The Groves Connection

Hello Connectors, Today’s guest is Corey Feldman, Vice President of Leverage Health. At the age of 22, Corey Feldman moved to Israel and willingly enlisted as a lone soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, leaving behind his comfortable, idyllic life in the United States. His time in the IDF is documented lovingly in his book “A Line in the Sand”. Now, Corey Feldman is a lecturer, author, and educator, who hosts two podcasts: "The Lone Soldier Podcast”, and "Healthcare Reimagined”, produced in collaboration with the Society for Healthcare Innovation, both of which can be heard on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts. He has a Masters in Healthcare Innovation from the University of Pennsylvania, an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Management and Technology, and is a licensed professional coach via Erickson Coaching International. Our conversation today delves into Corey’s storied life, and how it has influenced his perspective on modern healthcare issues. He’s a decisive leader in the field of Digital Healthcare and is pioneering Go-to-Market strategies nationwide. His perspective is as invaluable as it is influential. Are you ready to connect?

Hello connectors, Today, I’m going to challenge the prevailing view on value-based care. Pay for performance is the industry term for paying out bonuses based on a subset of quality metrics. It makes perfect sense. But is it evidence-based? The answer may surprise you. Are you ready to connect?

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. John Mandrola. Nominally, Dr. Mandrola is a cardiac electrophysiologist, specializing in heart rhythm disorders, but there’s much more to his story. He’s currently the chief cardiology correspondent for Medscape, writes two regular columns, and records a weekly podcast. This guy is everywhere, and for good reason. As a leader in medical thought, his unique take on modern healthcare is perhaps best summed up in his 2019 paper with Dr. Adam Cifu — The Case for Being a Medical Conservative. “Medical conservatives are not nihilists. We appreciate progress and laud scientific gains that have transformed once-deadly diseases, such as AIDS and many forms of cancer, into manageable chronic conditions. […] The medical conservative, however, recognizes that many developments promoted as medical advances offer, at best, marginal benefits.” Dr. Mandrola’s perspective is unique, history informed, and as philosophically rigorous as it is compassionate. Per usual, we have a chance to dive into his background, upbringing, and journey to where he is now. It was a fascinating journey that I’m pleased to be able to invite you to listen to. Are you ready to connect?

Hello connectors! Today we have a very special episode, because I have the pleasure of interviewing Amy Van Dyken: an American former competitive swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record holder, who has earned six Olympic gold medals throughout her career. She was named Swimming World's American Swimmer of the Year in 1995 and 1996, and her story is a testament to her grit, compassion, and fighting spirit. On June 6, 2014, Amy was in an ATV accident which severed her spinal cord at the T11 vertebrum. The injury she sustained was millimeters away from her aorta and could easily have ruptured it. Though the accident left her paralyzed from the waist down, and with chronic neurological pain, her story didn’t end there. Amy currently works as a motivational speaker, showing people around the world how to manage pain and trauma in their lives Today’s episode with Amy was a delight. We discussed her experiences as an asthmatic, her path to becoming an olympic champion, and her experiences—good and bad—in the American healthcare system after her accident. She’s an incredible, tenacious, and giving person with a fascinating life, and I’m honored to be able to share her story with you all. Are you ready to connect?

Hello Connectors!On today's Quick Connect, I offer my thoughts on the role that digital health has to play in shaping the future of healthcare systems worldwide, especially as it pertains to health equity. We discuss access for underserved populations, health disparities, and the role that the modern physician plays in care delivery. Are you ready to connect?

Hello Connectors!Today I have the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Dr.Scott Shreeve, CEO, director, and co-founder of Crossover Health. With notable customers including Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, Comcast, and Amazon, Crossover Health is a nationally recognized brand, which specializes in the design, development, and distribution of healthcare technologies that improve quality of life and care delivery. Prior to his work with Crossover Health, Dr. Shreeve led the execution of extensive electronic health record implementations at community hospitals, in statewide health systems, and for primary care clinic networks. He is a co-founder of Medsphere Systems Corporation, the first open source electronic health record for the healthcare enterprise. He is also a founding member of the Health 2.0 technology and reform movement, and his well-known Crossover Health blog focuses on enabling technologies that alter how high-performance healthcare systems are delivered, paid for, and improved. Our conversation today covers Scott’s fascinating history, from growing up in rural California, all the way to his current work at Crossover. Along the way we have the opportunity to learn valuable lessons about mentorship, work ethic, and entrepreneurship. Scott is a fascinating, humble, and easy-going individual, and I’m thrilled to be able to share his story and perspective with you all. Are you ready to connect?

