In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, host Norman Volsky welcomes Lee Lewis, the Chief Strategy Officer and General Manager of Medical Solutions at the Health Transformation Alliance (HTA). They discuss the pressing issue of rising healthcare costs and the misconceptions that many leaders have about managing healthcare expenses. Lee shares his insights on the three major dogmas that hinder progress in healthcare cost management: the belief that costs are fixed, that saving money equates to harming people, and the notion that efforts to save money are not worth the trouble. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the disconnect between price and quality in healthcare, urging employers to take a proactive approach in managing their health benefits.

Takeaways

🔥 Healthcare costs aren’t fixed: the belief that “nothing can be done” is one of the biggest barriers to change
🚫 Saving money does NOT mean hurting people: better outcomes often come from lower-cost, higher-value care
⚠️ Doing nothing is the biggest risk: an 8–10% trend is far more disruptive than thoughtful change
🎯 Incentives drive behavior: benefits leaders are punished for one bad call but barely rewarded for massive savings
🧠 Employer decisions are rational… just misaligned: fear of disruption outweighs upside without leadership support
🔍 Price ≠ quality in healthcare: some of the best outcomes come at the lowest prices
🧾 Transparency without steerage can backfire: members may assume higher price means better care
🤝 HTA’s power is benchmarking + real-world performance data: RFPs don’t predict outcomes, current results do
🧪 Point solutions must earn their seat at the table: 1% impact, 2x+ ROI, clean math, and pay-for-performance only
🧙‍♂️ The best point solutions are invisible: show up at the moment of need, solve the problem, then disappear
🚪 Primary care is the front door to cost control: whoever controls primary care controls downstream spend
🧭 Steer referrals with data: aligned PCPs + high-value referral pathways can reset system incentives
💰 Employers must reward value creators and punish profiteers: otherwise prices will keep rising
💊 GLP-1s and specialty drugs are the next battleground: employers want direct purchasing at rational prices
🧬 Cell & gene therapies need adult supervision — saying “yes” to any price sets a dangerous precedent
👥 The right benefits team can flatten trend: talent + permission + incentives matter more than tools
📉 Tie benefits leader comp to CPI: hit CPI without cost shifting and eliminate constant plan design churn
🚀 Healthcare innovation must break the “10% better for 10x cost” rule: real disruption requires order-of-magnitude value
🧠 Culture change starts with rejecting bad dogma: flat trend is possible when leaders believe it is

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lee Lewis and HTA
01:37 The Fight Against Rising Healthcare Costs
03:18 Misconceptions in Healthcare Management
06:55 Understanding Price vs. Quality in Healthcare
11:36 Employer Accountability in Healthcare
14:37 The Role of HTA in Healthcare Solutions
17:23 Structural Issues in Employer-Sponsored Healthcare
20:54 Point Solutions: Successes and Failures
31:15 The Importance of Advanced Primary Care
35:41 Data Transparency and Performance Measurement
46:57 Emerging Demands in Healthcare
56:27 Outro

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In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Anish Sebastian, co-founder and CEO of Baby Scripts, a digital health startup transforming prenatal care through technology and data. Anish shares his journey into healthcare, the founding vision of Baby Scripts, and how the pandemic accelerated innovation in maternal care. The conversation highlights alarming U.S. maternal mortality rates, the importance of virtual monitoring, and how digital tools empower both patients and providers. They also dive into how AI could shape the future of maternal health, the need for system-level collaboration, and the role of active listening in effective innovation.

Takeaways

🤰 Baby Scripts is focused on improving prenatal care through digital health.
📉 Maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are alarmingly high and rising.
📲 Virtual care models can enhance access and outcomes for expectant mothers.
👂 Active listening is essential in healthcare product innovation.
📈 The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital maternal health solutions.
🧠 AI has the potential to redefine how care is delivered and accessed.
🌍 Healthcare transformation requires collaboration among providers, payers, and patients.
📦 Product-market fit evolved as Baby Scripts responded to market needs.
👩‍⚕️ Personal health stories drive innovation in maternal care.
🥗 Nutrition and wellness practices are part of the prenatal care equation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Baby Scripts and Anish Sebastian
04:36 The Birth of Baby Scripts
09:30 Early Days and Product Market Fit
12:05 Addressing Maternal Mortality
14:50 Virtual Care and Access to Outcomes
15:51 Impact of COVID on Maternal Health
18:50 Future Innovations in Maternal Health
19:07 Understanding Racial Inequality in Maternal Health
23:05 Obesity and Pregnancy Complications
24:32 Evolution of Baby Scripts' Product
26:53 Accessing Baby Scripts and Partnerships
28:40 Accessing Baby Scripts: A Patient's Journey
30:35 Impactful Patient Stories: Real-Life Transformations
32:24 Improving Patient Outcomes: The Baby Scripts Advantage
35:51 Healthcare Transformation: The Role of Startup Health
36:58 Active Listening: Keys to Success in Healthcare
39:02 The Future of Digital Health: AI and Beyond
40:34 Next Decade in Maternal Care: Innovations Ahead
43:12 Living Health: Personal Wellness Practices
46:26 Healthy Eating: Recipes and Tips for Families

