The MATTER Health Podcast

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are set to change with new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations and increased competition. This event explores the upcoming regulatory changes, including the annual review of Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI), which will assess how these benefits impact member health. Starting in 2026, Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) will also be required to notify members about unused supplemental benefits mid-year, improving health equity and ensuring enrollees are aware of available resources.Hear our conversation with Amy Schiffman, CEO of AgeTech DC and CMO of Heal Pros, and Doron Porat, co-founder and CEO of ActiveAging, about strategies for enhancing member outcomes and satisfaction, with a focus on addressing social determinants of health such as transportation, meals and housing support. Learn how MA plans can improve Star Ratings, boost retention and close care gaps by offering targeted, effective benefits. The event also showcases tools like ActiveAging's ActiveAgent platform, an AI-driven tool that ensures its members are fully utilizing supplemental benefits, driving engagement, satisfaction, retention and Star Ratings. Attendees gained key insights to remain competitive, meet CMS requirements and position their plans for long-term financial sustainability.This conversation was moderated by John Achoukian, executive in residence at MATTER.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Cyberattacks on hospital systems across the United States are becoming increasingly frequent. These attacks have resulted in major disruptions to patient care and breaches of financial information and other sensitive information, despite significant investments in cybersecurity. The current landscape demonstrates a critical need for a new approach — one that combines protective measures with enhanced resilience.Leading hospital systems have been working closely with accentedge to implement resilience protocols, ensuring that the impact of cyberattacks on patient care and hospital operations remains minimal. This approach not only secures healthcare services, but also diminishes cybercriminal incentives by eliminating financial gain as the sole objective of these attacks.At this event, Syed Alam, founder & CEO of accentedge, shared insights into this transformative approach, drawing parallels with other critical infrastructure sectors like power and telecommunications, where continuity is paramount. Additionally, Syed joined the panel discussion with Dr. Tom Shanley, president & CEO of Lurie Children's Hospital, and John Riggi, national advisor for cybersecurity and risk at the American Hospital Association, to discuss how to shape a resilient healthcare framework — one that safeguards patients, ensures operational stability and reinforces the foundation of our critical healthcare systems. MATTER CEO Steven Collens moderated the panel.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

In this episode of our Advancing Health Equity series, you'll hear from Dr. Joseph Wright, Chief Health Equity Officer at the American Academy of Pediatrics. A nationally recognized expert in pediatric emergency medicine, Dr. Wright has dedicated his career to advancing child health through advocacy, equity and injury prevention, with over 120 publications and numerous awards to his name. Interviewed by Dr. Jacqueline Douge, a pediatrician and leading voice in health equity, this conversation delves into the systemic challenges impacting children's health and explores actionable solutions to close equity gaps. Don't miss this insightful and inspiring discussion!For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

In this episode of Advancing Health Equity, Dr. Maia Hightower, CEO of Equality AI and former Chief Digital Transformation Officer at the University of Chicago Medicine, joins Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER, to explore the transformative role of AI in advancing health equity. With over 20 years of experience in medicine and healthcare leadership, Dr. Hightower shares her expert insights on how artificial intelligence can address disparities and improve patient outcomes. From her time practicing medicine to shaping digital health strategies, she provides a compelling perspective on leveraging technology to create a more equitable healthcare system. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on innovation and inclusion.About Advancing Health EquityMATTER's Advancing Health Equity podcast series focuses on unpacking the complexities of health inequities impacting the healthcare system and the health and well-being of individuals and their communities. These 20-30 minute interview-style sessions are meant to take quick dives into critical areas of health equity and answer questions like:What does health equity mean today?Where do current gaps exist in the various areas of healthcare?Where do we see intersections in care?How can technology and innovation be leveraged strategically to positively make a change?For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

In the fourth episode of season two of Healthcare Horizons, MATTER CEO Steven Collens welcomes Hafeezah Muhammed, founder and CEO of Backpack Healthcare, to discuss how her company is redefining youth mental health support through innovative, AI-driven solutions. Backpack Healthcare is on a mission to provide inclusive and accessible mental health resources that empower young people and their families. Hafeezah shares her inspiration behind creating Backpack, the company's unique approach to trust and safety in AI and their recent $14 million funding milestone. Discover how this trailblazing company is using technology to lighten the emotional burdens we all carry and reshape the future of mental health care.Take a listen to their full conversation!For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Welcome to the third episode of Healthcare Horizons: AI and Mental Health. MATTER CEO Steven Collens dives into the story behind Joystik Life, a stress management app that uses autogenics to guide users through a series of phrases in short, time-efficient sessions designed to reduce stress, enhance performance and boost mental well-being. Hear from Sarah Pierce, chief clinical officer and co-founder of Joystik, as she explains the science behind autogenics, its impact on the nervous system and how Joystik is making stress management accessible for everyone. Take a listen to their full conversation!For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

According to Mental Health America, approximately 20.78 percent of adults experienced a mental illness in 2019-2020, and more than half (54.7 percent) of adults with a mental illness did not receive treatment, with financial barriers being a significant reason.1 Recent research highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly enhancing the accessibility of mental healthcare, including diagnosis, therapy and treatment, while also reducing biases for individuals with autism and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).In a conversation with MATTER CEO Steven Collens, Omer Golan, founder and CEO of MyWhatIf, discussed how AI fits into the mental healthcare landscape, how MyWhatIf's two programs — one for veterans suffering with PTSD and another for cancer patients and their families with PTSD — provide AI-based tools to support mental health and more.Take a listen to their full conversation.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

