From her career journey as a physician leader to her perspective on how AI is reshaping the revenue cycle, Dr. Green shares why clinical oversight isn’t optional... it’s essential. The conversation dives into the real risks health systems face when AI isn’t grounded in clinical context, including documentation integrity, medical necessity, and rising denial rates.

Together, Grace and Dr. Green explore where AI can truly move the needle on revenue integrity, how leaders should think about ROI beyond automation, and what metrics actually signal sustainable success. They also tackle the growing tension between payer behavior and documentation gaps and how organizations can get ahead of it.

To close, Dr. Green shares personal insights on leadership, resilience, and advice for women navigating careers in healthcare and health IT.

We dig into one of the biggest ongoing challenges - alert fatigue - and why simply adding more intelligence isn’t the answer. Sandra shares a powerful perspective on the need for flexible, thoughtful architecture that supports the underlying logic of CDS, recognizing that every clinician, system, and workflow has different needs and expectations.

We also explore how AI, including ambient listening, is beginning to reshape how insights are delivered, and what it will take to make these tools truly useful (not overwhelming) in real-world care settings.

Grab your cup of tea. If you care about building smarter, more human-centered health tech, this conversation is for you!

In this episode, Grace is joined by Brianna Fitchett, Vice President of Clinical Impact at Catalight, for a candid conversation about the future of autism and intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) education and care.

Brianna shares her career journey from behavior therapist to healthcare leader, and offers a firsthand look at the growing challenges facing the autism care ecosystem; including workforce shortages, long wait times for diagnosis and services, and clinician burnout. With autism prevalence now at 1 in 31 in the U.S., the demand for care has never been higher.

Together, Grace and Brianna dive into:

• How parent-mediated and research-backed care models are reshaping autism services

• What it really takes to close the research-to-practice gap in behavioral health

• The role of virtual learning platforms and scalable clinician training

• How data-driven, outcome-focused education improves both clinician confidence and family outcomes

• Catalight Academy and the vision behind the Elevate Your Impact conference

• What the next 5–10 years could look like for autism and I/DD care

As always, the conversation wraps with Brianna’s advice for women in healthcare and health IT.

Pour yourself a cup and join us!

Grace is joined by Dr. Sarah E. Matt, MD, MBA, healthcare strategist, bestselling author of The Borderless Healthcare Revolution, and former Oracle executive, for a candid conversation about what is really shaping the future of healthcare in 2026 and beyond.

While headlines focus on AI everywhere and all at once, Dr. Matt argues the real transformation is a quiet rural renaissance happening in places many investors and innovators overlook. Together, they dig into where capital is actually flowing in healthcare, why geography still determines life expectancy, and why so many well-funded digital health pilots fall apart the moment they hit a rural emergency department on a busy night.

This episode explores:

• Why zip code still predicts outcomes despite decades of innovation

• The difference between digital infrastructure and human infrastructure

• What hospital boards are missing about physician burnout right now

• Why rural hospitals struggle to scale innovation and how some break the cycle

• How AI risks widening the rural care gap if leaders are not intentional

• Why workforce shortages are a design failure, not just a staffing problem

• The uncomfortable truths health system leaders are avoiding about rural care

Dr. Matt also shares insights from her work on borderless care, including the single regulatory change that could unlock real progress and why it has not happened yet.

As always, HITea With Grace closes by getting personal. Dr. Matt reflects on how she does her best work, how she navigates challenges, and what advice she has for women building careers in healthcare and health IT today. And of course, we wrap with tea, mugs, and the stories behind them.

🎧 If you care about the future of healthcare beyond urban innovation hubs, this episode is a must-listen.

Cheers!

Together, they unpack why women’s longevity isn’t just about lifestyle hacks or wellness trends, but about who gets studied, how trials are designed, and whose data is actually driving medical decisions. Dr. Phung shares her career journey into clinical research, explains how male-centered trial designs still influence today’s guidelines and health tech, and explores why women remain underrepresented in research, especially during key life stages like perimenopause and menopause.

The conversation also dives into:

• How delayed diagnoses quietly compound over time for women

• Why decentralized and remote trials are critical for real-world participation

• Where the biggest research gaps still exist in women’s aging, hormones, and chronic disease

• How women can actively help close the data gap through trials, wearables, and advocacy

As always, we close out HITea With Grace by getting personal, talking about how Dr. Phung does her best work, overcomes challenges, and what advice she has for women navigating healthcare and research today. And of course, we end on a lighter note with tea, mugs, and the stories behind them ☕️

🎧 Tune in for a conversation that blends science, systems, and lived experience and challenges us to rethink what it really takes to support women’s long-term health.

Cheers!

Today Grace is joined by Gail Menasco, founder of the Bra Society and a powerful advocate for women navigating breast reconstruction and broader healthcare challenges. Gail shares the personal cancer journey that led her into advocacy at just 38 years old and how it shaped her mission to empower patients with knowledge, resources, and support.

The conversation explores her important work in Oregon and how policy efforts there aim to improve access and outcomes for women’s health. Gail also discusses the growing role of patient advocates in shaping policy, the evolving partnerships between clinicians, policymakers, and communities, and why collaboration is essential to closing long-standing gaps in care.

Grace and Gail dig into the future of ACA subsidies, rising affordability concerns, and what weakened protections could mean for women and families. They also look at the widening gap between women’s health innovation and insurance coverage and the promising ideas emerging to bridge it.

To close the episode, Gail shares what drives her, how she overcomes challenges, her advice for women in healthcare and health IT, and of course the tea she brought to the pod today.

Settle in for an insightful and inspiring conversation on HITea With Grace.

Nick shares the story behind the PinkSocks movement, how a simple symbol grew into a global community, and why the message of empathy and kindness continues to resonate across healthcare and beyond.

The conversation dives into what makes PinkSocks so enduring, stories from his book that reflect the spirit of the movement, and how allyship is evolving in health tech and patient advocacy. Nick also talks about how human connection and kindness can fuel innovation and strengthen the future of care.

To close the episode, Nick reflects on what motivates him, how he navigates challenges, his advice for leaders in healthcare and health IT, and of course the mug he brought to the pod today.

Pour a cup and enjoy another uplifting conversation on HITea With Grace and check out Nick's latest book:

PINKSOCKS: How a Pair of Socks Became a Symbol of Love and Connection

Today Grace Vinton is joined by Julia Komissarchik for a conversation about the challenges and opportunities behind FDA approved AI models in healthcare. Julia explains why many of these models stay confined to a single hospital, how broader access to high quality clinical data can improve generalization, and what is needed to build AI systems that work for diverse patient populations.

The discussion explores the limits of small training datasets, the importance of secure and scalable de-identification, the role of multimodal clinical data, and what it takes to build trust between hospitals and research partners. Julia also breaks down what works and what does not work in federated learning and what safeguards are required to make it a viable approach for clinical AI.

To close the episode, Julia shares what motivates her, how she overcomes challenges, her advice for women in healthcare and health IT, and of course the tea she brought to the pod today.

Today Grace is joined by Jenni Tarma, CEO and Founder of Kaari Prehab, for an honest conversation about women’s bone health and why osteoporosis remains so overlooked. Jenni shares her career path, why bone health for postmenopausal women is often missed in mainstream medicine, and how patient-centered exercise guidance can change outcomes.

The conversation highlights evidence-based options for women who want to avoid or delay medications, ways to spot credible information, how advocacy communities empower patients, and what first steps someone should take if they suspect they are at risk. Jenni also talks about how clinicians and wellness professionals can help patients move past fear-based messaging, along with the policy and community changes needed to improve care.

To wrap up the episode, Yenni shares how she works her best, what helps her overcome challenges, and her advice for women in healthcare and health IT. And of course, we ask the important question: what tea did she bring today?

