Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast

Welcome back to the Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast for Episode 55! In today’s sit down , host Norman Volsky🎙️ Volsky interviews Nikhil Marathe, a senior principal at Juxtapose. Nikhil shares his unique journey into healthcare, contrasting it with the typical paths of many in the industry. He discusses his experiences at TA Associates and SilverSmith Capital Partners, highlighting the challenges and successes he faced in private equity. Nikhil emphasizes the importance of understanding the strengths and weaknesses of founders when investing and shares insights on strategic discussions within boardrooms. He also explains Juxtapose's innovative approach to sourcing deals and building companies, particularly in the healthcare sector. The conversation concludes with Nikhil's personal wellness strategies and healthy cooking tips for families.  Takeaways  🌟 Nikhil's path to healthcare is unique, coming from a tech background.  ⏳ Healthcare is lagging behind other industries by about 10 years.  💡 The juxtaposition of innovation in tech and stagnation in healthcare piqued Nikhil's interest.  🤝 Building relationships with entrepreneurs is crucial in private equity.  📈 Success in private equity requires understanding market dynamics and valuations.  🔍 Nikhil emphasizes the importance of domain expertise in founders.  ⚙️ Strategic M&A discussions are vital for growth in healthcare companies.  🛠️ Juxtapose focuses on creative buy-and-build strategies in healthcare.  🧠 Nikhil values openness and a learning mindset in founders.  🥗 Wellness and healthy eating are important aspects of Nikhil's life.  ▶https://lnkd.in/dJAKygs7 👂https://lnkd.in/dW8fuXti

"What does a private equity partner do all day? Once they write the check, like what do they do?" Are you interested in healthcare investing, and learning about the value that Private equity brings to their portfolio? Then this episode today is FOR YOU. Nikhil Marathe, Senior Principal at Juxtapose, shares his exciting journey into healthcare investing! "How to build a repeatable process to do that at scale." We cover a lot of ground. He emphasizes the importance of domain expertise and the ability to identify pain points in the industry. Nikhil discusses the value that private equity partners bring to their investments, including go-to-market strategies, M&A, and professional sophistication. Since Nikhil sits on the boards of a lot of really cool companies I asked him to share strategic discussions that shape healthcare organizations. Learn about the process of sourcing deals, and the importance of finding the right CEOs for portfolio companies! He also shares insights into the areas Juxtapose focuses on, such as healthcare IT, outpatient provider businesses, value-based care, payers, employers, and life sciences. Nikhil emphasizes the importance of exercise and getting outside to reduce stress and maintain physical health. He also shares his approach to cooking healthy meals for his family, focusing on stews and dishes that combine protein, vegetables, and healthy carbs. What qualities does Juxtapose look for in a founder? 1. Founders that came from industry: So they have the experience to evaluate the pain points, and use their domain experience to build the lack they saw in it. ✅ 2. Growth mindset: someone who doesn't ❌ have the fixed "This is how it is done" mindset. 🎞 Big Moments 📽 📍Domain expertise and firsthand experience of pain points in the industry are valuable qualities in healthcare investors. 💰Private equity partners add value through go-to-market strategies, M&A, and professional sophistication. 🏥Successful founders have industry experience but also possess an openness and a learner's mindset. Strategic discussions, such as M&A and business model shifts, play a crucial role in shaping healthcare organizations in their early years. 🗺The process of sourcing deals involves extensive research, targeted outreach, and engaging with industry executives and stakeholders. Juxtapose focuses on various areas in healthcare, including healthcare IT, outpatient provider businesses, value-based care, payers, employers, and life sciences. Check out the entire episode here and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to us on youtube so we can keep bringing you the best content in Digital Health Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast 👇👇👇👇👇👇 https://lnkd.in/dgXbzf5Y 👂https://lnkd.in/dkvz9v6w

"No matter what your PBM is, we have a way to help." Learn about how CEO Chris Crawford is revolutionizing the employer sponsored prescription benefit world with RxSaveCard! Seeing that there was a need for innovative solutions that can help the 95% of employers who are not ready or willing to leave traditional PBMs. Hear Chris tell you about how it all works!! I have a family member that has literally DRIVEN across the border to get drugs cheaper, so this is super exciting to learn about the cutting edge of Pharmacy savings and what that looks like in practice! Listen in to the Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast and tune in to the future of Digital health! Full Episode: 👂https://lnkd.in/dEkMdFpp ▶https://lnkd.in/deNSPZNT

