Taking the Pulse: a Health Care Podcast

Heather and Matthew welcome Chuck Melendi, a seasoned healthcare consultant and former executive with decades of experience in pharmaceuticals, biotech, and medical devices. Chuck joins us to examine the complexities of the federal 340B pricing program, which provides discounted outpatient drugs to eligible health care providers. From ongoing litigation and proposed legislative reform to the role of PBMs, Chuck shares insights into why a seemingly good faith regulation is one of the most debated topics in health care policy. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on how healthcare leaders and government can preserve the mission of 340B while addressing its challenges.

This week, Heather and Matthew are joined by their colleague Bryan Baysinger, Maynard Nexsen attorney and leader of the firm's Intellectual Property practice group. We dive into the evolving challenges life sciences companies face in protecting intellectual property in a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping research and innovation. From securing patents and trade secrets to navigating international competition, Bryan offers practical guidance for companies looking to strengthen their IP portfolios. Tune in for insights on the intersection of IP, AI, and the future of the life sciences industry

In this episode, Heather and Matthew welcome Dr. Leonardo Ferreira, Assistant Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina and cofounder of Torpedo Bio. Leo shares how his team at Torpedo Bio  is working to develop safe and effective cellular immunotherapy for solid tumors. We have an exciting conversation on the promise of CAR-T therapy, the challenges life sciences startups face, and how federal research funding impacts innovation. Tune in to hear how Torpedo Bio is pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment!

In this powerful episode, hosts Heather and Matthew are joined by Sydney Severance, a young woman and former competitive athlete whose life changed dramatically when she unexpectedly became wheelchair-bound. After a painstaking journey to her diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Craniocervical Instability, Sydney partnered with the Medical University of South Carolina and Dr. Sunil Patel to help others have a more accessible path to a diagnosis. Hear how she launched “Operation Upright,” a campaign that successfully brought an Upright MRI machine to MUSC, and learn about the impact of this life-saving technology. Tune in for Sydney's inspiring story of turning personal adversity into advocacy!

Recorded at SCbio's 2025 annual conference, Heather and Lauren welcome Eric Perrault, the CEO of Kiyatec, a company focused on functional precision oncology. Eric discusses their exciting process, which aims to predict how individual cancer patients will respond to tailored therapies before treatment even begins. We dive into their live cell therapy, partnerships with surgeons, and much more. Tune in to learn about cutting-edge developments in personalized cancer treatment!

Recorded at SCBio's 2025 annual conference, hosts Heather and Matthew welcome keynote speaker John Crowley, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the world's leading advocacy group for the life sciences industry. In this inspiring episode, John shares his personal journey in biotech, including his fight to improve his children's lives after a rare disease diagnosis that inspired a major film, and offers insight into what lies ahead for the industry. Tune in to hear how his story and lifelong work are transforming lives and advancing science.

Recorded at SCbio's 2025 annual conference, hosts Heather and Lauren are joined by Lindsey Calcutt, an award-winning entrepreneur and the CEO and Co-Founder of Incora Health. Lindsey shares how the gap in women's health inspired her to launch Incora Health, which offers smart earrings that help women monitor and manage their health and fertility. We explore the benefits of tracking heart rate, sleep, and menstrual cycles through personalized insights and examine how wearable devices are shaping the future of healthcare. Tune in for an insightful conversation on innovation in women's health!

Recorded at SCbio's 2025 annual conference, Heather and Matthew welcome Vinnie Durand of Savills, one of the world's leading property advisors. They discuss the exponential growth of the life sciences real estate market, driven by rising demand for lab and manufacturing space. Vinnie shares key considerations for life sciences companies when selecting real estate, along with insights into South Carolina's current infrastructure and its real estate opportunities for the industry. Tune in now!

Recorded at SCbio's 2025 annual conference, Matthew and Lauren welcome Kendalle O'Connell, President & CEO of MassBio, a powerhouse life sciences organization and the driving force behind Massachusetts' thriving life sciences ecosystem. Representing one of the strongest life sciences industries in the U.S., Kendalle shares how MassBio fosters industry success through initiatives such as their accelerator program aimed at advancing innovative science and their collaborative partnership with SCbio. Tune in for a great episode featuring one of life sciences' top leaders!