A 2023 study revealed that patients of therapists who overestimated their effectiveness often fared worse than those whose therapists had an accurate or even underestimated sense of their effectiveness. This is where measurement-informed care and care pathways become crucial. Blueprint, a MATTER startup member, provides essential resources to clients, clinicians and organizations, ensuring that mental healthcare is delivered as effectively as possible.MATTER CEO Steven Collens sat down with Danny Freed, founder and CEO of Blueprint, to explore current trends in the mental health tech landscape, the transformative role of AI in treatment and how Blueprint equips behavioral health organizations with the tools needed to deliver the most effective care.Their discussion offers a unique startup perspective on the evolution of mental healthcare through AI-driven solutions. Listen to learn more about the role of startups in mental health innovation.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

As the inevitable need for vision care accelerates, so too does the demand from patients for improved technology, interactions and experiences with the healthcare system. To combat this rising issue, MATTER and VSP Vision™ launched the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge a global competition to source and support solutions enhancing the eye care patient experience.Join us for a conversation with three startups that are transforming the eye care experience, whether it's making it more accessible, equitable or health-focused. Moderator, Will Flanigan, head of programs and partnerships of VSP's Global Innovation Center, is joined by Dr. Ali Khoshnevis, co-founder and chief strategy officer of EyeCheq, Kimberly Wilson, founder and CEO of HUED, and Ehsan Vaghefi, founder and CEO of Toku Eyes. Listen in to learn more about the work of these three companies, gain new insights into eye health and vision care and be inspired by the opportunities for innovation in the vision care space. About Partner InsightsMATTER's Partner Insights podcast series is a collaborative conversation with our partners to address healthcare's biggest challenges while highlighting innovative solutions to overcome them.Learn more about the VSP Innovation Challenge.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

The Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI) recently released a report on digital diabetes management solutions that concluded the solutions are generally adding costs to the healthcare system, rather than reducing expenditures. It is fair to say the report has been controversial. Join us for a conversation with PHTI Executive Director Caroline Pearson about the report, their methodology, the feedback they have received since publication and their plans for assessing two additional areas — digital hypertension management and mental/behavioral health.The conversation was moderated by MATTER CEO Steven Collens. For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Join us for a conversation about how innovation is bridging the gap between oral and overall health. This podcast will feature a panel discussion that will tap industry-leading experts who will make the case for connecting chronic care with oral health and discuss how we can reduce health disparities through oral health.Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan CEO of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, will introduce the SMILE Health program. Then, Katie D'Amico, vice president of growth and innovation at CareQuest Innovation Partners, will lead two panels of industry experts that'll discuss connecting chronic care with oral health and reducing disparities through oral health. The panelists include:Panel discussion: Connecting chronic care with oral healthDr. Cary Sun, chief dental officer of Cigna HealthcareDavid Kochman, JD, chief corporate affairs officer of Henry Schein Inc.Panel discussion: Reducing disparities through oral healthKamila Chytil, chief operating officer of DentaQuest, a Sun Life CompanyDr. Maria Ryan, chief clinical officer of Colgate-Palmolive CompanyFor more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Philip Burton, founder of InHuevation, moderates a panel discussion featuring James Lott, founder and CEO of Scripted, and Luis Suarez, founder and CEO of Sanarai. Hear topics such as addressing disparities in outcomes, funding and access to care.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

In recognition of Earth Day, we are taking a look back on last year's Loyola Chicago Health Equity Quest: Climate Change and Healthcare Delivery Summit. To kick off the program, Dr. Jalonne White-Newsome, Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer at the White House Council on Environmental Quality delivered a keynote address. Take a listen to her presentation, Bridging the Gap: Climate Justice and Health Equity. She also sat down with Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER, to dive deeper into the effects of climate change and health equity. Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome joined the Biden-Harris Administration in June 2022 as the senior director for environmental justice at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Under her leadership, the environmental justice team is working to deliver on President Biden's ambitious environmental justice agenda, including implementing the recently signed Environmental Justice Executive Order, releasing the first-ever Environmental Justice Scorecard, advancing the Justice40 Initiative and launching the White House Campaign for Environmental Justice. Dr. White-Newsome became the first-ever federal chief environmental justice officer in 2023.For more information on Dr. White-Newsome's work, visit: https://bit.ly/4b8HhKrFor more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