Today’s guest is Dr. Lisa Strohman, whose story is as fascinating as her career. Dr. Lisa Strohman has gained widespread recognition for her work advocating for and educating people about mental health’s ever changing role in our digital lives. She has worked with thousands of parents, schools, and kids all around the world as a lawyer, clinical psychologist, and author, and founded the Digital Citizen Academy: a nonprofit program offered to schools with an in-home plan that encourages balance and prosocial relationships to technology for students. Dr. Strohman has over a decade of experience dealing with individual, family, and adolescent clients coping with issues such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and technology usage, and co-founded the Technology Wellness Center with Dr. Melissa Westendorf JD, PhD in 2014. She’s an author of three books about the relationships that young people are developing to technology in the modern world, and is also regularly featured in the media as an authoritative source for concerns concerning technology usage and behavior, including a weekly feature on Dr. Drew's radio show and a role as an expert on Dr. Oz's ShareCare website. Suffice it to say, Dr.Strohman is an accomplished and impactful figure in modern society, and her experiences in youth reflect a tenacity and resilience that has carried her throughout. Our conversation today covers everything from homelessness to the FBI, and we have a chance to hear about Dr.Strohman’s experience of having an organ-saving radiation therapy initially rejected by her insurance company. She’s an incredible woman with a lot of wisdom to share, and a compassionate perspective on the world, and I’m delighted to be able to share her insights with you. Are you ready to connect?

In today's episode I have the priviliege of sitting down with Dr. Brad Youngren of 98point6. Dr. Youngren's life is a fascinating journey which takes us from the front lines of war to the front lines of technological innovation, and his knowledge, composure, and expertise reflect that diverse experience. As a physician with nearly 20 years of experience—most recently as chief medical officer at Cue—Dr. Younggren joined 98point6 in 2017. He had previously held the position of chief medical officer for Mobisante and Shift Labs. Brad is also currently the medical director of emergency preparedness, trauma, and urgent care at EvergreenHealth, where he continues to practice emergency medicine. He previously served in Iraq as a physician with the United States Army and received the Bronze Star and Combat Medic Badge for his efforts. As the Chief Medical Officer & President of Care Innovation at 98point6, he brings his knowledge to bear on the dynamic problems involved in providing 24/7 text-based care to patients and providers around the country.Today's conversation covers a lot of ground. Dr. Youngren and I had the chance to discuss everything from the military logistics of emergency medicine to the growth of digital healthcare technology. Make sure to stick around to the end, because we really get into the nuts of bolts of when and why digital healthcare is truly, inarguably better. The answers might surprise you.Are you ready to connect?

Today we welcome Dr. Brent James back to the podcast for a spirited conversation about the values and failings of statistics in healthcare today. Brent James is a regular on the show, and I highly recommend checking out episode 3 and episode 30 to hear our previous conversations about healthcare and risk respectively. As always, Dr. James brings a very unique and storied pragmatism to the podcast. He has experience designing and implementing metrics that have been shown to actually improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. For those of you familiar with the topic, you’ll know that the vast majority of programs like this are either ineffective or actively counterproductive. Brent breaks these flaws and solutions down for us in an easily digestible and fascinating look into the internal workings of healthcare. It was a delight to hear his insights into healthcare’s continuing development, and his optimism is a breath of fresh air. Are you ready to connect?

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with Philip Randall, the strategic planner for Aetna. Phil works in clinical operations, facilitating community operations and partnerships which improve member health outcomes and lower healthcare expenses. He accomplishes this by creating community-based interventions and initiatives. Phil and I cover a lot of ground in today’s discussion. I get to learn about his background in TV & film, and hear some harrowing tales of healthcare providers he’s had to save from the brink of disaster. His recent work with the Banner/Aetna Kitchen is an exciting example of how nontraditional community solutions can be more effective than standard medical interventions, and his philosophy on the future of healthcare is fascinating. It was a joy to chat to Phil about the good, bad, and ugly of healthcare. Are you ready to connect?

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with Carolyn Minnock, Chief Growth Officer of PeraHealth. I was introduced to Carolyn by my friend and colleague, Janae Sharp of The Sharp Index, and both Carolyn's approach and her story are fascinating. Based in The Rothman Index, PeraHealth is a company which provides usable, real-time clinical data to physicians and their teams. Physicians working with PeraHealth have access to easy-to-use, data-driven information which can provide surveillance across all conditions, diseases and care settings. Data are collected into easy-to-use and deeply informative visualizations, which facilitates smooth handoffs and exceptional patient care. Carolyn and I had the opportunity to discuss the long and winding road to her success, both within and outside of PeraHealth. We got to chat about the issues with the adoption & execution of even brilliant approaches like The Rothman Index (RI), and we discussed some ways that holistic health is being rediscovered in modern healthcare. Carolyn is a wonderfully precise speaker, and does a great job framing and explaining some of the more heady concepts that come up when discussing data analytics and algorithms. It was fascinating to hear how her background played into her story — everything from sports to Salesforce comes into play in ways you might not expect. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Are you ready to connect?

