Tech It to the Limit Episode 3.11 - HLTH-Y Dose Part 2: The Future of Agentic, Ambient, and Diagnostic Artificial Intelligence

In this second part of HLTH, Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson dive back into the cutting-edge world of AI, focusing on technology that not only acts but also listens and sees what humans can’t. The episode features three insightful conversations from HLTH this fall, proving that the future isn't just about AI, it's about AI that works for you.

First, meet Jon Wang, CEO of Assort Health, who explores the frontier of agentic AI.

Next, Dr. Adam Glasofer of Vertex Health brings a reality check to the flashy health tech landscape.

Finally, Dr. Zachary Tan and Jeff Dunkel of Optain Health demonstrate how their AI-powered retinal exam transforms diagnostic care.

In This Episode:

• [00:47] Welcome back: Bonus episode 2.0
• [02:16] Exploring agentic AI with Assort Health
• [06:03] Interview with Jon Wang, CEO of Assort Health
• [21:47] The future of ambient innovation with Vertex Health
• [23:12] Interview with Dr. Adam Glasofer of Vertex Health
• [30:33] Survival tips for health tech startups
• [32:43] Navigating health conferences as a founder
• [42:37] AI and retinal screening innovations
• [49:23] Scaling precision imaging in frontline care
• [55:00] Wrapping up and looking ahead

Resources:

Tech It To The Limit Podcast

• Website
• Apple Podcast

Jon Wang

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonxwang
• Assort Health - https://www.assorthealth.com/

Dr. Adam Glasofer

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-glasofer-md
• Vertex Health - https://vertexhealthconsulting.com/

Dr. Zachary Tan

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharytan

Jeff Dunkel

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-dunkel-5529aa4

Sarah Harper

• LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharper

Elliott Wilson

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

In this special HLTH bonus episode of Tech It to the Limit, hosts Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson battle post-conference fatigue and full-blown health FOMO by bringing the conference floor straight to your earbuds. While Sarah recovers from a “very real case of health FOMO,” Elliott reports from the trenches after surviving days of buzzwords, badge scanners, and $9 lattes. To shake up the usual format, they press play on two standout booth interviews from HLTH.

First, Elliott sits down with Dr. Lynne Nowak of Surescripts for a deep dive into seamless prescribing, touchless prior authorization, interoperability, and price transparency. Dr. Lynne breaks down how automation is shrinking prior auth from a multi-day nightmare into a near-instant, 30-second reality, reducing burnout for clinicians and removing friction for patients who just want their meds on time and at a price they can afford.

Then, the episode shifts into venture-building mode with returning guest John Beadle of Aegis Ventures. John unpacks how his consortium model is helping health systems move from “innovation theater” to real innovation delivery by building and scaling AI companies faster than the market average. From ambient AI becoming table stakes to the rise of patient-facing agents, he offers a clear view of where healthcare innovation is headed next.

In this episode:

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:16] Health conference recap setup
• [07:13] Interview Dr. lynne Nowak automation and burnout
• [10:25] Touchless prior authorization explained
• [12:59] Interoperability and data exchange
• [18:11] Trust and data governance
• [19:55] Future of data science at Surescripts
• [21:12] Interview wrap up Dr. lynne
• [24:42] Interview John Beadle AI startups and health systems
• [26:02] Startup success metrics and examples
• [28:11] Clinician experience and ambient AI
• [32:19] Advice for health conference attendees
• [33:07] Sponsor segment HIPAA compliance tool
• [34:22] Episode wrap up and teaser for part two
• [35:40] Healthtech haiku and sign-off

Resources:

Tech It To The Limit Podcast

• Website
• Apple Podcast

Dr. Lynne Nowak

• LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnee-nowak-md-62054583/
• Surescripts - https://surescripts.com/

John Beadle

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpbeadle/
• Aegis Ventures - https://aegisventures.com/

Sarah Harper

• LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharper

Elliott Wilson

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

In this final episode of Season 3 of Tech It to the Limit, hosts Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson go global and get grounded with a very special guest. After sharing travel tales from Germany and the HLTH conference, Sarah and Elliott debut their new game, “Trust-O-Meter,” rating real-world health tech scandals and solutions on a scale from “hospital stairwell cell signal” to “grandma’s green bean casserole.”