The conversation around maternal mortality does not stop here. By encouraging discussions about maternal health, we can foster collaboration and innovation, driving forward initiatives that improve outcomes for mothers, children and families, especially those in historically marginalized communities.Join us for the third and final episode of Healthcare Horizons, season one. In this episode, Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER, is joined by Colby Holtshouse, global med tech commercial organization head at Organon. Colby brings deep experience in commercializing groundbreaking medical technologies, with over a decade focused on women's health. She'll share insights from her work in medical innovation and learnings from her journey as a female entrepreneur in the women+'s health space, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of navigating this critical sector.About Healthcare HorizonsMATTER's Healthcare Horizons podcast series highlights some of the most industrious healthcare leaders who are challenging the status quo by developing novel solutions to address some of the industry's greatest challenges. These conversations shine a light on key voices in healthcare and answer questions like:How can healthcare innovators leverage technology — like generative AI and synthetic biology — to its fullest potential?What healthcare models can (and should) be reimagined?How can interdisciplinary collaboration drive transformative breakthroughs in healthcare?Learn more about Organon.Learn more about The Jada System.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the number of women who died from pregnancy or a pregnancy-related cause in the United States in 2021 increased by 40 percent from 2020. The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is now the highest since 1965, and the U.S. fares worse than any other industrialized nation. Throughout the inaugural season of Healthcare Horizons, we explore the leading causes behind this inequity and investigate innovative solutions to address maternal mortality.Join us as we welcome Dr. Sarosh Rana, head of maternal-fetal medicine and chief obstetrical transformation officer at UChicago Medicine. Dr. Rana discusses her efforts to address maternal mortality disparities for her patients and community, as well as UChicago Medicine's recent “citation of merit” for its exceptional healthcare leadership.About Healthcare HorizonsMATTER's Healthcare Horizons podcast series highlights some of the most industrious healthcare leaders who are challenging the status quo by developing novel solutions to address some of the industry's greatest challenges. These conversations shine a light on key voices in healthcare and answer questions like:How can healthcare innovators leverage technology — like generative AI and synthetic biology — to its fullest potential?What healthcare models can (and should) be reimagined?How can interdisciplinary collaboration drive transformative breakthroughs in healthcare? Learn more about UChicago Medicine.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Maternal mortality rates continue to present a pressing health crisis in the United States, with Black women facing a disproportionately high risk — three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to their white counterparts. In the series premiere of Healthcare Horizons, we delve into the leading causes behind this disparity and explore innovative solutions to address maternal mortality.Join us as we welcome Dr. Elizabeth Garner, chief scientific officer of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, U.S. and president of the American Medical Women's Association. Dr. Garner offers her insights on maternal mortality in the U.S., drawing from her extensive experience as both an executive and a leader in the field.About Healthcare HorizonsMATTER's Healthcare Horizons podcast series highlights some of the most industrious healthcare leaders who are challenging the status quo by developing novel solutions to address some of the industry's greatest challenges. These conversations shine a light on key voices in healthcare and answer questions like:How can healthcare innovators leverage technology — like generative AI and synthetic biology — to its fullest potential?What healthcare models can (and should) be reimagined?How can interdisciplinary collaboration drive transformative breakthroughs in healthcare?Learn more about Ferring Pharmaceuticals.Learn more about the American Medical Women's Association.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

On March 19, five dynamic startups innovating at the forefront of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia pitched their solutions to a panel of judges at MATTER during the Second Annual Alzheimer's Association Pitch Competition. Prior to the pitches, Carl V. Hill, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer of the Alzheimer's Association, gave a keynote address on the power of partnership in the pursuit of health equity in Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Hear more about his perspective and insight in this podcast. For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

The healthcare industry is full of data - today, approximately 30 percent of the world's data volume is being generated by the healthcare industry. And, sharing of this data can help to improve patient care. When different organizations share data, they can work together to better understand diseases and develop more effective treatments for patients. In a study run by Accenture, 84 percent of patients who share their health data have had a positive experience sharing it, and only two percent of respondents have had a negative experience. But, most patients who do not believe they share their data today say it is because no one has asked them to share it.Join panelists Alex Simmonds, drug development innovation lead at Bristol Myers Squibb, Colleen D'Abbene, director of U.S. diagnostics at Alexion, Colin Gibbons, sales leader with diagnostic cardiology solutions at Philips, and McCay Barnes, senior digital health product leader at Optum for a discussion moderated by Ben Ferrara, director of growth and corporate strategy in health and life sciences at Accenture, for a deep dive into how patients feel about sharing data, what are the barriers to sharing data and potential areas ripe for innovation.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Generative AI - artificial intelligence capable of generating text, images, video, synthetic data and more - exploded onto the scene the day ChatGPT was released to the public in November, 2022. The technology's sheer growth, in both usage and valuation, has also generated a tremendous amount of hype.In healthcare, the technology is already beginning to demonstrate how it can reimagine the industry in new and exciting ways. Beyond easing administrative burdens and scaling tailored patient communication, generative AI is also accelerating drug discovery and clinical trials.Generative AI is truly at the forefront of healthcare transformation, with its impact reverberating across healthcare systems, providers, payers and more.Join VSP Global Innovation Center's Head of Emerging Technology Jay Anderson, Insight Partners Managing Director Hilary Gosher and CB Insights Lead Analyst in Healthcare IT Alex Lennox-Miller for a discussion on the future of generative AI in healthcare, moderated by MATTER CEO Steven Collens.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report showing that the number of women who died from pregnancy or a pregnancy-related cause in the U.S. in 2021 increased by 40 percent from 2020. This rate of maternal mortality in the U.S. is now the highest since 1965, and the U.S. fares worse than any other industrialized nation.While all ages and races saw an increase in maternal mortality in 2021, Black mothers remain the most affected. Black women are 2.6 times more likely to die from pregnancy or pregnancy-related causes than white women in the U.S.In response, MATTER and 51 Labs partners Health Care Service Corporation, Laerdal Million Lives Fund, BayCare, Parkview Health, University of Chicago Medicine, Organon and Stryker launched the next iteration of 51 Labs to call on global innovators to submit applications with innovative healthcare solutions that prevent maternal mortality in the U.S. before, during and after birth.Join MATTER for a panel discussion on this topic with panelists Colby Holtshouse, head of global MedTech commercial organization and the former US maternal health lead at Organon, and Dr. Ira Sites, OBGYN at BayCare.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

