HLTH Forward Podcast

The Covid- 19 Pandemic has shown us our resilience, innovation in vaccines and technology and equally shown us a broken communication and trust. 

“Scientists and their advocates must do more than simply improve how they explain scientific issues to the public. A broader set of stakeholders must be given a voice in debates about the social, cultural, political, and ethical implications of new discoveries."  says Nicholas Dirks, President and CEO - New York Academy of Sciences.

In this episode, I am conversing with Nicholas Dirks, President and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences, and we walk down the historical lanes of art and science to unlock the answers to challenges in healthcare, we acknowledge that science is primarily an experimentation, and the variation in guidance to the public could erode the trust in science. We discuss what it takes to rebuild trust in science. It involves building communication skills for scientists to communicate better to the public simply and transparently, bringing different stakeholders to the table, such as technology, business, and artists, to enhance further and expand one's thought process.

Nicholas Dirks, a world-renowned Historian and Anthropologist shares with us the importance of viewing healthcare beyond oneself and how we could play roles that can further contribute to society to make this world a better place.

About:
Nicholas Dirks is President and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences.
Dirks was the 10th chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, until mid-2017, where he is Professor of History and Anthropology. An internationally renowned scholar of South Asia, he is a widely respected public intellectual.  At Berkeley he supported initiatives in data science, neuroscience, genomics, and undergraduate education, while fostering collaboration among universities both locally and globally.

Dirks has held numerous fellowships and scholarships and received several scholarly honors, including a MacArthur Foundation residential fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Lionel Trilling Award for his book Castes of Mind. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and serves on numerous national and international bodies, as adviser or member of the board. He is also a Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

About Host
Smriti Kirubanandan has a strong background in robotics and public health and is a Healthcare Executive, where she focuses on driving significant transformations within the healthcare ecosystem, concentrating on customer experience, intelligent automation, data analytics and insights, and is determined to make healthcare more accessible and affordable through innovation and empathy. She also spearheads brand development, thought leadership, and market research. 

Smriti is a selected Young Global Leader 2023 by the World Economic Forum, a member of the Young Leaders Circle at the Milken Institute, and is the Founder of HLTH Forward Podcast- an award-winning media platform that hosts healthcare leaders, policymakers, and artists to discuss the challenges in the system and what we could do collectively to move healthcare forward. 

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The global healthcare IT market size was valued at USD 142.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 17.9% in the forecast period. Global big data in the healthcare market is expected to reach $34.27 billion by 2022 at a CAGR of 22.07%. 

• The global artificial intelligence in the healthcare market was valued at USD 6.7 billion in 2020, compounding by 41% yearly.
• The combined augmented reality and virtual reality markets were worth $12 billion in 2020, with a massive annual growth rate of 54%
• Telehealth went from $306 million to $3.7 billion during the pandemic, 

In this episode, I am in conversation with Suja Chandrasekaran about how technology is revolutionizing healthcare. We discuss that the future of care is hybrid, where the blend of physical and virtual care is driven by the equity of access, efficiency, and efficacy of care enabled by data, and a laser focus on talent management is required to bring value to value-based care.

We acknowledge that the US Healthcare spending is estimated to be $4.3 trillion. At the same time, technology innovations such as wearables rose by 19%, digital therapeutics increased by 32%, and startup funding was targeted to reach $22 billion in 2023. We realize that the trends are moving towards meeting patients where they are and making the patient experience more simple, seamless, and integrated. 

We firmly believe that the future of health requires equity and quality of care while engaging providers and payors, and a fundamental shift is required to promote healthcare, not sick care.

About

Suja Chandrasekaran was Senior EVP, Chief Digital and Information Officer at CommonSpirit Health. She is an industry-recognized global operation and digital transformation leader. Previously, she has been a member of executive leadership teams and global chief of digital and tech at large companies, including Walmart, Inc, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Nestle S.A., and The Timberland Company. 

Suja serves as a board member on the boards of public companies American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO), a global omnichannel apparel retailer, and Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH), a healthcare and pharma-centered, Fortune 15 company. She is also on the boards of private companies - digital supply chain tech platform Blume Global Technologies and Agendia Inc, a precision medicine molecular diagnostics company focused on breast cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment. 

About Host
Smriti Kirubanandan has a strong background in robotics and public health and is a Healthcare Executive, where she focuses on driving significant transformations within the healthcare ecosystem, concentrating on customer experience, intelligent automation, data analytics and insights, and is determined to make healthcare more accessible and affordable through innovation and empathy. She also spearheads brand development, thought leadership, and market research. 

Smriti is a selected Young Global Leader 2023 by the World Economic Forum, a member of the Young Leaders Circle at the Milken Institute, and is the Founder of HLTH Forward Podcast- an award-winning media platform that hosts healthcare leaders, policymakers, and artists to discuss the challenges in the system and what we could do collectively to move healthcare forward. 

