The Strategy of Health

Did you know that the medical transportation system has become a massive, unseen liability for healthcare payers? On this episode of The Strategy of Health (TSoH) podcast, host Cole Lyons sits down with Ken Van Cara, CEO of Alacura, and Steve Fox, Chief Growth Officer, to uncover the hidden costs of air and ground medical transports. Healthcare leaders are currently facing severe transportation in...

Healthmap Solutions' CEO Eric Reimer and Chief Growth Officer Tom Gaffney return to The Strategy of Health for a 2025 year-in-review. They discuss how the company delivered record savings rates amid industry headwinds, the integration of the Carium, and why chronic care management is finally getting the scrutiny it deserves. The conversation covers their expanding comorbidity strategy, plans t...

Digital disruptors are coming for ambulatory care—but 2024 revealed the fight is far from over. Walmart shuttered all 51 health clinics. Walgreens wrote down $12.7 billion. Teladoc's stock fell 98%. Meanwhile, Optum now employs 10% of U.S. physicians and Bain projects nontraditional providers will capture 30% of primary care by 2030.So what's actually happening—and can traditional health s...

Welcome to Strategy of Health by the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy! In this episode, host Cole Lyons sits down with Dr. Matthew Montoya—professor of Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins and veteran systems thinker—to discuss:-What “systems engineering” really means in healthcare-Dr. Montoya’s career path: from math and engineering to health systems and executive leadership at Johns Hopki...

EDITOR'S NOTE: AJHCS has received a formal request disputing the factual accuracy of the Inflo Health founding narrative and timeline as presented by the guest in this interview. Consistent with our commitment to objective reporting and truthful knowledge, our editorial team is currently reviewing the provided documentation. The statements and origin narrative expressed below represent the cla...

In this episode of the Strategy of Health podcast, Cole Lyons from the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy engages in a conversation with Joe Vattamattam, co-founder and president of Healthmap Solutions, a company focused on improving outcomes for chronically sick populations, especially those with chronic kidney disease. Joe shares insights into the company's journey, the importance of ch...

In this powerful and timely episode, we sit down with Rep. Arvind Venkat, emergency physician and Pennsylvania State Representative for the 30th Legislative District, to explore the growing need for healthcare professionals in political leadership. Drawing from his dual roles in medicine and policy, Rep. Venkat discusses why frontline clinicians are uniquely positioned to drive healthcare reform—e...

Join Cole Lyons on the Strategy of Health podcast from The American Journal of Healthcare Strategy as he interviews Dr. Howard Shaps, Chief Medical Officer at Healthmap Solutions. Dr. Shaps shares lessons from his career in emergency medicine, health insurance, and consulting—and explains his transition to Healthmap Solutions. They tackle the real-world complexity of chronic kidney disease (CKD),...

In this episode of The American Journal of Healthcare Strategy podcast, we sit down with Brandon J. Robertson, Founder and CEO of UCP Merchant Medicine and in Televisit Solutions, to explore how clinical concierge models and lean design principles are transforming urgent care delivery at scale. Brandon shares how his team applied operational science—including queuing theory, the Theory of Constrai...

Join host Cole as he sits down with Keeley White, Director of Community Health Programs at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, to explore the real-world challenges and successes of bringing nutritious food directly to patients through innovative clinic partnerships. Keeley White shares her unique journey from clinical dietitian to public health leader, offering firsthand perspectives on addressing...

Discover how MultiCare saved $7.5 million on pharmacy costs through innovative supply chain strategy and data-driven leadership. In this episode, Cole from the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy interviews Tyson Frodin, VP of Clinical Pharmacy, Supply Chain, and Technology at MultiCare, for an in-depth discussion on transforming pharmacy operations in a large health system. Tyson Frodin share...

In this episode, Cole from The American Journal of Healthcare Strategy sits down with KP Tacconi, Senior Innovation Manager at NYU Langone Health, to break down the realities of human-centered design, innovation strategy, and leading change in academic medical centers.

