HITea With Grace

Live from ViVE in Los Angeles, Grace sits down with Dr. Sari Green, Physician Executive Director at Accuity Healthcare, to unpack one of the most critical - and often misunderstood - topics in health IT today: clinically governed AI. From her career journey as a physician leader to her perspective on how AI is reshaping the revenue cycle, Dr. Green shares why clinical oversight isn’t optional... it’s essential. The conversation dives into the real risks health systems face when AI isn’t grounded in clinical context, including documentation integrity, medical necessity, and rising denial rates. Together, Grace and Dr. Green explore where AI can truly move the needle on revenue integrity, how leaders should think about ROI beyond automation, and what metrics actually signal sustainable success. They also tackle the growing tension between payer behavior and documentation gaps and how organizations can get ahead of it. To close, Dr. Green shares personal insights on leadership, resilience, and advice for women navigating careers in healthcare and health IT.

At ViVE this year, I sat down with Sandra Johnson, SVP of Client Services at CliniComp for a thoughtful conversation on the evolving role of Clinical Decision Support (CDS) and AI in healthcare. We dig into one of the biggest ongoing challenges - alert fatigue - and why simply adding more intelligence isn’t the answer. Sandra shares a powerful perspective on the need for flexible, thoughtful architecture that supports the underlying logic of CDS, recognizing that every clinician, system, and workflow has different needs and expectations. We also explore how AI, including ambient listening, is beginning to reshape how insights are delivered, and what it will take to make these tools truly useful (not overwhelming) in real-world care settings. Grab your cup of tea. If you care about building smarter, more human-centered health tech, this conversation is for you!

Welcome back to HITea With Grace, where we spill the tea on healthcare IT, innovation, and the women driving change. In this episode, Grace is joined by Brianna Fitchett, Vice President of Clinical Impact at Catalight, for a candid conversation about the future of autism and intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) education and care. Brianna shares her career journey from behavior therapist to healthcare leader, and offers a firsthand look at the growing challenges facing the autism care ecosystem; including workforce shortages, long wait times for diagnosis and services, and clinician burnout. With autism prevalence now at 1 in 31 in the U.S., the demand for care has never been higher. Together, Grace and Brianna dive into: How parent-mediated and research-backed care models are reshaping autism services What it really takes to close the research-to-practice gap in behavioral health The role of virtual learning platforms and scalable clinician training How data-driven, outcome-focused education improves both clinician confidence and family outcomes Catalight Academy and the vision behind the Elevate Your Impact conference What the next 5–10 years could look like for autism and I/DD care As always, the conversation wraps with Brianna’s advice for women in healthcare and health IT. Pour yourself a cup and join us!

Welcome back to HITea With Grace, where we spill the tea on healthcare IT. This episode takes a hard look beyond the AI hype cycle and into the past, present, future of care in rural America. Grace is joined by Dr. Sarah E. Matt, MD, MBA, healthcare strategist, bestselling author of The Borderless Healthcare Revolution, and former Oracle executive, for a candid conversation about what is really shaping the future of healthcare in 2026 and beyond. While headlines focus on AI everywhere and all at once, Dr. Matt argues the real transformation is a quiet rural renaissance happening in places many investors and innovators overlook. Together, they dig into where capital is actually flowing in healthcare, why geography still determines life expectancy, and why so many well-funded digital health pilots fall apart the moment they hit a rural emergency department on a busy night. This episode explores: Why zip code still predicts outcomes despite decades of innovation The difference between digital infrastructure and human infrastructure What hospital boards are missing about physician burnout right now Why rural hospitals struggle to scale innovation and how some break the cycle How AI risks widening the rural care gap if leaders are not intentional Why workforce shortages are a design failure, not just a staffing problem The uncomfortable truths health system leaders are avoiding about rural care Dr. Matt also shares insights from her work on borderless care, including the single regulatory change that could unlock real progress and why it has not happened yet. As always, HITea With Grace closes by getting personal. Dr. Matt reflects on how she does her best work, how she navigates challenges, and what advice she has for women building careers in healthcare and health IT today. And of course, we wrap with tea, mugs, and the stories behind them. 🎧 If you care about the future of healthcare beyond urban innovation hubs, this episode is a must-listen. Cheers!

