Charting a New Course

How do you transform a healthcare system that, instead of finding cures, profits from peddling medicine? Winston Ball has been trying to answer that question on his 20-year journey as a senior executive in healthcare corporate development.

Winston Ball is a highly strategic Operations and Finance Executive with over 15 years of experience in the consumer products, entertainment, financial services, wellness and insurance industries. Winston has a track-record of success in identifying and implementing business strategies that improve operational efficiencies, ensure effective management of capital and resources, and increase top-line revenue. He has a broad range of transaction experience including: mergers & acquisitions, divestitures and corporate restructurings. 

What will it take to actually deliver a 5G broadband infrastructure that reaches every corner of America and closes the “digital divide” that limits access to the Internet for low-income families?

According to Accedian’s vice president of cybersecurity strategy, Mike Rezek, the $800 billion set aside for 5G in the federal infrastructure bill lays the groundwork for closing the digital divide; yet, the access won’t become meaningful until people have access to digital tools that actually make their lives better.

Michael (Mike) Rezek is VP, Business Development and Cybersecurity Strategy at Accedian Networks. Michael has over 20 years of senior Sales and BD experience. Michael led an initiative to acquire an Application Performance Management company, and is responsible for the Accedian cyber security strategy. During his 15 years at Cisco he has sold over $500M and has been considered a “thought leader” by his Management and has a rich history of leading teams in tactical execution of their sales plans. 

What if software could help us prevent migraines or severely limit their frequency?

Migraines are a debilitating form of headache disorder affecting nearly one in six Americans, especially women.

While most people only experience episodic migraines, more than 4 million Americans suffer from chronic migraines, which means they spend half their days in agony because they have 15 or more migraines per month.

In this episode, you’ll meet the head of research at Happify Health as they talk to Brendon and Murray about the promise of digital medicine to help people who suffer from migraines.

In the inaugural episode of the Charting a New Course podcast, get to know our hosts, Murray Zucker, M.D., and Brendon Kelly, M.B.A., and understand their motivation for launching this new program.

Murray Zucker, MD, is the chief medical officer at Happify Health. Dr. Zucker has worked as a healthcare consultant and psychiatrist for more than 20 years. He's had senior leadership roles as a medical executive in the health insurance and managed care industries. He has consulted for large hospital systems and Fortune 500 companies, as well as for large provider groups. As a healthcare expert, Dr. Zucker has appeared on the “Today” show, “Good Morning America”, “20/20”, CNN, and the LA evening news. He has also been a featured guest host on radio programs and a quoted expert in prominent media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and People magazine.

Brendon Kelly, M.B.A., is vice president of Customer Success at Happify Health. Throughout his career Brendon has  had the unique opportunity to work across teams, functions, and industries, with sales being the consistent through-line. For Brendon, being of service  by understanding and solving complex problems for others  is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding endeavors one can embark upon. It's that sense of purpose and drive that gets him out of bed in the morning and keeps him moving forward (that and trying to keep his two children, ages 5 and 3, from burning the house down).

What role will technology and digital solutions play in streamlining healthcare so that it is more impactful and efficient for patients, employers, healthcare providers, and government agencies? Our hosts are joined by healthcare executives and thought leaders Kevin Pereau and Henry Loubet in this provocative round table, spanning mental health, artificial intelligence, best practices for sustained engagement in digital health, and more. 

In this week’s podcast, Murray’s co-host is Eliane Boucher, Happify Health’s Senior Director of Research Strategy. In this episode they share exciting news that will give hope to patients dealing with psoriasis. They’re joined by Theo Ahadome, SVP of commercialization at Happify, and Mohanad Fors, the Head of Global Commercial Digital Innovation at the global biopharmaceutical company, Almirall. 

The discussion goes in depth about an innovative new whole-patient approach to psoriasis, and without spoiling too much, we’re excited to announce that Happify and Almirall are teaming up to help psoriasis patients, with the rollout of a digital solution called CLARO. Almirall has made impressive strides in the fight against psoriasis. And now, Happify is joining forces with them to offer digital programs to patients in order to fuel more well-rounded solutions that support mental health issues associated with the disease like anxiety and depression. Happify Health’s evidence-based and clinically validated platforms deliver mental health solutions to patients who deal with chronic diseases like psoriasis. 