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In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, host Norm Volsky speaks with Jacob Peters, founder of Superpower, and Prabhat Dhar, Executive Vice President of Enterprise at Superpower. They discuss their personal journeys into healthcare, the founding of Superpower, and the challenges and opportunities in the preventative health space. The conversation covers the importance of proactive healthcare, the need for actionable health data, and the role of technology in transforming the healthcare experience. They also touch on the challenges of scaling a health tech company, measuring success, and the importance of personal health intelligence.

Takeaways

🧠 Jacob Peters’ personal health journey was the catalyst behind founding Superpower.

❤️ Prabhat Dhar emphasizes the humanity that must remain central to healthcare.

🚀 Superpower is reimagining preventative health through a technology-enabled approach.

🧪 The platform turns biomarker testing into clear, actionable insights.

👥 Consumer education and awareness are critical drivers of enterprise health adoption.

💪 Superpower’s model empowers individuals to take ownership of their health.

📊 Digital health often prioritizes engagement metrics over true outcomes.

🧩 Employers face point-solution fatigue across today’s healthcare ecosystem.

📈 Preventative health ROI can be demonstrated through early risk identification.

🧘 Stress management is essential for executives in high-pressure environment

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Superpower and Founders' Backgrounds

02:08 Jacob Peters' Journey into Healthcare

04:17 Prabhat Dhar's Perspective on Healthcare and Technology

08:54 The Early Days of Superpower and Founding Vision

12:44 Prabhat's Personal Experience and Motivation

16:47 Investor Interest and the Future of Preventative Health

19:25 Challenges in Preventative Healthcare

21:28 The Need for Proactive Health Models

24:13 Defining Success in Preventative Health

26:22 Making Biomarker Data Actionable

26:58 Transforming Healthcare with AI and Intelligence

29:46 Navigating the Point Solution Landscape

33:56 ROI in Preventative Healthcare Solutions

37:53 Scaling Superpower: Challenges and Successes

40:42 Measuring Impact: Success Stories from Superpower

43:21 The Digital Health Ecosystem: What’s Missing?

45:46 Managing Stress in a High-Stakes Environment

48:26 Healthy Eating: Recipes for Optimal Health

49:56 Outro

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In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Kris Davis, the Chief Operating Officer at OneImaging. Kris shares his journey from Google to the startup world, discussing his experiences at Virta and Sword Health, and the lessons learned from each role. He emphasizes the importance of customer success, leadership styles, and the need for a strong product focus in the digital health space. Kris also highlights the unique value proposition of OneImaging, which aims to cut imaging costs significantly while improving patient care. The conversation touches on maintaining balance in high-stress environments and the importance of healthy living performance.

Takeaways

🚀 Kris transitioned from Google to startups for the thrill of building something valuable.
📈 At Virta, Kris focused on customer success and implementation, scaling the company significantly.
🧠 Leadership styles can greatly impact team motivation and performance.
🎯 A strong product focus and customer experience are crucial for success in digital health.
🩺 Kris learned the importance of clinical integrity from Sami at Virta.
🛠️ Building a customer success function from scratch requires a solid blueprint.
💸 One Imaging's value proposition is centered around significant cost savings in imaging.
⚖️ Maintaining balance in a high-stress startup environment is essential for long-term success.
🥗 Healthy living and nutrition play a key role in performance and stress management.
🤝 Collaboration and team dynamics are vital for startup success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kris Davis and OneImaging
02:07 Transition from Google to Startups
03:51 Joining Virta and Its Mission
06:16 Building Customer Success at Virta
09:51 Lessons Learned from Sami at Virta
13:27 Leadership Styles and Team Dynamics
17:12 The Importance of Product and Customer Experience
18:57 Scaling Customer Success at Sword
22:55 The Journey from Zero to One at Sword
26:36 Joining One Imaging and Future Aspirations
28:25 Choosing One Imaging: A Strategic Decision
32:51 Elan: A Visionary Leader in Radiology
38:53 Pivotal Year for One Imaging: Growth and Challenges
44:23 Innovative Technology: Beyond Radiology
51:34 Maintaining Balance in a High-Stress Environment

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In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Nandan Rao, CEO of Starlight, a virtual proactive care clinic. Nandan shares his background, including his experience founding Virtual Lab and his transition from international public health to digital health. He discusses the importance of culturally sensitive coaching, the mission of Starlight to improve patient adherence, and the successes the company has achieved in partnership with major health systems. Following the model of CMS ACCESS, Starlight coordinates closely with provider groups for referrals and co-management The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, the importance of technology in enhancing patient care, and the personal experiences that shape Nandan's leadership style.