Curious on how you can get rid of waste in PBM spend? Enter Chris Crawford the founder and CEO of RxSaveCard. "You don't buy EVERYTHING in your life in one place. You shop around. We want to apply that same sort of flexibility for employers." Boom. We cover everything from Chris's journey into healthcare, his experiences at Health Strategy, and the complexities of the pharmacy benefits management (PBM) landscape. Which we all know are exhaustingly complex. Hear Chris break it down! Chris shares insights on the importance of having experts in the field, the role of consultants, and the impact of recent lawsuits on PBM practices. Are you interested in learning on how employers can save on prescription costs, what the member experience looks like, and the future of the PBM market? Than this episode is FOR YOU. "Truly everybody wins." 🔑Key Moments you can't miss 🔑 🩺 Chris Crawford transitioned from accounting to healthcare to help people. 📊 Health Strategy provided Chris with a deep understanding of pharmacy benefits. ⚖️ Employers need to be cautious about their relationships with PBMs. 💊💰 RX Save Card aims to help employers save on prescription costs. 🔍⚖️ The pharmacy benefits landscape is under scrutiny due to recent lawsuits. 🧑🏫 Consultants play a crucial role in navigating PBM relationships. 💡 Innovative solutions are needed to address high prescription costs. 🌐✨ The member experience with RX Save Card is designed to be seamless. 🤝📈 Fundraising for RX Save Card was relationship-driven and focused on product development. 🔮🛒 The future of the PBM market will involve more transparency and choice. 👂https://lnkd.in/dEkMdFpp ▶https://lnkd.in/deNSPZNT

"Boy this would be great if you could do this in Hindi." an Investor said on a call with Bud during a Demo. "Angela, our product manager was sitting in the background listening to the call and we went through all the details, and by the end of our call we had a Hindi version of it. AND She invested. Immediately." Healthcare AI is a huge part of the future, what does that look like? Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast brings you episode 53 with Bud Flagstad, CEO of EmpowerHealth. Bud shares his journey from a young tech enthusiast to a leader in healthcare technology, detailing his extensive experience at UnitedHealth Group and the innovations he spearheaded. He discusses the challenges of working in large organizations versus startups, the role of AI in healthcare, and how Empower Health is leveraging technology to improve patient engagement and reduce costs. Bud also opens up about his personal health journey, stress management techniques, and the importance of healthy living. Now in a whopping- 72 languages. Saved $72 million in readmission reduction across 847,000 members in a 12-month period for a company- of which $59 million was readmission fees, and $13 million in work force. They even can handle faxes, if people are still stuck in the dark ages. So much more efficient. "You won't realize what a solution like Angel can do, until you feel it." The industry is ripe for a big change. Learn about Angel, Empower Health, and the future of Healthcare and AI! 3️⃣🗝Points 🤖 Empower Health focuses on AI-driven solutions to enhance patient engagement. 🩺 AI can help reduce clinician burnout and improve care delivery efficiency. 🌐 The platform developed by Empower Health supports multiple languages and modalities. 🎧https://lnkd.in/dVxSFFQB https://lnkd.in/d6D6deJM

Make a decision, MOVE , and LEARN. Model that behavior. 🔁 Default is to NOT make decisions. ❌ Build a culture that is empowered to make decisions is vital for growth. Now, what does bringing quality cancer care into the comfort of home REALLY look like? Hear it from the CEO. Sitting down with Dan Nardi CEO of Reimagine Care on the Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast was so much fun!! We covered a ton of ground, humility in leadership, career learnings, culture, building businesses, mentality, CEO, hiring, the future of cancer care, and more! Check out the full episode, and be sure to like and subscribe to our channel! 👇 ▶https://lnkd.in/dRuqCsQ6 🎧https://lnkd.in/dRn9YgeN