Then, they sit down with Dr. David Rhew, Global Chief Medical Officer at Microsoft, for a wide-ranging, surprisingly personal conversation on everything from his pivot from academia to industry ( a VA grant pushed him out) to the future of oculomics, voice biomarkers, and responsible AI. Dr. Rhew breaks down the three layers of bias, explains why implementation is everything, and doesn’t shy away from the hard truth about AI and the future of the healthcare workforce. It’s a deep, funny, and profoundly human conversation to close out the season.

The episode wraps with Wise Nugs and a final health tech haiku, leaving listeners hopeful and ready for Season 4.

Key Takeaways

• Trust needs humans in the loop: AI earns credibility when it supports clinical workflows, not replaces them.

• Bias hides in plain sight. Data, model design, and deployment all carry bias. Responsible AI means addressing all three.

• Implementation eats innovation for breakfast: Technology does not change healthcare; adoption and usability do.

• Your eyes and voice are the new vital signs: Oculomics and voice biomarkers are turning everyday signals into early detection tools.

• Equity must be built in, not bolted on:“Neutral AI” does not exist. Fairness and transparency have to be engineered from the start.

• Automation is not the enemy; stagnation is :AI will replace tasks, not purpose. The key is reskilling and redefining human work.

In this episode:

• [00:00:13] Welcome to the season 3 finale
• [00:01:19] Host travel log
• [00:05:24] Game debut: Trust-o-meter
• [00:22:01] Interview: Dr. David Rhew
• [00:23:34] Dad jokes and Korean BBQ regrets
• [00:25:27] From white coat to cloud
• [00:30:52] Bridging the hype-reality gap
• [00:34:50] Oculomics: The 2-minute eye scan
• [00:35:13] Voice biomarkers
• [00:38:02] The DMA of bias
• [00:45:27] The TRAIN consortium
• [00:48:45] Cloud consolidation and data stewardship
• [00:56:49] Setting the rules: Microsoft’s role
• [00:58:29] Call to action: Operationalizing trust
• [01:05:32] Spicy nugs: Key takeaways
• [01:14:09] Health tech haiku and sign-off

Resources:

Tech It To The Limit Website

Apple Podcast

Dr. David Rhew

Sarah Harper

Elliott Wilson

In this final episode of Season 3 of Tech It to the Limit, hosts Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson go global and get grounded with a very special guest. After sharing travel tales from Germany and the HLTH conference, Sarah and Elliott debut their new game, “Trust-O-Meter,” rating real-world health tech scandals and solutions on a scale from “hospital stairwell cell signal” to “grandma’s green bean casserole.”

Then, they sit down with Dr. David Rhew, Global Chief Medical Officer at Microsoft, for a wide-ranging, surprisingly personal conversation on everything from his pivot from academia to industry ( a VA grant pushed him out) to the future of oculomics, voice biomarkers, and responsible AI. Dr. Rhew breaks down the three layers of bias, explains why implementation is everything, and doesn’t shy away from the hard truth about AI and the future of the healthcare workforce. It’s a deep, funny, and profoundly human conversation to close out the season.

The episode wraps with Wise Nugs and a final health tech haiku, leaving listeners hopeful and ready for Season 4.

Key Takeaways

• Trust needs humans in the loop :AI earns credibility when it supports clinical workflows, not replaces them.

• Bias hides in plain sight :Data, model design, and deployment all carry bias. Responsible AI means addressing all three.

• Implementation eats innovation for breakfast: Technology does not change healthcare; adoption and usability do.

• Your eyes and voice are the new vital signs :Oculomics and voice biomarkers are turning everyday signals into early detection tools.

