can fix it. Drawing on his experience as a physician and healthcare executive, Jeremy explains how automation, interoperability, and smarter clinical data workflows can reduce denials, improve efficiency, and help patients get care faster. Their chat explores the changing industry, what still needs to happen, and why the future of prior authorization may look very different by the end of the decade. In this episode, they talk about: Prior authorization is a major driver of provider burnout and financial loss in healthcare. Solving the problem requires both interoperability and advanced clinical intelligence. Real-world interoperability is still messy, often involving portals, APIs, and fax. AI can now extract the right clinical evidence directly from patient records to improve approvals. Automation is cutting physician peer-to-peer reviews by about half. Health systems are seeing strong ROI through denial reduction and efficiency gains. Getting prior authorization right upfront can recover millions in lost revenue. Gold card programs exist, but need better automation to work effectively. The future is mostly automated approvals happening behind the scenes. By 2030, most prior authorization decisions could be handled by computers, not humans. A Little About Jeremy: Jeremy Friese, MD is the Founder and CEO of Humata Health, where he leads the development of AI solutions designed to simplify prior authorization and reduce friction across healthcare. A physician by training, he spent nearly two decades at Mayo Clinic as an interventional radiologist and healthcare leader before moving into entrepreneurship, where he has built and scaled multiple healthcare technology companies focused on aligning providers and payers. His work today centers on using automation and AI to help health systems operate more efficiently while improving patient access to care.

In this episode, host Sandy Vance chats with Frank Toscano, the new Senior Vice President of Product and Engineering at Amplify. They talk about the continued relevance of fax technology in healthcare, the challenges of interoperability, and how Amplify aims to streamline workflows to improve patient care. Frank highlights the importance of integrating fax technology with modern systems to enhance efficiency and reduce friction. In this episode, they talk about: Fax remains an important part of healthcare communication Many interoperability challenges come down to integration and mapping Prior authorizations often still depend on fax How Amplify supports healthcare organizations of all sizes Streamlined patient referrals can improve care delivery Healthcare is an interconnected ecosystem that affects outcomes Maximizing existing technology boosts operational efficiency AI helps connect data for better decision-making Effective solutions start with understanding real workflows Eliminating legacy technology isn’t always the best option The future blends proven methods with modern technology A Little About Frank: Frank Toscano is a nationally recognized product and technology leader with more than 20 years of experience modernizing how healthcare organizations exchange documents, automate workflows, and connect systems through AI-driven interoperability. As Senior Vice President of Product & Engineering at Amplify, he serves as the company’s public-facing technology voice and strategic advisor, guiding product innovation, engineering excellence, and enterprise integrations. Previously, as Vice President of Product Management at Consensus Cloud Solutions (eFax Corporate), Frank led the transformation of legacy fax into cloud-native, HIPAA-compliant interoperability services, delivering FHIR integration, TEFCA-aligned exchange, AI-powered document processing, and large-scale workflow automation used by thousands of healthcare organizations. A named inventor with multiple U.S. patents in secure communication and intelligent document workflows, Frank has also held senior leadership roles at Cellebrite, Cleo, and Retarus, consistently bridging deep technical architecture with real-world clinical and operational needs to reduce manual burden and improve care coordination.

