The rise of the “virtualist” is reshaping how healthcare is delivered.

In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Dr. Lyle Berkowitz, Founder and CEO of KeyCare, shares how his platform is building a future for physicians who choose to practice primarily in telehealth. He explains how flexibility, reduced bureaucracy, and expanded insurance coverage have fueled this trend, especially for working parents, frequent travelers, and semi-retired doctors. While some critics point to limits in physical exams, Dr. Berkowitz notes that most diagnoses rely on patient history, and virtual care can improve access, prevent unnecessary ER visits, and even offer valuable glimpses into patients’ home environments.

He highlights virtual care’s role in advancing health equity by enabling care outside traditional clinic hours and reducing appointment backlogs for complex cases. By integrating directly with Epic’s MyChart, KeyCare ensures coordinated visits, preserves patient trust, and eliminates the need to repeat medical histories. Even patients without internet access can benefit through phone consultations, which are still better than no care at all.

Dr. Berkowitz outlines KeyCare’s differentiator: embedding entirely within Epic to seamlessly share data with health systems, support chronic care through the “three C’s” (cover, co-manage, complete), and offload low-complexity cases from hospitals. He envisions KeyCare evolving into a national virtual medical group that partners with health systems and payers, while leveraging ambient AI to enhance care delivery.

Tune in to hear how Dr. Berkowitz is redefining what it means to “see the doctor” in the digital age!

Firearm-related suicides are a hidden public health emergency driven by social despair and systemic inequities.

In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, WellLink’s Brian Lane, President and CEO, and Dr. Kim Byas, Vice President of Community Engagement and Impact, share how the Center for Health Affairs in Cleveland partnered with AWS to launch a groundbreaking Social Determinants of Health Innovation Hub. Using clean, harmonized data and predictive modeling, their team has uncovered powerful correlations between firearm suicides and factors like unemployment, housing insecurity, and lack of transportation. This data-driven approach is transforming suicide prevention efforts from reactive to proactive.

They discuss how this work has led to targeted interventions, such as deploying trained social workers instead of law enforcement to crisis calls, and inspired replication of the model in other states and internationally. With over 250 organizations collaborating across sectors, the initiative is creating scalable solutions that address both behavioral health crises and their root causes.

Brian and Dr. Byas also reveal how AI and large language models are being used to test interventions, improve care pathways, and reduce healthcare costs, all while strengthening community resilience. Their work proves that solving complex health challenges requires both advanced technology and deep community partnerships.

Tune in to hear how data, collaboration, and innovation are reshaping the future of suicide prevention!

A crucial aspect of alleviating suffering in healthcare involves addressing systemic inefficiencies that make a clinician’s job harder than it needs to be. 

In this episode, Dr. Carla Haack, a surgeon turned Chief Financial Informatics Officer, shares her unique journey and explains how her role connects clinical excellence, data, and financial strategy. She illustrates how resolving technological and financial pain points can directly reduce burnout and improve care. Dr. Haack also explores the transformative power of AI in documentation, the importance of holistic wellness, and why multidisciplinary collaboration is key to building a sustainable healthcare future. 

Tune in to learn how to unlock synergistic collaborations that improve both the bottom line and the human experience in healthcare!

The future of healthcare will be shaped not just by technology, but by the courage to lead through uncertainty, reimagine outdated systems, and humanize innovation from the inside out.

In this special episode from the Texas HIMSS Regional Conference, host Christopher Kunney is joined by three dynamic guests. Marcos Bosche shares how scaling healthcare companies can break free from fragmented systems with customized AI architecture. Dr. Justin Collier reflects on his personal journey from clinical medicine to tech leadership, offering lessons on workflow transformation, cybersecurity, and the promise and risks of AI. Therese Gopaul-Robinson closes with an emotional, insightful look at the leadership crisis in healthcare, explaining why transformation fails without intentional development, inclusion, and confidence-building.

Tune in and learn how custom technology, human-centered leadership, and thoughtful AI implementation are not just ideas; they're the building blocks of healthcare’s next chapter!

As our population ages, are we designing technology that truly meets their needs, or just what we think they need?

In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Dr. Jennifer Boger, Chief Scientific Officer at ESGai Technologies, shares how her love for problem-solving and a personal connection to dementia led her into engineering and health technology. She underscores the flaws in current healthcare systems, particularly their focus on acute care over prevention and quality of life, and calls for a shift toward more holistic, person-centered approaches. Dr. Boger emphasizes that quality of life, though hard to quantify, should be a primary goal of healthcare. She also discusses the importance of designing inclusive technologies that are intuitive and respectful, noting that simplicity should not be mistaken for infantilization, especially when creating tools for older adults.