• Equity must be built in, not bolted on:“Neutral AI” does not exist. Fairness and transparency have to be engineered from the start.

• Automation is not the enemy; stagnation is :AI will replace tasks, not purpose. The key is reskilling and redefining human work.

In this episode:

• [00:00:13] Welcome to the season 3 finale
• [00:01:19] Host travel log
• [00:05:24] Game debut: Trust-o-meter
• [00:22:01] Interview: Dr. David Rhew
• [00:23:34] Dad jokes and Korean BBQ regrets
• [00:25:27] From white coat to cloud
• [00:30:52] Bridging the hype-reality gap
• [00:34:50] Oculomics: The 2-minute eye scan
• [00:38:02] The DMA of bias
• [00:45:27] The TRAIN consortium
• [00:48:45] Cloud consolidation and data stewardship
• [00:58:29] Call to action: Operationalizing trust
• [01:05:32] Spicy nugs: Key takeaways
• [01:14:09] Health tech haiku and sign-off

Resources:

Tech It To The Limit Podcast

• Website
• Apple Podcast

Dr. David Rhew

• LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-rhew-m-d-1832764/

Sarah Harper

• LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharper

Elliott Wilson

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

In this episode of Tech It To The Limit, hosts Sarah Harper and Elliot Wilson revisit generational myths in digital health and reveal why age isn’t the real barrier to adoption. Through their new game, Fact Check Fever, and a deep dive into the Capability-Motivation-Context (CMC) framework, they show how design, usability, and trust matter far more than birth year. From busting stereotypes to exploring how health systems can design with users, not for them, it’s a witty, insightful look at the future of inclusive, human-centered innovation.

Key Takeaways

• Generational myths don’t hold up: Boomers use portals, Gen Z cares about privacy, and every group struggles with clunky design, not just “digital natives.”

• Design trumps demographics: Adoption isn’t about age, it’s about usability, accessibility, and human-centered design.

• Follow the CMC framework: Capability, motivation, and context, not birth year, to predict whether people engage with health tech.

• Health equity requires intention: Neutral AI does not exist; equity has to be actively built into technology.

• The biggest unifier isn’t age: A diagnosis, condition, or shared health journey brings people together across generations more than labels like Boomer or Gen Z.

In this episode:

• [00:00:13] Welcome & episode introduction
• [00:00:55] Recap of Mayo Clinic live show
• [00:02:36] Looking ahead to HLTH: speakers, tracks, and the health tech “fashion week” vibe
• [00:05:08] Conference tracks & awards
• 00:07:13] Launching Fact Check Fever: busting myths on portals, EHR burnout, Gen Z TikTok habits, and more
• [00:07:37] Fact Check Fever: generational myths & data
• [00:19:24] Break for fake sponsor: Patient Portal Plus Plus
• [00:20:44] Sincere segment: CMC framework for health tech adoption
• [00:22:24] Deep dive: CMC framework explained
• [00:31:17] Designing with, not for, users
• [00:35:31] Break for fake sponsor: Bias Focals
• [00:37:14] Spicy Nugs: co-host lightning round
• [00:46:41] Closing thoughts, HLTH call-to-action, and Elliot’s health tech haiku

Resources

Tech It To The Limit Podcast

• Website
• Apple Podcast

Sarah Harper

• LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharper

Elliott Wilson

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

In this episode of Tech it to the Limit, Dr. Rachel Harrington (NCQA) joins hosts Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson to unpack how digital tools are reshaping healthcare—and why equity must be part of the equation. From fixing biased data to evolving HEDIS and designing with communities, it’s a sharp look at the future of human-centered, tech-powered care.

Key Takeaways

• Start with the right data: If we don’t ask the right questions and reflect real diversity, we’re guessing, not solving.
• Co-create with communities: Don’t design for people—design with them to build solutions that actually work.
• Go beyond broad stats: Break down the data to see what different groups really need.
• Tackle the root causes: Health isn’t just about doctors—it’s about housing, food, transport, and more.
• Act, don’t just assess: Finding problems is easy. Solving them takes real action.