In this episode, Rajkumar Thirunavukkarasu, SVP & Head of Healthcare Provider Business at Tech Mahindra , and LaDonna Sweeten, EHR Practice Lead at The HCI Group, a fully owned subsidiary of Tech Mahindra, discuss how health systems can transform their EHR from a static system of record into a dynamic performance engine. The conversation also highlights a unique market differentiator: the combined strength of The HCI Group’s deep EHR and provider-focused expertise with Tech Mahindra’s global technology scale, engineering depth, automation capabilities, and innovation track record. Together, this partnership brings end-to-end capabilities—from EHR optimization and managed services to advanced data engineering, AI integration, and enterprise digital transformation—delivered at scale with measurable outcomes. Listeners will gain insight into how leading organizations are moving beyond implementation toward sustained transformation—leveraging global innovation, cross-industry engineering excellence, and healthcare-specific expertise to drive lasting value. In this episode, they talk about: HCI Group grew from staff augmentation to a full solutions provider after the Tech Mahindra acquisition Many providers aren't fully utilizing EHR systems despite heavy investment Providers face simultaneous pressure from workforce shortages, shrinking margins, and new regulations HCI and Tech Mahindra use each org's own data to tailor strategy rather than a one-size-fits-all approach AI is set to significantly disrupt revenue cycle management Ambient listening technology is reducing the clinician documentation burden End-to-end workflow reimagination is recommended over isolated AI pilots Patients now expect the same seamless experience from healthcare as they get from retailers Houston Methodist's new campus was cited as a model for automated, frictionless clinical workflows Value-based care is now mandatory, making urgent AI adoption a necessity not a choice A Little About Rajkumar and LaDonna: Raj T is a dynamic and accomplished business leader with over two decades of global experience in managing high-impact client relationships and driving growth in the healthcare technology space. Currently, Raj is serving as SVP & Head of Healthcare Provider Business at Tech Mahindra, where he leads strategy, delivery, and innovation for some of the world’s leading healthcare organizations. Raj's collaborative leadership style and results-driven mindset have consistently delivered value to clients, making him a trusted advisor in the healthcare technology ecosystem. Raj is passionate about harnessing technology to improve patient outcomes, streamline provider operations, and enable data-driven decision-making across the care continuum. LoDonna leads enterprise healthcare technology strategy and delivery for health systems nationwide. She specializes in EHR transformation, workflow optimization, managed services, and digital enablement, partnering with executive leaders to ensure technology investments drive measurable clinical, operational, and financial impact. LaDonna uses data and best-practice benchmarks to identify performance gaps, prioritize high-value opportunities, and design targeted improvement roadmaps. She then applies structured governance and performance monitoring to mitigate risk and ensure intended benefits are realized. Her passion is helping provider organizations transform their EHR from a system of record into a data-informed performance engine that supports fiscal sustainability and provider resilience.  She understands that in today’s margin-compressed and highly regulated environment, optimization has to be measurable and sustainable, not just aspirational. 

In this episode, host Sandy Vance chats with Hari Bala, the Chief Technology Officer for Health Information Systems at Solventum. Together, they explore how healthcare organizations can build trust and confidence around AI adoption, drawing on insights from Solventum’s recent global survey of healthcare professionals. The research highlights a growing demand for AI alongside concerns that innovation could increase pressure on clinicians. Hari shares practical perspectives on how AI can support rather than overshadow providers, improve efficiency without compromising quality, and help organizations introduce new technologies in ways that feel safe and sustainable. Listen to learn how leaders can ensure clinicians feel comfortable incorporating AI into their daily workflows while improving the overall patient experience. In this episode, they talk about: The three key trust factors and why trust is the foundation for AI adoption Why trust is the currency of successful implementation The role of AI in improving patient care and clinician efficiency How speed and quality can improve together rather than compete Key findings from Solventum’s healthcare AI adoption survey The cultural and mindset shifts required for successful implementation The impact of AI on the patient experience How leaders can evaluate potential technology partners A Little About Hari: Hari Bala joined Solventum as Chief Technology Officer for Health Information Systems in May 2025. He brings more than 25 years of experience building scalable, distributed systems using generative AI, data science, analytics, and machine learning across healthcare, cloud, and security. Before Solventum, Hari led AI, data, analytics, and cloud transformation initiatives at GE Healthcare and Oracle Cerner. At Oracle, he helped establish the AI Services organization and led development of the Health Data Intelligence and Analytics platform, a near real-time, cloud-based population health solution, while advancing AI and machine learning tools for clinical use. Earlier in his career, Hari spent nearly 19 years at Microsoft in leadership roles across Azure and several core enterprise technologies.