Tune in, learn something new, and enjoy another great conversation on HITea With Grace!

Amanda walks us through the career journey that led her to build Bold and why she believes falls remain one of healthcare’s most preventable yet overlooked challenges. Together, we dig into why balance and fall prevention have stayed under the national radar despite the massive medical, social, and economic impact.

We explore the innovations turning fall prevention from reactive to predictive, including AI powered tools that identify risk earlier and more accurately. Amanda shares her perspective on what Medicare’s STAR ratings and value based models mean for accelerating adoption, and what policymakers can do to push prevention forward.

Grace and Amanda also get real about the stigma older adults face when using technology. Amanda breaks down what actually works when it comes to adoption, trust building, and making digital tools feel empowering rather than patronizing. We also talk about how clinicians can integrate these tools in a way that enhances, not overwhelms, their workflow and patient relationships.

To wrap up, Amanda imagines what the next five to ten years could look like if predictive fall prevention becomes the norm and how this innovation could transform aging in place for millions.

Grab your mug and settle in for a thoughtful, energizing HLTH conversation that shines a light on one of healthcare’s most important and least discussed opportunities.

In this conversation, Dr. Hayes shares the career journey that led her to Imagine Pediatrics and the mission that inspires her work. She explains how their tech enabled, multidisciplinary model strengthens the care children already receive by giving families more support at home, more coordinated communication, and more of what she calls safe days at home. Dr. Hayes also breaks down the real world challenges that families face when navigating Medicaid and the pediatric system and how today’s policy environment can both help and hinder progress.

Grace and Dr. Hayes explore how Imagine Pediatrics weaves together medical care, behavioral health, and social supports like transportation, housing, and food access. Dr. Hayes explains why addressing these social drivers of health is essential for helping families thrive and how technology and data can fuel better outcomes.

They wrap with what gives Dr. Hayes optimism about the future of pediatric care, especially for families facing the steepest obstacles, along with her reflections on purpose, resilience, and her advice for women working in healthcare and health IT.

Pour your tea and settle in for an uplifting, hopeful, HLTH inspired conversation with a leader who is helping reimagine care for some of the most remarkable kids and families in our system.

In this episode, Missy shares her insights on where healthcare AI is heading, what is hype, and what has real potential to transform care. She dives into the current focus on large language models and the challenges we face in making them truly effective in healthcare settings. Missy also talks about the growing excitement around agentic AI systems and how they could improve efficiency for payers and providers as the so called AI agent wars begin to unfold.

Grace and Missy also explore one of the most talked about frontiers in the industry: the rise of AI driven tools in behavioral health. From conversational support to the risks of over reliance on chatbots, Missy offers a grounded perspective on what is promising and what requires caution when applying AI in sensitive areas of care.

The conversation then turns to the innovation trends Missy is energized by, including new models for obesity and GLP-1 care, longevity medicine, the evolution of primary care, and emerging tools designed to support value based care. Throughout the episode, Grace uncovers the values, motivations, and lived experiences that guide Missy's work in digital health and the advice she offers to women building careers in this space.

So pour yourself a cup of tea, settle in, and join Grace and Missy for a thoughtful conversation about the promise and complexity of AI in healthcare and the innovators working to shape a healthier and more connected future.

From the bedside to the boardroom, Tiffany’s career journey is proof that when nurses and clinicians lead, innovation follows. She opens up about how her frontline experiences shaped her approach to designing technology that truly listens to caregivers and how real-world feedback fuels better digital solutions.

Together, Grace and Tiffany dive into the power of bite-sized learning, why traditional training often misses the mark, and how microlearning helps healthcare organizations build competence and confidence across their teams. Tiffany shares what it takes to roll out technology that actually sticks, how to measure success beyond adoption rates, and why creating a culture of learning matters just as much as the tools themselves.

They also explore the softer side of leadership: what drives Tiffany, how she overcomes challenges, and her heartfelt advice for women pursuing careers in healthcare and health IT. As always, Grace keeps things real with a little laughter, a lot of heart, and a shared love of tea.

So grab your mug, take a sip, and join us for a thoughtful conversation about empowering the frontline, humanizing technology, and leading with purpose - one microlearning moment at a time.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

• Kelsey’s career path from healthcare consulting to leading strategy and operations at Vital.
• Why patient communication remains one of the toughest problems in healthcare and what’s at stake.
• The real outcomes leaders should measure beyond “time saved” from portal engagement to reduced readmissions and stronger HCAHPS scores.
• How data, analytics, and AI can power more personalized care without sacrificing privacy.
• Where health systems are making big leaps toward seamless, patient-centered experiences and where they’re still getting it wrong.
• Why EHR tools alone can’t deliver the kind of communication patients expect today.
• How trust and loyalty are built through patient experience tools that empower both patients and providers.

Kelsey also shared her leadership habits, her approach to self-care, and the mentors who helped shape her career. And yes, she brought her tea and mug story along for the ride!

In their final moments at the Civitas Conference, Grace and John gather around the mic to unpack the latest trends shaping the future of Health Information Exchanges (HIEs). From TEFCA momentum and the rise of QHINs, to the renewed focus on patient matching, identity management, and social data integration, they explore how the next era of interoperability is taking shape.

Far from fading away, HIEs are morphing - adapting their business models, expanding their value, and proving that the heartbeat of local healthcare data is alive and well.

Grab your cup - it’s time to spill the tea on the evolving world of interoperability! ☕

Together, they explore how real-time clinical data sharing is transforming care in Delaware and setting the standard for interoperability across the country. Jan shares her inspiring career journey from clinician to health IT leader, the innovations driving DHIN’s success, and how better data sharing is helping reduce costs, eliminate unnecessary tests, and improve patient outcomes.

Tune in to hear what trends and ideas are sparking change at Civitas, what’s next for HIEs nationwide, and Jan’s advice for the next generation of health technology leaders.

Grab your cup - this is one conversation you won’t want to miss. ☕

From data gaps that quietly impact patient care, to the realities of implementing frameworks like FHIR and TEFCA, Susan and Laura share their insights on how to move beyond buzzwords toward true, usable data exchange at the point of care. They also explore the powerful role patients are beginning to play in driving interoperability forward and what innovations may reshape the landscape in the next five years.

Whether you’re a health IT professional, a data evangelist, or simply curious about how healthcare information actually connects behind the scenes, this conversation delivers equal parts wisdom and inspiration — Civitas-style.

Grab your cup and tune in — it’s time to spill the tea on interoperability’s last mile! ☕

In this episode, Jamie shares:

• The career path that shaped her customer-first RCM lens.
  
• What’s truly different now: payer behavior, patient expectations, and the regs changing the game.
  
• The biggest blockers to RCM modernization - operational, cultural, and contractual - and how to disarm them.
  
• How the CMS interoperability & prior auth final rule (FHIR + APIs) could reset payer–provider workflows, including pace expectations (e.g., ~72 hrs urgent / ~7 days standard), and where innovation can reduce burden while improving patient care.
  
• Success metrics beyond dollars: patient retention/satisfaction and staff satisfaction—plus how analytics and prior auth tools help.
  
• Leading with service, creativity, and community - and yes, her global tea mug story ☕.
  

Listen now and be sure to connect with Jamie!

What you’ll learn in this conversation:

• How machine learning models flag at-risk patients who might otherwise go undetected, supporting smarter, earlier interventions.
  
• Why early diagnosis is a population health imperative - reducing diabetic ketoacidosis risk from 40–60% to less than 5%, while saving families and health systems costs.
  
• How Lucem Health is working with providers through a “crawl, walk, run” approach to build trust and integrate AI into workflows without adding burden.
  
• Holly’s personal take on resilience: daily reading, healthy routines, and encouraging us to have the courage to take leaps sooner.