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3.6 Million Americans miss doctor appointments due to a lack of reliable transportation. No-show rates are as high as 30% nationwide. Meeting patients where they are to reduce healthcare costs, improve preventive care and reduce workforce burden has been possible when we realize there are many players in our ecosystem.

In this episode, I am conversing with Caitlin Donovan, the Global Head of Uber Health. We buckle up and take an Uber ride through the complicated roads within our healthcare world and discuss how we can make healthcare more accessible and affordable. We take a few breaks through our journey to acknowledge how far we have come by making technology innovations and using data to drive proactive care as providers and payors work in sync to address our patient's most challenging concerns, such as transportation and continuous care.

We finally stopped at our destination with the three takeaways for the future of health, which involves being able to execute value-based care and innovative technologies along with creating an integrated view on point solutions that integrates benefits design, operations design, and all key stakeholders that would result in a positive outcome.

About Host
Smriti Kirubanandan has a strong background in robotics and public health and is a Healthcare Executive, where she focuses on driving significant transformations within the healthcare ecosystem, concentrating on customer experience, intelligent automation, data analytics and insights, and is determined to make healthcare more accessible and affordable through innovation and empathy. She also spearheads brand development, thought leadership, and market research. 

Smriti is a selected Young Global Leader 2023 by the World Economic Forum, a member of the Young Leaders Circle at the Milken Institute, and is the Founder of HLTH Forward Podcast- an award-winning media platform that hosts healthcare leaders, policymakers, and artists to discuss the challenges in the system and what we could do collectively to move healthcare forward. 

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With the Pandemic and war in Ukraine, there has been a drastic increase in Poverty - reaching up to 95 million people globally. In the US alone, 40 million Americans face Poverty, leading to a lack of access to healthcare, proper shelter, nutritious food, and a life of peace and dignity.  

Darryl Finkton. JR, founder of End Poverty Make Trillions, Rhodes Scholar @Oxford University, Researcher @Harvard University. 
He believes there’s enough money in the world to help put an end to poverty. But only if it’s distributed differently than it is today. Last year, the investor left a career in asset management to launch a $1 billion venture fund aimed at eradicating poverty. It’s an ambitious goal, but Finkton Jr. has a plan. And now he’s raised $200 million as an initial close to help execute that plan.

More- https://www.endpovertymaketrillions.com/the-plan

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Digitization of health records and the increasing popularity of digital health tools and apps, we have more healthcare data than ever before, and data science is helping us leverage this data to unlock new possibilities for science and for patients.  Artificial intelligence and machine learning, applied to diverse, de-identified data sets, is helping us better understand diseases, identify and design better molecules, conduct more efficient, targeted and representative clinical trials, and diagnose patients with rare and difficult to detect diseases earlier. In short, these data points hold the answers to many unknowns.

In this episode, I am in conversation with Najat Khan, Chief Data Science Officer and Global Head, Strategy & Operations for Pharma R&D at Johnson & Johnson. We connect our dots by discussing what has inspired her to be in the healthcare field, her approach to strategically deploying data science to drive impact, and so much more. We unlock the potential of data science with consciousness, intelligence, and pure curiosity.

About:
Najat Khan, Ph.D., is the Chief Data Science Officer and Global Head of Strategy &  Operations for R&D at the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson – a unique combination of leadership roles in the healthcare industry.

As Chief Data Science Officer, Najat leads a team of 100+ data scientists and data engineers who are leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, machine learning, real-world data and digital health – from end-to-end across Janssen’s pharmaceutical pipeline – to do things in pharma R&D that couldn’t be done before and drive
transformational innovation for patients. 

As Global Head of R&D Strategy & Operations, Najat shapes Janssen’s R&D strategy, including key pipeline and portfolio decisions and new strategic initiatives—all focused on delivering on the company’s mission of changing the trajectory of healthcare.

About Host
Smriti Kirubanandan has a strong background in robotics and public health and is a Healthcare Executive, where she focuses on driving significant transformations within the healthcare ecosystem, concentrating on customer experience, intelligent automation, data analytics and insights, and is determined to make healthcare more accessible and affordable through innovation and empathy. She also spearheads brand development, thought leadership, and market research. 

Smriti is a selected Young Global Leader 2023 by the World Economic Forum, a member of the Young Leaders Circle at the Milken Institute, and is the Founder of HLTH Forward Podcast- an award-winning media platform that hosts healthcare leaders, policymakers, and artists to discuss the challenges in the system and what we could do collectively to move healthcare forward. 

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In this episode, I am in conversation with Sven Gierlinger, Chief Experience Officer at Northwell Health.