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with Dr.Elizabeth Markle, Co-founder and Executive Director of Open Source Wellness. Dr.Markle is an incredibly forward thinking and storied psychologist with years of experience with thousands of patients. She’s worked with patients struggling with everything from depression to diabetes, and in doing so she noticed an interesting trend; doctors were often prescribing behavioral changes, but there was no behavioral pharmacy to fill those prescriptions. Patients aren’t expected to forage for their own medications in the wild, so why should they be expected to magically manifest the support systems needed to enable radical behavioral changes? Dr.Markle decided to create a community-focused system of care which gives patients an effective set of resources to do all of the things their doctors recommend, like reducing stress, focus on nutrition, or exercise more. I found my conversation with Dr.Markle fascinating. Her unique perspective illuminates issues with the United States’ healthcare system from a new angle, exposing issues with equity, community support, and even some unexpected consequences of patient confidentiality. She’s a charismatic and much needed voice in healthcare today, and her approach to healthcare is clever, new, and powerfully effective. Are you ready to connect?

In today’s episode, I speak with Dr. Eric Bricker. Dr. Bricker is a physician and internist who came to healthcare by an indirect route. As you’ll hear, Dr. Bricker began his career on the healthcare finance side of the business. As a result, he is one of the most knowledgeable physicians I’ve met about the business of healthcare. While still in residency at John’s Hopkins, he started a company called Compass Professional Health Services. The company, in the healthcare navigation space, grew to over 1.8 million members and 2,000 plus clients and sold to Alight Solutions in 2018. He is also the founder of Texas Family Insurance and currently serves as the Medical Director of Simple Pay Health and Coupe Health. But I learned about Dr. Becker’s expertise through his role as Chief Medical Officer of AHealthcareZ where he puts out brief but insightful videos on healthcare finance with more than 100,000 monthly views on LinkedIn, YouTube and AhealthcareZ.com. Dr. Bricker is a passionate advocate for healthcare reform and the value of primary care. We cover a lot of ground in today’s episode including his background, early career and then we get into his informed views on the nature of our current system, its origins, and the potential solutions. The difference is Dr. Becker’s views are based on first-hand knowledge and results that he has been able to deliver for businesses to keep healthcare cost down or even flat for years. Listen in as he breaks down complexity to solutions that are simple and easy to understand. There is a wealth of information here that you don’t want to miss. Time to get curious…are you ready to connect?

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Dr.Brent James back to the podcast. If you missed our first conversation, it’s our first episode ever, titled “Covid Conversations” on whichever podcasting service you prefer. It’s a fascinating journey into the life and perspectives of one of healthcares wisest leaders today. Since Brent was our first ever guest on The Groves Connection, it’s rather fitting that he’s our first guest featured on video on our YouTube channel. As before, Brent brings an inspired and unique perspective to an array of topics ranging from COVID-19 policy to the nature of the economic engine of healthcare. This is a great follow up to our first conversation, because it’s a satisfying deep-dive into many of the fascinating perspectives we touched on a few months back. There is a calm and informed clarity that Dr.James brings to all of his endeavors, allowing him to make thoughtful decisions and create remarkable models. It’s always a joy to hear him speak. If you haven’t already, subscribe to our YouTube channel to get the full experience: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9MaCSGtYhfW6ToPM7vfOdQ?sub_confirmation=1 Are you ready to connect?

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Dr.Brent James back to the podcast. If you missed our first conversation, it’s our first episode ever, titled “Covid Conversations” on whichever podcasting service you prefer. It’s a fascinating journey into the life and perspectives of one of healthcares wisest leaders today. Since Brent was our first ever guest on The Groves Connection, it’s rather fitting that he’s our first guest featured on video on our YouTube channel. As before, Brent brings an inspired and unique perspective to an array of topics ranging from COVID-19 policy to the nature of the economic engine of healthcare. This is a great follow up to our first conversation, because it’s a satisfying deep-dive into many of the fascinating perspectives we touched on a few months back. There is a calm and informed clarity that Dr.James brings to all of his endeavors, allowing him to make thoughtful decisions and create remarkable models. It’s always a joy to hear him speak. If you haven’t already, subscribe to our YouTube channel to get the full experience: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9MaCSGtYhfW6ToPM7vfOdQ?sub_confirmation=1 Are you ready to connect?

