In this HLTH Forward episode, I spoke with Fidel Strub, and I felt the kind of strength and hope that transforms pain into power. He isn’t just a survivor — he is living proof that with knowledge, compassion, and action, tragedy can become a force for change. According to the World Health Organization, Noma — the devastating, gangrenous disease that ravages the mouths and faces of malnourished children — once afflicted an estimated 140,000 individuals per year globally, with a case-fatality r...
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In this HLTH Forward episode, I spoke with Fidel Strub, and I felt the kind of strength and hope that transforms pain into power. He isn’t just a survivor — he is living proof that with knowledge, compassion, and action, tragedy can become a force for change. According to the World Health Organization, Noma — the devastating, gangrenous disease that ravages the mouths and faces of malnourished children — once afflicted an estimated 140,000 individuals per year globally, with a case-fatality r...
In this HLTH Forward episode, I spoke with Fidel Strub, and I felt the kind of strength and hope that transforms pain into power. He isn’t just a survivor — he is living proof that with knowledge, compassion, and action, tragedy can become a force for change. According to the World Health Organization, Noma — the devastating, gangrenous disease that ravages the mouths and faces of malnourished children — once afflicted an estimated 140,000 individuals per year globally, with a case-fatality r...
In this episode, featuring Dr. Eric Nestler, offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of neuroscience, addiction, and depression. Dr. Nestler explains that both conditions share similar brain mechanisms, particularly within the limbic system, which regulates emotion and motivation. His laboratory’s research delves into how chronic stress or drug exposure alters molecular pathways in these emotional brain regions, leading to maladaptive behaviors. Through advanced techniques like tra...
In this episode, Mario Schlosser, Founder & Chief Technology Officer at Oscar Health, emphasized his belief that the future of health insurance lies in decentralization, with providers taking on more responsibility for the role that insurers have traditionally played. He argued that insurance companies, as they currently exist, act as unnecessary middlemen that add limited value to the system. Instead, Schlosser envisions a model where caregivers evolve to function like insurers, co...
In this episode, I sit down with Kate Musler, Chief Financial Officer of Highmark Health Plan, to talk about the incredibly complex puzzle of modern healthcare—where affordability, access, and quality must all coexist. Kate walks us through her path into the field and what has kept her here: the challenge of finding real solutions in a system that impacts every one of us. We dig into the pressures of rising costs, the tough negotiations between payers and providers, and how Highmark app...
In my recent discussion with Christina Lopes, founder of FidoCure and fellow Young Global Leader, we examined a troubling but under-discussed reality: cancer incidence in companion animals is rising sharply. The trend mirrors human oncology—rooted in extended lifespans, environmental exposures, and improved detection—and raises critical questions for both veterinary and human medicine. The epidemiological data are compelling: 1 in 4 dogs will develop neoplasia during their lifetime.Nearly 50%...
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Edgar Engleman, a pioneering Pathologist and physician-scientist at Stanford University whose work has shaped the very foundation of cancer immunotherapy. As we face rising global cancer rates, Dr. Engleman shares his insights into the evolving landscape of cancer research and what the numbers really mean—scientifically and socially. We dive deep into his groundbreaking research on erythropoietin (EPO) and its surprising implications in cancer biology, as ...
In this compelling episode, I sit down with Matteo Franceschetti, the Italian-born Co-Founder and CEO of Eight Sleep, to explore how his journey from competitive ski racing to legal practice to clean-tech entrepreneurship led him to revolutionize the $500 million sleep optimization industry. Franceschetti shares his unique perspective on performance optimization, drawing powerful parallels between the recovery routines of elite athletes and the overlooked sleep needs of frontline healthcare w...
I’ve always been fascinated by the mystery behind our choices — why we hit snooze instead of going for a walk, why we reach for comfort food even when we know better, and why some people seem to have the willpower to make healthier decisions with ease. This week on HLTH Forward, I had the absolute privilege of diving deep into those questions with Dr. Michael Platt, a renowned neuroscientist who’s reshaping how we understand decision-making and the human brain. Dr. Platt holds joint appointme...
In this episode I had the opportunity to interview a fascinating behavioral scientist and former CEO of Four Day Week Global about the concept of reduced working hours- Dr. Dale Whelehan. He explained how his interest in this field began when observing surgeons suffering from impaired decision-making and emotional regulation due to excessive working hours. What struck me most was his insight that today's workforce has fundamentally changed since the five-day workweek was introduced – we've sh...