The number of Americans living with Alzheimer's is growing — and growing fast. More than six million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer's. As the size of the U.S. population age 65 and older continues to grow, so too will the number and proportion of Americans with Alzheimer's or other dementias. By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer's may grow to a projected 12.7 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease. Yet, people often face barriers to accessing quality care because of factors such as geography, language, insurance coverage and high costs of care and lack of transportation, to name a few.Toward this goal, the Alzheimer's Association and MATTER are calling on innovators to submit their solutions to the second annual Alzheimer's Association Pitch Competition. These solutions should address the need for increasing access to quality, person-centered care for people living with Alzheimer's disease in all communities, especially historically underserved communities.Join MATTER and the Alzheimer's Association for a panel discussion on this topic with panelists Katie Evans, chief mission engagement officer of the Alzheimer's Association, Jay Bhatt, practicing physician and managing director of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions and the Deloitte Health Equity Institute, and Ashley Alexander, president and CEO of the Kelsey Research Foundation. The panel was moderated by Morgan Daven, vice president of health systems of the Alzheimer's Association.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Join MATTER and AVIA for the fourth and final event in the Health System Innovations series, focusing on stories of successful startup and health system collaborations.In this session, you'll hear insights from startups and health systems that have collaborated on implementing a solution and the journey from first contact to execution and what makes a good implementation. Both parties will discuss their perspectives on what made the relationship successful, how success was measured, anticipated outcomes versus reality and tips for healthcare startups on their journey to partner with health systems.Dr. Chris Fore, chief quality officer of Concord Hospital, and Craig Limoli, CEO and founder of Wellsheet, discussed the implementation of Wellsheet's predictive clinical workflow platform to support clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, Crystal Broj, MUSC enterprise chief digital transformation officer at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC Health), and Neal Vachhani, head of client services at Notable, talked about the implementation Notable's platform to create a “digital front door” to improve the patient journey at MUSC Health. The event was moderated by Zain Ismail, senior director, digital health and transformation at AVIA.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Join MATTER and AVIA for the third event in the Health System Innovations series, focused on how health systems are measuring the impact of new technologies and digital initiatives.Measuring the impact of digital health solutions has long been one of the toughest challenges health system leaders face. Often, health systems have a difficult time finding and tracking the data they need to prove ROI for a new solution, parsing out the value of the technology compared to the value of alternative initiatives that are solving the same problem — and knowing what's at stake if no action is taken. It's essential to be able to accurately forecast and report on the outcomes of digital deployments. Health systems are laser-focused on showing the effect of their digital initiatives, so as an entrepreneur, it's essential to be able to accurately forecast and report on the outcomes.In this session, you'll hear insights on how digital health leaders are measuring the impact of their work, what matters to health systems as they assess the potential value of digital initiatives and tried and true lessons from health systems.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Join MATTER and AVIA for the first event in the Health System Innovations series, focused on how startups and innovation advocates can move from concepting through implementation to advance new approaches in our health systems.The first session focuses on how chief innovation officers can work across their health system to develop alignment and, ultimately, champions for change. Join our distinguished panelists: chief digital officer of Presbyterian Healthcare, Brian Beardmore, chief information officer of Henry Ford Health, Paul Browne, chief consumer officer of Ballad Health, Taylor Hamilton, and chief information and digital officer of LifeBridge, Tressa Springmann, in a conversation led by Senior Vice President of AVIA Amanda DeMano.The conversation will provide an overview of key stakeholders and strategies for both teams tasked with innovation deployments in collaboration with startups alongside startups to help create successful implementationsFor more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

According to the American Indian Policy Institute, 18 percent of reservation residents lack internet access, 33 percent rely on cell phone service only, 49 percent utilize a land-based internet provider and 31 percent have spotty internet connection. The limited access to services presents major barriers to access to innovative healthcare solutions to improve health disparities such as diabetes, chronic liver diseases and more.With native american and indigenous territories spanning across the nation, the data depicts the breadth of the impact that the digital divide plays in exacerbating existing disparities. During this conversation, Rafael Tapia, Director of Tribal Community Connections at Local First Arizona, will speak with John Achoukian, healthcare management consultant with CWH Advisors, to discuss the role of the digital divide in Native American and indigenous communities, how to increase access to innovative solutions to improve health outcomes and share strategies for innovators who are developing solutions to support Native American and indigenous communities while respecting and preserving their rich cultural heritage.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Anyone who works in healthcare knows that our current system can often seem overly complex and burdened by a never-ending maze of policies and regulations that can slow down change. That's where ARDX comes in.Join MATTER as we welcome Angela D. Reddix, founder, CEO and president of ARDX, a leading government health management and technology consulting firm, for a fireside chat on federal policy, health equity and insights gleaned from data collection and analysis. Angela brings in-depth knowledge to working with federal, state and local governments on translating regulatory policy and guidance into digestible information and insights to ensure businesses are able to navigate complex regulatory landscapes to increase access to quality and equitable healthcare.Angela will sit down with moderator Dima Elissa, founder and CEO of VisMed-3D, for a conversation on ARDX's insights into improving the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of our healthcare system and their commitment to advancing health equity, expanding access and improving health outcomes.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer among women, with an estimated 42,000 women — and 500 men — in the U.S. dying each year from breast cancer. To reduce the effect of breast cancer on women and men, we must improve early detection, access to quality care and patient education.Join us during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, for a panel discussion on the role of technology and innovative solutions in breast cancer care. Christopher Kunney, Christopher Kunney, FACHDM, CPHIM, MSMOT, Managing Partner & Healthcare Technology Strategist, American Cancer Society - Men Wear Pink Ambassador and IOTECH Consulting, LLC., Ricki Fairley, CEO and co-founder at Touch, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, and survivor of breast cancer, and Ryland Gore, MD, board-certified general surgeon and breast surgical oncologist, will discuss perspectives that will provide insights into prevention, diagnosis and treatment and help individuals make informed decisions about their breast health. The panel will be moderated by Melvin Gaskins, MD, senior medical director of medical oncology at eviCore Healthcare.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