Today I have the opportunity to reconnect with Frank Dumont, MD. Frank is an old friend and colleague of mine, and has spent his career in Colorado, enriching the lives of patients both in the state and outside of it. Bringing his experiences as a musician, phsyicist, and physician to bear on complex issues ranging from sports physiology to diabetes reversal, Dr.Dumont has been a practicing physician working in internal medicine for over 20 years. In his current role as the Commercial Medical Director at Virta Health, he takes this ethos one step further, providing medical assessments, ongoing medical management, and safe medication titration for diabetic patients experiencing the rapid physiologic changes of ketoadaptation. Frank is one of the most effective communicators I know. He excels at bridging the gap between the theoretical and the profoundly personal, and his ability to translate heady, conceptual ideas into something more approachable is both impressive and incredibly necessary today. I encourage listeners to listen to the back half of the episode regardless of your level of familiarity with metabolism or Type 2 Diabetes. I suspect just about everybody can benefit from Frank's unique and diverse knowledge set, and his amazing ability to distill it down to the most important points. This is one of my favorite conversations I've had so far, and I'm not just saying that because Frank and I go way back. Are you ready to connect?

Dr. Scott Fowler is president and chief executive officer of Holston Medical Group (HMG). A long time friend of mine, Scott is a regional leader in Kingston, Tenesse. Uniquely, Dr.Fowler has degrees in philosophy, politics, law, and medicine, and makes use of every aspect of his expertise. He has gained national recognition for HMG's performance, despite operating in an otherwise less central area of the country. Scott's guiding principles are clear, and his perspective is invaluable. In this episode we learn about Dr.Fowler's career journey and all of the interesting stories along the way. From the social media success of his daughters, to his journey from philosophy to politics to law, Dr.Fowler shares his views on his profession and the development and growth of healthcare throughout the years. All in all, it's an inspired and inspiring conversation with one of the most influential voices in healthcare today. Are you ready to connect?

Dr. Marjie Bessel has been a rock during the pandemic. As the Chief Clinical Officer for one of the largest integrated delivery systems in the country, Dr. Bessel knows first-hand about the profound responsibility of that role. Banner Health, where Dr. Bessel occupies this senior physician role, includes 30 acute care hospitals in 6 states, more than 50,000 employees and 3 academic medical centers. Banner owns urgent care centers, rehab hospitals and employs thousands of practicing professionals.This is no small job and the pandemic tested every aspect of the Banner Health system and will have repercussions for some time to come. Where did she find the resources and tools to perform so well under such immense and constant pressure? In this episode we learn about the key inflection points in her leadership journey beginning with her unwavering commitment to healthcare that began as a child. But perhaps more importantly, throughout the podcast, Marjie models the behaviors that define the best leaders in any field. Her humility, passion, and self-awareness shine through. Hear how she navigated obstacles along the way. Listen to the themes that drive her actions and behaviors today. Dr. Bessel understands that learning and self-improvement are not simply the product of formal mentorships, though formal mentors are very important, but also the product of everyone who was, and still is, part of her journey, irrespective of title or position. Are you ready to connect?

Meet Dana Artinyan, health coach at Virta Health. Dana takes us on a journey from early influences and training to her current role as the first contact for patients who are enrolled in the Virta program and have made the commitment to reverse their diabetes. In our last episode we met both an academic physician that has devoted his life to studying diabetes as well as a grateful Virta patient. In this episode we find out what it is like to be a part of a physician-led team at the cutting edge of diabetes reversal. What is continuous remote care? How does this process work to get the remarkable results that have now been published in the peer-reviewed literature? Please enjoy the conversation with Dana Artinyan. Are you ready to connect?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Robert Ratner, the former chief scientific officer and chief medical officer of the American Diabetes Association and have a conversation with both Dr. Ratner and a patient with diabetes, Chris Stewart, who is engaged in a transformational journey to address his disease head on. We discuss the scientific rationale and the real world results of this program offered by Virta Health which has been shown to reverse the ravages of diabetes through a remarkable lifestyle strategy powered by continuous remote care, a new model of care delivery with unrivaled potential for chronic disease management. What if I told you that over the course of a year, 60% of participants got off all diabetes related medications while lowering their HgbA1c below the diagnostic threshold for diabetes and, as a secondary effect, lost weight without counting calories? Would you want to learn more? I certainly did. Here you'll get both sides of the story from a renowned diabetes researcher and a patient who uses the program. Are you ready to connect?