Tune in to learn more about CLARO and the benefits it will deliver. 

Mohanad is the Head of Global Commercial Digital Innovation & Head at Digital Garden at Almiral. This digital innovation hub has a specific focus in HealthTech. Mohanad’s accolades include the European Excellence, Clio, and Cannes Lions awards for innovative health-first projects, like the first navigation application on smart watches, for visually impaired patients.

More than 8 million people in the U.S. live with psoriatic disease. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can develop at any age and they both have physical, mental, financial and emotional impacts.

Psoriatic disease is chronic and impacts the entire body – from lesions on the skin to permanent joint damage. Psoriatic disease diagnosis, treatment, and management is uniquely challenging, and unfortunately, far too many people are not receiving the treatment they need, or are undertreating.

In this episode, Murray discusses the partnership between the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) and Happify Health with Leah Howard, interim president and CEO of NPF, and Theo Ahadome, an SVP at Happify Health. The goal of the partnership is to unleash the tools and resources needed—including digital therapeutics— to help those affected manage – and even thrive with – the disease. Tune in for a lively and informative discussion.

Leah Howard, J.D., is the President & CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. She is a non-profit executive with a demonstrated history of success in developing and advancing the priorities of health care organizations. Howard joined the National Psoriasis Foundation in 2012 and was appointed to the role of Interim President and CEO, effective January 1, 2022. She previously served as NPF Chief Operating Officer (2017 – 2021) providing the strategic direction, vision and leadership to Foundation mission-related functions of government relations and advocacy, marketing and communications, and patient services (education, volunteer outreach and the NPF Patient Navigation Center). Prior to this role, Howard directed the Advocacy and Government Relations department (2012 – 2017). Howard has led a number of major initiatives for the NPF including development of the current (FY2020-2024) Strategic Plan, leading the planning for the 2016 FDA Patient Focused Drug Development (PFDD) meeting, engagement with value assessors, and the NPF annual payer roundtable series. She brings to her role more than 20 years of experience working with national health and disability organizations, local governments, and leading health care and research institutions. Howard has a bachelor of arts degree in government and international relations from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from George Mason University School of Law. She is based out of the NPF office in Alexandria, VA. 

At least 50% of the population has panic attacks, or have had one. So, what happens when those people must go to work? Panic attacks and many other types of mental health events and illnesses don’t step aside just so you can get that email out on time. In this episode, Brendon and Murray talk with Alison Cupito, the Global Mental Health & Wellness Program Lead at Accenture, about the evolving nature of mental health in the workplace. 

Alison shares how the international consultancy Accenture has developed a culture where peers, from C-Suite to entry level, check in on one another—in the firm’s offices all around the world. Additionally, the group discusses racial, and geographic inequities and stigmas when it comes to addressing mental health, and the positive conversations that happen to initiate openness, comfort, and change. And Alison outlines methods Accenture takes to create more empathetic leadership, foster meaningful conversations about mental illness (even in job interviews), and accommodate employees with mental health challenges. 

Based in Texas, Alison’s had a decade-long career at Accenture, and her expertise in the field of mental health is driving change in the consulting industry. 

One in six people have symptoms of depression and don’t recognize it. In this episode of Charting a New Course, Brendon and Murray are joined by members of Happify Health’s research team to take a closer look at the impact that unrecognized depression has in minority populations whose primary source of health coverage comes through Medicaid. 

Our country’s mental health resources are woefully inadequate. To overcome the gaps in care, President Biden pledged over $6B in his 2023 budget to ensure funding for mental health support services. Of the $6 billion pledged to this cause, $455 million was earmarked for researching new care models and expanding early intervention services with a focus on “Black and Brown communities (which) are disproportionately undertreated – even as their burden of mental illness has continued to rise.”  

As the U.S. continues to endure a mental health crisis, will this budget pledge help turn the corner? Tune in to learn more.