Holly also shared her tea mug story and what drives her to make a difference in healthcare. You won’t want to miss this one!

Pam opened up about her career journey across payer and vendor roles, why she came out of retirement to lead again, and how she’s helping drive transformation in prior authorization and healthcare data integration.

Key insights from our chat:

• The latest trends in prior authorization innovation and how AI and APIs are shaping efficiency as well as why secure, integrated healthcare data is the next frontier for better care delivery.

• What inspired Pam to return from retirement and why a smaller, nimble health IT company was the right fit.

• Her reflections on mentorship, leadership clarity, and progress for women in Health IT.

Pam also shared her favorite clear tea mug - and the story behind it - as a reminder of the importance of clarity in communication and leadership.

Tune in to learn more about Pam's vision for the future of healthcare technology!

The conversation dives into:
☕ What first drew Deepti to the world of coding and how her perspective has evolved over her career.
☕ How AI is transforming the coding profession, its opportunities and risks.
☕ The delicate balance between building cutting-edge technology and achieving practical adoption in healthcare.
☕ Deepti’s process for translating ideas into market-ready products.
☕ Her predictions for the future of healthcare coding and automation over the next decade.
☕ Leadership lessons, mentorship stories, and advice for women pursuing careers in STEAM and healthcare IT.

From shaping innovation to inspiring the next generation of technologists, Deepti’s journey offers powerful insights into what it takes to lead at the intersection of tech, business, and healthcare!

Jolie shares how Civitas members are moving beyond the technical aspects of interoperability to focus on what happens after the data moves—turning shared information into shared accountability and real solutions. We also dive into this year’s Civitas Annual Conference theme, the power of place-based partnerships, and why now is the moment to strengthen regional networks that bridge data with on-the-ground action.

From rural health coalitions to large statewide HIEs, Jolie’s perspective is rich with examples of innovation, systems change, and relationship-building—and she shares personal insights on what drives her mission in healthcare IT leadership.

And yes, of course we get to know the tea she’s sipping and the story behind her mug.

Want to connect with innovators, leaders, and changemakers across healthcare, public health, and community? Join us at the Civitas Networks for Health Annual Conference in Anaheim, California, September 28–30, 2025. Don’t miss the chance to network, learn, and be part of shaping the future of health data and partnerships.

Register now: https://www.civitasforhealth.org/annualconference2025

In this episode, I’m joined by the one and only Dr. Heather Bassett, internal medicine physician and Chief Medical Officer at Xsolis. From a math-and-science-loving kid to a leader pioneering AI-driven transformation in healthcare, Dr. Bassett shares her remarkable journey—one that started with DNA repair research and now fuels nationwide solutions that reduce administrative friction and bring joy back to medicine.

In this episode, Dr. Bassett spills the tea on:

• Her leap from clinical practice to founding-stage health tech

• Keys to eliminate administrative waste and unite and align payers and providers

• The power of ambient AI to combat clinician burnout

• Real-world results: cutting low-value tasks, supporting documentation, and improving diagnostic accuracy

• Global case studies in AI and imaging (including a 4% boost in cancer detection in Sweden)

• What really keeps her up at night about AI—and how to use it responsibly

• Bias, burnout, and the balance between tech and the human touch

Plus, we talk tea sets, Scottish roots, and why joy, friendship, and believing in yourself matter more than ever in today’s fast-paced health tech world.

If you’re a clinician, technologist, healthcare leader—or just curious about how AI is already transforming the patient experience—this episode is a must-listen.

Connect with Dr. Bassett on LinkedIn, and check out her new podcast AI Amplified for deeper dives into real-world AI in healthcare.

And as her mum says… no pinkies in the air, enjoy your cuppa!

Fresh from ASCO, I’m thrilled to welcome Kathryn Doornbos to the pod, Director of Clinical Partnership at Carta Healthcare. Kathryn brings an inspiring blend of scientific rigor and real-world clinical insight, and today she shares how her team is reshaping cancer care with technology that’s as practical as it is powerful.

In this episode, Kathryn spills the tea on:

• Her career journey from molecular biology to health tech leadership

• A groundbreaking study that’s reducing overtreatment in older women with breast cancer

• How Carta Healthcare and UPMC cut patient screening time from over an hour to just one minute

• Using AI and natural language understanding to make clinical trials faster, smarter, and more inclusive

• A 5x jump in patient enrollment—and what that means for trial access and equity

• The balance between AI-powered care and human-centered medicine

• How surgical guidelines are being de-escalated in real time using EHR-integrated tools

• What all this means for patients and caregivers, especially those often overlooked in trial design

Kathryn also opens up about the personal “why” behind her work, the challenges of implementing innovation in clinical settings, and her advice to women navigating their own health IT journeys.

Plus—don’t miss her favorite tea, the story behind her mug, and what it symbolizes about working in cancer care.

In this episode, Dr. Xiu spills the tea on:

• Her career journey from scientist to translational research leader

• How Caris turns tumor samples into precision treatment roadmaps

• The critical role of comprehensive molecular testing (and why "standard" tests just aren't enough)

• How Caris’ vast oncology database helps uncover new treatment targets

• The exciting ways AI is making sense of complex cancer data

• Her favorite recent study and how it could shape the future of trials and care

Plus, we dive into what drives Dr. Xiu as a woman leader in health IT: how she works her best, overcomes challenges, and her advice for the next generation of women making waves in science and tech.

Whether you're a clinician, innovator, researcher or just curious about how data is changing lives; this episode offers a smart, human look at the future of cancer care.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Dr. Feldman’s path to becoming a leader in biomarker and drug intelligence

• The hottest trends in precision oncology and how they’re shaping the future

• Game-changing studies at ASCO, including new targets like CLDN18

• How molecular profiling is unlocking treatments for rare and hard-to-treat cancers

• The rise of advanced therapies like bispecifics, ADCs, and smart drug combinations

• The role of AI and blood-based diagnostics (ctDNA) in transforming clinical trials

• How Caris is helping to expand trial access to underserved populations, including kids and patients with rare mutations

Plus, we get personal: Dr. Feldman shares what drives her, how she overcomes challenges, and her advice to women navigating careers in healthcare and health IT.

This episode is for anyone curious about where oncology is headed and how technology is helping to lead the way—with empathy, intelligence, and precision.

Amy shares her journey from academia to executive leadership, and what it means to guide a company’s behavioral science strategy at the C-suite level. We dig into why behavioral science is the missing ingredient in so many digital health tools, and how precision nudging can bridge the gap between what patients know and what they actually do.

From tackling chronic condition management and fragmented engagement, to expanding internationally with culturally relevant messaging via platforms like WhatsApp, Amy gives us an inside look at how Lirio is turning behavioral insight into measurable impact. She also opens up about balancing innovation with empathy, and how AI and behavior design can work together to build trust in healthcare ecosystems.

Dr. Saunders walks us through her career path from academic research to applied innovation, leading to her groundbreaking study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. Her findings? That traditional cognitive assessments fall short when it comes to capturing the most meaningful aspects of life for people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

We explore how this research supports the urgent need for a personalized, culturally informed approach to brain health—one that honors a patient’s lived experience, values, and priorities. Stina also introduces us to the ePSOM tool (electronic Person-Specific Outcome Measure), a UK-born innovation now gaining traction in the U.S., which allows individuals to define success on their own terms in the face of cognitive decline.

From clinical significance to implementation, this conversation is packed with insights on patient voice, personalized care planning, and what it takes to truly center individuals in healthcare.

Shelly opens up about the pivotal moment that led her to change careers, and the surprising graduation gift from her husband—a digital stethoscope—that would soon become a life-saving tool for her daughter, Elouise. Hear how Shelly’s intuition and training helped her detect a 10 mm atrial septal defect in her infant long before it would have been caught by routine care.