Recorded at SCbio's 2025 annual conference, Heather and Lauren welcome Dr. Ray DuBois, a physician and researcher who has dedicated his life to cancer research and patient-centered care. Dr. DuBois, Director of MUSC's Hollings Cancer Center, shares groundbreaking insights into developing cancer drugs and therapies, including how CAR-T cell therapy is killing chemo-resistant cancers, his research on the role of inflammation in the progression of colon cancer, and more. Listen now!

This week, our hosts Heather and Matthew welcome Dr. Edward Simmer, the Interim Director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health. After leading DHEC through the latter half of the COVID pandemic and its transition into two separate agencies, Dr. Simmer joins us to discuss South Carolina's notably improved rankings in public health, including progress in chronic disease and life expectancy in the state. We also explore how the agency is tackling childhood obesity, improving maternal and infant health, and fulfilling its regulatory role in inspecting health care providers. Tune in to hear about Dr. Simmer's vision for DPH and its positive impact on the lives of South Carolinians!

Recorded at SCbio's 2025 annual conference, Heather and Matthew welcome back Kimberlee Steele of SHL Medical, a global leader in medical technology design and manufacturing. After first joining us six months ago, Kimberlee provides an update on the progress of SHL Medical's $200 million investment in South Carolina to produce auto-injectors for home use. We get a firsthand look at how these medical devices work, how they will benefit patients, and the economic impact of their state-of-the-art facility in SC. Tune in now!

Recorded at SCbio's 2025 annual conference, Heather and Matthew welcome Arda Ural, who serves as the Americas Life Sciences Sector Leader for EY. Arda provides a rundown of his keynote, highlighting the key issues and trends shaping the life sciences sector today and offering insights into what the industry may look like over the next 20 years. We also dive into biotech venture capital investing, the current deal-making environment for life sciences companies, and more. Tune in now to hear from one of the top consultants for life sciences business!

The 2025 annual SCbio meeting was packed full of exciting developments and collaborative innovations from South Carolina's thriving life sciences industry. As the United State's 6th fastest growing life sciences sector, SCbio President & CEO James Chappell joins us to share how the organization is helping move South Carolina forward as a hub for innovation. Be on the lookout for our upcoming SCbio episodes featuring the best and brightest of the industry as we dive into everything from life sciences real estate development and to the next generation of wearables, and the latest on oncology. Tune in today!

On episode 226, we welcome Thibaut van Marke and Amy Allen of Orlando Health, an award-winning network of community and specialty hospitals that recently expanded into Alabama. Thibaut and Amy discuss Orlando Health's acquisition of Baptist Health, and how this move benefits both patients and providers in Alabama. We also explore Orlando Health's pioneering research in pediatrics and adult trauma, as well as their use of AI and emerging technologies as we look to the future of healthcare. Tune in now!

Join hosts Heather, Lauren, and John as they sit down with Dr. Sengar, an accomplished oncologist from Alabama Cancer Care, a network committed to delivering quality cancer care to underserved communities. In this episode, we explore the unique challenges of accessing cancer care in rural areas, despite the higher incidence of the disease. We also dive into the rising trend of cancer diagnoses among younger populations and discuss innovations in the future of cancer treatment. Tune in now!

On episode 224, Lauren and Heather are joined by former Maynard Nexsen attorney Steve McPheeters, who now serves as EVP and Chief Legal Officer of HighFive Healthcare. Steve shares how HighFive Healthcare partners with physicians to oversee healthcare management, and we dive into operational pain points for providers. We also explore trends in the healthcare market, such as M&A, AI, and more. Tune in now!

This week, Heather and Lauren welcome back their colleague Brandon Robinson, head of Maynard Nexsen's Data Privacy and Cybersecurity team. Following up on our discussion of data privacy risks for health care providers on episode 211, this episode we examine cybersecurity risks and risk mitigation strategies surrounding health care vendors and service providers. Tune in for another informative episode!

