HIT Like a Girl Pod: Empowering Women in Health IT

As care delivery expands beyond traditional hospital settings, critical questions emerge:

In this episode of HITea with Grace, Grace Vinton sits down with Laura Rogers, Senior Director of Healthcare Strategy at SHI International, to explore how the "Care Anywhere" model is reshaping healthcare.

They discuss:

🔹 The Driving Forces – Why home-based care is gaining momentum

🔹 Tech & Infrastructure – The IT backbone needed to support remote care

🔹 Key Challenges – From cybersecurity risks to reimbursement barriers

🔹 The Gender Impact – How this shift affects women, who often balance their own health with caregiving duties

What innovations are making "Care Anywhere" possible? What hurdles remain? Tune in for insights that could redefine the future of care delivery!

💡 Brought to you by the HIT Like a Girl Podcast and HITea with Grace – amplifying women’s voices in health IT.

In this episode of HIT Like a Girl, host Demi Radeva sits down with Kristen Valdes, founder and CEO of b.well Connected Health, to explore how interoperability and innovation are reshaping the future of healthcare.

Kristen shares her journey from working with Medicare and Medicaid Services to developing one of the first private Medicare Advantage plans. The conversation dives into:

💡 Kristen’s vision for the future of healthcare is one where technology empowers consumers, simplifies complexity, and bridges gaps in care.

Key Moments:

⏱️ 01:19 | Policy Shifts and Industry Changes

⏱️ 02:52 | Interoperability Challenges and Solutions

⏱️ 05:28 | Consumer Expectations in Healthcare

⏱️ 07:32 | The Future of Digital Health and Partnerships

⏱️ 09:51 | Enabling and Educating Providers

⏱️ 11:36 | Innovations and Partnerships Driving Change

⏱️ 15:00 | Bold Predictions for the Future of Digital Health

🎧 Tune in to hear Kristen’s inspiring insights on how interoperability and innovation are transforming healthcare—and what it means for patients, providers, and policymakers alike.

Why Listen?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about healthcare innovation, interoperability, and the future of consumer-driven care. Kristen’s expertise and vision offer a roadmap for creating a more connected, accessible, and equitable healthcare system.

In this episode of HIT Like a Girl, hosts Demi Radeva and Kim Perry, Chief Growth Officer of emtelligent, dive into the transformative potential of AI in healthcare.

Kim shares her expertise on the evolution of clinical AI, particularly Natural Language Processing (NLP), and how it’s turning unstructured data into actionable insights. 

The conversation explores:

💡 Kim’s insights highlight the importance of closing the “last mile” in healthcare AI—where data meets real-world impact.

Key Moments:

⏱️ 01:03 | Current Trends and Challenges in Healthcare AI

⏱️ 02:34 | The Role of NLP in Clinical Documentation

⏱️ 03:46 | Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption

⏱️ 07:34 | The Future of AI in Healthcare

⏱️ 10:19 | Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🎧 Tune in to discover how AI is revolutionizing healthcare—one insight at a time.

Why Listen?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in AI, healthcare innovation, and the future of data-driven care. Kim’s expertise offers a roadmap for leveraging AI to improve efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes.

In this episode of HIT Like a Girl, host Demi Radeva sits down with Patty Hayward, a trailblazer in healthcare IT with over 25 years of experience.

Patty shares her fascinating journey from conservation biology to tackling some of the biggest challenges in healthcare IT, including automation, AI integration, and improving systems for both payers and providers. The conversation dives into:

💡 Patty’s insights are a powerful reminder that technology is not just about efficiency—it’s about enhancing human connection and care.

Key Moments:

⏱️ 00:14 | Patty Hayward’s Journey into Healthcare

⏱️ 01:28 | The Intersection of Science and Art in Healthcare

⏱️ 02:05 | Policy Shifts and the Role of AI in Healthcare

⏱️ 03:23 | Real-World Applications of AI in Healthcare

⏱️ 04:37 | Responsible AI Adoption: Managing Bias and Ensuring Security

⏱️ 06:48 | How Technology is Transforming Patient Interactions

⏱️ 10:39 | Women Leading the Charge in Healthcare Technology

⏱️ 13:07 | Patty’s Message to Policymakers: Empathy and Intentionality Matter

🎧 Tune in to hear Patty’s inspiring story and learn how we can shape a future where technology and humanity work hand in hand.