Sven graciously shares his personal experience and what has inspired him to shift from an incredible background in hospitality to elevating patient experience within healthcare. As we stroll through the patient experience journey within the healthcare ecosystem, we unravel the challenges, complexities, and inequities. We find ourselves rejoicing in solutions that Sven seems to have successfully implemented, such as reigning in Michelin Star Chefs to change the narrative on the quality of food being served, curating a "Team Lavender" to address physician burnout proactively, inspired by a military model, curating empathy training curriculum for physicians, instituting music in the lobbies and much more.

We deep dive into our passion space which is fueling the FoodRx movement- delivering nutritious and high-quality food to all to elevate and nourish members in healthcare and the authentic impact food as medicine plays in our health and wellness journey.

About
With a focus on providing exceptional customer service and delivering the highest quality care, Sven Gierlinger is responsible for building an engaging, innovative and collaborative culture that drives organizational growth and customer loyalty through the customer experience.

He came to Northwell from the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit where he served as vice president, hospitality and service culture, responsible for creating a superior and consistent service experience for patients, visitors and employees. Mr. Gierlinger worked closely with leadership to drive culture change around improving the customer experience in every encounter across the system. 

Prior to that, he was administrator, hospitality services, for Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, responsible for all aspects of non-clinical operations, the Wellness & Integrative Health Center, retail shops and café, and the customer experience.

Mr. Gierlinger began his career in the luxury hotel business, holding a series of leadership positions with the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. He played a key role in the openings of several Ritz-Carlton hotels in Germany, Japan, Indonesia and the United States, responsible for executing and implementing Ritz-Carlton service standards, training staff and leading teams of trainers.

About Host
Smriti Kirubanandan has a strong background in robotics and public health and is a Healthcare Executive, where she focuses on driving significant transformations within the healthcare ecosystem, concentrating on customer experience, intelligent automation, data analytics and insights, and is determined to make healthcare more accessible and affordable through innovation and empathy. She also spearheads brand development, thought leadership, and market research. 

Smriti is a selected Young Global Leader 2023 by the World Economic Forum, a member of the Young Leaders Circle at the Milken Institute, and is the Founder of HLTH Forward Podcast- an award-winning media platform that hosts healthcare leaders, policymakers, and artists to discuss the challenges in the system and what we could do collectively to move healthcare forward. 

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Through the hustling and bustling sounds of busy streets of Mumbai, as the sun rises over the spectacular horizon, we pour ourselves a cup of Chai (tea), with the flavors of cardamom and ginger refreshing us for one of the most critical conversations of this year and beyond is the Future of Transformational Leadership.

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Ritu Anand, Chief Leadership and Diversity Officer of Tata Consultancy Services, a global giant that serves all industries across most sectors, holding 620,000 employees. We unfold what it takes to be an authentic, empathetic, and trustworthy leader by discussing the hopes and challenges in the space of DE&I.

We immerse ourselves into the evolution of DE&I by revealing that it is indeed a mindset than a program that an organization needs to focus on. Most importantly, we agree that the real form of a good leader is one who can think beyond themselves and shows up to be authentic, empathetic, and dares to wear their heart on their sleeves.

About
Dr Ritu Anand is a PhD scholar in psychology and the Senior Vice President and Chief Leadership And Diversity Officer at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). She has worked towards encouraging women's leadership, establishing diversity in workspaces and ensuring the safety of women at work.

About Host
Smriti Kirubanandan has a strong background in robotics and public health and is a Healthcare Executive, where she focuses on driving significant transformations within the healthcare ecosystem, concentrating on customer experience, intelligent automation, data analytics and insights, and is determined to make healthcare more accessible and affordable through innovation and empathy. She also spearheads brand development, thought leadership, and market research. 

Smriti is a selected Young Global Leader 2023 by the World Economic Forum, a member of the Young Leaders Circle at the Milken Institute, and is the Founder of HLTH Forward Podcast- an award-winning media platform that hosts healthcare leaders, policymakers, and artists to discuss the challenges in the system and what we could do collectively to move healthcare forward. 

Support the show

Immigration to the United States from India started in the early 19th century when Indian immigrants began settling in communities along the West Coast. Although they originally arrived in small numbers, new opportunities arose in middle of the 20th century, and the population grew larger in following decades. As of 2019, about 2.7 million Indian immigrants resided in the United States. Today, Indian immigrants account for approximately 6 percent of the U.S. foreign-born population, making them the second-largest immigrant group in the country, after Mexicans and ahead of immigrants from China and the Philippines.

The Indian diaspora have managed to make a mark in fields as diverse as academia, arts, business, entertainment, healthcare, media, philanthropy, politics, government, science, technology and more. 

About Indiaspora
Indiaspora, a nonprofit organization, is a network of global Indian origin leaders from diverse backgrounds and professions who are committed to inspiring the diaspora to be a force for good by providing a platform to collaborate, build community engagement, and catalyze social change.