Dr. Jennifer Boger explores the concept of ambient, zero-effort technologies, tools that are ubiquitous, accessible, and require minimal user effort. She and host Christopher Kunney agree that aging populations need technology that is easy to use without sacrificing dignity or privacy. They raise concerns about digital marginalization, warning that people who can't or choose not to use digital systems risk being excluded from essential services and even from AI-generated insights. Dr. Boger stresses the need for transparency in how data is collected and used, proposing clearer, more accessible summaries of privacy policies to empower users.

Dr. Boger believes that while the concept of “considerate AI”, systems designed with ethical frameworks and human understanding in mind, holds promise, it is challenging to implement and will require time, patience, and brave, collaborative spaces. She envisions AI that supports rather than replaces human decision-making by prompting reflection and enhancing objectivity. Looking ahead, she sees natural language interfaces as a game-changer for independent living. For those entering the field, her advice is to connect directly with the people they’re designing for, involving them early and often to ensure solutions are grounded in real-world needs and experiences.

Tune in to learn how assistive technologies, ethical AI, and human-centered design can reshape aging, healthcare, and independent living! 

What does the way we treat our elders and caregivers say about us as a society?

In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Peter Murphy Lewis, filmmaker and healthcare advocate, explores the urgent challenges facing long-term care in the U.S., including underfunded facilities, a shrinking workforce, low caregiver wages, and a rapidly aging population. Long-term care is a reflection of how society values its elders and caregivers, emphasizing the growing need for reform as millions more Americans turn 65 each year. The system, heavily reliant on undercompensated workers, primarily women of color, and unsupported family caregivers, struggles to provide high-quality, dignified care.

Peter Murphy Lewis shares how his documentary People Worth Caring About was born out of gratitude for caregivers who helped his grandparents. Originally intended to help with staffing shortages in Nebraska, the project has expanded to shift public perception of long-term care nationwide. Peter highlights how fear of aging, death, and dementia distorts views of nursing homes and deters both investment and interest in the sector. By focusing on caregivers and their impact, the documentary seeks to replace stigma with understanding and connection.

The conversation also touches on innovative solutions, from intergenerational care models to global tech integration, and the importance of redefining what "nursing home" means to residents and families. Peter notes that while negative perceptions often come from the media, positive views tend to stem from direct experiences with caregivers. He believes changing the narrative and language around long-term care is crucial, and that investing in relationships, community programs, and the dignity of residents must be non-negotiable in shaping the future of elder care.

Tune in for a powerful conversation with Peter Murphy Lewis as he explores the human stories, hidden challenges, and bold ideas shaping the future of long-term care in America!

Humanity, empathy, and respecting patient wishes are paramount when navigating the complexities of end-of-life care. 

In this episode of Straight Outta Health IT, Gil Bashe, Chair of Global Health and Purpose for FINN Partners, delves into these sensitive topics. Drawing from his unique background as a combat medic, ordained clergy member, and health innovation advocate, Gil discusses the crucial, yet often misunderstood, differences between palliative care, hospice care, and end-of-life planning. He clarifies that palliative care focuses on improving comfort and quality of life at any point during a serious illness, potentially alongside curative treatments. 

Hospice care, conversely, is typically reserved for the final stages, Gil explains, when the focus shifts entirely to comfort and dignity, often requiring additional medical support but tailored to the individual's needs and choices. Host Christopher Kunney shares poignant family experiences, grounding the conversation in real-life challenges. Together, they explore the emotional difficulties faced by patients, families, and even clinicians in initiating these necessary conversations and making decisions, highlighting the discomfort many doctors feel. 

Gil also strongly emphasizes the enduring importance of human connection, intuition, and empathy over purely technological solutions, urging listeners to prepare emotionally and spiritually, perhaps even through letters, alongside legal documents like living wills. 

Tune in and learn why understanding these distinctions and respecting a patient's final wishes are essential aspects of compassionate care!

What does it really take to lead in healthcare policy and data innovation as a woman, and how do we navigate the power, pitfalls, and politics that come with it?