Why Listen?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about AI, healthcare innovation, and the human side of technology. Patty’s expertise and perspective offer a roadmap for creating a healthcare system that’s not only smarter but also more compassionate.

In this episode of HIT Like a Girl, hosts Demi Radeva and Shriya Palekar sit down with a visionary healthcare expert to explore how reusable networked identities are transforming the patient experience.

Drawing parallels to their groundbreaking work in secure identity verification at airports, Shriya explains how this innovative approach can streamline healthcare processes, improve efficiency, and empower patients. The conversation dives into:

💡 This episode is a masterclass in how technology can bridge gaps between patients, providers, and policymakers—while putting control back in the hands of consumers.

Key Moments:

⏱️ 00:47 | Vision for a Networked Identity in Healthcare

⏱️ 01:17 | Policy Shifts and Their Impact on the Industry

⏱️ 03:46 | Balancing Provider and Patient Perspectives

⏱️ 04:38 | Identity Verification and Consent Management

⏱️ 05:22 | How the 21st Century Cures Act is Changing the Game

⏱️ 06:17 | Empowering Women in Healthcare Leadership

⏱️ 07:23 | A Message to Policymakers: Prioritize Expertise and Nuance

🎧 Tune in to discover how reusable networked identities are paving the way for a more connected, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare system.

Why Listen?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in healthcare innovation, patient empowerment, and the intersection of technology and policy. The guest’s insights offer a roadmap for creating a healthcare system that works for everyone—patients, providers, and policymakers alike.

In this episode of HIT Like a Girl, guest host Demi Radeva sits down with Molly Schreiber, a passionate patient advocate who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 35 years and rheumatoid arthritis. Molly shares her incredible journey from being a patient to joining Savvy Cooperative, a patient-owned marketplace revolutionizing how healthcare companies access patient insights and data.

Together, Demi and Molly explore:

💡 Molly’s story is a powerful reminder that patients aren’t just beneficiaries of healthcare—they’re its most valuable partners.

Key Moments:

⏱️ 00:17 | Molly’s Personal Healthcare Journey

⏱️ 00:59 | Policy Shifts and Industry Changes

⏱️ 02:21 | Bridging the Gap Between Patient Needs and Industry Delivery

⏱️ 03:18 | How Savvy Cooperative is Empowering Patients

⏱️ 05:36 | Overcoming Challenges in Digital Health Accessibility

⏱️ 07:12 | Interoperability and Patient Control Over Data

⏱️ 08:21 | The Untapped Value of Patient Data

⏱️ 10:07 | Women’s Health Data and Privacy Concerns

⏱️ 11:17 | How to Improve Patient Collaboration in Healthcare

⏱️ 12:24 | Molly’s Message to Policymakers

🎧 Tune in to hear Molly’s inspiring story and learn how patient insights are shaping the future of healthcare.

Why Listen?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about patient advocacy, healthcare innovation, and data-driven solutions. Molly’s insights are a call to action for policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to put patients at the center of healthcare.

🎙️ What does it take to revolutionize healthcare with data?

In this episode of the HIT Like a Girl Podcast, guest host Demi Radeva sits down with Shirel Daniel, a leader in the healthcare startup space, to uncover her unique journey and the transformative work she’s directing at Extrico Health.

From her roots at Syracuse University and Tel Aviv University to her impactful roles with the UN Environment and Philadelphia International Medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, Shirel’s path to healthcare innovation is anything but traditional. Now, as a leader at Extrico Health, she’s harnessing the power of data analytics, AI, and clinical phenotypes to tackle some of healthcare’s biggest challenges—from Revenue Cycle Management to Clinical Documentation Improvement—all while keeping patient privacy and outcomes at the forefront.