Today, host Sandy Vance sits down with Jeff McCool, the AVP of Healthcare Conversational AI at Amelia. Join a discussion with SoundHound AI, the leader in conversational intelligence, to learn how AI agents are helping healthcare companies overcome challenges like improving patient care and streamlining operations. Hear how the SoundHound Amelia Platform lets you build AI agents that understand, reason, and act so you can create the most seamless conversational experience.    In this episode, they talk about: The types of healthcare organizations Amelia partners with How Amelia’s platform approach supports health systems in multiple ways beyond a single tool Working with clients to establish guardrails for safe and effective AI adoption How conversational AI is expected to evolve in the coming years Real-world implementation success stories and lessons learned What differentiates SoundHound AI’s agents and the broader ecosystem created through partnerships Advice for healthcare leaders at provider and payer organizations navigating next steps with AI A Little About Jeff: Jeff McCool works at the intersection of healthcare and AI, helping organizations use conversational technology to solve real operational challenges. He is AVP of Healthcare Conversational AI at Amelia, where he partners with health systems to deploy AI-powered virtual agents that improve patient and employee experiences while reducing friction in everyday workflows. His focus is on practical AI adoption, what works in production, how teams implement it, and how to scale responsibly. Previously, Jeff held leadership roles at Ciox and Datavant Health, leading digital growth initiatives centered on interoperability, APIs, and healthcare data exchange. His background combines healthcare operations, technology, and go-to-market strategy. Jeff holds an MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

In this episode, host Sandy Vance and Ted Dinsmore discuss the ever-evolving role of AI in healthcare, industry trends, challenges, and solutions. They explore the concept of agentic AI and the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which aims to enhance data integration and efficiency in healthcare systems. They also highlight the importance of building trust in AI solutions, particularly in rural healthcare settings. Listen in to learn how SphereGen is addressing these challenges through innovative AI implementation approaches. In this episode, they talk about: Latest AI trend: agentic AI and bots, and MCP in the healthcare industry MCP allows us to speed up that integration Trust is a huge issue when you're having an impact on the patient The benefits of using MCP for hospitals and patients The concerns about the changes and cuts to rural healthcare The most common use cases when transitioning: eligibility, prior authorization, and denials management The effects on how healthcare systems are doing business with EHRs Next big use cases and what’s coming up next Solving challenges in rural healthcare over the next few years How rural healthcare and homecare are tied At the end of the day, it’s all about how AI can help free up time for people A Little About Ted: Ted Dinsmore is the President of SphereGen Technologies, located in New Haven, Connecticut, Toronto, Canada, and Pune, India. SphereGen is a software consulting firm that develops and supports custom software solutions for clients in AI and Automation, Application Development, and Extended Reality (AR, VR, MR). His experience in the world of IT spans over 30 years. When Ted started his first consulting firm, he became invested in developing and supporting Microsoft solutions for large multinational companies. Wanting to stay at the forefront of emerging technologies, his current company, SphereGen, embraces the world of AI/Automation and Mixed Reality (MR). SphereGen focuses on improving processes for healthcare organizations by leveraging innovative technologies, along with partners UiPath and Microsoft, to solve business problems.

Advances in data interoperability, democratized cloud access, and responsible AI governance are reshaping what is possible in healthcare innovation. In this episode, host Sandy Vance welcomes Jim Ducharme, Chief Technology Officer of ClearDATA, to discuss each of these forces impacting healthcare, from improving care through connected data, to empowering teams with greater cloud access, to building the policies and controls required to govern AI responsibly.  Their conversation highlights the importance of secure, scalable infrastructure as healthcare organizations adopt AI and expand data sharing. Jim shares practical insights on balancing innovation with risk management, building trust in cloud environments, and establishing governance frameworks that support compliance. In this episode, they talk about: ClearDATA’s vision and the organizations they serve Technologies and solutions designed to protect sensitive patient data Understanding the financial and operational risks of cloud security failures How cloud democratization is making advanced technology more accessible The role of a secure cloud baseline in healthcare innovation Best practices for governance in data sharing and interoperability The relationship between AI and data trustworthiness How organizations can safely adopt and scale emerging AI capabilities A Little About Jim: Jim leads ClearDATA’s Engineering, Product Management, and IT teams. He has more than 25 years of experience leading product organizations in the identity, integrated risk, and fraud management markets. Prior to joining ClearDATA, Jim served as Chief Operating Officer of Outseer, an RSA Company, where he served over 10 years in executive leadership roles. Prior to RSA in 2012, he served in executive leadership roles for Aveksa, CA, and Netegrity. Ducharme frequently speaks at industry events and regularly contributes articles to trade publications. Jim also holds several patents and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree from the University of New Hampshire. He and his wife live in Maine in their dream log home, which was featured in Log and Timber Home Living magazine.

