Charting a New Course with Dr. Murray Zucker

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. 

Ever wonder if we’re getting anywhere with substance abuse treatment? In this episode, Murray and Brendon talk with David Smith, the Founder of the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics of San Francisco. David provides an empathetic journey through the history of substance abuse treatment, as well as a look at the evolution of medicine to treat mental illness and addiction.

David has a rich and diverse background in Addiction Medicine. He’s served as Fellow and Past President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine; he was the former President of the California Society of Addiction Medicine; as well as the past Medical Director for the California State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. Additionally, David has served as Medical Director for the California Collaborative Center for Substance Abuse Policy Research, and is a former adviser to the Betty Ford Center.

Would you know if your child was depressed? And if they were, how could you help? In this episode, Dr. Murray Zucker, Chief Medical Officer at Happify Health, sheds light on children’s mental health. Dr. Zucker shows all listeners—not just parents— how to recognize the signs of childhood depression, as well as tips that will teach resilience in children, and ways to start the conversation about a child’s emotional well-being. If you have concerns regarding your child's mental health, contact your child's pediatrician or school guidance counselor for help.

You’re a parent, and you can’t ignore the fact that your kid is struggling with their mental health. What do you do? Well, for starters, please realize that you’re not alone. There’s a burgeoning mental health crisis facing America’s youth today, and in this episode, Murray and Brendon speak to an expert, Dr. Hansa Bhargava, about what parents and educators can do. 

Guest Bio: An expert in parenting, mental health, and pregnancy, Dr. Bhargava is a board-certified pediatrician and the author of Building Happier Kids: Stress-Busting Tools for Parents. She is also the CMO at Medscape Education, where she leads innovation-driven initiatives for physicians and health care professionals. Dr. Bhargava’s focus is on issues of resilience, burnout, and mental health. She’s been a practicing physician for over a decade and was previously Senior Medical Director at WebMD.

Additionally, Dr. Bhargava has been a featured partner in healthcare initiatives with the University of Alabama, the CDC, the White House, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

Learn more about Hansa: https://www.hansabhargavamd.com/

In this episode, Murray answers key questions about bipolar disorder for listeners, like how it is defined and diagnosed. He also discusses the warning signs of bipolar disorder, and what you can do if you suspect someone in your life has bipolar disorder. Finally, Murray will address what the best way is to get help for that person. 

If you or someone you know needs support due to a mood disorder, contact the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: https://www.dbsalliance.org/