Check out their website here: https://hellostarlight.com/

Takeaways

🧠 Nandan Rao has a diverse background in public health and technology.

🌟 Starlight focuses on improving patient adherence through health coaching.

🤝 Culturally sensitive coaching is crucial for patient engagement.

💻 The integration of technology with healthcare can enhance patient outcomes.

📉 Value-based care is essential for improving healthcare efficiency.

🩺 Patient relationships with coaches drive better health outcomes.

🏥 Starlight has successfully partnered with major health systems.

🧩 Understanding patient behavior is key to increasing program participation.

💰 The healthcare system often prioritizes profit over patient care.

🧘‍♂️ Nandan emphasizes the importance of self-care and stress management for leaders.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nandan Rao and Starlight

01:27 Founding Virtual Lab and Its Impact

04:41 Comparing International Public Health and Digital Health

07:13 The Value of an Eclectic Career in Leadership

12:17 The Inspiration Behind Starlight

23:48 Starlight's Mission and Approach

24:58 Success Stories and Outcomes from Starlight

29:15 Enhancing Patient Engagement through Referrals

32:15 The Balance of Technology and Human Touch in Healthcare

36:06 Leveraging Technology for Better Patient Outcomes

39:28 Creating Meaningful Patient Experiences

40:23 Scaling Healthcare Solutions Across Diverse Populations

44:14 Navigating the Financial Landscape of Healthcare

55:30 Personal Well-being in a High-Stress Environment

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In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Dr. Kumar Dharmarajan, co-founder and chief medical officer of World Class Health. They discuss Dr. Dharmarajan's journey in healthcare, the challenges of patient experience, and the importance of technology in improving healthcare delivery. The conversation delves into the economics of employer-sponsored healthcare, the mission behind founding World Class Health, and the potential of direct contracting and global healthcare solutions. Dr. Dharmarajan shares insights on engagement strategies, innovations, shaping the future of healthcare, and his personal health practices.

Takeaways

💡 Clinical inspiration matters in healthcare operations

⚙️ Building technology for doctors requires understanding their workflow

🧑‍⚕️ Patient experience is often poor and needs improvement

🏢 Employer-sponsored healthcare is the largest payer in the U.S.

💰 Direct contracting can lead to significant cost savings

🌎 Global healthcare can offer high-quality care at lower prices

📈 Engagement strategies must be tailored to the audience

🔍 Data transparency is crucial for innovation and accountability

📊 Incentives should align between providers, employers, and patients

🧘‍♂️ Wellness and personal health practices are vital for healthcare leaders

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Kumar Dharmarajan and World Class Health

02:40 Lessons from Clover Health: Clinical Inspiration and Successes

05:17 Building Tech for Doctors and Patients: Key Principles

07:27 The Importance of Reducing Friction in Healthcare

09:55 Transitioning to Global Care Delivery: Motivations and Market Opportunities

12:28 Understanding Cost Disparities in Healthcare

14:25 Challenges in the Healthcare System: Misalignments and Transparency

17:38 Founding World Class Health: Personal Stories and Market Gaps

29:06 Global Centers of Excellence: Engagement and Cost Reduction

31:37 The Role of Nurses in Patient Care

34:23 Cost Savings in Healthcare

36:36 Demand for Specific Healthcare Services

38:32 Misconceptions About International Healthcare

41:39 Innovations in Global Healthcare

44:58 Engagement Strategies in Healthcare

51:59 Personal Wellness Practices

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In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, host Norm Volsky interviews Noah Kotlove, Founder and CEO of Berry Street, a virtual nutrition therapy platform connecting patients with dietitians for one-on-one personalized nutrition care across more than 25 conditions, and leveraging AI to empower providers and patients . Noah shares his patient-first journey how working with a dietitian helped him lose weight and why nutrition counseling remains one of the most underutilized benefits in U.S. healthcare despite broad commercial coverage that is often $0 out of pocket. The conversation explores Berry Street’s rapid growth since January 2023, its $50M raise in 2025, the difference between dietitians vs. “nutritionists,” and how Berry Street supports patients navigating the GLP-1 era with sustainable nutrition and behavior change.