AI is revolutionizing how health information is managed. Utilizing sophisticated algorithms, it can assist professionals in making more informed decisions. For instance, optical character recognition (OCR) can read and interpret medical records, identifying potential compliance issues and ensuring every page represents the correct patient.  In this episode, host Sandy Vance chats with Anupriyo Chakravarti, the Chief Technology and Product Officer at Verisma, about how healthcare organizations can use intelligent automation to reduce risk and uncover compliance gaps in order to free staff to work at the top of their license.  In this episode, they talk about: What Verisma can do for healthcare organizations Use case examples Some of the risks Verisma mitigates by finding missteps like unauthorized disclosures  AI is taking over the world of informatics Enabling people to work at the top of their license is critical People are not anti-AI, they are anti-opacity A Little About Anupriyo: Anupriyo Chakravarti joined Verisma Systems, Inc. in 2017 as the Senior Vice President of Research and Development. Anupriyo brings 25 years of experience as a highly effective leader in healthcare IT product management and software development for Fortune 500 companies and startups. Anupriyo joined Verisma after serving as vice president of product management and marketing at McKesson, where he led the product management and marketing functions of the Extended Care Services (ECS) business unit. Before McKesson, he worked for 11 years at Surgical Information Systems (SIS), where he led software development, and ultimately product management, to deliver solutions for the surgery and anesthesia departments at health systems and ambulatory surgery centers. Prior to working with SIS, Anupriyo worked for Arthur Andersen, Ryder Dedicated Logistics, IBM and TATA Motors. Anupriyo has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from IIT Roorkee in India.   

In this episode, host Sandy Vance chats with Dr. Sean Kelly, the Chief Medical Officer and the SVP of Customer Healthcare Strategy at Imprivata. Together, they unpack how healthcare organizations can strengthen cybersecurity without slowing clinicians down—exploring everything from mobile device security and passwordless authentication to adaptive authentication, risky user behaviors, and the very real implications for patient safety, workflow efficiency, and ROI for healthcare leaders.In this episode, they talk about:How cybersecurity can be improvedThe impact that Imprivata has on clinicians Why multi-factor authentication systems aren’t more prevalent in the healthcare industryThe risky behaviors that open up organizations to security risksThe different things that Imprivata offers organizationsThe risks of patient harm in cybersecurity and privacyAdvice for CIOs or CFOs: workflow implications, security compliance, security and efficiency ROI, and financial valueAdaptive authentication at ImprivataA Little About Sean:Dr. Sean Kelly brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective to healthcare, shaped by a career that spans emergency medicine, healthcare leadership, technology, teaching, and entrepreneurship. An emergency physician at Beth Israel Lahey Health in Boston and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School, he is also the Chief Medical Officer and SVP of Customer Healthcare Strategy at Imprivata, where he helps guide product vision, go-to-market strategy, and customer experience after more than a decade with the company from startup through IPO and private equity ownership. He has led high-performing teams in both clinical and executive settings, contributed to care delivery improvements impacting millions of patients, published widely in emergency medicine and medical education, and earned multiple teaching awards. His background includes training at Harvard College, UMass Medical School, and Vanderbilt University, co-founding a concierge medical practice on Martha’s Vineyard, international teaching and humanitarian work, and service in roles ranging from hospital administration to disaster relief—all grounded in a deep commitment to learning, mentorship, and collaboration.