The racial wealth gap between Black and white Americans has remained persistently steady since 1970, with Black Households owning just one-eighth of the wealth of white households. This disparity directly affects access to care, affordable housing, healthy food, education and other factors, leading to lower life expectancies and worse health outcomes for people of color.In this episode, Crystal Tyler, PhD, MPH, chief health officer of Rhia Ventures, and Pamela Johnson, vice president of health equity and partnerships at the American Heart Association, discuss how the racial wealth gap and other historical factors have led to significant differences in access to healthcare, education, nutrition and other social determinants of health. They also emphasize the need for cross-industry collaboration and sustainable investment in community-centered solutions, as well as the role of innovation in improving health outcomes for people of color. Learn more about Rhia Ventures.Learn more about the American Heart Association's health equity efforts.About Advancing Health EquityMATTER's Advancing Health Equity podcast series focuses on unpacking the complexities of health inequities impacting the healthcare system and the health and well-being of individuals and their communities. These 20-30 minute interview-style sessions are meant to take quick dives into critical areas of health equity and answer questions like:What does health equity mean today?Where do current gaps exist in the various areas of healthcare?Where do we see intersections in care?How can technology and innovation be leveraged strategically to positively make a change?For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

For years, data analytics has been used in healthcare to fuel faster and more accurate diagnoses, inform decision-making, personalize treatment, improve patient care and outcomes, lower costs and more. With recent advances in the use of big data and generative artificial intelligence, more organizations are exploring new ways to apply these modern data science tools to address persistent healthcare challenges.One of the key challenges in advancing care for the growing population living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is the aggregation of meaningful insights from a wide range of disparate sources of raw data, including electronic health records (EHRs), personal health records, patient portals and health-related smart phone apps, in addition to large amounts of unstructured data, strict data privacy and security regulations and a variety of data formats.To drive innovation forward in this space, MATTER recently launched the Restoring Brain Health Innovation Challenge with support from the Lundbeck US Charitable Fund to identify and accelerate the development of data science technologies that can generate novel insights from disparate sources to advance care in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.On September 18, join Mary Furlong, leader in the longevity market, Elizabeth Powers, Vice President and General Manager, US Regulatory Science & Study Innovation at IQVIA and Ryan Urbanowicz, Research Scientist, Computational Biomedicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Co-Lead, Tech ID and Training Core, PennAITech/a2Collective.ai for a conversation exploring this topic.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

This event is a continuation from Accenture and MATTER's previous event, Digital Health x Health Equity Panel: Reinvent a More Equitable Future.While we know that social determinants of health account for 80 percent of an individual's health, actually addressing these factors can be challenging in practice. Accenture's recent report, U.S. Health Inequity: Beyond the Statistics, identified bias in data and algorithms, inclusive product and service design and sustainable structural change as the three core areas to focus on when developing med tech solutions to improve health and healthcare delivery.Join panelists Oliver Richards, managing director for medical device and life sciences strategy at Accenture, Fido Willybiro, senior marketing director at Becton Dickinson, Jacqueline Roche, head of payment and delivery and global policy institute at Johnson & Johnson, and Nick Wilson, business lead for remote patient monitoring at Philips, for a discussion moderated by Laura Westercamp, managing director of Accenture's life sciences and med tech practice. They'll take a deep dive into how we can leverage med tech to improve health outcomes, reduce inequities and create a more equitable world.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

The U.S. workforce has never been more diverse age-wise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in four workers is over the age of 55, compared to just one in seven in 1979. In addition to Baby Boomers, four other generations are part of the workforce — the Silent Generation, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Organizations that aim to offer tailored benefits must focus on employees' stages of life.Instead of taking a universal, all-purpose approach, stage of life benefits include programs that address the various challenges employees of different generations face. Whether it's supporting maternal health, family planning, eldercare or other stages, personalizing benefits allows employees to tap into a menu of options designed to support their unique needs at a specific moment in time.Join VSP Global Innovation Center Head Ruth Yomtoubian, Kindbody Founding Physician and Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Fahimeh Sasan and VillageMD Chief Human Resources Officer Amy Smith for a discussion on how stages of life are shaping the future of healthcare benefits, moderated by MATTER CEO Steven Collens.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Starting at a young age, ageism — discrimination or unjust treatment of older people based on stereotypes — shapes the way we think about ourselves and others as we age. Instead of focusing on the negative perceptions of aging, it's time we focused on the value of the wisdom, insights and life experiences older adults contribute to our communities. What if we thought of aging as an opportunity rather than a crisis? What if we had systems in place to better support all of us as we age? How would that affect our health and well-being?Robert Espinoza, executive vice president at PHI and chair-elect of the American Society on Aging, and Mary O'Donnell, president of RRF Foundation for Aging, explore how changing the way we talk about aging could help us live longer and healthier lives and what health equity could look like for older adults if it were achieved.Learn more about PHILearn more about the American Society on AgingLearn more about RRF Foundation for AgingAbout Advancing Health EquityMATTER's Advancing Health Equity podcast series focuses on unpacking the complexities of health inequities impacting the healthcare system and the health and well-being of individuals and their communities. These 20-30 minute interview-style sessions are meant to take quick dives into critical areas of health equity and answer questions like:What does health equity mean today?Where do current gaps exist in the various areas of healthcare?Where do we see intersections in care?How can technology and innovation be leveraged strategically to positively make a change?For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