In this episode of HITea, Grace is joined by Anita Phung, MD, Research Physician at Lindus Health, for a thoughtful and timely discussion on how clinical research has historically overlooked women and what that means for diagnosis delays, treatment gaps, and long-term health outcomes. Together, they unpack why women’s longevity isn’t just about lifestyle hacks or wellness trends, but about who gets studied, how trials are designed, and whose data is actually driving medical decisions. Dr. Phung shares her career journey into clinical research, explains how male-centered trial designs still influence today’s guidelines and health tech, and explores why women remain underrepresented in research, especially during key life stages like perimenopause and menopause. The conversation also dives into: How delayed diagnoses quietly compound over time for women Why decentralized and remote trials are critical for real-world participation Where the biggest research gaps still exist in women’s aging, hormones, and chronic disease How women can actively help close the data gap through trials, wearables, and advocacy As always, we close out HITea With Grace by getting personal, talking about how Dr. Phung does her best work, overcomes challenges, and what advice she has for women navigating healthcare and research today. And of course, we end on a lighter note with tea, mugs, and the stories behind them ☕️ 🎧 Tune in for a conversation that blends science, systems, and lived experience and challenges us to rethink what it really takes to support women’s long-term health. Cheers!

Welcome back to HITea With Grace, where we sip something warm and spotlight the voices reshaping healthcare. Today Grace is joined by Gail Menasco, founder of the Bra Society and a powerful advocate for women navigating breast reconstruction and broader healthcare challenges. Gail shares the personal cancer journey that led her into advocacy at just 38 years old and how it shaped her mission to empower patients with knowledge, resources, and support. The conversation explores her important work in Oregon and how policy efforts there aim to improve access and outcomes for women’s health. Gail also discusses the growing role of patient advocates in shaping policy, the evolving partnerships between clinicians, policymakers, and communities, and why collaboration is essential to closing long-standing gaps in care. Grace and Gail dig into the future of ACA subsidies, rising affordability concerns, and what weakened protections could mean for women and families. They also look at the widening gap between women’s health innovation and insurance coverage and the promising ideas emerging to bridge it. To close the episode, Gail shares what drives her, how she overcomes challenges, her advice for women in healthcare and health IT, and of course the tea she brought to the pod today. Settle in for an insightful and inspiring conversation on HITea With Grace.

On this week's HITea with Grace, our host is joined by Nick Adkins, Founder of PinkSocks, for a joyful and heartfelt conversation inspired by his new book that captures years of adventure, connection, and community building. Nick shares the story behind the PinkSocks movement, how a simple symbol grew into a global community, and why the message of empathy and kindness continues to resonate across healthcare and beyond. The conversation dives into what makes PinkSocks so enduring, stories from his book that reflect the spirit of the movement, and how allyship is evolving in health tech and patient advocacy. Nick also talks about how human connection and kindness can fuel innovation and strengthen the future of care. To close the episode, Nick reflects on what motivates him, how he navigates challenges, his advice for leaders in healthcare and health IT, and of course the mug he brought to the pod today. Pour a cup and enjoy another uplifting conversation on HITea With Grace and check out Nick's latest book: PINKSOCKS: How a Pair of Socks Became a Symbol of Love and Connection

Welcome back to the HITea With Grace Podcast, where we sip something warm and uncover the real stories behind healthcare innovation. Today Grace Vinton is joined by Julia Komissarchik for a conversation about the challenges and opportunities behind FDA approved AI models in healthcare. Julia explains why many of these models stay confined to a single hospital, how broader access to high quality clinical data can improve generalization, and what is needed to build AI systems that work for diverse patient populations. The discussion explores the limits of small training datasets, the importance of secure and scalable de-identification, the role of multimodal clinical data, and what it takes to build trust between hospitals and research partners. Julia also breaks down what works and what does not work in federated learning and what safeguards are required to make it a viable approach for clinical AI. To close the episode, Julia shares what motivates her, how she overcomes challenges, her advice for women in healthcare and health IT, and of course the tea she brought to the pod today.