Last fall, Hurricane Helene devastated the western Appalachian region of North Carolina. Jay Kirby, the CEO of UNC Health Pardee, joins us on the podcast this week to discuss how the hospital responded to the challenges and influx of need created by the natural disaster. We explore stories of resilience, hope, and recovery in the face of adversity. Tune in to hear firsthand how healthcare providers stepped up during one of the region's most difficult times.

This week, Heather and Lauren welcome Scott Davis, the Managing Director of Provident Healthcare Partners, one of the country's leading healthcare investment banking firms. Scott and our hosts dive into the latest trends in healthcare investment, particularly the growing consolidation in orthopedic practices. What does this mean for both patients and providers? Tune in for an insightful conversation on how these shifts are shaping the industry!

With President Trump's 2nd term quickly approaching, Heather and Matthew sit down with Maynard Nexsen attorney Bob Coble to discuss what changes we can expect in healthcare over the next 4 years. As the former Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, Bob shares his political insights on Trump's plans for Medicare, the ACA, drug prices, RFK Jr's role, and more. Tune in now for a glimpse into the coming regulatory changes!

Ringing in the New Year, hosts Heather and Matthew welcome Terry McDonnell, SVP and Chief Nursing Executive for Duke University Health System. The group discusses leadership and developing the next generation of nurses, including how to foster a positive workplace culture in a stressful profession. Terry also shares her perspective on the current state of nursing and what the future holds for one of America's most important professions. Tune in now!

Recorded at NC Life Sciences Organization's Annual Meeting, Heather and Matthew are joined by John Van Hoy, Executive Director of Data Science & Advanced Analytics at PPD, a subsidiary of Thermo Fisher. John is an innovator in advanced analytics for the healthcare and life sciences industries and discusses how PPD is leveraging AI to enhance clinical research. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the benefits and challenges of using AI in drug development!

Recorded at NC Life Sciences Organization's Annual Meeting, Heather and Lauren welcome David Robinson, an attorney at Maynard Nexsen, who also serves as the Honorary Consul for Japan in North Carolina and Chairman of the NC Consular Corps. David joins us to share his unique insights on Japanese companies doing business in North Carolina and trends in international investment in the state's life sciences industry. Tune in now!

Recorded at NC Life Sciences Organization's Annual Meeting, Heather and Lauren welcome Melissa Horn, the Director of State Legislative Affairs at the Arthritis Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for America's leading cause of disability. A three-time cancer survivor, Melissa shares her passion for patient advocacy and healthcare policy. She discusses issues such as reducing drug prices and securing insurance coverage for biomarker testing, which helps to individualize patient treatment plans and improve outcomes. Hear all of this and much more in episode 216!

Recorded at NC Life Sciences Organization's Annual Meeting, Heather and Lauren chat with Jan-Willem van Klinken, Senior VP of Brightseed, a biotech company using AI to develop natural, plant-based compounds to improve human health. Jan-Willem, an expert in nutritional sciences, shares how Brightseed takes a different approach to the traditional pharmaceutical research and development process by using artificial intelligence and focusing on bioactive compounds to create the future of specialized wellness. Listen now!

Recorded at the NC Life Sciences Organization's Annual Meeting, Heather and Matthew welcome Ed Hernandez, who oversees drug product manufacturing at Eli Lilly, an international pharmaceutical company. Ed discusses how Eli Lilly develops vital treatments for cancer, diabetes, and other diseases, as well as the company's significant expansion into North Carolina and what it means for both the company and the local community. Tune in now!

Recorded at NC Life Sciences Organization's Annual Meeting, Heather and Matthew welcome Igor Jablokov, an entrepreneur, former IBM director, and pioneer of the artificial intelligence industry who has been involved in several transformative inventions such as Alexa, Echo, and Fire TV. Igor shares his futuristic insights on how life sciences companies are implementing AI, the positive impacts of AI on jobs and businesses, and much more. Tune in now for an informative episode!