Founded in 2012 by M.R. Rangaswami and led by Executive Director Sanjeev Joshipura, an esteemed Board, and our  Founders Circle, our members are committed to building stronger communities with a culture of giving and inspiring social change.

About Host
Smriti Kirubanandan has a strong background in robotics and public health and is a Healthcare Executive, where she focuses on driving significant transformations within the healthcare ecosystem, concentrating on customer experience, intelligent automation, data analytics and insights, and is determined to make healthcare more accessible and affordable through innovation and empathy. She also spearheads brand development, thought leadership, and market research. 

Smriti is a selected Young Global Leader 2023 by the World Economic Forum, a member of the Young Leaders Circle at the Milken Institute, and is the Founder of HLTH Forward Podcast- an award-winning media platform that hosts healthcare leaders, policymakers, and artists to discuss the challenges in the system and what we could do collectively to move healthcare forward. 

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Data plays a crucial role in determining one's entire ecosystem to give them the proper care at the right time. Data integrity, integration, and interoperability are critical in helping us achieve this. In this episode, I speak with Micky Tripathi, the National Coordinator for Health Information at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

We discuss the role data plays in our health and wellness ecosystem, the evolution of data standards like HL7 and FHIR, and the future of digital health. We get a bit more candid about what standardization means, whether we all speak the same language, and the work we collectively have to do to address social determinants of health, creating transparency and, most importantly, building trust. Micky also shares the importance of changing the lens from interoperability to interactivity to reign in a more human touch to the world of Health IT.

About Micky Tripathi
Micky Tripathi is the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he leads the formulation of the federal health IT strategy and coordinates federal health IT policies, standards, programs, and investments. 

Dr. Tripathi has over 20 years of experience across the health IT landscape. He most recently served as Chief Alliance Officer for Arcadia, a health care data and software company focused on population health management and value-based care, the project manager of the Argonaut Project, an industry collaboration to accelerate the adoption of FHIR, and a board member of HL7, the Sequoia Project, the CommonWell Health Alliance, and the CARIN Alliance.

About Host
Smriti Kirubanandan has a strong background in robotics and public health and is a Healthcare Executive, where she focuses on driving significant transformations within the healthcare ecosystem, concentrating on customer experience, intelligent automation, data analytics and insights, and is determined to make healthcare more accessible and affordable through innovation and empathy. She also spearheads brand development, thought leadership, and market research. 

Smriti is a selected Young Global Leader 2023 by the World Economic Forum, a member of the Young Leaders Circle at the Milken Institute, and is the Founder of HLTH Forward Podcast- an award-winning media platform that hosts healthcare leaders, policymakers, and artists to discuss the challenges in the system and what we could do collectively to move healthcare forward. 

Support the show

Twenty-one million Americans have at least one addiction, yet only 10% receive treatment. Drug overdose deaths have more than tripled since 1990. Alcohol and drug addiction cost the US economy over $600 billion yearly.

In this episode, I am in conversation with Dr.Drew Pinsky. We unfold addiction, and as we peel the many layers to systemic issues and individual concerns, it is evident that addressing our mental health and our brain as vital organ is critical. Dr. Drew shares his journey, challenges, and hopes on what we need to do to address substance abuse, the importance of being physically active to take care of your brain health, and the power of empathy. 

About Dr.Drew
David Drew Pinsky, commonly known as Dr. Drew, is an American media personality, internist, and addiction medicine specialist. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio talk show Loveline from the show's inception in 1984 until its end in 2016.

Additionally, Pinsky hosts the Dr. Drew Podcast , which is currently the #1 health podcast on iTunes. Dr. Drew also co-hosts the Adam and Dr. Drew Podcast with his former Loveline co-host Adam Carolla. 

Pinsky is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism is Seducing America (Harper-Collins), and Cracked: Putting Broken Lives Together Again (Harper-Collins). Dr. Drew co-authored the first academic study on celebrities and narcissism. The study was published in the Journal of Research in Personality (Elsevier) and received worldwide press coverage.
www.drdrew.com

About Host
Smriti Kirubanandan has a strong background in robotics and public health and is a Healthcare Executive, where she focuses on driving significant transformations within the healthcare ecosystem, concentrating on customer experience, intelligent automation, data analytics and insights, and is determined to make healthcare more accessible and affordable through innovation and empathy. She also spearheads brand development, thought leadership, and market research. 

Smriti is a selected Young Global Leader 2023 by the World Economic Forum, a member of the Young Leaders Circle at the Milken Institute, and is the Founder of HLTH Forward Podcast- an award-winning media platform that hosts healthcare leaders, policymakers, and artists to discuss the challenges in the system and what we could do collectively to move healthcare forward. 

Support the show