Host Jason Schifman sits down with Emi Gal, CEO and founder of Ezra, a company pioneering AI-powered full-body MRI scans for early cancer detection. Emi shares his personal motivation behind founding Ezra, how AI-driven imaging innovations are reshaping preventive medicine, and why his company is expanding access to affordable cancer screening.

The discussion explores healthcare industry insights around medical imaging, healthcare innovations, and the role of AI in streamlining cancer detection. Emi also shares the challenges of building strategic partnerships with imaging centers, scaling direct-to-consumer healthcare, and addressing false positives in full-body MRI scans.

• [00:00] Introduction to the podcast and guest, Emi Gal, CEO of Ezra
• [02:00] How personal experience led Emi to launch Ezra & revolutionize early cancer detection
• [06:30] The Ezra model: Direct-to-consumer AI-powered full-body MRIs
• [12:00] Partnering with imaging centers: How Ezra operates without owning facilities
• [18:00] AI’s role in making MRIs faster, more efficient, and more affordable
• [24:30] Scaling a direct-to-consumer health tech business: Challenges & successes
• [30:00] Addressing concerns over false positives, incidental findings, and patient anxiety
• [40:00] The future of AI-driven preventive imaging and healthcare innovation
• [50:00] What’s next for Ezra: Expanding affordability, increasing access, and AI advancements

• AI-driven medical imaging is revolutionizing preventive healthcare. Ezra’s full-body MRI scans use AI to enhance speed, accuracy, and affordability, making early cancer detection more accessible.
• Strategic partnerships with imaging centers fuel Ezra’s rapid expansion. Rather than building facilities, Ezra leverages excess capacity in existing imaging centers, driving operational efficiency and scalability.
• False positives and incidental findings are a key challenge—but AI helps mitigate them. Ezra scores findings on a scale of 1-5, ensuring that only high-risk cases trigger follow-ups, reducing unnecessary procedures.
• Ezra’s long-term vision is a $600 AI-powered 15-minute scan. By continuing AI innovation, the goal is to make full-body cancer screening widely available, insurance-covered, and a standard preventive measure.

Resources:

Ezra Website

LinkedIn

Twitter/X

About the Guest:

Emi Gal is the CEO and founder of Ezra, a pioneering company in AI-powered cancer screening and early detection. A computer scientist and entrepreneur, Emi has a background in machine learning and medical imaging, having previously built AI-driven solutions in advertising technology. Following his mother’s battle with cancer, Emi committed himself to transforming cancer detection by creating accessible, fast, and affordable MRI-based screening solutions.

Healthcare, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Trends, Roy Bejarano, Healthcare Innovations, Healthcare Industry Insights, AI in Healthcare, Medical Imaging, Cancer Screening, Preventive Medicine, Health Tech

Amir Dan Rubin is a distinguished healthcare executive renowned for his transformative leadership in innovative healthcare delivery. As the former CEO of One Medical, a membership-based primary care practice, Rubin spearheaded its national expansion, increased its membership base, and successfully led the company to a public offering in January 2020.

Rubin’s impressive career includes pivotal roles in leading healthcare organizations. He served as President and COO of UnitedHealth Group’s Optum and as CEO of Stanford Health Care, where he championed the integration of advanced technology and patient-centered care. His expertise lies in healthcare transformation, innovation, and leveraging digital tools to enhance patient experiences.

Rubin holds an MBA from Stanford University, an MHA from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. His contributions have significantly impacted how healthcare organizations utilize technology to provide more accessible and patient-focused care.

Wyatt Ritchie is a Managing Director and the Head of Cain Brothers. Wyatt assumed leadership in 2023 and is only the fourth leader of Cain Brothers since its founding in 1982. Wyatt joined the firm in 2010 with over 20 years’ experience advising both public and private companies in a variety of merger and acquisition, capital raising, and strategic advisory transactions. Prior to his current role, he focused on mergers & acquisitions and capital raising for clients in the physician practice management, multi-site healthcare services and post-acute care sectors. He was also a member of the Firm’s Senior Management Team. Select and recent transactions include TPG Growth’s joint venture partnership with Novant Health to expand MedQuest Associates, the sale of Cranial Technologies, Illinois Retina Associates’ affiliation with Retina Consultants of America, and the sale of Physicians Immediate Care to WellNow Urgent Care.

Steven Meehan is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of expertise in financial and operational leadership, excelling in corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and financial planning and analysis. His extensive background demonstrates a strong focus on navigating organizations through complex financial and strategic challenges, with a keen emphasis on value creation and growth acceleration.

Ya-El Mandel, PhD, MSc, is a distinguished leader in biopharmaceuticals and medical innovation. As a founding member and Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations at Équilibre Biopharmaceuticals Corp., and the founder and CEO of Cardea Sciences, she spearheads advancements in non-invasive platforms for Atrial Fibrillation risk assessment. A PhD alumna of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, she also contributes as an adjunct professor. With over a decade of expertise in clinical trials and emergency medical leadership, Dr. Mandel’s work seamlessly integrates academia, industry, and healthcare innovation, driving transformative progress in the field.