We also explore the role of digital stethoscopes and ambient listening tech in hospice care—how they enhance patient monitoring, support early detection, and reduce documentation burden for providers working in high-touch, high-compassion settings.

Shelly shares how her perspective on care has evolved, and how technology is helping her deliver more connected, dignified care at the end of life. She reflects on overcoming challenges through faith, family, and personal resilience, and gives uplifting advice to women navigating their own paths in healthcare.

We chat about Leigh’s career journey from PR to public policy leadership, and how mentorship shaped her path. She breaks down the evolving regulatory landscape under the current administration, the tension between federal and state-level policies, and how health IT teams are navigating increasingly complex compliance demands. We also dive into the ongoing battle against information blocking, and how the EHRA is tackling emerging issues like AI governance, patient privacy, and consent frameworks.

Leigh shares her thoughts on why national frameworks matter, the risks of a patchwork regulatory approach, and what’s ahead for digital health advocates. As always, we wrap up with some personal reflections—on work-life balance, confidence, and advice for women building careers in healthcare IT.

And of course, we ask Leigh to spill the tea—literally—with her favorite blend and the story behind her Wonder Woman mug.

We dive into how next-generation tools are becoming more actionable and patient-specific, what this means for prescription safety, and how advanced analytics are making a measurable impact. Virginia also breaks down the challenges health systems face in adopting sophisticated decision-support tools, including how to balance automation with clinical oversight.

We talk regulatory hurdles, AI in documentation, and the growing role of ambient technologies in reducing clinician burnout. Plus, Virginia shares her vision for what the next breakthrough in AI-driven EHRs might look like – and how generative AI could evolve to support more meaningful, efficient care delivery.

Amanda takes us back to the life-altering moment that inspired The Chick Mission, sharing how her personal experience with cancer treatment and fertility challenges became the foundation for a movement that’s empowering women across the country. From advocacy to grant-making to education, Amanda and her team are changing the system—and making sure no woman has to choose between life-saving treatment and the chance to build a family.

In this deeply personal and passionate conversation, we explore:

• The real-life barriers women face when it comes to fertility preservation during cancer treatment.
• How policy, insurance gaps, and care team dynamics can support or hinder a woman’s reproductive autonomy.
• Why oncologists and healthcare providers must prioritize fertility conversations early and often.
• Innovations and technologies Amanda is watching in the fertility and cancer care space.
• What’s next for The Chick Mission—and how you can support the movement.

We also talk about how Amanda stays grounded, her advice for women in healthcare and health IT, and of course—what tea she brought along to spill in our conversation.

Tune in to hear how Amanda Rice is leading with purposing and pushing for change!

In this episode, Dr. Onyiego walks us through her impressive career path and breaks down what truly effective VBC looks like. We unpack how Equality Health empowers providers and communities through a model built on enablement, partnership, and culturally attuned care.

You’ll hear us chat about:

• What “Value-Based Care” really means—and why it’s time to restore the term’s meaning.
• The Equality Health model: a Medicaid-focused VBC enabler that supports PCPs, partners with health plans, and wraps care around patients through outreach and navigation.
• Why independent primary care providers are essential to delivering better, more personalized care.
• The role of Medicaid in VBC conversations and why equity starts there.
• How community health workers are key to closing gaps and creating trust.
• The impact of AI on patient engagement and care team efficiency in a VBC framework.
• What “enablement” really means—and why providers need it to succeed in today’s care models.

We also get personal. Dr. Onyiego shares how she works best, how she overcomes challenges, and what advice she has for women rising in healthcare and health IT.

Don’t miss this inspiring, deeply relevant conversation on what it really takes to make value-based care work—for everyone.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Ide shares her journey from OBGYN residency to health tech leadership—and how her clinical roots continue to shape her mission-driven work at Rimidi. We dive deep into the maternal health crisis in the U.S., exploring both the challenges and the tech-enabled solutions that are making a difference.

We chat about:

• The U.S. maternal mortality crisis and lessons we can borrow from international models.
• The critical role RPM plays in improving outcomes for mothers—especially in rural and underserved communities.
• Success stories from programs at Boston Medical Center and the University of South Carolina.
• How gender roles and cultural expectations impact the delivery and quality of maternal care.
• What shifting political landscapes mean for the future of reproductive health.
• Tangible ways to bring maternal health to the top of the national agenda.

We also touch on what drives Dr. Ide as a woman leader in healthcare tech, how she navigates life’s challenges, and her best advice for women in the space.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone passionate about equity in healthcare, digital innovation, and lifting up maternal health as a national priority!

From the broken financing system to where tech and innovation can (and can’t) help, Anne doesn’t hold back. She breaks down:

• Why solving the long-term care financing gap remains elusive—and why insurance has to be part of the solution.
• Where the private sector has stepped up (and stumbled), and how tech can support care delivery at home.
• What sustainable, public-private models might look like—from federal proposals to creative state-led solutions.
• How provider-led plans and special needs plans can better serve complex populations and caregivers alike.
• The evolving role of family caregivers in healthcare—and what policies like the GUIDE program are doing to help.

We also explore Anne’s views on what it takes to change the system—from how providers think about care, to how we support caregivers with real tools, training, and respect.

And of course, we wrap with a little tea talk! Anne shares the story behind her mug, what drives her, and advice she’d give to women leading in healthcare and health IT.

I was honored to be invited to attend the PointClickCare Summit to interview Cheryl Field in person—a dynamic nurse informaticist and health IT leader making waves in the space. We dive into a rich conversation about the intersection of AI, nursing, and clinical workflows—straight from someone who’s walking the walk in healthcare innovation.

Cheryl shares how her career path led her to PointClickCare and offers sharp insights on:

• The biggest challenges in integrating AI into clinical workflows—without disrupting patient care.
• How AI can enhance rather than replace nursing expertise, especially in documentation, monitoring, and decision support.
• The critical role nurse informaticists play in fighting algorithmic bias and ensuring equity in healthcare technology.
• How to reduce—not increase—cognitive overload through thoughtful AI implementation.
• Best practices for aligning AI adoption with nursing values and patient-centered care.

We also get personal—Cheryl opens up about how she works best, navigates life’s challenges, and shares empowering advice for women in health IT.

And of course, we spill a little tea! Cheryl shows off her mug of choice and the story behind it, keeping things cozy and real. Plot twist, she gifted me some delicious tea as a thank you for the interview!

Don’t miss this one—tune in now to be inspired by Cheryl’s wisdom and warmth.

Nadine brings both deep professional expertise and lived experience to the table. As someone who’s worked across the healthcare data landscape—and personally navigated the complexities of the system while managing endometriosis—she offers a rare, dual-perspective on why interoperability isn't just a tech problem, it's a patient care problem.

In this episode, we explore:

• The biggest current gaps in health information exchange—and what it means for real-world care
• The impact of legal and regulatory constraints on data sharing, and how policy can help or hinder progress
• How her own journey with endometriosis revealed the serious consequences of fragmented data and delayed diagnoses
• Where AI and clinical decision support tools can meaningfully improve care for patients with complex, underdiagnosed conditions like endometriosis

This conversation gets to the heart of how interoperability and innovation can (and must) serve patients, especially those who have historically been overlooked in health system design and data strategies.

Nadine’s voice is a crucial one—grounded in technical knowledge, policy awareness, and the kind of insight only lived experience can offer.

Tune in and follow HITea With Grace for more conversations with women transforming healthcare from the inside out.

As Founding Partner and CEO of Kepler Team, Olga works directly with early-stage and scaling companies to untangle complex integrations, navigate compliance, and avoid the all-too-common pitfalls of entering the EHR ecosystem. This episode is a must-listen for anyone building in healthcare—and especially for startups that want to play smart, move fast, and avoid getting sidelined by the unspoken rules of the industry.

