Straight Outta Health IT

What if technology could be the key to healing trauma instead of deepening it? In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Dr. Brook Bello, a champion against human trafficking, a national policy advocate, a technology thought leader, and founder of the More too Life Foundation, and the visionary behind VR Eval Incorporated and the Coming Home Platform, shares how she’s redefining trauma recover...

Disciplined, purpose-driven innovation, anchored in governance, data, and the human experience, beats shiny-object hype. In this mega-episode, Lisa Fry, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at SCP Health, discusses “purposeful innovation” that reduces clinician burden and elevates patient experience: ED-volume prediction to align coverage, early pilots of ambient scribing, and patient-preferred...

From reshaping healthcare through innovation and AI to navigating complex mergers, regulations, and public health challenges, this special compilation brings together leading voices who are driving transformation in every corner of the healthcare ecosystem. At the Southeastern Healthcare Innovation Summit, attorney Benjamin Wilson explored the critical intersection of healthcare, technology, and r...

AI is rapidly reshaping healthcare, but the future will depend on how it is implemented responsibly, equitably, and intelligently. In this special crossover episode of Straight Outta Health IT and HIMSSCast , hosts Christopher Kunney, Mike Miliard, and Susan Morse sit down with two health innovation leaders, Dr. Ryan Sadeghian, Assistant Chief Medical Information Officer and practicing pediatricia...

The race to harness AI in biopharma is on, with billions invested to unlock faster, smarter drug discovery and development. In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Matthew Studney, SVP, Global R&D IT & Partnerships at Merck, shares how his team is strengthening foundational platforms, upgrading systems, and driving digital transformation across discovery, development, clinical resear...

The most common mistake healthtech founders make is building a great product without aligning it to market, regulatory, and reimbursement realities. In this episode, Sally Ann Frank, Global Health and Life Sciences Lead for Microsoft Startups, discusses her journey from computer science to healthcare innovation and how she helps early-stage companies thrive in the complex healthtech landscape. She...

Authentic leadership is about alignment, not performance. In this episode of Straight Outta Health IT, Dawn Whitney, Founder and CEO of ElevateX Leadership Collective, shares how her 30 years of entrepreneurial and executive experience led her to create a coaching model rooted in intentionality, transformation, and mental health. She explains why many leaders wear masks of relevance and self-worth...

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 workin...

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 In...

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...

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 syste...

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 healthca...

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 socie...

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,...

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-bas...

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, se...

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 addressin...

Access to quality healthcare shouldn't depend on your zip code, yet for many underserved communities, barriers remain. In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Christopher Kunney interviewed Christopher Cruttenden, CEO of Safety Net Connect (SNC), a company providing digital healthcare tools like eConsult to improve access to specialty care for underserved populations. SNC connects medica...

In a world where technology has the power to transform healthcare, the digital divide continues to leave millions behind, how can we bridge the gap to ensure equitable access for all? In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Dr. Patty Mechael, co-founder and CEO of health.enabled, explores the digital divide in healthcare, emphasizing the challenges posed by digital determinants of health. Dr...

Price transparency in healthcare is essential for providing patients with clear, upfront costs of medical services, empowering them to make informed financial decisions. In this episode of  Straight Out of Health IT,  Dr. Jonathan Kaplan,  founder and CEO of BuildMyHealth, explains how their new platform DrWell addresses this challenge by offering real-time cash-pay price transparency, connecting...

Imagine a healthcare solution that not only motivates patients to take charge of their health but also tackles the toughest challenges faced by our most vulnerable communities. In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Matthew Swanson, co-founder and CEO of Reciprocity Health, Incorporated, shares insights into how his company is transforming healthcare by combining behavioral health economics...

Addressing the complex challenges within Medicaid and Medicare requires a holistic approach focused on data-driven solutions, workforce diversity, and an integrated system of care that prioritizes individual needs and promotes health equity.  In this episode, Ashley Gray, Vice President at Sirona Strategies, discusses the future of Medicaid, Medicare, and other government healthcare programs. She...

As Canada faces the realities of a rapidly aging population, groundbreaking collaborations like MEDTEQ+, AGE-WELL, and the envisAGE program are revolutionizing how we support older adults and caregivers through innovative health technologies. In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, host Christopher Kunney highlights conversations he had at the envisAGE 2024 forum, addressing the challenges o...

Burnout among healthcare professionals isn’t just a buzzword. In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Dr. Maiysha Clairborne, a physician and transformational coach, shares her personal experience with burnout early in her career, which led her to shift from clinical medicine to helping healthcare professionals prevent and recover from burnout. She highlights burnout’s key characteristics: p...

What does it take to inspire trust, lead boldly through challenges, and foster genuine connections in a rapidly evolving world? In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Nora Osman, CEO of Norvana, shares her leadership journey, highlighting her focus on empowering others and delivering exceptional customer experiences. She emphasizes the importance of integrating people, processes, and techno...