Tune in to hear Shirel share:

Key Moments:

⏱️ 00:00 | Shirel’s Nontraditional Path to Health Startups

⏱️ 04:56 | Aligning AI Policy Language for Industry-Wide Impact

⏱️ 08:35 | Breaking Down Patient Privacy Barriers

⏱️ 09:48 | Balancing AI, Security, and Innovation

⏱️ 13:08 | The Shift to Value-Based Care and Better Patient Outcomes

⏱️ 17:06 | Shirel’s Vision for the Future of Healthcare Improvement

💡 This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the intersection of data, AI, and healthcare innovation. Shirel’s insights are a masterclass in navigating the complexities of the industry while staying focused on what matters most: improving patient lives.

Stay Connected:

👉 Follow Shirel Daniel on LinkedIn

👉 Learn more about Extrico Health

🎧 This episode was recorded live at #ViVE2025—where the future of healthcare comes to life.

With a new administration under President Trump, the healthcare industry is poised for significant shifts. How do we adapt, innovate, and lead through change? That’s the focus of this special series on HIT Like a Girl podcast, hosted by Demi Radeva, our newest guest host and a powerhouse in health system financing and innovation. 🌟

In this series, Demi shares her journey and sits down with 6 incredible women experts to explore how they’re navigating change, driving innovation, and shaping the future of healthcare. 

In this first episode, we get to know more about Demi—her background, her mission, and the unique perspective she brings to the conversation.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

00:00 HIT Like a Girl Podcast Returns

04:12 Building Health Equity at Optum

08:09 Missing Startups at ViVE

11:59 Exploring AI's Impact on Stakeholders

13:45 Women's Health Data Privacy Concerns

17:24 Navigating Changing Times Together

Why This Episode Matters

This episode sets the stage for the entire series, introducing Demi’s expertise and passion for healthcare innovation. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a patient, or simply curious about the future of the industry, this conversation will inspire you to think boldly and act decisively in the face of change.

Coming Up in This Series

Demi’s conversations with 6 incredible women experts are just around the corner! All episodes were recorded at #ViVE2025

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming:

Stay in Touch: 

Demi Radeva | Akros Advisory

Chandra Osborn, Chief Behavioral Officer at AdhereHealth, joins Joy to discuss the power of empathy and strategic partnerships in improving medication adherence.

In this episode, Chandra shares her journey from academia to industry, highlighting the challenges and transformations she faced, particularly during the pandemic. We delve into the complexities of medication adherence and the importance of using both subjective and objective measures to track patient success. Chandra also emphasizes the value of strategic partnerships in healthcare and Joy introduces the concept of "upward spirals of goodness," encouraging listeners to invest in self-care and collaboration for better outcomes.

Episode Highlights

00:01:15 - Meet Chandra Osborn: Background and Career Journey

00:05:00 - The Role of Chief Behavioral Officer at AdhereHealth

00:09:49 - Methods for Improving Medication Adherence

00:12:50 - Tracking Success in Patient Care

00:14:05 - The Importance of a Scientific Approach

00:17:15 - Upward Spirals of Goodness: A New Perspective

00:18:31 - Opportunities for Collaboration and Support

Stay connected to Chandra Osborn:

In this episode, Joy Rios engages speaks with Dr. Monica Lypson, Vice Dean for Education at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Lypson shares her inspiring journey from the south side of Chicago to a prominent role in medical education, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, diversity, and effective communication in healthcare. The discussion delves into the challenges of expressing emotions and setting boundaries in a medical setting, as well as the value of learning from the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Episode Highlights

00:00:28 - Meet Monica Lypson

00:01:05 - Monica's Journey in Medicine

00:05:42 - Comfort in Patient Interactions

00:06:06 - Teaching Communication Skills

00:10:14 - Diversity in Medical Training

00:15:14 - Setting Boundaries and Emotions

00:16:19 - Learning from the Next Generation

00:17:41 - Embracing Discomfort in Learning

00: 18:12 - How to Connect with Monica

Stay connected to Monica Lypson: