The Groves Connection

Keith Shah PhD, MBA, FACHE is a seasoned senior leader with over two decades of experience in healthcare across for-profit and non-profit sectors. As the current COO of Caremark Health Plans at CVS, Keith specializes in large-scale transformation and growth. He is lauded for his ability to optimize operating platforms and drive multi-million-dollar productivity gains. In previous roles at Optum, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Keith created high-performing teams that achieved competitive differentiation and delivered quantifiable business change and growth.

His expertise spans P&L growth, operations, and technology, with a passion for leveraging data-driven strategies to enhance healthcare transparency and operational efficiency. Simply put, Keith is a master of process. We discuss his approach to team leadership, and the ways in which tech, policy, and the modern healthcare system intersect. His insights are as compelling and fascinating as his story.

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Hello Connectors!

In today's episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Robert Pearl about generative AI, healthcare leadership, and the huge tech revolution that's already upending the way we understand healthcare. Today's topics include generative AI, the history of healthcare technology, and the essential leadership our healthcare system needs at this pivotal moment in history. It was truly inspiring to have a conversation with somebody both so informed and so optimistic about the future of generative AI in medicine. 

'ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine' is a seminal book co-authored by Dr. Robert Pearl and the advanced AI system, ChatGPT. This collaboration offers a unique perspective on the future of healthcare, highlighting the transformative potential of generative AI. Dr. Pearl, a seasoned healthcare leader and author of Mistreated (a Washington Post bestseller) and Uncaring (a Kirkus star recipient), brings his extensive expertise to bear, advocating for a future where AI and human collaboration redefine patient care and medical practice.

Blending Dr. Pearl’s insights with ChatGPT’s capabilities, this book is a surprising collaboration, a visionary outlook, and a practical guide, offering actionable solutions for healthcare. It provides hope and a pathway for doctors and patients to take back control of medical practice from corporate entities. In ChatGPT, MD, Dr. Pearl and ChatGPT present a compelling case for a future where technology and humanity converge to create a more efficient, personalized, and accessible healthcare system.

Learn more about 'ChatGPT, MD' here: https://robertpearlmd.com/chatgptmd/

Hello connectors, Alden here! Today we have a very special episode, because I’ll be interviewing somebody very important to the show: Dr.Robert Groves.

Dr. Groves is a health care veteran with 40 years of experience spanning various sectors, including private practice, start-ups, delivery systems, and insurance. As the Executive Vice President and CMO of Banner|Aetna, he's known for advancing health technology and programs that enhance access, lower costs, and streamline care. Notably, he led the formation and success of one of the first and most effective Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) at Banner Health. He is recognized for pioneering innovative health solutions such as text-based care, virtual reality for caregivers, and AI for prior authorizations, contributing to significant patient outcomes and cost savings.

His expertise makes him a respected speaker and advisor, sharing insights with major healthcare entities and hosting influential guests to this podcast to discuss all the problems and nuances of the healthcare system. He also happens to be my father.

Our conversation today covers everything from clinical decision support to the role of AI in modern healthcare, and we discuss how we might finally get rid of Prior Authorization once and for all. I hope you’ll enjoy this conversation as much as I did, but that seems unlikely because—again—he’s my dad.

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Today’s guest, Dr. Rishi Sikka, is a seasoned physician executive with a proven track record of transforming underperforming clinical and non-clinical healthcare entities. His extensive experience focuses on enhancing both quality and service, making him a true leader in the field. He’s also an incredibly effective communicator with some unique insights I haven’t heard anywhere else.

Dr. Sikka earned his bachelor's degree in economics from the prestigious Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and his medical degree from the Mayo Clinic Medical School. He has held faculty positions at renowned institutions such as the University of Illinois Chicago School of Medicine and Boston University School of Medicine. Alongside his impressive academic background, Dr. Sikka is also a co-author of the book "Leading Healthcare Transformation: A Primer for Clinical Leaders." His thought leadership extends to major publications like the Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review.

Join us as we explore a wide range of topics in this conversation, including the healthcare industry's challenges, the importance of persistence, effective leadership strategies, adaptability in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, the value of mentorship, and the significance of ethics and values in healthcare.

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Today’s guest is a true Connector, confidently bridging the gap between the tech industry and modern healthcare: Sherri Douville. Sherri is the CEO of Medigram, the Mobile Medicine company, and is listed as one of the highest ranking tech executives in eight areas of technology and healthcare by Boardroom Media. She is also a best-selling author, and is soon to release her third book, defining advanced technology for medicine (Taylor & Francis 2022). Prior to her current work in the mobile medicine, privacy, security, health IT, and artificial intelligence industries, Sherri worked in the medical device field, consulting on physician acceptance and economic feasibility for medical devices. Given the concerning cybersecurity threats plaguing our healthcare systems, and the lack of communication between software engineers and healthcare providers, Sherri’s role is more crucial than it’s ever been. 