We dig into:

• The myths vs. realities of working with EHRs and integrating into hospital systems
• When to start planning for integrations—and why waiting too long can derail growth
• The unique challenges of building at the MVP stage vs. scaling to enterprise
• How to tackle compliance without killing innovation (yes, it’s possible)
• And what Olga sees as the next big fight in healthcare IT (hint: it might not be what you think)

Olga brings deep operational experience and sharp insight into the nuance of health tech infrastructure. Her advice is clear, actionable, and rooted in hard-won experience helping startups survive and scale in one of the toughest industries out there.

Whether you’re founding a company, scaling one, or just want to understand the hidden dynamics shaping the digital health landscape—this conversation is packed with insight you won’t want to miss.

Follow HITea With Grace for more fearless conversations with the women leading the way in Health IT.

Together, they’re creating space for bold, unfiltered conversations in healthcare—and they brought that same energy to our discussion. We dig into the critical issues shaping the future of health IT and explore the real-world challenges of driving change in a complex, often inequitable system.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Their unique career journeys—and what drives them today
• Why they launched Health Tech Talk Show and what conversations the industry is still avoiding
• The policy and regulatory changes they’re watching most closely in 2025
• The hot topics that sparked the biggest debates on their show
• The boldest stances they’ve taken—and how they were received

And as the conversation wraps, Kat and Lisa offer a powerful insight: that real leadership is rooted in community. Their key to success? Each other. Having a trusted peer to give honest feedback, challenge your thinking, and offer support is essential—not just for surviving the health tech space, but for changing it.

If you care about the future of healthcare, policy, and equity, this episode will leave you inspired—and ready to get real about what it takes to lead.

Follow HITea With Grace for more fearless conversations with the women moving healthcare forward!

Rachel shares her career journey into health IT leadership and breaks down the concept of Healthcare Master Data Management (MDM)—what it is, why it matters, and how it impacts nearly every facet of care delivery. We explore what happens when health systems don’t have a clear view of “who is who” across records and settings, and how a more unified identity approach can improve both clinical outcomes and operational efficiency.

In this episode, we dive into:

• What Healthcare Master Data Management means in practice
• Why patient identity is a core issue in healthcare transformation
• Key challenges health systems face in adopting modern identity solutions
• How a 360-degree view of the patient enhances outcomes and experiences
• The implications of treating patients as consumers in a digital health environment
• The role of AI in driving innovation in patient identity
• Real-world success stories from hospitals leveraging identity tools to improve care

Rachel also opens up about the personal habits and life strategies that help her thrive in a demanding industry, and shares what she wishes she had known earlier in her career.

Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded conversation that sheds light on the hidden infrastructure powering patient-centered care.

Before becoming a startup leader, Sabrina faced clinician burnout firsthand. That experience became a turning point, fueling her mission to reshape healthcare from the inside out. Her story is one that so many in the industry can relate to, and her journey offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for those looking to make lasting change.

We dive into:

• How Sabrina’s burnout experience propelled her into health tech innovation
• What it's really like to build a startup as a woman in healthcare IT
• Why women-led companies still receive less than 3% of venture capital—and how we can change that
• Practical strategies for building financial stability in early-stage startups
• The unique challenges women founders face in attracting and retaining top talent
• What VCs and angel investors must start doing differently to level the playing field
• The bold actions our industry needs to shift the narrative—and the numbers—for women-led innovation

We also get personal: Sabrina shares the habits and mindset that keep her grounded and high-performing, the strategies she’s used to overcome life’s obstacles, and the advice she’d give her younger self. Tune in!

The conversation centers around the future of autonomous readings of mammograms and how this technology is shaping the next era of early detection and precision care. Teri shares her insights into the growing role of AI in radiology, the need for scalable and consistent screening tools, and how automation can improve clinical outcomes and reduce disparities in women’s health.

With global experience, Teri provides valuable perspective on how AI implementation differs across regions and what’s needed to support broader adoption. Whether you’re in digital health, radiology, or women’s health innovation, this episode offers a timely look into where the industry is headed — and why autonomous mammogram readings are a key part of that future.

In this episode of HITea at the ViVE conference, we sit down with Laura Rogers, Senior Director, Healthcare Strategy at SHI International, to explore how the "Care Anywhere" model is transforming healthcare. We discuss the driving forces behind home-based care, the IT infrastructure needed to support it, and the biggest challenges—from cybersecurity risks to reimbursement hurdles. Plus, we dive into how this shift impacts women, who often juggle their own health alongside caregiving responsibilities.

What cutting-edge innovations are making Care Anywhere a reality? And what’s still standing in the way? Tune in to find out!

We discuss the growing demand for better access to infertility care, comprehensive benefits, and experienced providers, as well as the role of employers in providing and improving women’s health benefits. Dr. Choi also breaks down the return on investment for businesses, the impact of disjointed care on families, and how a big-picture approach to women’s health can drive better outcomes for both individuals and organizations.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of women’s health, the power of early action and prevention, and what it takes to build a more seamless, supportive system for families!

Megan shares her unique approach to event planning—bringing patients, caregivers, and care partners onto panels and keynotes in addition to the usual leaders in technology to ensure their voices are heard in a space where they’re often overlooked. We also dive into the biggest trends emerging from the discussions at her events, the challenges and opportunities shaping health IT today, and the evolving role of AI in healthcare.

Tune in for an insightful conversation on how the right conversations—and the right people—can push the industry forward!

With nearly 40 years in the industry, Dr. Dolan reflects on how the patient experience has evolved since the 1980s and what AI can—and shouldn’t—do in the dental space. We also dive into pressing issues like provider burnout, trust in dentistry, and the complex payer-provider relationship. Plus, we explore how institutions like the University of Florida are using AI to shape the future of dental education and research.

Don’t miss this fascinating conversation on the intersection of dentistry and innovative technology!

Join us as we chat about her inspiring career journey, the industry’s progress on TEFCA and FHIR standards, and the critical role interoperability plays in post-acute care. We’ll explore the challenges providers face, the impact of CMS regulations, and the surprising insights from a recent survey of healthcare CIOs.

Grab your tea and tune in for a thought-provoking discussion about the past, present, and future of interoperability and its role in advancing care and equity.

We’ll explore the biggest challenges veterans face in accessing timely care, how streamlining claims and reimbursement impacts health outcomes, and the critical role of public-private partnerships in driving meaningful change. Plus, Deborah shares her vision for innovative solutions that could further reduce administrative barriers and improve healthcare benefits for veterans.

Join us for a conversation packed with actionable takeaways for healthcare leaders, policymakers, and anyone looking to make a difference for our nation’s heroes.

P.S. Stick around to hear about a new buzzword in the healthcare tech space — Context Augmented Generation (CAG) — and why it could be a game-changer in streamlining processes!

Today, I’m thrilled to welcome Olympian Jennifer Goldsack, CEO of DiME (the Digital Medicine Society), who’s pioneering efforts to set new standards and build trust in the digital health space. 

With over 400,000 health apps on the market, health systems, clinicians, and patients face a daunting challenge in selecting trustworthy digital health solutions. The new DiME Seal platform helps simplify this choice by evaluating products based on security, usability, and clinical value.

Jen discusses the challenges health systems and healthcare consumers face in vetting digital tools, often relying on lengthy processes that strain resources and lead to serious gaps in care. She explains how DiME’s platform streamlines these evaluations, helping both providers and patients make confident, informed decisions. The DiME Seal, created with input from industry leaders and health experts, addresses essential standards, from privacy and security to equity and accessibility, building a robust foundation of trust in the products that achieve it.