People who belong to the LGBTQ+ community experience a number of health disparities, including a lack of access to culturally competent care and worse health outcomes. Join Kate Steinle, chief clinical officer of FOLX Health — the first digital healthcare provider designed by and for the medical needs of the LGBTQ+ community — and Brian Richardson, CEO of StartOut — a national nonprofit organization empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs — as they discuss the health needs of the LGBTQ+ community and tactical steps we can take to make healthcare more inclusive.Learn more about FOLX Health.Learn more about StartOut.About Advancing Health EquityMATTER's Advancing Health Equity podcast series focuses on unpacking the complexities of health inequities impacting the healthcare system and the health and well-being of individuals and their communities. These 20-30 minute interview-style sessions are meant to take quick dives into critical areas of health equity and answer questions like:What does health equity mean today?Where do current gaps exist in the various areas of healthcare?Where do we see intersections in care?How can technology and innovation be leveraged strategically to positively make a change?For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

About this eventWith a staggering $93 billion in excess healthcare costs and $42 billion in untapped productivity annually in the U.S. alone, health equity is critical to the total cost of healthcare.To combat health inequities, we need to recalibrate health equity efforts by adopting a total reinvention mindset and embedding health equity into the development of digital solutions. Accenture's U.S. health inequity: beyond the statistics report found three key areas to building a digital core: 1) mitigating bias in data and algorithms, 2) designing inclusive products and services and 3) creating sustainable and structural change.How might digital health help us close the gap?Join panelists Whit Rawlinson, Oncology Digital Innovation Leader at Merck, Ken Tubman, Head of Patient Engagement at Takeda, Sans Thakur, Chief Growth Officer of Medable, Dr. Ankoor Shah, Pediatrician and Health Equity Lead at Accenture, and Alexander Condoleon, Head of Digital Healthcare at Sanofi for a discussion moderated by Laura Westercamp, Managing Director in Accenture's Life Sciences and MedTech practice, to deep-dive into how digital health can support health equity and ways it might divide. How might digital health make more equitable healthcare a reality from recruiting diverse clinical trials to patient access support?For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

AboutOral health is linked to overall health yet more than 56 million Americans live without access to a dental professional.To continue to address the gaps in our oral health care system, CareQuest Innovation Partners in partnership with MATTER continues SMILE Health — a program designed to identify and accelerate early stage startups driving change in the systemic health landscape.Listen to Dean of Harvard Dental School Dr. William V. Giannobile and Chief Innovation Officer of CareQuest Innovation Partners Mariya Filipova discuss our current oral health system, how to bridge the gap between oral and overall health, ways to make oral health more accessible and equitable and the launch of SMILE Health.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Join MATTER as we welcome Stephanie Tilenius, CEO and founder of Vida Health, for our April Tales from the Trenches.Stephanie was motivated to found Vida Health after she tried to help her father manage the multiple chronic conditions he faced. She knew he needed someone with medical knowledge in his corner to help him manage them on a daily basis and get him on a path to better health. Instead, he got lost in a confusing and impersonal healthcare system, like so many do today.Wanting to change her father's experiences, Stephanie started Vida Health in 2014 with the mission to treat multiple chronic conditions at once through personalized care plans and the power of human connection.Prior to founding Vida Health, Stephanie founded Planetrx.com, an online pharmacy and disease management company. Stephanie is a trailblazing entrepreneur and "intrapreneur" who builds products, platforms and businesses from the ground up. She has played key roles for large companies, such as Google, eBay and PayPal. Stephanie also currently serves on the boards for Coach, Seagate and Tradesy.On April 12, Stephanie joined us for a conversation moderated by Suzet McKinney, DrPH, Principal, Director of Sterling Bay Life Sciences to discuss Stephanie's career journey, the founding of Vida Health and how she plans to advance healthcare.About Tales from the Trenches™MATTER's signature Tales from the Trenches series is an opportunity to hear the early stories of some of the global businesses we read about in the news — straight from the founders who led them to greatness. This series invites seasoned healthcare entrepreneurs to the MATTER stage to share learnings, stories and key takeaways from their journeys.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

