The Big Unlock

 The Big Unlock Podcast · From Automation to Autonomy: Agentic AI Is Healthcare's Next Frontier-Episode 163-Shekar Ramanathan In this episode, Shekar Ramanathan, Executive Director of Digital Transformation at Atlantic Health System shares how the organization is evolving from traditional automation to a future shaped by agentic AI. He shares Atlantic Health's journey from pilot projects to scalable AI implementations, highlighting real-world use cases such as ambient scribing, intelligent message routing, and virtual medical assistants for patient engagement. Shekar outlines how Atlantic leverages generative AI to tackle both clinical and operational challenges, guided by a strategy that aligns AI initiatives with organizational goals. He emphasizes working backwards from the outcomes, integrating AI into specific workflows, and the need for strong governance frameworks. He also shares insights on Atlantic's AI maturity model, challenges in scaling, cost containment, prompt engineering, and the critical role of education and cultural change. Looking ahead, Shekar sees agentic AI as a transformative force—one that reduces administrative burden and unlocks new levels of autonomy in care delivery. He also reflects on the rising importance of Chief AI Officers in driving responsible and effective AI strategy across health systems. Take a listen.

The Big Unlock Podcast · Damo Consulting – Podcast – Ep 162 – Priti Patel In this episode, Priti Patel, MD, VP and Chief Medical Information Officer at John Muir Health shares her journey from family physician to CMIO, offering insights into her 23-year tenure and the evolution of clinical informatics. She also talks about key challenges such as change management, the integration of new tools like predictive analytics, and streamlining prior authorization. Dr. Patel discusses the growing role of informatics in healthcare and how collaboration across clinical and IT teams has driven innovation. One of the key highlights at John Muir Health, a community-based health system, is the early adoption of ambient AI technology for clinical documentation, leading to: reduced cognitive load, time savings of up to 30 minutes per note, and enhanced provider-patient interactions. She also emphasizes the critical role of seamless EHR integration in driving adoption, with over 60% of providers now using the tool regularly. Dr. Patel also outlines the organization's enterprise-wide data strategy, including a robust data literacy initiative that's empowering staff at all levels, starting with the C-suite, to make data-driven decisions and improve care quality and operational outcomes. She underscores that aligning digital strategies with organizational priorities—while focusing on improving the clinician and patient experience—is central to sustainable transformation. Take a listen.

In this episode, Crystal Broj, Enterprise Chief Digital Transformation Officer at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), shares how the organization is transforming healthcare through AI-powered voice bots, ambient listening, and digital front door innovations. She discusses the challenges and successes of implementing a new patient check-in system and deploying an automated AI agent in their patient access center. Crystal notes that one of the biggest lessons is the value of starting small—piloting technology, demonstrating ROI and KPIs, and scaling gradually. MUSC's AI voice bot – Emily – handles after-hours calls and appointment rescheduling, generating over $3 million in collections and reducing call handling time. Ambient tools like DAX have helped physicians cut “pajama time” by 37%, speed up chart closure, and improve clinical documentation. She also highlights how digital tools in the patient access center enhance scheduling and virtual care access, creating a seamless digital front door.  Crystal stresses the need for agile implementation, effective change management, and aligning technology with real workflows to drive lasting impact. Take a listen.

Healthcare Digital Transformation Podcast · Damo Consulting – The Big Unlock – Podcast – Ep 160 – Rita Sharma In this episode, Rita Sharma, Chief Product Officer at Pager Health discusses how they are implementing generative AI in healthcare, focusing on trust, ease of adoption, and responsible data practices. Rita shares how consumers increasingly expect 24/7, human-like digital support and single point of contact to navigate the fragmented and often overwhelming healthcare system. She emphasizes that while the technology behind the generative AI is maturing rapidly, the real challenge lies in building trust—both within organizations and with consumers—particularly around the responsible data of use. Rita also talks about Pager's approach to responsible AI implementation, noting that internal alignment on governance, data security, and transparency is just as critical as the technology itself. Rita further highlights that successful adoption of generative AI is not just about innovation, but about creating a cultural alignment and fostering trust, ultimately ensuring personalized, streamlined care experiences for all. Take a listen.