Welcome back to the HITea With Grace Podcast, where we sip something warm and explore the stories of women shaping healthcare and health IT. Today Grace is joined by Jenni Tarma, CEO and Founder of Kaari Prehab, for an honest conversation about women’s bone health and why osteoporosis remains so overlooked. Jenni shares her career path, why bone health for postmenopausal women is often missed in mainstream medicine, and how patient-centered exercise guidance can change outcomes. The conversation highlights evidence-based options for women who want to avoid or delay medications, ways to spot credible information, how advocacy communities empower patients, and what first steps someone should take if they suspect they are at risk. Jenni also talks about how clinicians and wellness professionals can help patients move past fear-based messaging, along with the policy and community changes needed to improve care. To wrap up the episode, Yenni shares how she works her best, what helps her overcome challenges, and her advice for women in healthcare and health IT. And of course, we ask the important question: what tea did she bring today? Tune in, learn something new, and enjoy another great conversation on HITea With Grace!

Welcome to HITea With Grace, where we spill the tea on HIT. Today we are coming to you from the HLTH conference for a special episode with Amanda Rees, CEO of Bold and one of the leading voices in fall prevention. Amanda recently joined me on stage for a panel at HLTH, and now she is here to share even more insight on the crisis we rarely talk about but absolutely should. Amanda walks us through the career journey that led her to build Bold and why she believes falls remain one of healthcare’s most preventable yet overlooked challenges. Together, we dig into why balance and fall prevention have stayed under the national radar despite the massive medical, social, and economic impact. We explore the innovations turning fall prevention from reactive to predictive, including AI powered tools that identify risk earlier and more accurately. Amanda shares her perspective on what Medicare’s STAR ratings and value based models mean for accelerating adoption, and what policymakers can do to push prevention forward. Grace and Amanda also get real about the stigma older adults face when using technology. Amanda breaks down what actually works when it comes to adoption, trust building, and making digital tools feel empowering rather than patronizing. We also talk about how clinicians can integrate these tools in a way that enhances, not overwhelms, their workflow and patient relationships. To wrap up, Amanda imagines what the next five to ten years could look like if predictive fall prevention becomes the norm and how this innovation could transform aging in place for millions. Grab your mug and settle in for a thoughtful, energizing HLTH conversation that shines a light on one of healthcare’s most important and least discussed opportunities.

We are kicking things off from sunny Las Vegas at the HLTH conference, where the halls are buzzing with new ideas in digital health. First up at the HITea With Grace table is Dr. Patricia Hayes, chief medical officer of Imagine Pediatrics and a lifelong champion for children with special health care needs. In this conversation, Dr. Hayes shares the career journey that led her to Imagine Pediatrics and the mission that inspires her work. She explains how their tech enabled, multidisciplinary model strengthens the care children already receive by giving families more support at home, more coordinated communication, and more of what she calls safe days at home. Dr. Hayes also breaks down the real world challenges that families face when navigating Medicaid and the pediatric system and how today’s policy environment can both help and hinder progress. Grace and Dr. Hayes explore how Imagine Pediatrics weaves together medical care, behavioral health, and social supports like transportation, housing, and food access. Dr. Hayes explains why addressing these social drivers of health is essential for helping families thrive and how technology and data can fuel better outcomes. They wrap with what gives Dr. Hayes optimism about the future of pediatric care, especially for families facing the steepest obstacles, along with her reflections on purpose, resilience, and her advice for women working in healthcare and health IT. Pour your tea and settle in for an uplifting, hopeful, HLTH inspired conversation with a leader who is helping reimagine care for some of the most remarkable kids and families in our system.