More than 80 percent of counties across the United States lack adequate access to healthcare, with a third of the U.S. population living in a healthcare desert, an area with insufficient access to primary care providers, pharmacies, hospitals, trauma care centers, optometrists and more. While access has been scaled broadly in the last decade across multiple industries, including banking, entertainment, fashion and food, it has remained elusive in healthcare. However, in recent years, products, services and models that have been driving access and growth in other industries are finally beginning to find traction in healthcare.Join VSP Global Innovation Center Head Ruth Yomtoubian, PlenOptika CEO and Co-founder Shivang Dave, Homeward SVP of market strategy and development Stephanie Gutendorf, and Deloitte Center for Health Solutions and Deloitte Health Equity Institute Executive Director Jay Bhatt for a panel discussion on the innovations, trends, technologies and startups transforming both access and how people in healthcare deserts receive care.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Shar Matin, CEO of Cordis, has over 20 years of medical device experience from Fortune 500 companies to leading commercial and technical teams in the U.S. and overseas. Along with his current role as CEO of Cordis, he serves on the Board of Directors of Koru Medical Systems. Previously he was COO of ViewRay, Inc. and Spectranetics. In these roles, Shar helped disrupt the healthcare market by building exceptional teams.On February 21, Shar joined us for a conversation moderated by Nancy Sullivan, CEO and managing director of IllinoisVENTURES, to discuss Shar's journey, Cordis's acquisition of MedAlliance and where he plans to push Cordis in the future.About Tales from the Trenches™MATTER's signature Tales from the Trenches series is an opportunity to hear the early stories of some of the global businesses we read about in the news — straight from the founders who led them to greatness. This series invites seasoned healthcare entrepreneurs to the MATTER stage to share learnings, stories and key takeaways from their journeys.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Dr. Roy Smythe, CEO of SomaLogic, is an internationally recognized surgeon, biomedical scientist, academician, health system administrator and healthcare business entrepreneur. Dr. Smythe joined SomaLogic in 2018 and has led the company in creating sustainable and scalable growth eventually leading to the company's initial public offering in 2021.Prior to his work at SomaLogic, he served as chief medical officer at Valence Health and AVIA. Dr. Smythe trained in general surgery, surgical oncology and thoracic surgery and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in molecular therapeutics while in medical school. As a medical and scientific thought leader, Dr. Smythe has authored more than 300 papers, abstracts and essays in academic, literary and humanities publications.On January 26, Roy joined us for a conversation moderated by Dr. Timothy Cunniff, executive vice president of research and development and chief scientific officer of Paragon Biosciences, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, lessons he's learned along the way and his vision for the future of SomaLogic.About Tales from the Trenches™MATTER's signature Tales from the Trenches series is an opportunity to hear the early stories of some of the global businesses we read about in the news — straight from the founders who led them to greatness. This series invites seasoned healthcare entrepreneurs to the MATTER stage to share learnings, stories and key takeaways from their journeys. Tales from the Trenches is free and open to the public.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

About Tales from the Trenches™MATTER's signature Tales from the Trenches series is an opportunity to hear the early stories of some of the global businesses we read about in the news — straight from the founders who led them to greatness. This series invites seasoned healthcare entrepreneurs to the MATTER stage to share learnings, stories and key takeaways from their journeys. Tales from the Trenches is free and open to the public.Bob Badal is a healthcare industry veteran and kidney care expert, with a career spanning multiple successful startups, corporate operations and ventures. Along with his work at Strive Health, he co-founded Treatment Technologies & Insights (TTI), a digital healthcare company, in 2017. Bob began his healthcare career directly out of college working in both health plan network development and hospital administration roles. Come hear about his career constant: to identify and deploy disruptive solutions to improve patient care.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

MATTER's signature Tales from the Trenches series is an opportunity to hear the early stories of some of the global businesses we read about in the news — straight from the founders who led them to greatness. This series invites seasoned healthcare entrepreneurs to the MATTER stage to share learnings, stories and key takeaways from their journeys. Tales from the Trenches is free and open to the public.Karan is the chief operating officer of Headspace Health, where he leads the company's clinical operations and strategy. He was previously COO of Ginger. He has over 13 years of experience in the healthcare industry, consulting with bio-pharma clients, commercializing data analytics and establishing research partnerships with academic medical centers. A leader in the digital health community, Karan is a frequent speaker about entrepreneurship, health innovation and new models of care. He has served as a scholar at the Aspen Institute, delivered keynotes at the Public Health Institute and the National Institute of Mental Health and was recognized as a rising star in healthcare by LinkedIn's Next Wave.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

In this era of mergers and collaborations, Walgreens invested $5.2 billion in VillageMD to open hundreds of Village Medical at Walgreens practices across the country. Village Medical locations are spacious, featuring experienced primary care doctors and their clinical teams. The physician-led model allows for high-quality, accessible healthcare right in the communities — and health equity is an incredibly important topic that both companies believe passionately in.MATTER and Mark Vainisi, senior vice president of corporate development and strategy at VillageMD, and Anita Allemand, chief transformation and integration officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance, discuss how the two organizations came to collaborate on Village Medical and what the next generation of healthcare looks like.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

What will healthcare look like in 20 years? What should we invest in today to help us get there?MATTER and Baxter present Healthcare 2040, an event series that invites industry leaders working in significantly transformative areas of healthcare to help us explore these questions.Leading up to National Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month, join us for a critical discussion on the future of chronic pulmonary care. Chronic pulmonary conditions include COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma and more. The prevalence of these conditions is increasing — for instance, in 2019, COPD was the third leading cause of death worldwide, causing 3.23 million deaths. In recent years, chronic pulmonary conditions have been further compounded by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and intensifying climate change.COPD Foundation President and CEO Dr. Ruth Tal-Singer, Baxter Chief Scientist of Respiratory Health Division Tom Westfall and St. Lawrence Health System Pulmonologist and Medical Director of Population Health Dr. Frederic Seifer joined moderator and Baxter Vice President of Medical Affairs Carlos Urrea to discuss the current state of chronic pulmonary conditions and how innovation can shape its future.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

MATTER recently launched 51 Labs, a women+'s health accelerator. With sponsors and partners Astellas Pharma US, Walgreens, BayCare, Parkview Health and University of Chicago Medicine, the inaugural year's program calls for innovative healthcare solutions that empower and support women+ during their menopausal transition.On October 19, University of Chicago Medicine (UCM) Center for Women's Integrated Health Director and practicing UCM physician Dr. Monica Christmas and Walgreens Boots Alliance Director of Consumer Healthcare Futures Marni Allen joined us for a panel discussion on the need for innovation in women+'s health and menopause and the disparities across the menopausal experience and care among underrepresented women.For more information, visit matter.health and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTERTwitter @MATTERhealthInstagram @matterhealth