Krista Drobac is savvy, experienced and effective. If you want a quick primer on policy issues facing healthcare at present (especially telehealth) then this is the episode for you. Krista's expertise is broad, but her current focus is the extension of policies enacted during the pandemic that are in the best interest of patients. Krista is your advocate at the nation's capitol. She spends her days educating and influencing the movers and shakers in Washington, DC where she co-founded Sirona Strategies. If you have an interest in the future of telehealth either as a patient or as a provider, listen in as Krista teaches us what's important and why and what we can do about it.

In this episode I interview Dr. Paul Conti a practicing psychiatrist and consultant who has a deep understanding of trauma and its consequences. He has a new book out entitled Trauma: The invisible Epidemic: How Trauma Works and How We Can Heal From It. I first heard Paul speak on Peter Attia's podcast, The Drive. From the moment he started, I knew that this was someone I had to know. He is insightful and brilliant and yet he is able to put what he knows in very clear and accessible language. In this interview, Dr. Conti shares what he has learned from his non-traditional and broad educational journey, his own personal experience with major trauma, and his extensive experience with patients. This is one of the most important episodes yet. None of us will emerge unscathed from our collective engagement with Covid-19. Listen in to a passionate caregiver who is on a mission to save us from ourselves. Dr. Conti helps us understand the scope of the problem, the challenges we face, and the solutions that help us heal.

In this episode, I rebroadcast a keynote given live at an AristaMD virtual conference regarding e-consults. The taslk was designerd to provide context for the attendees regarding the history of medical knowledge management and digitally enabled care. I discuss the history of the intersection of healthcare with communication technologies, the definition of telemedicine and why it matters, and provide insight on where the AristaMD strategy fits in this context. If you are interested in this company and how it can increase access, lower cost and improve care, visit aristamd.com for more information. Happy New Year, I hope you enjoy the topic. Are you ready to connect?

In this special edition of the Groves connection, Dr. Groves is interviewed by Sanjeev Agrawal. This is an audio-only rebroadcast of a portion of the Becker's Healthcare, LeanTaas virtual summit that first aired on December 7, 2021. While the bulk of the summit was focused on specific strategies to streamline hospital operations (worth a deep dive into the sessions), Sanjeev and Dr. Groves discuss the broader impact of the pandemic and lessons learned across the healthcare system. They cover the difference between operational innovation vs clinical innovation, how the two overlap and create synergy; the roots of the staffing shortage, where that leads and how automation can help. They also discuss healthcare equity, social determinants of health, healthcare systems literacy, and then recommend the prioritization of technology resources based on current and future payment systems. Learn about Dr. Groves in this episode as the tables are turned. Interviewer becomes interviewee. Are you ready to connect?

In this episode we meet a veteran of consumer-focused strategy in healthcare. When I heard Michael O'Neil speak at the Health Management Academy, I wasted no time in asking him to do a show with me. Unlike many upstarts today, his company, Get Well Network (www.getwellnetwork.com) has been driving positive change across the continuum for more than two decades. Much has changed since he started Get Well Network. What has not changed is his relentless focus on patients and their unique needs. Navigating the healthcare system is extremely challenging even for those of us who are insiders. It is a seemingly insoluble maze. Get Well Network is your trusted ally in finding your way through that maze and thriving in the process. Learn how his company and his teams were able to adapt to changes in technology and stay at the head of the pack in patient advocacy. This is an inspiring and informative story about how one person, surrounded himself with a team of experts to make a positive difference in the lives of countless patients while respecting the roles and needs of the caregivers. Michael is a principled and inspiring leader who has much to teach all of us. His accolades and awards are too numerous to mention here. You will hear all about them in the introduction. I am honored to share his story with you. Are you ready to connect?

Warning: In this episode we will be discussing suicide, in particular, physician suicide. If you are sensitive to this topic, please skip this episode. If you are struggling, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. You are loved. You are not alone. This is a special edition of The Groves Connection. During the holidays we are delighted to have time with family and friends, to celebrate and reminisce about the successes, joys, and challengesd of the previous year, and to reflect on all that we have been given. It is a time for forgiveness, for love, and for gratitude. But for those beset with symptoms of depression or anxiety, the holidays can be a time of increasing stress, lonliness, and even despair. It is good to remember this, to remember to be present for those suffering. If we have not been there already, we or those we love may find ourselves there in the future. Let's tap that deep well of forgiveness and gratitude and reach out to our fellow travelers with love. I can think of no greater gift. In this episode I talk with Janae Sharp, founder of the non-profit, The Sharp Index. The Sharp Index was founded to address the problem of physician suicide. Janae shares her personal story. Her journey has not been easy. It began with her struggles with her husband's mental illness, an illness that amplified the feelings of helplessness, self-blame, and shame that often accompany the ending of a marriage. But the deeper tragedy is that shortly thereafter, she was forced to face the added tragedy of suicide. The man whom she had married with shared hopes and dreams, the father of their three young children was now gone. Suddenly, Janae was left to raise their three young children on her own, while dealing with the aftermath of this tragic event. Everyone suffered. Janae is a survivor. She has moved on with her life. Yet nothing is forgotten. Now she is giving back to those in need, through her own example and through the non-profit she founded. In this conversation, Janae gets real about her uncertainties, her ongoing challenges, and what it takes to move forward under that weight. I hope you will learn from this dialogue as I did. I hope you will reach out to make things better and support the effort in any way that feels right to you. While physicians have a very high rate of suicide as a profession, the pandemic has impacted all of us in one way or another. Join me in this difficult but necessarty conversation. It is time to connect. It is time to love. Are you ready?