In this episode:

• [00:00:00] Welcome to Tech it to the Limit
• [00:01:43] Insights from the Mayo Clinic AI Summit
• [00:04:05] Segment spotlight – “Guess That Quality Data Acronym”:
• [00:11:05] Conversation with Dr. Rachel Harrington, NCQA: advancing equity through data and measurement
• [00:26:15] Collaborating across sectors: the importance of community-based partnerships
• [00:27:12] Stratification and the role of data transparency in identifying quality gaps
• [00:27:44] Transitioning to HEDIS: why equity must be embedded in quality measurement
• [00:29:15] The impact of race and ethnicity stratification in performance metrics
• [00:32:13] Aligning incentives across payers, providers, and systems for greater accountability
• [00:39:12] Designing for equity: avoiding bias in digital health tools through inclusive development
• [00:42:57] A call to action: how digital health leaders can make equity core to their strategy
• [00:46:02] Final reflections and key insights

Our Guest

Dr. Rachel Harrington is the Assistant Vice President of Health Equity at the NCQA, where she leads the Equity and HEDIS initiative. With a Ph.D. in pharmacy systems and a background in regulatory science, health economics, and public policy, Rachel has a wealth of experience in healthcare data, quality improvement, and social determinants of health. Her work ensures that healthcare systems deliver equitable, effective care for all communities.

Resources

Dr. Rachel Harrington

• NCQA
• Dr. Rachel Harrington
• We Ask Because We Care campaign

Tech It To The Limit Podcast

• Website
• Apple Podcast

In this episode of Tech It to the Limit, Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson chat with Elizabeth Boudreau, ex-AWS exec and co-founder of Practical Acceleration. They kick off with a satirical “SnoreSense” pitch, then dive into real talk on building meaningful healthcare tech, covering equity, trust, and designing for life’s seasons. Honest, smart, and full of heart—don’t miss it.

Key Takeaways

• Tech equity starts at the margins. Building inclusive digital health solutions means designing first for the communities most often left out. Not only is it ethical, it's a smart strategy.

• Startups need soul and structure. Elizabeth encourages founders to reject burnout culture and instead design businesses that align with their energy, values, and the season they’re in.

• AI needs boundaries and trust. Success in health tech is about more than algorithms; it’s about solving real problems, with real people, in ways that build confidence and connection.

• Talk to the people you're building for. Your user knows what’s broken. You just have to ask. Assume less. Ask more. Build better.

In this episode:

• [00:00:00] Introduction: July birthdays, post-Pride recovery, and co-host reunion in NYC
• [00:02:37] Startup satire: “Snore Sense” pitch parody AI pillows, shame graphs, and FDA awareness
• [00:08:18] Interview with Elizabeth Boudreaux, Co-Founder of Practical Acceleration
• [00:11:30] What is tech equity? Designing with, not just for, underserved communities
• [00:16:50] AI hype cycle: The danger of black box solutions in healthcare
• [00:18:00] The future of tech that disappears—ambient voice and reconnection at the bedside
• [00:19:55] Women in tech: Navigating leadership, equity at home, and saying yes to the unknown
• [00:26:07] A day in the life of a founder: Lists, calendars, and no such thing as “typical”
• [00:30:04] Redefining success: Building companies that match your life stage
• [00:35:35] Behind the scenes: Putting HIPAA data in the public cloud for the first time
• [00:40:50] Founder advice: Talk to your user, challenge your assumptions, solve real problems
• [00:45:12] Wise Nuggets: Career truths, growth seasons, and the ROI of building slow

Guest

Elizabeth Boudreau is co-founder of Practical Acceleration, a firm that helps health tech companies scale with purpose. A digital transformation leader, she previously drove U.S. healthcare strategy at AWS, launching its first consumer diagnostics product during COVID-19.

With a career built on innovation and inclusion, Elizabeth has led HIPAA-compliant cloud projects, championed techquity, and advised both startups and governments. Her mantra: success isn’t about the grind, it’s about building a life that works.