Throughout our conversation, Jen emphasizes the importance of rigorous standards in a field that’s evolving quickly and shares how DiME’s approach ensures safe, reliable, and effective digital health solutions. Join us as we uncover how DiME’s new evaluation framework is paving the way for swifter digital health adoption and innovation.

We'll explore Abby’s path to Pleio, insights into how pharma can best address emotional burdens impacting adherence, and the power of personalizing patient experiences. From peer-to-patient programs to resources like rebates and educational support, Abby will share what really makes a difference in helping patients stick with their treatments.

Plus, we'll look ahead at how pharma can elevate direct-to-consumer engagement in 2025, and how the rise of GLP-1s might shape the human-first approach to patient care.

So, grab your tea and get ready for some real talk on patient experience, empathy, and why pharma should care.

In this episode, we explore the transformative work of the DTA, the challenges and strategies for digital health companies seeking FDA approval, and the importance of industry standards like the new ISO for digital therapeutics. Acacia also offers guidance for companies navigating regulatory complexities and shares insights from her work as a liaison with the FDA.

As always, we’ll dive into Acacia’s personal journey, including the habits that keep her at her best, and advice for women leading in healthcare IT. So grab your tea and join us as we unpack the future of digital health and therapeutic innovation with Dr. Acacia Parks!

Dr. Acacia Parks is a digital health executive whose experience revolves around scientific, product, and regulatory strategy for digital therapeutics/software as medical device (SAMD). As chief science officer of Twill (fka Happify) for 10 years, she built evidence generation strategies for direct-to-consumer, enterprise, health care, pharma, and FDA audiences. She then spent a year as chief behavioral health officer at Found, a telemedicine weight loss company, building their behavior change program, both digital product and coaching offerings. Now, she runs Liquid Amber, a consulting firm that delivers strategic advising to DTx companies and investors with a focus on products with high scientific and regulatory complexity, including novel mechanisms of action and delivery methods and combination drug/DTx products, across a variety of therapeutic areas (including cancer, obesity, treatment-resistant depression, Alzheimer's, social anxiety, ADHD, and chronic disease). She serves as an advisor to Lindus Health.

Dr. Lahr offers her unique perspective on how AI-driven tools can tackle some of healthcare’s most critical challenges, enhancing experiences for both patients and clinicians. We also dive into essential topics like patient privacy, ethical considerations, and equity as these technologies advance. You won't want to miss this compelling conversation!

Today’s guest is Vijayashree Natarajan from Omega Healthcare. Vijayashree discusses the next big leap in AI—“agentic AI” or “AI for AI.” She dives into how this revolutionary approach empowers AI systems to act independently and adapt, leading to breakthroughs across the healthcare ecosystem. From transforming revenue cycle management to making care more accessible and personal, Vijayashree's ideas on agentic AI promise a new perspective on AI's possibilities. 

So, grab your favorite tea and join us as we explore the future of healthcare with a tech trailblazer paving the way.

We’ll explore a powerful concept: starting to consider caregiving as a diagnosis in itself. Traditionally, caregiving was viewed as a private duty, often handled quietly by women without a care for how it impacts them. Now, the dialogue and experience around caregiving is evolving, and we’re diving deep into those changes today.

Shara will share her unique journey to leading Carallel and how caregiving has become more widely recognized as a critical health issue. We’ll also discuss how caregivers—especially those in the "sandwich generation" caring for both their children and aging parents—are managing the significant emotional and physical toll of this responsibility. How can digital technology offer solutions to help these individuals thrive? And what specific challenges do certain populations, like military families or minority communities, face?

In this episode, we explore the latest innovations shaping the health IT landscape, the emerging tech models driving transformation, and the persistent challenges that still stand in the way of true digital evolution. We also dive into their work with This Week Health, Bluebird Leaders, and the upcoming SOAR Conference, happening September 18-20.

To close things out, Rebecca and Sarah share invaluable insights for women in health IT, offering advice on navigating challenges and rising to leadership. So, grab your favorite mug, settle in, and join us for a conversation filled with wisdom and inspiration!

In this episode, we're honored to welcome the inspiring Rhonda Collins, DN, RN, FAAN. As a prominent figure in healthcare, Rhonda currently serves as Chief Nursing Officer at Kontakt.io and is a leading voice in tackling the serious problem and challenges in workplace violence (WPV) in healthcare settings.

Join us as Rhonda shares her journey and insights into why WPV is a critical issue for nursing professionals today. We discuss practical strategies for nurse leaders to foster a safe and supportive work environment, effective patient assessment for aggression prevention, and the integration of security personnel to mitigate WPV.

Rhonda also highlights the essential components of WPV policies, the role of wearable duress technology, and the financial benefits of investing in WPV prevention. We explore the impact of WPV on nurse well-being and patient care, and the importance of federal legislation to protect healthcare workers.

Tune in for an enlightening conversation that underscores the need for every woman to be the "CEO of You"—managing your career and personal life like a thriving business to grow and promote strength. Don't miss this episode packed with valuable insights and actionable advice!

Mary shares her incredible journey from starting as a registered nurse to becoming a leader in healthcare IT. She delves into her motivations for transitioning into this field and how her extensive experience in both inpatient and outpatient military environments has shaped her approach to healthcare and clinical implementation.

We explore pressing topics such as veterans' mental health, current statistics, and concerns, and how technology is being leveraged to address these issues. Mary provides concrete examples of how technology is enhancing mental health services for veterans and other patient populations. 

Mary also dove into the topic of disaster recovery and the critical role of EHR systems in maintaining healthcare operations during events like the recent devastating tornadoes in the Midwest. She shares real-life experiences from her career, illustrating the crucial role of disaster preparedness and EHR systems in ensuring patient care continuity.

And of course, no HITea With Grace episode would be complete without our signature tea moment! Listen in to learn from and laugh with Mary!

Pamela, a seasoned industry insider, navigates us through the labyrinth of billing practices, shedding light on the complex factors driving these price differentials. From healthcare system consolidation to the intricate dance of provider negotiations, we peel back the layers to reveal the stark realities shaping the healthcare landscape.

Armed with her medical, public health, and clinical lab expertise, Dr. Julie offers a compelling narrative of real-life scenarios where upfront knowledge of lab costs has proven to be a game-changer for patients and what barriers still need to come down to make this an industry norm. 

Reflecting on the controversial conversation, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the need for transparency in lab pricing is not just a matter of financial prudence but a fundamental pillar of population health and patient empowerment. So, join us as we advocate for a future where transparency reigns supreme in the noble pursuit of affordable, accessible healthcare for all.

In light of the recent news of Optum and Walmart shutting down their virtual care offerings, today, we're honored to host Dr. Carrie Nelson, Chief Medical Officer of KeyCare, as she shares her experience working as a primary care physician and in population health and shares her perspectives on the evolution of telehealth and its business model. 

Dr. Nelson examines the broader impact of telehealth on healthcare disparities and population health and advocates for innovative solutions to bridge gaps in access to care, particularly for underserved populations. She envisions a future where data-driven insights and analytics play a pivotal role in optimizing telehealth services to meet rigorous standards of care and advance value-based objectives. She also delves into strategies for upholding quality care in virtual settings and examines the implications of recent accreditation programs, all while emphasizing the pivotal role of data analytics in shaping telehealth's future impact.

Be sure to tune into this if you are concerned about or interested in the state of and future of virtual care!

In today's episode, I'm beyond honored to be joined by friend and inspiration Erica Olenski, a stellar healthcare communications professional and the Founding Executive Director of August's Artists. We embark on a heartfelt journey as Erica shares her deeply personal and challenging experience as a caregiver for her son, August, navigating pediatric cancer and the complexities of the healthcare system. 