Recorded at NC Life Sciences Organization's Annual Meeting, Heather and Matthew welcome back Christine Vannais from Fujifilm and her new colleague, Laurie Braxton. They dive into Fujifilm's billion-dollar expansion in North Carolina, discussing their innovative manufacturing plans, partnerships, and workforce development initiatives. Tune in now!

For episode 211, Heather and Lauren are joined by their colleague Brandon Robinson, who heads up Maynard Nexsen's Data Privacy and Cybersecurity team. Brandon shares his wealth of knowledge on cybersecurity best practices for the healthcare industry, including risk mitigation strategies and vendor management. Listen now!

This week, Heather and Matthew welcome their colleagues Mark Moore and Michael Parente, attorneys in Maynard Nexsen's Government Investigations and White Collar Defense practice. We sit down to discuss their insights on the recent US Supreme Court ruling impacting the Chevron doctrine and the ramifications in the healthcare industry. Tune in now!

Recorded at NC Life Sciences Organization's Annual Meeting, Heather and Matthew welcome back a favorite friend of the podcast, Laura Gunter, President of NCLifeSci. We discuss the highlights of the 2024 Annual Meeting such as conversations around best practices and lessons in AI, patient advocacy, and future technology. Laura also shares the impressive work of NCLifeSci, including their facilitation of strategic partnerships in pharma manufacturing and workforce development programs. Listen to episode 209 for an insightful overview of North Carolina's life sciences industry!

Recorded at NC Life Sciences Organization's Annual Meeting, Heather and Lauren are joined by Mattney Beck of Lenovo, a well-known multinational technology company, to discuss their innovations in XR or Extended Reality technology. Mattney shares how they developed both the hardware and software for their ThinkReality VRX headset and how it benefits the healthcare and life sciences industries, from immersing long term care patients in new experiences to providing realistic training scenarios for medical students. Tune in now! 

This episode, we welcome back one of our favorite guests, Dr. Kashyap Patel, a renowned practicing physician, author, and healthcare thought leader. Dr. Patel has been dedicating much of his attention to analyzing long COVID and joins us to discuss the impact of the disease, recent research findings, and evolving treatments. Dr. Patel also shares his insights on cancer care access and more, so tune in to episode 207 now!

Hosts Heather and Lauren are joined by Darra Coleman, former host of the podcast and Maynard Nexsen health care attorney and current Senior Associate General Counsel at Prisma Health. Darra joins the show to discuss how her role helps patients and families navigate the healthcare system as well as the work that Prisma is doing across the state to empower patients, elevate the patient experience, and expand its services. Listen now!

Heather and Matthew welcome Jason Bernd, SVP of Novant Health, to discuss the health care provider's vision for their expanding service in North and South Carolina. We dive into their acquisition of 3 coastal hospitals, how they are pursuing partnerships to elevate care, and more. Tune in now!

This week, hosts Matthew and Heather welcome back James Chappell, President and CEO of SCbio, to discuss the organization's new program, SCbioDrive, an accelerator program for emerging life sciences companies. The group covers the program's reasoning, curriculum, applicants, and expected impacts on the state and industry. Listen now at www.thepulsehealthcast.com!

This episode, Matthew and Heather chat with Paul Testa, an Executive Vice President of Kyowa Kirin, a pharma group that develops innovative specialty drugs to raise the health and well being of people across the globe. Paul joins us to discuss Kyowa Kirin's expansion and economic impact in North Carolina. We also dive into treatment trends for rare diseases as well as the current landscape of supply and demand of medicine post-covid. Tune in now!

Heather and Matthew welcome Dr. Gil Price, who has had an impressive career in the life sciences industry as a recently retired executive and currently serves as a board member for numerous companies. As an experienced leader in life sciences, Gil joins us to discuss leadership and startup development in the field, as well as trending developments in immunotherapy, AI, and FDA regulations. Tune in for an insightful episode!