What can healthcare learn from a seasoned attorney? Nathan Bays is among the most reliable sources of information about healthcare. He is dispassionate and never confused by the facts. This is not to say he doesn't have strong feelings about what should be done, rather he is able to predict what is likely to get done. Sometimes contrarian, but always based in reality, there is no more trustworthy source regarding policy, predictions and where we should focus our efforts. Where is healthcare going? Nathan Bays is a voice you need to hear. Are you ready to connect?

Hal Andrews is the CEO of Trilliant Health. I first met Hal when I came to Nashville to interview Sanjula Jain for episode 13 of TGC, an episode I highly recommend for those of you interested in the future of healthcare analytics. I knew I wanted to spend more time with Hal and discover what led him to form and lead this company. Trilliant leverages mountains of data from a variety of sources to support evidence-based delivery system strategy. In my first informal meeting with Hal it became clear that his company is a different kind of analytics company. Using sophisticated AI applied to demographic, psychographic, and healthcare-specific data, Trilliant predicts consumer/patient demand and drives communication strategy at a hyper-local level. The result is actionable market-specific insight that maximizes the delivery systems ability to invest wisely in the future. In this episode we follow his early career, how he found his way into healthcare and the mentors and principles that continue to guide him today. Many of the predictions made contradict conventional wisdom. Why is hospital demand flat or decreasing in spite of the wave of seniors now turning 65 every day and the rise of chronic disease? Why is traditional telemedicine NOT a good digital front door strategy? Are patients really consumers? If so, what does that predict about their behavior? Perhaps only a CEO with a background in the music industry and a brief stint staffing a professional wrestling tour can answer these questions. Listen in to find out. Ready to connect?

Vasant Kumar is the CEO of CareCentra. In this episode we get to know Vasant's background and what led him to work at a major pharma company, the World Bank and finally, what chance circumstances led him to move to the United States and form first Scriptlogix and ultimately CareCentra. Vasant tells us how he operationalized the Nobel Prize winning concepts of behavioral economics and nudge theory, as well as the behavioral model developed by BJ Fogg, and applied these concepts to healthcare with documented improvements in patient adherence to healthy behaviors, while simultaneously maintaining 98+ percent patient engagement and net promoter scores consistently above 80. This is the next frontier in healthcare; bending behaviors toward health. Knowing that someone is at risk is not enough. We must be able to help patients form and maintain healthy habits. Leveraging lessons learned from his work with the Harvard Business School as well as a lifetime of experience, Vasant shows us how it is possible to do exactly that. The discussion is liberally sprinkled with personal anecdotes and leadership pearls gleaned from the giants of the technology and innovation revolutions, such as Bill Gates, Reggie Herzlinger, and many others. I believe you will enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Are you ready to connect?

Hello connectors! My very special guest today is my son: Alden Groves. As the editor, producer, and a consultant for The Groves Connection, Alden has been instrumental in shaping the show. I love connecting with industry leaders to discuss the ins and outs of healthcare, and Alden is the glue that makes it possible for me to share those conversations with you. He’s also an incredibly talented musician, and singlehandedly made the podcast intro song that so many of you have been asking about. Today, he brings his experience with mental health to an intimate conversation about Bipolar Disorder, depression, anxiety, the accessibility of mental healthcare, and suicidality. As many of you are aware, September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and I wanted to take the opportunity to have a conversation about mental health and the stigma surrounding it. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. If you or a loved one are otherwise struggling with your mental health, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional and seek help. There’s nothing wrong with seeking help, and you’ll be glad that you did. While Alden and I are not strictly qualified to offer any medical advice on the subject, we hope you’ll enjoy our conversation about his experiences and struggles seeking care. If you’re interested in hearing more of Alden’s music or watching his YouTube videos, you can find everything here: https://linktr.ee/aldengroves Are you ready to connect?