Watch now 🚨https://lnkd.in/dkXmpgSp Dan Nardi the CEO of Reimagine Care sits down with Norman Volsky🎙️ and the vibes are immaculate. Learn about hiring, leadership, the future of cancer care and more!! Welcome back to The Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast for Episode 51! In today’s episode, Norm Volsky interviews Dan Nardi, CEO of Reimagine Care. They discuss Dan's journey through various leadership roles in healthcare, including his time at Livongo and Carrum Health and how these experiences shaped his approach to building teams and culture. Dan shares insights on the importance of operations in startups, the challenges of hiring, and the transformative impact of Reimagine Care on cancer treatment. The conversation highlights the need for patient-centric care, the financial implications of innovative healthcare models, and Dan's vision for the future of cancer care. Additionally, they touch on personal wellness and the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a leader. Takeaways 🌟 *Dan Nardi* emphasizes the importance of team and culture in successful startups. ⚙️ The role of operations is crucial in scaling businesses effectively. 🔍 Hiring the right fit at the right time is essential for growth. 🩺 *Reimagine Care* aims to transform the cancer treatment experience for patients. 🏥 Patient-centric care can significantly reduce ER visits and improve outcomes. 💰 Financial implications of innovative care models benefit both patients and providers. 🚀 Successful founders share a passion for their mission and resilience in the face of challenges. 🤸♂️ Flexibility and adaptability are key traits for early hires in startups. 🔄 Building a culture of feedback fosters open communication and growth. 🧘♂️ Personal wellness practices are vital for maintaining balance in leadership roles.

Need some insight on hiring top talent that also fits your company culture? Interested in the mindset of true Leadership? Check in with this week's episode of Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast heavy with CEO of Reimagine Care THE Dan Nardi! Dan jumps into his philosophy on hiring, "Define what you need, not exactly who you want." Dan believes it all starts with clearly defining the role and finding the right fit. But it doesn’t stop there. He also emphasizes the importance of diversity of thought, ensuring that new hires bring fresh perspectives and ideas. "Don't get so caught up in pedigree or resume even." FOCUS on what you need, then go find the people that can deliver on it. 💪 I really enjoy working with Dan because Dan understands that an org needs to take recruiting seriously, and prioritize it IF you are going to be successful. 🤝Dan is also particularly talented at building an incredible culture. What does that culture look like? An element of it, is a feedback-rich culture: According to him, feedback isn’t just about correcting mistakes—it’s about fostering growth and continuous improvement. This makes a team more cohesive and engaged. 🔉🔊🔊 When it comes out to leadership, Dan stressed the importance of making decisions quickly and with conviction. Leaders don’t always have the luxury of waiting for all the data—sometimes, you have to trust your gut and move fast. His mantra? "Take as much information as you can, be comfortable, make a decision, and move." 💡 Working on the business, not just in it: As a leader, Dan stresses the importance of stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. Know when you should be working on the business, and not just getting caught up in day-to-day operations. If you’re in healthcare, leading a startup, or simply passionate about team culture and leadership, you’re going to get so much out of this episode. Dan’s insights on leadership, decision-making, and building a resilient culture are incredibly valuable—whether you’re running a company or managing a team. Learn about the INCREDIBLE work Reimagine is doing. Bringing quality cancer care into the comfort of a patient's home. Imagine a world where you can avoid clinic wait times, visits aren't rushed, care is provided in the home, and clinical oncology experts seamlessly connect with patients 24/7, triaging, offering expert guidance AND it's better for the healthcare system. Reducing the number of ER visits, acute care visits, schedule interruptions, allowing providers to see more patients and practice at a higher level. Well, you don't have to check out Reimagine. Because they are ABLE to support so many patients and providers don't have to do email response, or on demand clinic visits, they are ENABLING clients to have higher volume. Huge. Be sure to catch this episode as Dan brings his expertise from Livongo, Carrum Health and now leading Reimagine!! A TON to learn from this one. https://lnkd.in/d7PcniYW