In this episode, Yaa Kumah-Crystal, MD, MPH, MS, Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Pediatric Endocrinology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), discusses the potential of AI and voice technology in improving patient care and medical education. She also explores the challenges of interoperability and the potential for more at-home care and patient insights. Dr. Kumah-Crystal talks about the evolution of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and outlines three phases of EHR development: paper-based, classic digital entry, and the current generative AI era. She highlights significant advancements in ambient documentation workflows, which allow clinicians—especially in pediatrics, where communication is nuanced—to focus more on patients while AI handles note-taking. She shares her vision for fully integrated, voice-based conversational interfaces in EHRs that enhance both clinician satisfaction and patient engagement. Drawing from her experience as a pediatric endocrinologist and her work with Epic as the EHR vendor, she discusses implementing new workflows like Ambience and exploring additional patient communication methods. Dr. Kumah-Crystal also emphasizes the importance of pilot testing, clearly defined ROI metrics, and close collaboration with vendors to drive innovation. She believes AI will be a critical enabler for better outcomes in pediatric care and beyond.

In this episode, Dr. Keith Morse, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics & Medical Director of Clinical Informatics – Enterprise AI at Stanford Children's Health, shares real-world applications and future visions for generative AI (GenAI) in pediatric care. The discussion highlights how LLMs are being practically integrated into clinical workflows, reducing clinician burden and enhancing hospital operations. Dr. Morse emphasizes the importance of upskilling the workforce to fully leverage AI's potential. With limited prior exposure to tools like LLMs, clinicians and administrative staff need hands-on training. Stanford has launched initiatives including a PHI-compliant internal chatbot, prompt engineering workshops, and engaging frontline staff in pilot projects to build confidence and competence across roles. Dr. Morse sees immense promise in technologies like ambient listening and agentic AI but stresses the need for cautious adoption. In the absence of comprehensive regulation, healthcare systems must take ownership of AI oversight to ensure safety and mitigate risk. He emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation with responsibility, especially in the sensitive context of pediatric care. Take a listen.

In this episode, Angelo Milazzo, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer at Duke Health Integrated Practice discusses the implementation of AI technology in healthcare, focusing on its potential to improve clinical documentation and patient communication. Dr. Milazzo examines the benefits and challenges of adopting AI systems, including their impact on clinician satisfaction, work-life balance, and overall healthcare efficiency. The conversation also explores value-based care models, the importance of responsible AI implementation, and the emerging role of Agentic AI—the next big wave in GenAI—in redefining administrative work. He also emphasizes how thoughtful stewardship and strong clinical-technological partnerships can help create a future of abundance in healthcare. Angelo discusses the implementation of a natural language processing algorithm to filter and generate clinical documentation at the point of care. He highlights the success of this technology in various health systems and emphasized its integration with the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Take a listen.

In this episode, Dwight Raum, EVP and Chief Digital Information Officer at Rochester Regional Health discusses his role at Rochester, organization's digital landscape, generative AI initiatives, and efforts to optimize care delivery safely and efficiently. Dwight highlights various initiatives and technologies being implemented at Rochester Regional Health, including the use of AI for call routing, and a digital front door that enhances web experiences and provides virtual care access within hours. He also talks about the creation of a Center of Excellence for AI and the role of AI in nurse scheduling. Dwight emphasizes the importance of maintaining a human element in healthcare technology, expressing optimism about AI's role in improving patient care. Take a listen!

In this episode, Sophy Lu, Digital Integration and Business Relations at Northwell Health, discusses her journey into the healthcare industry and Northwell Health's digital transformation journey. Sophy states that the foundation of their digital transformation began with simplifying the ecosystem and strategically selecting key functions – cloud, data platforms, and EHR – to drive efficiency. She highlights the emergence of digital relationship management as a critical discipline, ensuring a seamless connection between operations, technology, and patient care. Sophy also discusses how Northwell is leveraging AI and generative AI in imaging, precision medicine, and other areas of innovation. Additionally, Sophy introduces Northwell's AI Hub, a dedicated interface designed to empower their workforce with AI-driven capabilities. Take a listen.