Dr. Iman Abuzeid is a healthcare workforce extraordinaire. As CEO and co-founder of Incredible Health, the fastest-growing career marketplace for permanent healthcare workers, she helps healthcare professionals live better lives and find and do their best work.Prior to Incredible Health, Iman founded Lift League, a platform for mobile and web applications that made it easy for wellness professionals to improve client results, build relationships and increase retention.Iman is also an NFX member and scout at Sequoia Capital, making her a well-rounded expert in both the venture capital and healthcare management consulting verticals.On August 25, Iman joined MATTER and Danielle Smith, chief nursing officer of VillageMD, to discuss startup scalability, healthcare technology and what's next for Incredible Health.This Tales from the Trenches™ is produced in partnership with VillageMD.

What will healthcare for older adults look like in 20 years? What innovations should we invest in today to help us get there?MATTER and Baxter present Healthcare 2040, an event series that invites industry leaders working in significantly transformative areas of healthcare to help us explore these questions.How are we conceptualizing what it is to age? How is technology truly supporting all of us as we age? What will care outside of the hospital look like in 2040, and what will the gaps be?Stanford Health Care Associate Chief Nursing Informatics Officer Gretchen Brown and RRF Foundation for Aging President Mary O'Donnell discussed these questions and more in a conversation moderated by Baxter Vice President of Medical Affairs Carlos Urrea.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, with one in every five Americans estimated to develop it in their lifetime. With the prevalence of skin cancer continuing to increase among adults and children, advancements in technology may be the key to prevention.Traci Dunn, chief human resources officer and head of diversity, equity and inclusion at VillageMD, lead us through a conversation with Scott Barrows, director of the OSF Innovation Design Lab, Kyoko Crawford, co-founder and CEO of SkinIO and Sam Glassenberg, founder and CEO of Level Ex, where they will explore the burden of skin cancer across various communities, the importance of early detection and screening for prevention and how the development of inclusive and accessible technologies are key to assisting providers and health systems with supporting patients.

Paris Wallace is an enterprise expert who has founded two successful companies in the women+'s and reproductive health space. As co-founder of Ovia Health, the leading women+'s health and technology company focusing on fertility, pregnancy and parenting programs, Paris has helped empower women and families to take control of their healthcare. ​​As a recognized leader in the space, Ovia Health was acquired by Labcorp in 2021. Prior to Ovia Health, Paris founded Good Start Genetics, a genomics technology company focused on fertility and reproductive health. His first effort in the health tech space made waves, resulting in Good Start Genetics' acquisition by Invitae in 2017.With a highly successful career thus far, Paris is not done yet. He is currently an entrepreneur in residence at Harvard Business School and is working on various diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and gender equality projects, providing a unique and impactful lens to entrepreneurship.On July 20, Paris joined MATTER and Dr. Sheila Bhagavan from VillageMD to discuss his career, Ovia Health's acquisition by Labcorp and what's next in his journey. This Tales from the Trenches™ is produced in partnership with VillageMD. 

What will healthcare look like in 20 years? What innovations should we invest in today to help us get there?MATTER and Baxter present Healthcare 2040, an event series that invites industry leaders working in significantly transformative areas of healthcare to help us explore these questions. Our next event in this forward-looking series will ask: How will we address current personnel burnout? How has the pandemic affected the healthcare workforce, and what solutions are going to solve our current staffing challenges? What will staffing look like in 2040, and what will the gaps be? Legacy Community Health Chief Information Officer David Chou and UNC REX Healthcare Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer Joel Ray discussed these questions and more in a conversation moderated by Baxter Vice President Medical Affairs Carlos Urrea.

Dr. Chad Mirkin is a world-renowned chemist who has taken an entrepreneurial approach to his nanotechnology research. He is the director of the International Institute for Nanotechnology and the George B. Rathmann professor of chemistry. He is also a professor of chemical and biological engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science and engineering and medicine at Northwestern University. Dr. Mirkin is known for the invention of the spherical nucleic acid and its development in biodetection and therapeutic schemes, which was named by National Geographic as one of the top 100 scientific discoveries that changed the world, among other innovations. He has published over 830 manuscripts and has over 1,200 patents and patent applications, which lends him a unique perspective on healthcare product development. In addition to his academic and research work, Dr. Mirkin has been involved in shaping scientific policy. In 2009, he was appointed to President Barack Obama's President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and served until 2017, allowing his expertise to be impactful globally. On June 21, Dr. Mirkin joined MATTER and Jeff Aronin from Paragon Biosciences to discuss his dynamic career, lessons in nanotechnology and what's next for his research at Northwestern. This Tales from the Trenches™ is produced in partnership with Paragon Biosciences.

Parkview Health, in collaboration with MATTER, is proud to present the 2022 Healthy Mom and Baby Innovation Competition 3.0. No matter their age, all children are babies to their mothers. This year, Healthy Mom and Baby 3.0 extends its scope into improving the lives of mothers and children through pre-teen. This look at pediatrics, with a lens of increasing equity for mothers and children who have been historically marginalized, will address issues pertaining to access to care for preventive and chronic conditions. On May 11, MATTER had a conversation with Indiana public health officials and Healthy Mom and Baby challenge alumni to discuss the need for improved access to care for underrepresented mothers and children in Indiana and across the world.