Thomas Grote is on a mission to make healthcare better. With 30 years of experience in the business of health insurance, foundational contributions to three payer-provider joint ventures, and a lifetime of wisdom, few are better positioned to make that happen. Follow Tom's story from tragedy to triumph and hear from the source about the principles, mentors and strategies that made that journey possible. Hear directly from the CEO of Banner|Aetna as he envisions a better way forward. Are you ready to connect?

My guest today is Robert Pearl, MD. Dr. Pearl exemplifies the very best of physician culture as well as the vision of a world class leader in healthcare. In this episode we unpack his remarkable contributions to the healthcare field, as well as his courageous effort to shine a spotlight on the shortcomings of physician culture. We touch on his many careers: As a skilled and respected physician providing direct patient care As a philanthropist, organizing missions to the underserved for corrective plastic surgery As the CEO and leader of the massive Permanente medical group, taking the group from near-bankruptcy to becoming one of the most successful and highest quality groups in the country during his tenure As an author, podcaster, and thought leader with the courage to tell the truth Few can speak about healthcare with the breadth of experience and corresponding level of insight that Dr. Pearl brings to the table. I invite you to join me as I sit down with Dr. Pearl to discuss his vision for improving not only physician culture, but healthcare at large. Are you ready to connect?

Sanjula Jain, PhD. is a digital population health expert like no other. Dr. Sanjula Jain is an executive educator and strategic advisor working with C-suite and senior leadership teams of healthcare organizations including the nation’s largest health systems, Fortune 500 pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and growth-stage digital health companies. She is the Senior Vice President of Market Strategy and Chief Research Officer at Trilliant Health, an analytics company that transforms how provider organizations maximize growth and engage individuals around their healthcare needs, just as the largest consumer brands in the world engage with their customers. Sanjula also serves on the Faculty of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine teaching courses in digital health entrepreneurship and population health care delivery. She speaks frequently on trends shaping the health economy, delivery system reform and population health management. She hosts Her Story, an audio/video podcast that explores the leadership possibilities for women in healthcare and is a Co-founder of Think Medium, a think tank for healthcare leaders. "My mantra is that the most effective healthcare strategies are grounded in informed practices, not best practices." -Dr Jain Sanjula is changing the way we think about analytics in healthcare. Join me as we listen to her illuminating insights.

In this episode I speak with Sami Inkinen. Sami and I discuss the unique opportunity that North America offers entrepreneurs, the quest for excellence, how his athletic pursuits provide balance as well as the underpinnings of his company, Virta Health that is transforming diabetes care by offering reversal of the metabolic disease process. We delve into philosophy just a bit as well. Please enjoy connecting with Sami Inkinen.

Rich Wood is one of the key architects of the CVS plans to bring nutrition science to a neighborhood near you. With degrees in both nutrition and exercise science and a background in teaching, he is well suited to the role. We explore his evolution as a leader, as a mentor and follow along as he learns the truth about what we eat and how it affects us. Have you considered that some of what you think you know about nutrition, even what's been taught to you by experts, may be just plain wrong? Join me for this exciting and controversial episode on "The Groves Connection". Are you ready to connect?

Dr. Regina Herzlinger is the Godmother of healthcare consumerism, and a champion of healthcare innovation. She was the first woman to become a tenured professor at Harvard Business School, and the first woman chair at Harvard, where she still teaches today. Titans of business and healthcare have found inspiration in her innovation courses, where she shares unmatched experience. Serving on the boards of some of the most influential companies in the field while simultaneously creating, she and her physicist husband have developed innovative solutions that have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. We discuss: Her current role. Her teaching and leadership. Her natural curiosity and how she developed it. Her quest to put healthcare back in the hands of individuals. It's your money. Don't you want more control over how it is spent? Listen to the voice of experience as she shares decades of wisdom hard won. #healthcare #innovation #inspiration

In this episode, I interview Dr. Zubin Damania aka ZDoggMD. Dr. Damania is an internet phenomenon like no other. He is smart, talented, irreverent and something of an enigma. ZDoggMD parodies, entertains and makes fun of the many flaws in our healthcare system. This is the comedian and performer that we all love. Zubin Damania MD, on the other hand, is a serious, analytic, and logical thinker with a razor sharp mind who routinely hosts the best and brightest on The ZDoggMD Show. They are the same guy. I never miss an episode of his show because I always learn something important and relevant to the task of transforming our current system into one that is high quality, accessible, and affordable. I can also depend on Zubin to say exactly what he thinks no matter who may be listening. For this reason, during the pandemic, his followers swelled to over a million because they know Dr. Damania will question everything, provide good information and opinions, and admit when he is wrong. Listen in as we discuss the making of ZDoggMD, the pandemic, elephants and riders, Healthcare 3.0, the nature of the mind and more.