In this episode I am in conversation with Othman Laraki, co-founder and CEO of Color. Othman shared his fascinating journey from tech to healthcare, driven by personal cancer experiences in his family. He and his mother are carriers of the BRCA2 gene mutation, which predisposes them to certain cancers. Color began as a cancer genetics company focused on making testing more affordable and accessible. Over time, they evolved into a full-spectrum cancer solution with a virtual cancer clinic mode...
In this episode, I’m sitting down with Jason Carter — grandson of President Jimmy Carter and a force in global health and justice in his own right. As we talk, Jason reflects on the unique balance of carrying a legacy while forging his own path. He shares how his work — from the Georgia Senate to chairing the Carter Center — is rooted in impact, not just identity. He’s thoughtful, grounded, and refreshingly open as he walks us through the shifts he sees in global public health, especially in ...
I'm diving into a fascinating topic for our next Health Forward episode: how global tariff increases affect our wallets and social connections. With global tariff rates up 57% since 2021, households are spending 7-11% more on consumer goods, leading to a 14% decrease in social spending for every 5% increase in essential goods pricing. The health implications are significant - reduced social interaction correlates with increased depression, chronic stress, and loneliness. I'll share compelling...
In our candid conversation leveraging Fast Company's September 2024 feature, Dr. Oliver Kharraz reveals the harsh realities of healthcare technology innovation. "When we launched ZocDoc in 2007, I watched wave after wave of self-proclaimed 'disruptors' enter the healthcare arena like lions, only to retreat like lambs," he shares, pointing out that 90% of healthtech startups have gone bust. The stark truth is that even tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Google have struggled to make mea...
In this episode I am in conversation with Jeff Jacques, CMO of Personify Health, who reveals the harsh realities of our one-size-fits-all healthcare system. We'll explore alarming metrics showing how standardized approaches contribute to the $4.3 trillion annual US healthcare expenditure (nearly 20% of GDP), while 30% of medical spending—approximately $760-$935 billion—is wasted on unnecessary treatments and inefficiencies. Jeff will highlight how non-personalized care leads to the 13-20% hos...
In this episode, I am in conversation with with the President and Co-Founder of Komodo Health to explore how their revolutionary healthcare journey mapping is transforming patient care in ways no other company has achieved. What sets Komodo Health apart is their proprietary Healthcare Map™ – the industry's largest and most comprehensive patient-level database that tracks nearly 330 million Americans' interactions with the healthcare system. Unlike traditional data aggregators, Komodo ha...
In a groundbreaking conversation, Wei Li, President of Omada Health, outlined a transformative vision for healthcare deeply rooted in a profound belief that health is a fundamental human right. Drawing inspiration from a World Health Organization quote that "help is the core of sustainable development," Li has dedicated his entire professional career to addressing the universal health challenges people face globally. His approach seamlessly integrates technology and human connection, focusing...
Medtronic's technological strategy represents a sophisticated convergence of AI, data analytics, and medical innovation, positioned to fundamentally reshape healthcare delivery. Under Chief Technology Officer Ken Washington's leadership, the organization is pioneering a model of technological augmentation that prioritizes human expertise while leveraging advanced computational capabilities. The core strategic approach focuses on developing intelligent medical devices that provide precision in...
95% of rare diseases do not have approved treatments, highlighting the significant unmet need in the rare disease community.The unpredictable symptoms and long diagnostic process for conditions like neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) can lead to debilitating long-term disabilities.There is an urgent need for increased education, resources, and support to address the global diagnostic challenge and financial burden on rare disease patients and their families. Tamar shares her inspi...
In this episode I sit down with a good friend and mentor Rob Fried, CEO of ChromaDex, who shares his remarkable transition from Hollywood executive producer to leader of a cutting-edge nutraceutical company. Fried's journey from producing films like Rudy and Godzilla to helming a science-focused organization dedicated to extending human healthspan showcases the power of reinvention and following one's passion. Through ChromaDex's pioneering research into NAD+ and cellular health, Fried has p...
In this episode I am in conversation with Matthew Holt, a prominent figure in health technology and policy; an uncensored discussion on the current state of healthcare. Known for his frank and often controversial opinions, Holt is expected to delve into pressing issues such as the impact of artificial intelligence on medical practices, the ongoing challenges of healthcare affordability, and the slow pace of digital transformation in the industry. We'll explore his views on why many prom...
In this HLTH Forward episode, I spoke with Fidel Strub, and I felt the kind of strength and hope that transforms pain into power. He isn’t just a survivor — he is living proof that with knowledge, compassion, and action, tragedy can become a force for change. According to the World Health Organization, Noma — the devastating, gangrenous disease that ravages the mouths and faces of malnourished children — once afflicted an estimated 140,000 individuals per year globally, with a case-fatality r...