In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Kat McDavitt, President of Insenna, and Lisa Bari, former CEO of Civitas Networks for Health, reflected on their personal experiences as young women in executive roles, highlighting gender-based challenges in the workplace. Kat described her transition from a female-dominated PR consultancy to a more male-centric corporate environment, where she had to adapt her communication style to be heard and recognized. She noted subtle biases, such as having her ideas repeated by men who then received credit, and observed how motherhood often placed an added burden on women’s careers. Lisa, who does not have children, shared how she witnessed the “maternity tax” affect her peers and emphasized the disproportionate negative feedback that women in leadership still receive compared to men, regardless of qualifications or performance.

Shifting focus, Lisa discussed her work at Civitas, a nonprofit that supports its members, primarily public health and healthcare data organizations, in navigating policy, advocacy, and data-sharing frameworks. She stressed the importance of clear messaging, coalition-building, and adaptability, especially during times of policy change. One example she gave was California’s complex and siloed efforts to connect social care and clinical data through Medicaid reforms, where her team works to guide stakeholders toward more integrated solutions that serve patients better.

Kat elaborated on data value and governance, pointing out that while many organizations recognize the financial potential of healthcare data, few understand the broader ecosystem of data use rights and legal limitations. She cautioned against unethical data acquisition practices and warned of the growing commoditization of health data. Both Lisa and Kat highlighted the importance of lawful and transparent data use, noting common misunderstandings about patient ownership of data in the U.S. and advocating for stronger governance and clearer contract negotiations to ensure responsible and equitable data practices.

Tune in for candid reflections on gender dynamics in leadership, the complexities of healthcare data governance, and the evolving role of policy in shaping equitable health systems!

Is FHIR the key to seamless healthcare interoperability? Let’s discuss its impact on AI, security, and patient care.

In this episode, Dr. Ambreén Zaman-Riaz, a physician, healthcare innovator, and leadership expert, as well as the co-founder of Uppshot Lifesciences and host of the Leadership in Medicine Podcast, and our host, Christopher Kunney, a distinguished healthcare technology strategist, serving as Managing Partner and Digital Transformation Strategist at IOTECH Consulting and host of the Straight Out of Health IT podcast, the evolving role of interoperability in healthcare, particularly the shift from HL7 to FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources). Christopher highlights how FHIR’s open standards, API-based structure, and cloud compatibility improve data sharing, patient access, and integration with emerging technologies like AI and machine learning.

Dr. Zaman-Riaz asks about FHIR’s impact, its role in AI evolution, and its future in patient-centric care. Christopher emphasizes that FHIR enables real-time data aggregation, predictive analytics, personalized medicine, and improved clinical decision support. He predicts AI-driven "digital doctors" and virtual care platforms will rely on FHIR for seamless, cost-effective healthcare delivery, especially in remote areas.

They also discuss security concerns, with Christopher stressing the importance of encryption, blockchain, and secure APIs to protect patient data. Blockchain, in particular, is seen as a promising tool for data integrity, fraud prevention, and secure information exchange. Dr. Zaman-Riaz notes that her work involves integrating blockchain for oncology data management and patient-controlled records.

Join Christopher Kunney and Dr. Ambreén Zaman-Riaz as they dive into the transformative impact of FHIR, the role of AI in healthcare, and the future of secure, patient-centric data sharing! 

As our global population ages at an unprecedented rate, the question isn’t just how we care for older adults; it’s how technology can help them live independently and with dignity.

In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Dr. Alex Mihailidis, Vice-Chair of Research at the AGE-WELL Board of Directors, discusses the global challenge of an aging population and the role of technology in addressing healthcare and daily living needs. Dr. Mihailidis highlights key issues such as rising healthcare costs, a shortage of caregivers, and the desire for older adults to age in place. He emphasizes the growing field of "age tech," including smart home systems, robotics, and AI-driven predictive tools that enhance independent living.

AGE-WELL, Canada's Technology and Aging Network, has played a crucial role in fostering collaboration between researchers, industry, and policymakers, ensuring that innovations in aging technology are both practical and impactful. Through initiatives like envisAGE, AGE-WELL helps move promising technologies toward commercialization.

Looking ahead, Dr. Mihailidis sees AI and predictive analytics as game changers in aging care, shifting from detection to prevention of health issues. He stresses that age tech is no longer science fiction but requires interdisciplinary collaboration beyond just STEM fields to shape policies, ensure accessibility, and drive real-world adoption.

Tune in as Dr. Alex Mihailidis shares how smart tech and AI are revolutionizing aging, making independent living safer and easier for all!