In this episode, Sowmya Viswanathan, MD, MHCH, MBA, FACP, Chief Physician Executive of BayCare Health System shares her healthcare journey and insights on the evolving role of physician executives in health systems.  Dr. Viswanathan discusses BayCare's digital initiatives, including EMRs, telehealth, RPM, AI, data platforms, interoperability, and cybersecurity. She also explores the impact of AI in healthcare, particularly in assisting doctors and nurses with patient interactions – ensuring that key details from conversations are captured accurately. She expresses her fascination with AI and Generative AI and their ability to aggregate and utilize data effectively to enhance patient care. While AI represents the next generation of transformation, Dr. Viswanathan stresses the need for responsible adoption to mitigate risks and build trust. She believes AI-driven tools, like ChatGPT, has the ability to support clinicians and drive better patient outcomes. She also states that as healthcare embraces technology and as AI proves its value in improving care delivery, widespread adoption will come. Take a listen.

In this episode, Tanya Townsend, CEO of LCMC Health, a New Orleans-based non-profit health system, discusses how they are leveraging their digital capabilities across the continuum of care and improving patient access and clinician experience across their facilities. Tanya explains how the macroeconomic environment has impacted their investment decisions this year. She states that there […]

In this episode, Tanya Townsend, CEO of LCMC Health, a New Orleans-based non-profit health system, discusses how they are leveraging their digital capabilities across the continuum of care and improving patient access and clinician experience across their facilities. Tanya explains how the macroeconomic environment has impacted their investment decisions this year. She states that there […]

In this episode, Julia Hu, Founder & CEO of Lark Health, a leading AI virtual healthcare counseling platform, is helping nearly 2 million people manage and prevent chronic conditions, stress, and anxiety. Having invested more than $100 million in R&D, Lark combines cutting-edge AI with remote patient monitoring capabilities to provide 24/7, real-time, text message-based […]

In this episode, Julia Hu, Founder & CEO of Lark Health, a leading AI virtual healthcare counseling platform, is helping nearly 2 million people manage and prevent chronic conditions, stress, and anxiety. Having invested more than $100 million in R&D, Lark combines cutting-edge AI with remote patient monitoring capabilities to provide 24/7, real-time, text message-based […]

In this episode, Michael Hasselberg, Chief Digital Health Officer at University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), discusses their digital health priorities and technology solutions to engage the patient population they serve. URMC is a unique organization as it is the only health system still attached to its parent university, and Michael talks about how that […]

In this episode, Michael Hasselberg, Chief Digital Health Officer at University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), discusses their digital health priorities and technology solutions to engage the patient population they serve. URMC is a unique organization as it is the only health system still attached to its parent university, and Michael talks about how that […]

In this episode, Jacob Effron, Principal at Redpoint Ventures, discusses the venture capital (VC) environment for digital health. Redpoint Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on investments in seed, early, and growth-stage companies and has been investing in the healthcare tech landscape for the last decade. Jacob believes that the fundamental trends driving the […]

In this episode, Jacob Effron, Principal at Redpoint Ventures, discusses the venture capital (VC) environment for digital health. Redpoint Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on investments in seed, early, and growth-stage companies and has been investing in the healthcare tech landscape for the last decade. Jacob believes that the fundamental trends driving the […]

In this episode, Russ Thomas, Chief Executive Office of Availity, discusses their core business of clinical and claims data to drive better healthcare outcomes and reduce costs. Availity optimizes information exchange between two of the most critical stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem – health plans and providers – through a single, secure network. Russ talks […]

In this episode, Russ Thomas, Chief Executive Office of Availity, discusses their core business of clinical and claims data to drive better healthcare outcomes and reduce costs. Availity optimizes information exchange between two of the most critical stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem – health plans and providers – through a single, secure network. Russ talks […]

In this episode, Zane Burke, CEO of Quantum Health discusses the current state of digital health and how Quantum is working towards creating a different and better healthcare experience with better financial and clinical outcomes. Zane is a long-time veteran in the healthcare space with successful tenures in Cerner and Livongo. He notes that while […]

In this episode, Zane Burke, CEO of Quantum Health discusses the current state of digital health and how Quantum is working towards creating a different and better healthcare experience with better financial and clinical outcomes. Zane is a long-time veteran in the healthcare space with successful tenures in Cerner and Livongo. He notes that while […]

In this episode, David Evendon-Challis, Executive Board Member and Chief Scientific Officer at Bayer Consumer Health discusses their approach to help consumers adopt digital health tools to manage and improve their healthcare outcomes. David also explores trends driving better self-care among consumers. Digital health tools are gaining momentum among customers and making better self-care more […]