Sherri’s perspective is unique, and informed by her capacity for self guided learning, and her loving attention to detail. Today’s conversation spans many topics, but focuses primarily on the disconnect between the tech and healthcare industries. Sherri expertly draws parallels between the Oceangate catastrophe and the role of hype in shaping the poorly implemented tech solutions physicians simply don’t want to use. Join us as we explore the depths and challenges of building true systems-based solutions, and the path toward a better, human-centric future for medicine.

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Hello connectors,

Today’s guest is one of the most remarkable and inspirational people I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with: Ryan Campbell. At the age of 19, Ryan took flight in a single-engine aircraft and successfully became the youngest person to ever fly solo around the globe. Following a 24,000 nautical mile journey, Ryan's story was chronicled in his book Born to Fly, published a year later. As one of Australia’s top 50 explorers in history, Ryan enjoyed several years of stardom, living out his wildest dreams.

However, everything changed two years after the round-the-world trip, when Ryan suffered severe injuries in a crash involving a vintage aircraft. He spent the following five months in the hospital and 18 months in rehabilitation after being diagnosed as a paraplegic. Today we discuss his hardships, trials, and long journey toward physical and mental well being. He has so much to share about his journey and his recovery, but Ryan's most impactful lesson wasn't acquired during his 20 day solo flight or the accident and recovery, but rather through his "worst financial decision ever," a Pink Cadillac.

Join me in exploring his incredible story.

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Hello Connectors,

Today I had the chance to sit down at AJMC studios in New Jersey for a conversation with Paul Battle. Paul has been working as an Executive Director at Lenovo (US) at Lenovo for more than 18 years, overseeing various departments relating to healthcare, business, and the public sector. As a forward thinking sales executive, he brings particular focus and enthusiasm to delivering modern technical solutions to modern issues. 

Paul’s modern, technical approach to healthcare is exciting and at times surprising. In this episode, we discuss the role that AI might play in shaping the healthcare landscape, the inherent bias of data, and how best to get excellent care to underserved populations, among other things. He’s a fascinating man with a lot of great ideas.

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Hello Connectors,

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with Carlotta Rinke, MD, MBA, FACP.

Dr. Rinke is an internist and geriatric physician who completed a medical journalism fellowship for the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) following her residency. She worked as a contributing editor at JAMA for six years while also working part-time in emergency departments and as an assistant clinical professor at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. She excels at directing multidisciplinary teams of hospital-based surgical and medical professionals to develop clinical pathways and standardize treatment. 

She’s deeply passionate about using population health to revolutionize healthcare and offer better, more patient-centered results. Having worked on both the payer and provider side of healthcare at companies like Kentucky One Health, CVS, and Aetna, she excels in creating programs to encourage healthy behaviors, while accounting for the medical risk posed by acute and chronic diseases. In her current role as a clinical consultant and advisor, she empowers innovation and startup tech companies to transform, disrupt, or enhance health care delivery. 

Our conversation today draws on her wisdom and experience, offering an informed and balanced perspective on modern healthcare. We discuss her journey through the male-dominated healthcare culture of the 70s and 80s, the effects of unfettered capitalism on physician burnout, and much more. Dr.Rinke is an inspiring and kind leader, and has been that way throughout her entire career. I’m proud to call Carlotta a mentor, and I was delighted to see that she still has so much to teach. 

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Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with Scott Becker.

Scott is in a very unique position within the healthcare industry today. At McGuireWoods, Scott Becker is a partner in the healthcare division. Prior to joining the firm's Board of Partners, he chaired the healthcare division for nearly 13 years. Scott also founded Becker's Hospital Review and Becker's Healthcare: editorial and news outlets that empower decision makers within healthcare. He represents healthcare organizations, surgery center chains, sizable practices, several hospitals, health systems, and private equity groups. Suffice it to say that Scott is up-to-speed on the state and trajectory of healthcare today.

Today we have the chance to dive into his journey from Skokie, Illinois to Harvard Law School and beyond. Scott’s background and perspective are fascinating, and informed by decades of deep involvement with—and care for—the communities and organizations he’s been a part of. His sometimes controversial takes might surprise and inspire you to get a little more curious about healthcare.

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Hello connectors!

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Dr.Sunil Budhrani. As an independent consultant working on the front lines of healthcare, Dr. Budhrani brings special focus to the accessibility of high-quality healthcare for companies around the country. He is a Board-Certified Emergency Medicine Physician with the Department of Veteran Affairs in addition to being the CEO of Innovation Health. Additionally, he teaches emergency medicine as a clinical associate professor at George Washington University.

Sunil’s story is an inspiring and fascinating one. As the child of an immigrant family, Sunil draws inspiration from his early experiences working in the family jewelry shop. I had a great time learning about his journey, his vision, and the mentors and struggles that shaped him along the way.

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