Resources

Elizabeth Phillips Boudreau

• Practical Acceleration
• Elizabeth Boudreau

Sarah Harper

• Sarah Harper

Elliott Wilson

• Elliott Wilson
• Flying Pig Consulting

In this special Pride Month episode of Tech It to the Limit, co-hosts Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson dive into LGBTQ+ health equity, inclusive tech, and leading authentically in healthcare. They’re joined by Jason Bellett, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at Eko Health, whose intelligent stethoscope is transforming how providers detect heart disease. Jason opens up about his journey as an openly gay founder, the intersection of innovation and equity, and the urgent need for inclusive leadership.

Key Takeaways

• LGBTQ+ healthcare has come a long way—but the fight for equity and access continues.
• Eko Health’s AI-powered stethoscope enables early heart disease detection through FDA-cleared algorithms and inclusive design.
• Algorithmic equity matters: representative datasets and diverse health partners are key to reducing bias.
• Authentic leadership in healthcare requires visibility and courage, especially in today’s climate.
• In the face of policy rollbacks, private sector leaders must step up to build inclusive tech and equitable systems.

In this episode:

• [00:00:00] Pride Month kickoff + queer health visibility
• [00:01:25] “Holz Check” LGBTQ+ healthcare rights timeline
• [00:08:27] 10+ health tech companies advancing queer care
• [00:12:28] Interview with Jason Bellett
• [00:15:30] What is an intelligent stethoscope?
• [00:20:15] Equity in AI + reducing algorithmic bias
• [00:25:35] Eko’s role in smart hospitals and virtual care
• [00:27:46] What Jason wishes he knew 10 years ago
• [00:31:05] Leading authentically as a gay founder
• [00:34:14] Advice for LGBTQ+ health tech professionals
• [00:38:45] Call to action for DEI in healthcare
• [00:42:22] Spicy Nuggets: Buzzwords, pride, and cooties

Resources and Links

Jason Bellett

• LinkedIn
• Eko Health

Pride Month Spotlights

• Folks Health
• Plume Health
• QueerDoc
• OutCare Health
• Howard Brown Health
• Mazzoni Center
• Fenway Health
• Euphoria Apps
• MyLabBox
• For Them
• Equality MD

In this Nurses’ Month special episode, Tech It to the Limit co-hosts Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson honor nurses for their dedication and pivotal role in healthcare innovation. This episode explores the ongoing challenges in digital healthcare technology, the mistakes made by overlooking nurses in tech design, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how we can create nurse-centered designs to improve healthcare systems. They also interview Dr. Katie Boston-Leary, Senior VP of Equity and Engagement at the American Nurses Association, who brings over 30 years of leadership experience to discuss how health tech can better serve nurses and patients alike.

Key Takeaways

• The importance of nurse-centered design in healthcare tech and why it’s essential for designers to involve nurses throughout the entire product lifecycle
• How AI and automation in healthcare tools are often ineffective without input from nurses, leading to errors and inefficiencies
• The impact of gender bias and misogyny in technology development, contributing to the underrepresentation of nurses in health tech decision-making
• The need for empathy in leadership, where healthcare leaders must engage with their teams, understand their challenges, and adapt technology to support—not replace—human connection
• Dr. Katie Boston Leary’s insights into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in healthcare, and how healthcare leaders should be responsible for both the intent and impact of their decisions

In this episode:

• [00:00:00] Introduction to Nurses Month & Why It’s Important to Highlight Nurses in Tech
• [00:02:05] New Segment: Tech That Didn’t Ask a Nurse, Highlighting Tech Blunders
• [00:17:00] Why nurse-centered design matters and how it benefits patient outcomes
• [00:20:00] Interview with Dr. Katie Boston Leary: Nurses Leading the Charge for Change in Health Tech
• [00:23:30] The Role of DEI in healthcare leadership and tech development
• [00:27:00] How to approach repairing trust in technology and healthcare
• [00:30:30] Empathy, collaboration, and leadership: Building a better tech ecosystem for healthcare
• [00:38:00] Wrapping up Nurses Month & Honoring Healthcare Workers
• [00:40:30] Closing Remarks: Stay Tuned for Next Month’s Episode