In this episode, David Evendon-Challis, Executive Board Member and Chief Scientific Officer at Bayer Consumer Health discusses their approach to help consumers adopt digital health tools to manage and improve their healthcare outcomes. David also explores trends driving better self-care among consumers. Digital health tools are gaining momentum among customers and making better self-care more […]

In this episode, Reid Stephen, VP and CIO of St. Luke's Health System, discusses how consumer research drives digital priorities, mobile applications, and other digital features. He also talks about creating a robust technology infrastructure to deliver the superior experiences consumers demand and expect today. St. Luke's Health System is a large health system looking […]

In this episode, Reid Stephen, VP and CIO of St. Luke's Health System, discusses how consumer research drives digital priorities, mobile applications, and other digital features. He also talks about creating a robust technology infrastructure to deliver the superior experiences consumers demand and expect today. St. Luke's Health System is a large health system looking […]

In this episode, Jared Antzack, Chief Digital Officer at Sanford Health, discusses the special considerations that go into serving their widely dispersed population and how they design digital solutions for that population. Sanford is a large health system that primarily serves the rural population across the upper Midwest, stretching over 250,000 square miles. Jared's role […]

In this episode, Jared Antzack, Chief Digital Officer at Sanford Health, discusses the special considerations that go into serving their widely dispersed population and how they design digital solutions for that population. Sanford is a large health system that primarily serves the rural population across the upper Midwest, stretching over 250,000 square miles. Jared's role […]

In this episode, Adam Landman, MD, Chief Information Officer of Mass General Brigham (MGB), formerly Partners Healthcare, talks about the four distinct user groups that Mass General's digital engagement programs have identified and prioritized for improved experiences. In addition to fast and convenient patient experiences, Mass General's digital programs focus on the needs of diverse […]

In this episode, Adam Landman, MD, Chief Information Officer of Mass General Brigham (MGB), formerly Partners Healthcare, talks about the four distinct user groups that Mass General's digital engagement programs have identified and prioritized for improved experiences. In addition to fast and convenient patient experiences, Mass General's digital programs focus on the needs of diverse […]

Anika Gardenhire is the Chief Digital Officer of Centene Corporation – the country's largest managed Medicaid services organization. In this episode, she talks about why it is important that their most vulnerable populations “show up” in their digital transformation programs. She highlights the importance of innovation for underserved and vulnerable populations and urges the technology […]

Anika Gardenhire is the Chief Digital Officer of Centene Corporation – the country's largest managed Medicaid services organization. In this episode, she talks about why it is important that their most vulnerable populations “show up” in their digital transformation programs. She highlights the importance of innovation for underserved and vulnerable populations and urges the technology […]

Dr. Denise Basow, a primary care physician by training, is the Chief Digital Officer of Ochsner Health – a health system that predominantly serves Medicaid populations in a risk-based payment model. She talks about how they’re using digital programs to drive improved healthcare outcomes and reduce care costs. In this episode, Dr. Basow discusses their […]

Dr. Denise Basow, a primary care physician by training, is the Chief Digital Officer of Ochsner Health – a health system that predominantly serves Medicaid populations in a risk-based payment model. She talks about how they’re using digital programs to drive improved healthcare outcomes and reduce care costs. In this episode, Dr. Basow discusses their […]

Terry Myerson leads a very interesting organization – Truveta – that’s trying to aggregate healthcare data from health systems across the country in a de-identified form. They then combine this data with other sources to generate insights that drive clinical research and outcomes and develop new therapies and molecules. In this episode, Terry discusses Truveta's […]

Terry Myerson leads a very interesting organization – Truveta – that’s trying to aggregate healthcare data from health systems across the country in a de-identified form. They then combine this data with other sources to generate insights that drive clinical research and outcomes and develop new therapies and molecules. In this episode, Terry discusses Truveta's […]

In this episode, Emily Kagan-Trenchard, SVP and Chief of Consumer Digital Solutions at Northwell Health in New York, discusses a range of topics related to the new focus on consumers, patient data, technology, and analytics infrastructure required to drive consumer and patient engagement in this coming era of digital health. Patient access is not just […]

In this episode, Emily Kagan-Trenchard, SVP and Chief of Consumer Digital Solutions at Northwell Health in New York, discusses a range of topics related to the new focus on consumers, patient data, technology, and analytics infrastructure required to drive consumer and patient engagement in this coming era of digital health. Patient access is not just […]