Richard Rolfes is the former CEO of a company called CAMCO, located in northern Kentucky. Camco manufactures chemicals under contract and can manage the whole process right through to fulfillment. The business typically manufactures a variety of cleaning products for multiple industries. It was an essential business throughout the pandemic, and never shut down. The business thrived under his leadership and now approaches 100 million in annual revenue. CAMCO provides healthcare coverage for its employees, and that has been Richard’s only exposure to the healthcare industry outside of his own encounters and those of his family. Richard is also a dear friend.

Dr. Ara Feinstein is an actively practicing trauma surgeon at a level one trauma center, as well as the physician executive charged with engaging and influencing the largest multi-specialty physician group in the state of Arizona; in this capacity, he oversees hundreds of physicians encompassing dozens of specialties and subspecialties. As an associate professor of surgery at the University of Arizona, Dr. Feinstein helps select candidates for medical school in addition to his teaching load. He is a tireless advocate for meaningful reform in healthcare, and best of all, he does it with humility and humor. Join me as I sit down with Dr. Feinstein to discuss his career, his strategy to help physicians through the transition to value, his beliefs about quality, and his perspective on the future of healthcare based on his interactions with medical students. It's a discussion you won't want to miss.

In this "Quick Connect" I review the mission of The Groves Connection, preview upcoming episodes, share a personal story and reflect on the impact of the pandemic for those who have lost loved ones. I end with poetry and finally the hope of brighter things to come.

Melissa "Missy" Duke, PharmD is an inspiration to anyone who is facing obstacles in realizing their dreams. Today she is the Executive Director of Population Health Pharmacy Solutions in a 10 billion dollar integrated delivery system. We cover her story from humble beginnings to broken dreams and soon after learn about her indomitable spirit and solid work ethic and finally, how these character traits propelled her to the position she holds today. Missy is on a mission. Find out what Dr. Duke has to say about drug pricing, formularies, and pharmacy benefits management companies (PBM). Transparency matters, so let's make the connection with Missy Duke.

Rhonda is another storied healthcare leader with much to teach us. We follow her career from delivering babies on the south side of Chicago to CEO of a large metropolitan children's hospital. Rhonda has blazed a trail for women and nurses that few would attempt and even fewer might duplicate. Learn what makes Rhonda tick and what drives her nearly superhuman ability to sit on multiple boards while presiding over some of the most important regulatory functions in nursing and care delivery, all while still working as a full time healthcare executive. Where did this drive come from? What are her predictions for the future of healthcare and what needs to happen to make that dream come true? What is the single most important piece of advice for those just embarking on a career in nursing? Let's find out the answers to these questions and more as The Groves Connection sits down with Rhonda Anderson to discuss her many connected careers.

Here we are. Welcome to my conversation with Dr. Brent James. Dr. James served Intermountain Healthcare Executive Director of the Institute for Healthcare Delivery Research for more than two decades. He is a member of the faculty at Stanford, and invited lecturer at Harvard and is internationally recognized for clinical quality improvement, patient safety and true culture change. He has trained thousands of clinical leaders in his methods and dozens of these graduates have developed like programs around the world. He has testified extensively before congress and when he speaks, leaders listen. We have a broad ranging conversation that includes novel insights on the Covid-19 pandemic that you don't want to miss. As a statistician he is a rigorous thinker, as a trained surgeon he is deeply knowledgeable about clinical research and care delivery, and as leader, he is an engaging speaker and storyteller. Listen in on The Groves Connection. Disclaimer: The Groves Connection is not liable for opinions of guests. Dr Groves is employed, and his full time employer is not liable for personal opinions and information shared by guests or Dr. Groves.

In this episode I reveal the rationale for season one of The Groves Connection and cover the scope of the problem of healthcare, healthcare financing and the complexity of the issues we face. I also cover the first three guests that I will interview for this season. Disclaimer: The Groves Connection is not liable for opinions of guests. Dr Groves is employed, and his full time employer is not liable for personal opinions and information shared by guests or Dr. Groves.

I asked Dr. Ed Clarke to be my first guest on the Groves Connection. Ed is the Chief Medical Officer of both Banner Health Network and the Banner Insurance Division. More important to me, Ed is a trusted colleague and friend. It felt natural to talk and share perspectives. We discuss how Ed went from engineering to medicine and from the coast to the desert. We then cover a range of topics on value based care, and the response to Covid-19. Disclaimer: The Groves Connection is not liable for opinions of guests. Dr Groves is employed band his personal employer is not liable for personal opinions and information shared by guests or Dr. Groves.