Welcome back to the Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast for Episode 51! Today, Norman Volsky🎙️ sits down with Emily Durfee, partner at Healthworx Ventures, who shares her journey in venture capital and her experiences in the healthcare industry. She emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in venture capital and the value of hiring people with different skills and strengths. Emily also discusses her role as a product operations manager at Clover Health and the challenges and successes she faced. She highlights the need for effective leadership and creating a culture of respect and value within a team. Emily shares her experiences in East and West Africa and the lessons she learned about healthcare systems and the importance of incentives. She also mentions the healthcare initiatives she was involved in during her time at Optimizer Foundation. Emily joined Healthworx during the COVID-19 pandemic and found a sense of purpose in working in the startup ecosystem. She values learning every day, working with people she likes and respects, and having a mission that aligns with her values. Healthworx sets itself apart by providing access to the knowledge and expertise of a payer, which is rare in the venture capital world. Emily emphasizes the importance of understanding the customer's top five problems and articulating why your solution is a top value proposition for them. She also shares her love for exercise and being active outdoors as a way to manage stress. Takeaways 🌐 Diverse perspectives in venture capital are crucial for making well-rounded investment decisions. 🤝 Effective leadership involves hiring people with different skills and strengths and creating a culture of respect and value within a team. 🌍 Healthcare systems face similar challenges globally, such as engaging patients, ensuring an adequate number of healthcare professionals, and promoting adherence to treatment plans. 💰 Incentives play a significant role in shaping healthcare systems, and different payment models can lead to different priorities and outcomes. 🏥 Investing in healthcare initiatives can have a profound impact on improving access to care and quality of life for underserved populations. Joining Healthworx during the COVID-19 pandemic provided Emily with a sense of purpose and the opportunity to work in the startup ecosystem. 🔍 Healthworx differentiates itself by providing access to the knowledge and expertise of a payer, which is rare in the venture capital world. 🩺 Understanding the customer's top five problems and articulating why your solution is a top value proposition for them is crucial in healthcare. 🏃♀️ Emily manages stress through exercise and being active outdoors. 🥗 Emily enjoys buying fresh, locally grown ingredients from the farmer's market and making salads. 👂https://lnkd.in/dfssYNQs ▶ https://lnkd.in/dbN4gmmG

"I am the type of person who loves getting shit done, throwing a lot of things at the wall, seeing what sticks, moving quickly." Same. Emily Durfee, same. I loved chatting with Emily partner at Healthworx Ventures about all the exciting things they are doing!! We cover a TON of ground, Diverse perspectives in venture capital and the value of hiring people with different skills and strengths. What does effective leadership mean, and how to create a culture of respect and value within a team. Emily shares her incredible experiences in East and West Africa and the lessons she learned about healthcare systems and the importance of incentives. We ofcourse talk all things Healthworx, with Emily joining the team during the COVID-19 pandemic and discovering a sense of purpose in working in the startup ecosystem. She values learning every day, working with people she likes and respects, and having a mission that aligns with her values. 📈📈📈📈📈📈 What advice would Emily give to founder going into a pitch meeting with a VC? 1. Figure out a way to showcase your true passion for your company While 2. Making sure to touch on all the important pieces of information the investors need to know What's a not so obvious red flag for a healthcare investment? In healthcare, it is ❌not❌ understanding why your customer cares about *your thing* as one of their top five problems. Being able to articulate for whom your solution is a top 5 value prop for. If you don't know this answer = red flag 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩 Healthworx sets itself apart by providing access to the knowledge and expertise of a payer, which is rare in the venture capital world. "The more I know about healthcare, the less I know about healthcare." Has to be the most relatable line Emily shared. Accepting that free fall and leverage what you do know, and continue to be curious and excited about what's next in healthcare! #relatable Key Points 🗝 💰 Incentives play a significant role in shaping healthcare systems, and different payment models can lead to different priorities and outcomes. 🏥 Investing in healthcare initiatives can have a profound impact on improving access to care and quality of life for underserved populations. Joining Healthworx during the COVID-19 pandemic provided Emily with a sense of purpose and the opportunity to work in the startup ecosystem. 🔍 Healthworx differentiates itself by providing access to the knowledge and expertise of a payer, which is rare in the venture capital world. 👂https://lnkd.in/dsfk6kai Catch the entire episode of Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast episode 51!