This week, Heather and Lauren welcome Kimberlee Steele, the Managing Director for North America of SHL Medical, a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of autoinjectors, pen injectors, and drug delivery devices. Kimberlee joins us to discuss the company's exciting expansion and investment in both North and South Carolina, as well as their impact on rural health and commitment to sustainability. Tune in now!

For our 200th episode, we are thrilled to welcome University of South Carolina Women's Basketball Coach and Olympic Gold Medalist Dawn Staley back to the podcast! Fresh off the 2024 National Championship, Coach Staley shares how she keeps her team in the best mental and physical condition to remain unfazed under pressure and consistent throughout the season. Get into the Olympic spirit and tune in for an insightful episode on sports performance, NIL, leadership, and more!

This week, Heather and Lauren welcome back previous guest Dave DeStefano, the President & CEO of We Are Sharing Hope SC, a federally designated Organ Procurement Organization that facilitates life-saving organ and life-enhancing tissue donation across the state. Dave shares how they educate the public on the vital need for donors, the incredible impact of how many lives can be saved from one organ donor hero, and how they support family members during a donation process. Tune in now!

Maynard Nexsen's Matthew and Lauren share their insights on how artificial intelligence has permeated the healthcare and life sciences industry through applications in data storage and use, treatments, clinical research, and much more. We dive into how they help providers manage the constantly evolving use of AI while also navigating the current and potential regulations looking to keep up. Tune in now for an informative episode!

Lauren and Heather welcome Alan Moise and Tate Stewart of Thrive Senior Living, a dynamic operator of next generation senior housing communities. We have an insightful conversation about the future of assisted living as demographic and technology shifts disrupt the industry, and we also dive into the unique qualities of Thrive Senior Living including their incorporation of AI. Tune in to episode 197 now! 

This week, Heather and Matthew welcome the Maynard Nexsen health care team's newest addition, Rebecca Thornhill, an experienced health care attorney who guides clients through regulatory, transactional, and litigation matters. Rebecca shares her deep knowledge on Certificate of Need (CON) regulations and also dives into the impact, risks, and benefits of deregulation in health care and much more. Tune in to episode 196 now!

Gaston College President Dr. John Hauser joins Heather and Matthew for episode 195 to discuss the vital work the college is doing to educate and train life sciences and healthcare workers. We learn about their impressive Health Science Education and Simulation Center and its significant economic benefits as well as other programs preparing students for the biotech and biomedical fields in North Carolina. Tune in now!

For this week's episode, Heather and Lauren welcome David Stefanich, the CEO and co-founder of Rymedi, an award-winning tech company helping labs modernize the clinical diagnostic experience. David shares his thoughts on workforce issues in the life sciences industry including attracting talent in the Southeast, securing international workers, and inspiring the next generation of life sciences professionals. Tune in now!

Matthew and Heather are joined by Dr. Jeniqua Duncan, the Chief of Value Based Care at CareSouth Carolina, a community health center that delivers medical services in the Pee Dee region and beyond. Dr. Duncan and our hosts have an insightful conversation about community health care centers, diversity in health care, medical technology, and more. Listen now!

This week, Heather and Matthew welcome Ira Bedenbaugh and Randi Branham of Elliott Davis, where they provide consulting services to physicians, hospitals, and other health care entities. Our guests share the latest trends and updates on compensation models, practice consolidation, HIPAA concerns, and more. Listen to episode 192 now!

MUSC Orangeburg CEO Walter Bennet joins hosts Heather and Matthew for episode 191 to discuss the important work MUSC is doing to meet the healthcare needs of rural South Carolina. They dive into MUSC's plans to create a clinical corridor, the recruitment of physicians to Orangeburg and the surrounding counties, the health disparities in minority populations in these communities, and more. Tune in now!

On this episode, Heather and Lauren welcome Shannon Frazier, the Executive Director of Human Resources for Lenovo North America, a Fortune 500 company and the world's leading PC maker. They discuss how Lenovo's products protect electronic medical records, AI developments in the workplace, and their support of the upcoming North Carolina Technology Day on May 11. Tune in for more!