Jeff Staser is the CFO of prominent dental practice management firm Straine. With his vast experience and knowledge in the industry, Jeff Staser has provided valuable insights into the current trends and challenges faced by DSOs.

Host Roy Bejarano sits down with Jason Howard, CEO of MedQuest, to explore the evolving landscape of medical imaging, AI in healthcare, and value-based care. With extensive experience in healthcare leadership, including his tenure as President of Sound Physicians, Jason shares his insights on strategic health system partnerships, AI-driven imaging advancements, and the growing role of radiology in patient care.

The conversation discusses the challenges of scaling imaging centers, the shortage of radiologists, and the importance of aligning MSOs (Management Services Organizations) with health systems to improve operational efficiency and patient outcomes. Jason also highlights how MedQuest is leveraging technology, ambulatory care expansion, and payer relationships to enhance healthcare industry insights and drive sustainable growth in medical imaging.

• [00:00] Introduction to the podcast and guest, Jason Howard, CEO of MedQuest
• [02:00] Jason’s journey from physical therapist to healthcare executive
• [06:30] The evolution of MedQuest’s business model and its partnership with health systems
• [12:00] The impact of AI in medical imaging and its potential to address radiologist shortages
• [18:00] Scaling imaging centers: How MedQuest is expanding through strategic health system partnerships
• [24:30] The shift to outpatient and ambulatory imaging centers and why it matters for healthcare trends
• [30:00] Overcoming radiology workforce shortages with remote reading solutions and AI
• [40:00] The role of value-based care in imaging and the future of payer-provider collaboration
• [50:00] The challenges and opportunities of scaling an MSO model in healthcare
• [1:00:00] Looking ahead: How MedQuest plans to innovate and lead in the medical imaging space

• AI is transforming radiology and imaging operations. AI-driven tools can help augment radiologists’ efficiency, improve diagnostic accuracy, and reduce turnaround times for imaging reports.
• Strategic health system partnerships are the future. MedQuest is aligning with hospitals and health systems to create integrated imaging solutions, improving patient access and healthcare industry insights.
• The shift to outpatient imaging is accelerating. As healthcare leadership focuses on cost efficiency and patient convenience, freestanding imaging centers are becoming the preferred model for medical imaging.
• The radiologist shortage is a major concern. Jason highlights how remote reading solutions, AI, and operational innovations can help mitigate staffing challenges while maintaining quality care.
• Value-based care has yet to be fully implemented in imaging—but change is coming. MedQuest is exploring new payment models, AI-assisted risk stratification, and early detection programs to enhance healthcare innovations.

Resources:

MedQuest Website

LinkedIn

Jason Howard is the CEO of MedQuest, a national leader in medical imaging and radiology services. With a background in healthcare operations and value-based care, Jason previously served as President of Sound Physicians, where he led hospital partnerships, risk-based care models, and clinical innovation. At MedQuest, Jason is focused on expanding ambulatory imaging, integrating AI into radiology, and strengthening health system partnerships.

Healthcare, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Trends, Roy Bejarano, Healthcare Innovations, Healthcare Industry Insights, Medical Imaging, AI in Healthcare, Radiology, Value-Based Care, Health System Partnerships, Jason Howard, MedQuest, MSOs

G. Scott Herman is the CEO of New Day Healthcare, which is a home care-focused business covering 120,000 patients annually with 7,500 team members across 4 states.

Jason Conger

Jason R. R. Conger is an American attorney and Republican politician from the U.S. state of Oregon. He served in the Oregon House of Representatives representing District 54 in Bend, Oregon, from 2011 to 2015.

Marlow Hernandez

Marlow Hernandez, D.O. is a board-certified physician and experienced venous specialist who has been serving the South Florida community for more than a decade.

Drew Franklin, MBA, FACMPE – Medical Practice Executive, ENT Administrator at ENT Specialty Partners
I’m a strategic advisor for Albany ENT and Allergy Services. I’ve been with the practice for four years. I’ve been in ENT for 18 years, having previously worked with ENT and Allergy Associates, which is the largest Ear, Nose and Throat practice in the country. I have my MBA from NYU Stern. I’m a fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives, and I’m very happy to be here.

Gavin Setzen – CEO & President at Albany ENT & Allergy Services
My journey’s a little circuitous to Albany, having grown up in South Africa. I went to medical school in South Africa, did a short stint at a family practice, 60 miles north of North Dakota, waiting for my green card. I completed a partial general surgery residency in New York City. Before coming up to Albany, I completed my ENT Head and Neck surgery residency here and loved the Adirondacks, the upstate New York area. I had a great opportunity to take over the practice of a solo practitioner and have lived in upstate New York since that time. We developed a great platform in comprehensive otolaryngology here, growing the practice to now our 10th physician and onboarding our 20th physician assistant. We have a very diverse, broadbased, comprehensive type of practice and we can certainly talk more about the offerings and ancillaries and other care services that we provide. It’s been a very rewarding, important journey, and we’re glad to be providing care to upstate New York and contiguous communities in southern Vermont, Western Massachusetts, and the like.