This week, Grace Vinton is coming to you from sunny Las Vegas at the HLTH conference, where healthcare's brightest minds gather to explore the future of digital health. Her guest is Missy Krasner, angel investor, advisor, and board member to Penguin AI and several other companies shaping the next wave of healthcare innovation. In this episode, Missy shares her insights on where healthcare AI is heading, what is hype, and what has real potential to transform care. She dives into the current focus on large language models and the challenges we face in making them truly effective in healthcare settings. Missy also talks about the growing excitement around agentic AI systems and how they could improve efficiency for payers and providers as the so called AI agent wars begin to unfold. Grace and Missy also explore one of the most talked about frontiers in the industry: the rise of AI driven tools in behavioral health. From conversational support to the risks of over reliance on chatbots, Missy offers a grounded perspective on what is promising and what requires caution when applying AI in sensitive areas of care. The conversation then turns to the innovation trends Missy is energized by, including new models for obesity and GLP-1 care, longevity medicine, the evolution of primary care, and emerging tools designed to support value based care. Throughout the episode, Grace uncovers the values, motivations, and lived experiences that guide Missy's work in digital health and the advice she offers to women building careers in this space. So pour yourself a cup of tea, settle in, and join Grace and Missy for a thoughtful conversation about the promise and complexity of AI in healthcare and the innovators working to shape a healthier and more connected future.

On this episode of HITea With Grace, we’re brewing up an inspiring conversation with Tiffany Goralczyk - nurse leader, MSN, RN, CNL, and Director of Clinical Solutions at Elemeno Health. Tiffany joins Grace to spill the tea on how microlearning is changing the game for healthcare teams - creating faster, smarter, and more meaningful ways to support clinicians right where they work. From the bedside to the boardroom, Tiffany’s career journey is proof that when nurses and clinicians lead, innovation follows. She opens up about how her frontline experiences shaped her approach to designing technology that truly listens to caregivers and how real-world feedback fuels better digital solutions. Together, Grace and Tiffany dive into the power of bite-sized learning, why traditional training often misses the mark, and how microlearning helps healthcare organizations build competence and confidence across their teams. Tiffany shares what it takes to roll out technology that actually sticks, how to measure success beyond adoption rates, and why creating a culture of learning matters just as much as the tools themselves. They also explore the softer side of leadership: what drives Tiffany, how she overcomes challenges, and her heartfelt advice for women pursuing careers in healthcare and health IT. As always, Grace keeps things real with a little laughter, a lot of heart, and a shared love of tea. So grab your mug, take a sip, and join us for a thoughtful conversation about empowering the frontline, humanizing technology, and leading with purpose - one microlearning moment at a time.

I’m excited to welcome Kelsey Powell, VP of Strategy & Operations at Vital, to the podcast! We dive into the challenges and opportunities of patient communication in healthcare and how leaders can make the experience feel more like retail or hospitality while staying true to patient trust and privacy. In this conversation, you’ll hear about: Kelsey’s career path from healthcare consulting to leading strategy and operations at Vital. Why patient communication remains one of the toughest problems in healthcare and what’s at stake. The real outcomes leaders should measure beyond “time saved” from portal engagement to reduced readmissions and stronger HCAHPS scores. How data, analytics, and AI can power more personalized care without sacrificing privacy. Where health systems are making big leaps toward seamless, patient-centered experiences and where they’re still getting it wrong. Why EHR tools alone can’t deliver the kind of communication patients expect today. How trust and loyalty are built through patient experience tools that empower both patients and providers. Kelsey also shared her leadership habits, her approach to self-care, and the mentors who helped shape her career. And yes, she brought her tea and mug story along for the ride!

In this special episode of HITea, our host Grace Vinton sits down with John Lynn, founder of Healthcare IT Today. John is one of the most well-connected male allies in the healthcare technology industry and an insightful media leader and community builder. In their final moments at the Civitas Conference, Grace and John gather around the mic to unpack the latest trends shaping the future of Health Information Exchanges (HIEs). From TEFCA momentum and the rise of QHINs, to the renewed focus on patient matching, identity management, and social data integration, they explore how the next era of interoperability is taking shape. Far from fading away, HIEs are morphing - adapting their business models, expanding their value, and proving that the heartbeat of local healthcare data is alive and well. Grab your cup - it’s time to spill the tea on the evolving world of interoperability! ☕