Dr. Malko shares actionable insights on the challenges and opportunities facing health plans in CKD management, from early identification and care coordination to the vital role of primary care physicians as “quarterbacks” for complex patient needs. She explores how risk-based partnerships between health plans and clinical partners (not just vendors) drive improved outcomes, better data sharing, a...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Don Berwick—Senior Fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and former Administrator of CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)—for an in-depth conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing U.S. healthcare. Dr. Don Berwick shares firsthand insights on running CMS during the rollout of the Affordable Care Act, the founding of t...

In this episode, we sit down with Shlomit Schaal, MD, PhD, MHCM, to explore the Joy in Medicine Initiative at Houston Methodist, a transformative program aimed at improving physician wellbeing and restoring meaning in medical practice. Dr. Schaal, a respected leader in healthcare innovation, shares insights into the real-world challenges of driving engagement—even when programs are mandatory—and o...

From the battlefield to the boardroom, Justin Cauthen’s journey offers a masterclass in leadership transformation within healthcare. In this episode of Clinicians in Leadership, we sit down with Justin Cauthen, a retiring U.S. Army flight medic turned clinical executive, to explore how military leadership principles translate into the civilian healthcare landscape. Cauthen shares powerful lessons...

Discover how healthcare transformation takes root from the top in this inspiring conversation with Marna Borieux, DHA, MBA, Chief of Staff, Vice President for Executive Administration, and now Vice President & Administrator for the Primary Care Service Line at Inova Health System. In this episode of the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy Podcast, we explore Inova’s multi-year transformati...

In this episode, we sit down with Jason Weshler, Vice President of Outpatient Solutions at Siemens Healthineers, to explore how health systems can leverage smarter technology and global best practices to meet rising demand, workforce shortages, and growing complexity—without losing sight of outcomes. With over 20 years of experience spanning biotech, diagnostics, and medical devices, Jason shares...

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Eric McNulty, a seasoned leadership expert and educator, to explore how values-driven leadership shapes stronger, more cohesive healthcare teams. Drawing from his experience in high-stakes environments, Eric shares how aligning teams around shared principles leads to more productive conversations, reduced conflict, and ultimately better outcomes for bot...

In this episode, Cole from the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy is joined by Ryan Bengtson, President and CEO of Panda Health. They discuss Panda Health's evolution from a digital health marketplace to a comprehensive digital health partner. Bengtson shares his journey in healthcare consulting and the founding of Panda Health. The company helps health systems navigate the digital transf...

In this episode of The Strategy of Health Podcast, Cole sits down with Dr. Colin Banas, Internal Medicine Physician and Chief Medical Officer at DrFirst, to dive into the evolving landscape of healthcare technology. They discuss how FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) is transforming healthcare interoperability, streamlining prior authorizations, and enhancing data transparency. Dr....

In this episode, Cole from the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy is joined by Rick Moreland, founder of Modality Global Advisors. They discuss the current landscape of health policy and equity in the United States and explore strategies that healthcare organizations can implement to address these issues moving forward. Moreland emphasizes the importance of proactive and holistic approaches,...

In this episode of The Strategy of Health, host Cole is joined by Dr. Stephanie Toth-Manikowski, a seasoned nephrologist and population health expert at Healthmap Solutions. Together, they explore a bold vision for kidney care: slowing the progression of kidney disease and optimizing renal replacement therapy. This insightful conversation unpacks how intelligent population health management can id...

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Chris Myers, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University, specializing in healthcare leadership and management. Dr. Myers discusses the crucial role leadership plays in healthcare outcomes, often overshadowed by technological advancements and clinical expertise. He emphasizes the need for effective coordination and communication within healthcare teams...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Tiara Green, President of Accessia Health, as we explore her journey from program manager to executive leader in advancing health equity for individuals with rare and chronic conditions. In this episode, Tiara shares the mission of Accessia Health—a national nonprofit providing financial assistance, education, and resources to help patients navigate the...