Erica had firsthand experience with the Texas Medicaid "unwinding" process, unveiling the profound challenges faced by families like hers - losing necessary coverage without anyone to turn to. Through her narrative, we glean insight into the bureaucratic hurdles and systemic issues that jeopardize the continuity of care for children like August, whose medical needs demand unwavering support. As the dialogue broadens, Erica articulates the critical role of Medicaid coverage for families grappling with pediatric cancer and other serious conditions. She underscores the disruptive impact of coverage interruptions and advocates for improvements in the Medicaid enrollment and renewal process to safeguard against future crises. 

Erica's advocacy work and organizational initiatives, such as August's Artists, memorializing and cherishing the patient artwork inside the hospital room, serve as beacons of hope, offering solace and support to families in their healthcare journey. Please consider supporting the work this critical organization is doing: https://www.augustsartists.org/

With the patient and caregiver experience as their north star, she talks about saving her team 70,000 clicks in a year’s time by choosing to do both at the same time, improving patient care and reducing administrative burden across the board for both providers and healthcare consumers.

Stacey is an ambitious ray of sunshine from the sunshine state and an inspiration to us all as one of the first women CMIOs. She speaks about what strategies keep her team and her at the top of their game as leaders in digital transformation. Be sure to tune in!

Smriti kicks things off by sharing her captivating career journey, filled with twists, turns, and invaluable experiences. From navigating the complexities of healthcare to championing technology's role in bridging gaps, she's a true trailblazer in the field.

As we dive deeper, Smriti unpacks the intricacies of equity in healthcare, revealing the crucial metrics and interconnected frameworks driving disparities. But fear not, she's armed with expert recommendations for tackling these challenges head-on, from promoting tech access to reshaping education paradigms. With her insights, we're not just sipping on knowledge – we're brewing up a revolution in healthcare equity. So grab your favorite mug and listen in!

Lilly started by talking about the journey that led her to found Chronic Boss Collective, a space where professionals with chronic conditions come together to network and reshape the narrative surrounding their experiences. With heartfelt experiences and a keen eye for much-needed societal challenge, Lilly talks about how a simple shift in perspective can have a monumental impact, inspiring people to turn their pain into purpose. 

Wrapping up our conversation, Lilly shared invaluable insights on navigating challenges as a leader with a chronic condition, maximizing productivity, and empowering the people around you to dream big and execute bigger. Her words, filled with grace and wisdom, left us feeling inspired and ready to make a difference.

Don't miss out on this episode, where Lilly shares her unique perspectives on resilience, leadership, and building supportive community centered around unexpected, deeply-personal, commonalities.

As we peer into the horizon of medical AI, our guest paints a compelling picture of emerging trends that demand attention from Health Information Technology (HIT) professionals. From personalized medicine to predictive analytics, she anticipates a future brimming with opportunities for innovation and transformation. Join us for an enlightening conversation as we explore the intersection of AI and healthcare leadership, guided by the wisdom and vision of our esteemed guest.

Dr. Bains doesn't just spill the tea; she brews it to perfection! We dive into the impact of legislation like the Lymphedema Treatment Act on BCRL management and explore the role of compression garments in the big picture. Plus, we'll chat about how chronic lymphedema can be caught before symptoms occur, so clinicians can intervene before the condition becomes chronic, as well as the daily challenges faced by individuals dealing with chronic BCRL.

Grab your favorite mug and join us to uncover how awareness, education, and cutting-edge innovations are stirring up a better quality of life for those affected by BCRL.

Susannah explores the inspiration behind her book and delves into the concept of the "health rebel alliance." She shares how healthcare consumers can become part of this alliance and discusses the four archetypes driving the patient-led revolution: seekers, networkers, solvers, and champions.

Join us as we envision the future of healthcare shaped by patient empowerment and collaboration, and discover practical advice for advocating for oneself in navigating illness outside traditional healthcare systems. Gain valuable insights on how businesses, governments, and organizations can better support and leverage the power of patient-led initiatives to drive positive change in healthcare outcomes on a larger scale.

Beyond the realm of traditional investment talk, Cat explores the crucial role investors play in reshaping diversity at the leadership level. This episode goes on to unravel how intentional investments can work to improve health equity and access to healthcare, help dismantle biases in healthcare, and foster an environment of inclusivity while driving transformative change.

Discover the transformative power of pharmacogenomics testing in Christine's own diagnosis and treatment journey and learn how she's spearheading groundbreaking collaborations with institutions like Stanford University's “Research To the People” initiative and trailblazing industry organizations like The Light Collective. 

Join us as Christine sheds light on the vital role of patients as the CEOs of their own care, offering invaluable advice for navigating complex healthcare systems and connecting with the broader healthcare and pharma community in the process.

Alyssa takes us on her journey leading to her investor role at 7wire Ventures, sharing insights on why she focuses on building businesses empowering healthcare consumers to take control of their health. Discover success stories of individuals positively impacted by digital health solutions supported by Alyssa's investments and explore the value of B2B2C models in the digital health space.

Alyssa sheds light on navigating relationships between invested companies, businesses, and end-users in the healthcare sector, addressing challenges and opportunities. She explores collaboration between digital health startups and health plans, and generously shares strategies and best practices for effective partnerships.

La Keisha and Naseem share their insights as investors in women's health technology, addressing specific research gaps and the identification of areas in need of innovation. Explore their perspectives on gender diversity in clinical trials and the investment community's role in fostering inclusivity.

As the conversation concludes, La Keisha and Naseem share their approaches to working at their best, overcoming challenges, and offer empowering advice for women in healthcare/health IT. If you want women investors on your cap table, it's worth the time and effort. Once women choose to invest, they will dive in wholeheartedly to help you build and succeed.

Join us as Cheryl shares her career journey that led to Vive Collective and delves into the Vive Collective survey conducted via LinkedIn, revealing the top 4 "Digital Health Mafia Companies" and sharing surprising findings. Listen in as Cheryl emphasizes the importance of founders being former high-growth startup operators and the key traits she looks for in companies and founders she invests in.

In this episode, Cheryl also sheds light on the evolving landscape of digital health funding, discussing inclusivity and the challenges that still need to be addressed.

In this episode, Halle shares her career journey, insights into the evolving healthcare landscape, and invaluable advice for women venturing into healthcare entrepreneurship and venturing into venture. She discusses key challenges and effective strategies, highlights success stories of women-led startups, and navigates the complexities of healthcare regulations. Halle emphasizes the importance of building diverse teams, leveraging technology, and seeking mentorship for women founders in healthcare. 

Join us for a deep dive into Halle Tecco's perspective on driving innovation and making a difference in healthcare IT through funding technologies that seamlessly improve care and outcomes and so generously sharing her learnings with us along the way.

Joy opens up about how she got started in health IT back in 2010 and what motivated her to shine the spotlight on women who work in the industry in 2018. Spoiler alert: she turned a complaint about women not getting enough industry credit into an opportunity to create a supportive community. Grace and Joy share some HITLAG highlights and tease some exciting things to come.

Seli dives into the mental health crisis facing young people and the work that TimelyCare is doing to provide early intervention and remove the stigma around mental health issues.

We also explore the future of tech in designing care delivery for the upcoming generations. Seli offers insights into how technology can play a role in helping this generation receive care in a way they prefer and the importance of user-friendly technology. Don't miss out on this informative and thought-provoking episode!

Grace Vinton moderated a panel with Effie Parks, Adam Johnson, and Kristy Dickinson on the topic of “Parents, Patients, & Podcasts - Incorporating the Rare Disease Community in HITMC“ at the annual HITMC (healthcare marketing and communications) conference this year. The conversation was so powerful, we all knew we had to follow it up with a proper podcast collaboration, to amplify the message. 