In this special live episode from the Civitas Conference, Grace sits down with Dr. Jan Lee, CEO of the Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN “DIN”), the nation’s first live statewide health information exchange. Together, they explore how real-time clinical data sharing is transforming care in Delaware and setting the standard for interoperability across the country. Jan shares her inspiring career journey from clinician to health IT leader, the innovations driving DHIN’s success, and how better data sharing is helping reduce costs, eliminate unnecessary tests, and improve patient outcomes. Tune in to hear what trends and ideas are sparking change at Civitas, what’s next for HIEs nationwide, and Jan’s advice for the next generation of health technology leaders. Grab your cup - this is one conversation you won’t want to miss. ☕

In this episode, recorded live at the Civitas Conference, Grace sits down with Susan Clark and Laura Young, the dynamic leaders behind Converge Health, to talk about one of healthcare’s most persistent challenges — the last mile of interoperability. From data gaps that quietly impact patient care, to the realities of implementing frameworks like FHIR and TEFCA, Susan and Laura share their insights on how to move beyond buzzwords toward true, usable data exchange at the point of care. They also explore the powerful role patients are beginning to play in driving interoperability forward and what innovations may reshape the landscape in the next five years. Whether you’re a health IT professional, a data evangelist, or simply curious about how healthcare information actually connects behind the scenes, this conversation delivers equal parts wisdom and inspiration — Civitas-style. Grab your cup and tune in — it’s time to spill the tea on interoperability’s last mile! ☕

I’m thrilled to welcome Jamie Hill-Walters, CRCR, Chief Customer Officer at Janus Health, to HITea With Grace. We spill the tea on what’s really changing in RCM and how leaders can modernize with empathy and measurable results. In this episode, Jamie shares: The career path that shaped her customer-first RCM lens. What’s truly different now: payer behavior, patient expectations, and the regs changing the game. The biggest blockers to RCM modernization - operational, cultural, and contractual - and how to disarm them. How the CMS interoperability & prior auth final rule (FHIR + APIs) could reset payer–provider workflows, including pace expectations (e.g., ~72 hrs urgent / ~7 days standard), and where innovation can reduce burden while improving patient care. Success metrics beyond dollars: patient retention/satisfaction and staff satisfaction—plus how analytics and prior auth tools help. Leading with service, creativity, and community - and yes, her global tea mug story ☕. Listen now and be sure to connect with Jamie!

This week, I sat down with Holly Taylor, General Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Lucem Health, to talk about her career journey, patient advocacy, and how AI is reshaping early detection of type 1 diabetes. What you’ll learn in this conversation: How machine learning models flag at-risk patients who might otherwise go undetected, supporting smarter, earlier interventions. Why early diagnosis is a population health imperative - reducing diabetic ketoacidosis risk from 40–60% to less than 5%, while saving families and health systems costs. How Lucem Health is working with providers through a “crawl, walk, run” approach to build trust and integrate AI into workflows without adding burden. Holly’s personal take on resilience: daily reading, healthy routines, and encouraging us to have the courage to take leaps sooner. Holly also shared her tea mug story and what drives her to make a difference in healthcare. You won’t want to miss this one!

On this episode of HITea, I had the privilege of sitting down with Pam Russek, COO of P-n-T Data Corp, for a powerful conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of healthcare IT. Pam opened up about her career journey across payer and vendor roles, why she came out of retirement to lead again, and how she’s helping drive transformation in prior authorization and healthcare data integration. Key insights from our chat: The latest trends in prior authorization innovation and how AI and APIs are shaping efficiency as well as why secure, integrated healthcare data is the next frontier for better care delivery. What inspired Pam to return from retirement and why a smaller, nimble health IT company was the right fit. Her reflections on mentorship, leadership clarity, and progress for women in Health IT. Pam also shared her favorite clear tea mug - and the story behind it - as a reminder of the importance of clarity in communication and leadership. Tune in to learn more about Pam's vision for the future of healthcare technology!