Claim to Fame

In this episode of the Claim to Fame podcast, Alex and Wayne sit down with Brian Sauer, CEO of Gem Health and a 40-year veteran of the healthcare industry. Brian shares the personal and professional experiences that inspired him to launch Gem Health, a virtual clinic focused on modernizing sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment.

Frustrated with outdated, fragmented processes, Brian created Gem Health to deliver a streamlined and patient-centered experience. He breaks down the most common gaps in sleep apnea care, the innovative solutions Gem Health provides, and how they support patients from diagnosis through long-term treatment. Brian also talks about insurance coverage, the role of technology, and how Gem Health plans to expand into additional specialty areas.

In this episode of the Claim to Fame podcast, hosts Wayne and Alex sit down with Morgan Mancada, CEO of Neru Health, to talk about his unique dual role as both a sleep apnea patient and a health tech entrepreneur. Morgan breaks down Neru Health’s mission to reinvent healthcare through AI, including how their virtual employee “Nora” is automating and elevating patient care across the DME industry.

He shares how his personal experience with sleep disorders shaped his journey, why creativity drives his leadership style, and what it takes to integrate AI into healthcare. The conversation wraps with a rapid fire round and an honest look at the future of sleep health and where Neru’s technology is headed next.

In this episode of the Claim to Fame Podcast, Caleb Polley, CEO and founder of Cubby Beds, discusses his journey from a teenage entrepreneur to creating innovative smart safety beds designed to support children with disabilities. Caleb shares the inspiration behind Cubby Beds, driven by the need to improve sleep, safety, and sensory regulation for children with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. He emphasizes the importance of real-world feedback in product development and highlights the impact of Cubby Beds on improving the lives of children and their families. Caleb also reflects on the business challenges faced, particularly during the onset of COVID-19, and outlines the future vision for the company, including technological advancements and potential new products. The episode wraps up with a rapid-fire round, adding a fun and personal touch to the insightful discussion.

In this episode of Claim to Fame podcast, we chat with Stephanie Legree from AAHomecare. Starting her journey in a family-owned DME business, Stephanie shares her lifelong experiences in the industry and her transition to a national advocacy role with AAHomecare. Stephanie highlights the importance of involvement in state associations and AAHomecare for DME providers, addressing critical issues like competitive bidding and policy advocacy. She offers insights into her advocacy work, the benefits of networking, and the importance of proactive engagement. Tune in to learn about the efforts to strengthen the voice of DME providers in Washington and strategies to involve the next generation in this vital industry.

In this episode of the Claim to Fame podcast, Todd Usher, founder of Tactical Back Office, shares his extensive journey through the healthcare and DME space. Todd talks about his early beginnings as a delivery technician, his transition into management, and the eventual founding of his companies: Tactical Back Office and Tactical Call Center. He outlines the challenges and evolution of the DME industry, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and fortitude. Todd also provides valuable insights into how Tactical Back Office addresses staffing issues and the benefits of tapping into offshore talent. Additionally, he explains the differences between actual intelligence and artificial intelligence, offering his perspective on the future of AI in healthcare. The episode concludes with a fun rapid-fire segment where Todd shares some personal preferences and future aspirations for his businesses.

In this episode of the Claim to Fame podcast, we speak with Zach Gantt of Encore Healthcare, who shares his journey from a family-rooted career in DME to pioneering data-driven respiratory care. Zach delves into the creation of Encore and its Nexus platform, highlighting the transition from traditional DME services to a focus on outcomes and data, and the unique business models offered by Encore. The discussion also touches upon the trends and future of respiratory care, including the impact of AI and telehealth. Zach shares his personal insights on bootstrapping his business, leveraging technology, and the importance of maintaining a people-first approach, influenced by his background as a pastor. The episode wraps up with details on the Smoky Mountain Symposium, an educational conference for DME providers organized by Encore Health.

In this episode of the Claim to Fame podcast we talk with Kerriann Catlaw from Proxy DME to discuss her extensive 25+ years of experience in the DME industry. Kerriann shares her journey from academia to founding OrthoCare in 2004 and eventually launching Proxy DME in 2019. She delves into the consulting services provided by Proxy DME, the challenges and innovative solutions within the healthcare ecosystem, including the development of the Proxy IQ SaaS platform. The conversation also touches on strategic engagements, partnerships, and her entrepreneurial experiences that led to significant industry contributions. The episode concludes with a rapid-fire round of fun, light-hearted questions.

In this episode of the Claim to Fame podcast, hosts welcome Ronda Buhrmaster from VGM to discuss her 13-year journey in the DME industry. Ronda elaborates on her role as Senior Director of Payer Relations and the extensive support VGM offers to its members. She shares anecdotes about transitioning from working as a respiratory therapist in trauma hospitals to specializing in payer relations. Highlighting the importance of education in the DME space, Ronda talks about making complex policy updates understandable for suppliers and the role of technology in simplifying processes. She also emphasizes knowing payer contracts, the potential of retail in DME, and addresses misconceptions suppliers might have about payers. Ronda's insights on the evolving role of AI in the industry, travel experiences, and her personal healthcare journey provide a comprehensive look into the challenges and rewards of the DME sector.

In this episode of the Claim to Fame podcast, hosts Alex and Wayne engage in a comprehensive conversation with Jamie Caputo, a seasoned professional with nearly 30 years of experience in the HME industry and a specialization in SaaS products for sleep therapy management. Jamie details his career journey from the mobility side to respiratory care, and his current role as part of the leadership team at Sova Sage. He explains the company’s innovative use of AI technology to enhance patient compliance and adherence in CPAP therapy. Jamie also discusses the evolution of sales strategies in the industry, the importance of adaptive and efficient technological solutions, and the ongoing impact of policy changes and COVID-19 on the HME landscape. The episode concludes with a rapid-fire round of questions and valuable advice for newcomers to the industry.

On this episode of the Claim to Fame podcast, Alex and Wayne interview Brian Nannie from Notable Systems. Brian shares his extensive experience in the DME and HME sectors, including his 14-year tenure at Lincare, where he served as Chief Data Officer. Brian discusses the transformative power of AI automation in addressing common industry challenges, emphasizing problem-solving, data optimization, and meaningful business impact. He highlights Notable Systems' unique hybrid approach to AI, their consultative methodology, and the importance of a data-driven culture. The conversation also touches on the transition from large enterprises to agile tech environments and the relevance of proactive metrics in the industry. Brian offers valuable advice for operators aiming to establish a data-centric culture.