Notable Quotes:

[03:40 - 03:59] “If you’re building healthcare technology without involving nurses, you’re doing it wrong. You can’t create something that works for them if you don’t ask them what they need.” – Elliott Wilson

[12:14 - 12:30] “Technology is meant to support nurses, not to make their jobs harder. We’ve got to get it right from the start.” – Sarah Harper

[34:01 - 34:15] “You can’t fix healthcare with just a product. You need the right people at the table, and that includes the nurses who are on the front lines every day.” – Dr. Katie Boston-Leary

Resources and Links

Dr. Katie Boston-Leary

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebostonleary

Sarah Harper

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharper/

Elliott Wilson

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson/

In this first-ever video episode of Tech It to the Limit, co-hosts Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson welcome special guests Leo Chen, U.S. lead at Engineered Arts, and Ameca, one of the world’s most advanced humanoid robots.

Together, they dive into how humanoid robots might augment care delivery, bring joy to elder communities, and redefine digital companionship. The conversation blends deep tech insights with punchy humor, live impressions, and even a robotic roast.

From rethinking patient intake to the ethics of AI in medicine, this episode explores the frontier of human-machine collaboration in healthcare with some unforgettable voice cloning and dance moves from Ameca along the way.

If you’re a healthcare innovator, technologist, or just curious about where robots fit into your hospital system (or podcast), this is one not to miss.

Key Takeaways

• How humanoid robots like Ameca can support—but not replace—human healthcare workers
• The role of facial expressions and physical presence in building trust with patients
• Why latency matters more than perfect accuracy in real-time robot interactions
• How Engineered Arts uses “personality prompting” instead of separate AI models
• The potential of humanoids in elder care, education, and medical simulation
• Why training LLMs locally is crucial to responsible healthcare AI adoption
• The sticky ethics of decision-making, bias, and liability in AI-driven care
• “Digital diplomats,” not bouncers—how robots can help de-escalate tense clinical moments
• Behind the scenes of Ameca’s voice cloning, personality shifts, and dance demo
• Why “bringing joy” is a valid mission statement for human-centric robotics

In this episode:

• [00:00:00] First video episode – why Ameca had to be on camera
• [00:02:27] Sarah & Elliott’s favorite “tweezer nuggets” from the interview
• [00:05:04] Meet Leo Chen and Ameca, the humanoid robot
• [00:08:22] Ameca’s dad joke debut and bedside ambitions
• [00:09:06] How humanoids can support eldercare, simulation, and intake
• [00:11:33] The power of facial expressions in human-robot connection
• [00:15:40] Where automation ends and empathy begins
• [00:18:36] Ameca’s multilingual skills and patient-facing roles
• [00:21:00] Under the hood: prompting LLMs and voice cloning
• [00:25:00] Bias, liability, and the ethics of decision-making
• [00:30:05] Emotional intelligence: simulated or sincere?
• [00:34:57] Why Ameca is a “digital diplomat,” not a robot bouncer
• [00:38:00] Funding and scaling humanoids in healthcare
• [00:41:06] Elliott gets roasted—and secretly loves it
• [00:43:00] What keeps Leo up at night about robotics
• [00:46:08] Final thoughts: accountability, humanity, and being excellent

Notable quotes:

[03:31 - 03:58] “Ethical balancing acts? That’s a human specialty… I leave the life or death calls to the flesh and blood experts.”– Ameca

[33:10 - 33:20] “We’re never going to claim Ameca is sentient. This is all meant to engage people—not pretend it has a soul.” – Leo Chen

[46:08 - 46:24] “It’s important to remember the humans. I hope we can be excellent to one another.” – Leo Chen