Takeaways

🥗 Nutrition therapy is widely covered by commercial insurance, yet remains deeply underutilized.
🧠 Dietitians support behavior change beyond “eat this / don’t eat that,” including relationship-with-food work.
⚖️ “Food freedom” helps patients avoid guilt spirals and build sustainable habits.
🍿 Small guardrails (like portioning snacks into a bowl) can compound into major outcomes over time.
🏢 Large enterprises often struggle with zero-to-one innovation—startups thrive because they’re built for it.
🚀 Berry Street scaled rapidly after launching in January 2023, reaching tens of millions in annualized revenue (as shared on-air).
💰 Berry Street raised $50M in 2025, driven by growth, a massive market tailwind, and strong provider/patient experience.
🩺 Dietitians are credentialed clinicians who can bill insurance; “nutritionist” is not a standardized credential term.
💉 GLP-1s are a powerful tool, but dietitian support helps protect nutrient intake, adherence, and long-term sustainability.
🍌 A simple daily habit: pairing fruit (banana) with protein/fats (peanut butter) can improve satiety and energy stability.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Noah Kotlove and Berry Street
01:35 Noah’s Path into Healthcare: A Patient-First Story
04:10 How Dietitian Care Drives Sustainable Behavior Change
07:24 Principles Behind Noah’s 60–65 lb Weight-Loss Journey
11:41 Founding Sobriety Soft: Early Entrepreneurship in Health Tech
15:25 Lessons Learned Building a Product for a Sensitive Community
18:25 Accenture to Startup CEO: Lessons from Enterprise Innovation
21:11 The Origin and Meaning Behind the Name “Berry Street”
23:19 Why Nutrition Therapy Is Massively Underutilized
24:34 Fundraising Advice: Authenticity in a Tough Capital Market
26:20 What Drove Berry Street’s $50M Raise and Growth Strategy
28:35 Dietitian vs. Nutritionist: Credentials, Training, and Trust
31:00 Inside the Berry Street Patient Experience
33:26 Insurance Coverage Explained: Preventive vs. Medical Nutrition Care
35:11 Go-to-Market Strategy: From DTC Growth to Health Plans
35:58 Becoming In-Network: Scaling Provider Contracts Nationally
37:20 Clinical Outcomes and the GLP-1 Nutrition Pathway
39:13 The Role of Nutrition in a GLP-1-Driven Future
48:45 Managing Stress and Staying Centered as a Founder
50:12 Healthy Habits and Simple Nutrition Wins
53:01 Closing Thoughts and Final Reflections

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In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, host Norm Volsky interviews Karl Ulfers, Co-Founder and CEO of DUOS. They discuss Karl’s career journey from consulting to healthcare technology, his experiences at Optum and Rally Health, and the founding vision of DUOS, which aims to create a seamless system of aging for older adults. Karl shares insights on partnerships with health plans, the importance of addressing day-to-day needs for older adults, and the recent growth and investment in DUOS. He also emphasizes the significance of maintaining a work-life balance and shares personal anecdotes about healthy cooking and family life.

Takeaways

💼 Karl Ulfers emphasizes the importance of doing your job well as the foundation for career progression.
🎯 Taking risks in your career can lead to significant opportunities and growth.
🌐 Understanding market dynamics is crucial for success in healthcare innovation.
🤝 Building a strong, cross-functional team is essential for product development.
👵➡️👴 DUOS aims to create a seamless system of aging for older adults.
🍽️🛡️ The company focuses on addressing day-to-day needs of older adults, such as food and safety.
🏥🤝 DUOS partners with health plans to improve access to care for members.
📈💸 The recent investment in DUOS will support its growth and expansion efforts.
🧘‍♂️ Maintaining a routine is vital for managing stress as a CEO.
👨‍🍳❤️ Healthy cooking and family engagement are important aspects of Karl's life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Karl Ulfers and DUOS

01:33 Early Career and Consulting Insights

04:38 Journey at Optum and Innovations in Healthcare

11:04 Transition to Rally Health and Leadership Growth

14:41 Career Progression and Promotion Strategies

20:23 Building Teams and Company Culture

25:43 Evolution of Products at Rally Health

28:23 Founding DUOS and Personal Inspiration

28:28 The Journey Begins: A Decade of Insight

31:14 Vision for Aging: Building a System of Care

34:11 Partnerships with Health Plans: Enhancing Member Care

37:06 Securing Growth: Navigating Investment in a Tough Market

42:37 Member Experience: Simplifying Access to Care

50:50 Practicing What You Preach: Balancing Work and Life

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