The data necessary to achieve the promise of precision medicine are now available with low-cost whole-genome sequencing, microbiome analysis, proteomics, and other large datasets. Bioscope has developed a team of AI personas to help clinicians realize that promise in a way that will revolutionize the practice of medicine.In this episode, Sandy Vance speaks with Don Brown, MD, Founder and CEO of Bioscope, about how AI and large-scale biological data are converging to make precision medicine practical for clinicians. They explore Don’s entrepreneurial journey, the origins of Bioscope, and how a subscription-based, clinician-first approach is shaping the future of personalized care.In this episode, they talk about:Don Brown’s unconventional journey from double-wide to CEO of a groundbreaking companyThe inspiration behind founding Bioscope and the problem it was created to solveHow Don’s “entrepreneurial bat signal” attracted talent, partners, and early momentumWhy Bioscope began by partnering with concierge medical practices rather than large health systemsHow Bioscope’s per-patient, per-year subscription model works in practiceReal-world use cases and early case studies demonstrating clinical impactWhat the current early rollout looks like and where Bioscope is headed nextA Little About Don:Don Brown, MD, is a serial software entrepreneur, physician, and leader in precision medicine. Over his career, he has founded and scaled multiple groundbreaking technology companies, including Software Artistry, Interactive Intelligence, LifeOmic, and most recently Bioscope.AI. His companies have collectively generated billions in value through public offerings and acquisitions by organizations such as IBM, Genesys, and Fountain Life. In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Don is an active advisor, investor, and philanthropist, including a $30 million gift that established the Brown Immunotherapy Center at Indiana University School of Medicine.Don holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in computer science from Indiana University, an MD from Indiana University School of Medicine, and a master’s degree in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University. A lifelong learner, he is fluent in multiple languages, an instrument-rated pilot, an avid outdoorsman, and the author of Understanding Life. He currently serves as Founder and CEO of Bioscope.AI, where he is focused on transforming how clinicians use data to deliver personalized care.

In this episode, host Sandy Vance chats with Sophie Cheng, the Senior Vice President of Product Marketing at Sinch. They discuss the most common communication pitfalls and share a handful of remedies so you can start sending smarter messages. You’ll walk away with tangible tips on how to: ✔️ switch from omnichannel to optimal channel✔️ leverage AI to fix your no-show problem✔️ build patient trust through advanced messagingIn this episode, they talk about:What Sinch does and how it uses AI to simplify and personalize communication for customersHow AI-driven communication is being applied in healthcare and what leaders need to understandWhy better communication leads to faster interactions, improved patient experiences, and higher conversion ratesHow omnichannel communication strategies streamline workflows for healthcare organizationsHow Sinch helps organizations identify the right channels and interfaces for their patient populationsWhat it means to operate at the speed of trust, and why transparency mattersHow AI can make patient interactions feel more empathetic and humanWhy organizations should never underestimate the impact of their communication strategyA Little About Sophie:Sophie Cheng is the Senior Vice President of Product Marketing at Sinch, the global leader in CPaaS and the company behind the Customer Communications Cloud. With more than 15 years of international marketing experience, Sophie has held strategic roles across Europe, Asia, and North America, partnering closely with Product, Growth, and M&A leaders to manage complex, global portfolios. At Sinch, she leads global product marketing, partner marketing, and analyst relations, helping organizations deliver seamless, trusted communication experiences across messaging, voice, and email.Before Sinch, Sophie served as VP of Global Product and Customer Marketing at ZoomInfo and led Product Marketing at Chorus.ai. A true global citizen, she has worked extensively across EMEA, APAC, and the U.S. Sophie holds advanced degrees from the University of St. Gallen and Singapore University and is an active member of the CMO Alliance.