While each gene is unique, Effie, Adam, and Kristy all share the experience of what it looks to have your life turned upside down because you are missing one single protein in your cells. Science exists to diagnose and treat these rare diseases earlier and faster than ever, but it takes education, passion, focus, funding, innovation, community and more to make a meaningful impact. One rare disease at a time. 

The question we posed the audience at HITMC and pose the listeners to this podcast is, “How can you impact rare disease in your area of influence today?” We give some ideas, but would love to hear yours too!

Charlene is a seasoned informaticist, accomplished business woman, and passionate mother to two, including one with a rare disease. In the fight to find her daughter’s diagnosis, she brought her tech savvy to the table and soon after the diagnosis was chosen to head up the company RARE-X which provides a collaborative platform for global data sharing and analysis to accelerate treatments for rare disease. 

Spearheaded by Charlene, the company believes that rare patient communities, equipped to securely gather and share their data with researchers and companies around the globe, will transform rare disease research - significantly expand diversity, equity, and inclusion in research and dramatically accelerate progress across rare diseases.

RARE-X recently merged with Global Genes, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the burdens and challenges of rare diseases for patients and families globally through connecting, empowering, and inspiring the rare disease community. Charlene shares with us how this fresh partnership brings quality data and patient advocacy in the global rare disease community closer together to enable the combined organization to provide the next generation of rare disease advocates the tools and resources they need to accelerate their drive for treatments.

Cindy shares with us her experience on the front lines of nursing and highlights the barriers to technology implementation and the healthcare industry’s many challenges and need for care orchestration now more than ever. With clinician and nurse burnout at an all-time high, can technology and automation realistically help?

The bottom line? Medication alerts need to get more relevant, meaningful, and actionable. Dr. Dover tells us how. Stay tuned!

She was the first African American female intern in general surgery and the first African American female orthopedic surgery resident at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. There are only 6% of women in orthopedic surgery and there are less than 100 African American women orthopedic surgeons in the country. This is around 0.7% of the 30,000 orthopedic surgeons currently practicing.

Dr. Sloan currently serves the indigenous community at the Indian Health Service in New Mexico and shares her wisdom with us about what this community faces each day and where digital health could realistically fit in. She also sees great potential in the role that Virtual Reality (VR) headsets can play in improving orthopedic education. Thanks for joining us, Dr. Sloan!

Grace had a fantastic time learning from Patty about how she is working to make this goal a reality. 

From academic to registered dietician, to ACO program director, Dr. Esther Kim is now the Executive Director of Digital Health Innovation at Mass General Brigham. She leads a new team accelerating innovative healthcare technology pilots across the health system. As a leader in healthcare digital transformation, Esther shares with us the types of digital health technologies that have made a strong impact on their health system and innovations that make her hopeful for the future (hint, true AI, and more). She shares with us the relationship between new payment models and technology adoption to improve patient access to information. Esther strongly believes in the importance and promise of whole-person care and the industry is lucky to have her leading the charge!

Amanda discusses the path that led her to where she is today, what it means to be a female leader and the challenges that have come along the way. She expresses her passion for creating patient-centered workflows that are being used to address administrative burnout. She also dives into the world of digital transformation and the acceptance of technology that was sparked by the pandemic, where we learned more about how practices should go about identifying and introducing new opportunities that reduce the stress of the office staff while improving processes.

Rachel’s team helps healthcare organizations realize the most value from their technology and resources through EHR, ERP, Strategy, Virtual Care, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Service Desk, Application Support, and Revenue Cycle Management services.

She shares with us tips and tricks of the trade for delivering HIT consulting, managed services, and talent solutions to providers, payers, life sciences, and technology organizations.

 Collecting patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) can lead to greater reimbursement under many value-based care initiatives. Danielle talks with us about the challenges of adoption and the benefits of a well-designed tool for virtual physical therapy to help with PROMS. She also dives into adaptive patient education and the variety of protocols that trigger ongoing patient engagement. We learn more about what factors are important in driving patient engagement on digital health platforms in this new era of care.

Sheila is a tech and health IT veteran who is passionate about the use of technology to close gaps in care to ensure high-quality care for all patients. Her company has developed an advanced analytics platform that healthcare providers and insurers are using to accelerate the transition to value-based care models and improve health equity and outcomes.

Sheeza is passionate about virtual care and the ability to connect patients of all ages to care regardless of their location. In this conversation, Sheeza describes how Biofourmis’ remote patient management and virtual care solutions are making it possible for patients to receive acute, post-acute, and chronic condition care in their own homes. Virtual care is now continuous, predictive, and far more engaging than it used to be. Sheeza also shares how she overcame challenges in two male-dominated fields—computer engineering and health IT—and continues to conquer new obstacles in a rapidly changing industry through passion, hard work, and support from family and friends.

Elise talks with us about the uphill battle mental health systems have experienced in regards to interoperability and the type of data that is most impactful for health systems to track. She also identifies gaps in care that are being closed now using data and analytics in the behavioral health arena and gives meaningful advice to other mental health systems on this new and challenging-to-predict interoperability, data, and analytics journey.

In addition to the important lessons she’s learned as a healthcare leader, Franks discusses how it's important now more than ever for hospitals and health systems to optimize access to care by leveraging technology to improve visibility into resources available to patients. ABOUT Healthcare is a leading provider of access and orchestration solutions that empower health systems to operate as one connected network of care.

Her work at the real world data company serves patients through advancing the development and use of real-world evidence to address challenges in patient outcomes, healthcare delivery, and drug development. Dr. Baxi discusses with Grace why she chose a career in medicine, how her career path has led her to from medical oncology into digital health tech, and why she’s excited about the potential of using EHR-derived real-world evidence to improve patient care.

Juli recently completed a post-master’s degree in health care quality to continue her pursuit of making a difference in healthcare. Passionate about improving tech and workflow for our front-line heroes, Juli discusses the challenges we’ve seen since the pandemic with patient transfers and how this is affecting emergency department workers.

Jess talks with us today about the digital health funding landscape and what she sees to be the future of healthcare and care delivery. Jess has interviewed thousands of startups, digital health investors, and incumbents working to change the future of health worldwide. This experience of speaking with innovators in our space every day gives her a unique view into fresh innovations and business models that are transforming HIT and the healthcare industry.

Summer talks with us today about the impact the pandemic had on service lines and dives into what service lines have bounced back since then and which ones are still struggling. She also talks with us about the impact that the pandemic has had on the revenue cycle management (RCM) workforce, transitioning from working in an office to working at home, and how data and analytics can now be used to help enhance RCM leadership and workforce performance unlike anything that’s been done before in this space. 

Heidi talks about what her biggest challenges were when she was a practicing pharmacist and how she uses those lessons now in her role to improve pharmacist workflow and help combat front-line fatigue through technology.

As an expert in decision-making, Dr. Talya also talks with us about the importance of behavioral economics in the HIT innovation process. The future of innovation in this space will look like using economics and psychology to help understand why people act the way they do and using this understanding to better the tech experience and user impact to improve outcomes.

Janet's work addresses the needs of the vulnerable populations in the country, specifically of the aging and chronically ill. The Connect America platform helps people who want to stay at home to live as long and as independently and as graciously as they can while being in the home.

Today's conversation revolves around clinician burnout, grief, and the reality of the toll it takes to work in the high-stakes healthcare environments.

Her work at the health information network serves patients through improving the quality of data to ensure that it tells an accurate story for each person throughout their healthcare system. The NJII uses the Master Person Index (MPI) and holds facilities accountable for sending and receiving clean and usable data. This helps them expand interoperability and clinical casework throughout the state.

"You don't have to be the same as me to understand me," Effie shares some tough stuff about how despite the challenges she's faced with a son who has a rare disease, she's found a way to live beyond her circumstances and build community in the process.