Enterprise IT is drowning in repeat incidents, slow triage, and reactive firefighting—burning teams out while costs rise and service quality slips. In this episode, Sandy and Umesh Shiknis of Publicis Sapient explore how Sapient Sustain uses AI-driven automation, predictive insights, and self-healing workflows to break the cycle, turning IT operations from constant crisis mode into a resilient, proactive engine that sustains the business. They also discuss how Publicis Sapient is leveraging AI to address challenges in the healthcare sector. They put an importance on modernizing legacy systems while also emphasizing the concept of agentic AI.Check out more about Sapient Sustain here: https://www.publicissapient.com/sapient-ai/sustainIn this episode, they talk about:Publicis Sapient focuses on human-centered digital transformation in healthcareAI can accelerate product development and modernize legacy systemsIt's easy to confuse automation with simple elements of machine learning, which are progressively more deterministicOrganizations must establish guardrails for AI implementation because of how powerful agentic AI can beSapient Sustain helps healthcare companies manage and stabilize their applicationsThe end-user experience is crucial in technology deploymentAI can significantly reduce technical debt in healthcare organizationsHealthcare leaders should look at the boring stuff and focus on practical AI applicationsEducate your workforce to embrace the future instead of fearing itA Little About Umesh:Umesh Shiknis is Executive Vice President and Global Chief Growth Officer at Publicis Sapient, a human-centered, product-led digital business transformation firm. He leads global growth and go-to-market strategy, scaling new buying centers, accelerating client impact, and driving transformational revenue across industries. Previously, Umesh held senior leadership roles at Capgemini, Infosys, and ISG. His current focus is on taking the Publicis Sapient AI product suite—Sapient Slingshot, Bodhi, and Sapient Sustain—to market, turning AI innovation into measurable, enterprise-wide outcomes.

In this episode, host Sandy Vance sits down with Michael Gao, Chief Executive Officer of Smarter Technology, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping revenue cycle operations in healthcare. Together, they dig into Smarter Technology’s vision and the practical ways AI can help provider organizations better capture the full value of the care they deliver. Michael shares why the revenue cycle is overdue for improvement, how moving from physical to digital workflows can unlock meaningful gains, and what real-world ROI looks like when AI is applied thoughtfully. In this episode, they also talk about:Smarter Technology’s vision for using AI in healthcareWhy the revenue cycle needs modernizationMoving from manual and physical processes to digital workflowsWhat ROI looks like when AI is applied to revenue cycle operationsKeeping human oversight where it matters mostCommon documentation and workflow challenges Smarter Technology helps addressAdvice for CFOs considering AI solutionsA Little About Michael:Mike is CEO of Smarter Technologies. He co-founded SmarterDx after discovering that hospitals were leaving significant revenue and quality opportunities on the table while he was leading AI at New York-Presbyterian. Prior to SmarterDx, Mike was an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell and Medical Director for Transformation for New York-Presbyterian. He completed his BS at the University of California, Los Angeles, his MD at the University of Michigan, and his Internal Medicine Residency and Silverman Fellowship for Healthcare Innovation at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell.

About Leandro Boer:Leandro Boer, MD, PhD, is a seasoned global biopharmaceutical executive and physician specializing in cardiology and cardiovascular pharmacology. Currently serving as Vice President of US Medical, General Medicines at Amgen, he leads medical strategy and execution across cardiovascular, bone, neuroscience, nephrology, and obesity therapeutic areas, overseeing a nationwide organization of over 100 professionals. With more than two decades of experience spanning the United States, Latin America, Canada, Africa, and the Middle East, Dr. Boer has built a distinguished career at leading companies such as Amgen, AstraZeneca, and Novartis.His leadership has shaped global and regional initiatives in medical affairs, clinical development, real-world evidence generation, regulatory strategy, and implementation science. Clinically, his expertise covers resistant hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and hyperlipidemia. Known for combining scientific rigor with strategic vision, Dr. Boer has directed cross-functional teams supporting drug development, commercialization, and lifecycle management across multiple therapeutic areas.A medical doctor trained in cardiology with a Ph.D. in cardiovascular pharmacology from Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Dr. Boer has consistently demonstrated a commitment to advancing evidence-based medicine, patient outcomes, and collaborative leadership within the healthcare ecosystem.Things You’ll Learn:The foundation of innovation lies in focusing on what never changes—patients, healthcare providers, and equitable systems of care.Amgen’s precision medicine and data-driven strategies prevent “data waste” and ensure every insight contributes to patient outcomes.Machine learning tools like Atomic are accelerating clinical trials by predicting successful sites, leading to faster drug development.The company’s bold goal to reduce cardiovascular events by 50% by 2030 relies on partnerships, AI, and implementation science.Representation in clinical research and decentralized trials is crucial to ensuring equitable access and meaningful outcomes for all populations.Resources:Connect with and follow Leandro Boer on LinkedIn.Follow Amgen on LinkedIn and explore their website.