The Heart of Healthcare | A Digital Health Podcast

Massively Better Healthcare
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🏆 #1 podcast in the Top 100 Health Tech All-time charts Join us every Monday for conversations with the biggest names in digital health. Hosted by digital health veterans Halle Tecco, Michael Esquivel, and Steve Kraus. Learn more and submit your ideas for the show at the Heart of Healthcare website.

  1. A Roadmap for Innovators and A Giant Leap for AI | Dr. Bob Wachter & Halle Tecco

    2D AGO

    A Roadmap for Innovators and A Giant Leap for AI | Dr. Bob Wachter & Halle Tecco

    In this episode (recorded live), Halle Tecco speaks with Dr. Robert Wachter, Chair of Medicine at UCSF, about their concurrently released books on healthcare innovation and AI. They share thoughts on the dual challenge of innovation in healthcare and the role of AI, covering: Why past waves of tech failed to change healthcare and why AI may finally break throughHow AI is making a difference today in healthcareWhere AI-assisted diagnosis and prescribing could go next, and the risks of over-relying on humans “in the loop” How EHR vendors (like Epic) hold the "poll position" for AI implementation due to workflow integrationWhy innovators must become healthcare "anthropologists"; and clinicians must understand technology and AI Plus, a surprise guest from Prenuvo joins us to chime in.  Order Halle’s new book, Massively Better Healthcare here Order Bob’s new book, A Giant Leap here — About our guest:  Robert M. Wachter, MD is Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Author of 300 articles and 6 books, he coined the term “hospitalist” in 1996 and is often considered the “father” of the hospitalist field, the fastest-growing medical specialty in U.S. history. He is a past president of the Society of Hospital Medicine, past chair of the American Board of Internal Medicine, a Master of the American College of Physicians, and an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine. Modern Healthcare magazine has ranked him among the 50 most influential physician-executives in the U.S. more than a dozen times; he was #1 on the list in 2015. His 2015 book, The Digital Doctor: Hope, Hype and Harm at the Dawn of Medicine’s Computer Age, was a New York Times bestseller. His new book is A Giant Leap: How AI is Transforming Healthcare and What That Means for Our Future. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    34 min
  2. The New Care Dyad | Dr. Karen DeSalvo

    FEB 9

    The New Care Dyad | Dr. Karen DeSalvo

    Physicians now face a world where search bars, chat apps, and large AI models are becoming many people’s first stop for health questions, long before they enter a clinic. Former Google Chief Health Officer and national health IT leader Dr. Karen DeSalvo joins us to unpack what this shift means for clinicians, regulators, and patients, and why 15% of daily Google searches are questions no one has ever asked before. We cover: • Why consumer health search is becoming a powerful entry point into care • How Google built guardrails for safety, quality, and real-time monitoring of emerging risks • What the rise of GenAI “doctor in your pocket” tools could mean • The regulatory tensions ahead as states experiment with AI-driven medical decision support • How global demand, workforce strain, and new data sources (IoT, at-home diagnostics, wearables) are accelerating AI-supported primary care — About our guest:  Dr. Karen DeSalvo is a health leader who has committed her career to improving health for everyone, everywhere.  She was most recently Google’s Chief Health Officer, where spearheaded a global team of health professionals dedicated to harnessing Google's technology and platforms to help everyone, everywhere live a longer, healthier life. Before Google, Dr. DeSalvo held significant roles in the U.S. government, including National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and acting Assistant Secretary for Health. She was also the Health Commissioner in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, where she led public health recovery efforts. Dr. DeSalvo currently sits on the Boards of Directors for Welltower and CityBlock Health and is a member of the Council of the National Academy of Medicine. — Pre-order Halle's new book, Massively Better Healthcare. — 📍 Connect with us: Heart of Healthcare website LinkedIn Instagram Youtube  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    39 min
  3. 📣 Digital Health Download: February 2026

    FEB 2

    📣 Digital Health Download: February 2026

    We’re back with our monthly rundown of the top headlines in health tech! Today, Halle and Steve sort through the biggest stories shaping the year ahead, from AI prescribing to lawsuits galore. We cover: AI prescribing (in Utah!)The FDA updated guidance on clinical decision support for AI in medicineThe lawsuit against Prenuvo after a missed stroke warning, and the broader debate over accountability in AI-assisted diagnosticsTexas’ antitrust case against Epic - are they being anti-competitive?New evidence shows GLP-1 drugs lower employer healthcare costs by 9%Why healthcare hiring is slowing downHalle’s book is now available! (Order now on Amazon) Show notes: Utah begins pilot of prescribing AI medication (Utah Department of Commerce)FDA issues guidance on wellness products, clinical decision support software (AHA)Man got $2,500 whole-body MRI that found no problems—then had massive stroke (Ars Technica)Texas sues Epic, accusing it of running a monopoly (Wisconsin Public Radio)Why cover GLP-1s? They’ll lower employer healthcare costs, study says (Healthcare Dive)Hospitals' make-or-break year (Axios)— 🙏 Thank you to our show sponsor, Smarter Technologies, the first automation and insights platform for healthcare efficiency. Learn more at www.smartertech.com — 📍 Connect with us: Heart of Healthcare website LinkedIn Instagram Youtube See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    29 min
  4. Building the Largest Health Data Ecosystem in the US | Datavant CEO Kyle Armbrester

    JAN 26

    Building the Largest Health Data Ecosystem in the US | Datavant CEO Kyle Armbrester

    It has been said that we don’t have “big data” in healthcare, but instead a large amount of “small data.” In this episode, Halle speaks with Kyle Armbrester, CEO of Datavant and former CEO of Signify Health (acquired for $8B), about why healthcare data still moves the way it did decades ago and what it will take to modernize it at scale. Kyle reflects on building and leading large health tech companies and explains how fixing data flow could reduce administrative waste, improve security, and make care easier for patients and providers alike. We cover: Why healthcare billing still happens after the fact and how that fuels administrative wasteHow missing data standards led to fax-based workflows and brittle systemsWhy healthcare data is such an attractive target for cyberattacksHow clinical data can be shared digitally without being owned or resoldLeadership lessons from scaling companies through IPOs and acquisitions— About our guest:  Kyle Armbrester is Chief Executive Officer of Datavant, a healthcare data platform company with a mission to make the world’s health data secure, accessible, and actionable. Datavant operates the largest and most diverse health data exchange in the U.S., connecting more than 70 percent of the 100 largest health systems, all U.S. payers, and 300 plus real world data partners. Previously, Kyle served as CEO of Signify Health, where he led more than 200 percent revenue growth, took the company public in 2021, and guided its acquisition by CVS Health in 2023 for approximately $8 billion. He later served on the CVS Health executive management team, overseeing healthcare delivery strategy and interoperability. Earlier in his career, Kyle was Chief Product Officer and Head of Corporate Development at athenahealth, where he helped scale revenue from $320 million to $1.2 billion and launched the company’s partnership marketplace. Kyle has served on multiple healthcare boards and holds an MBA and AB from Harvard University. — Chapters: 00:01:20 Introduction to Kyle Armbrester and his journey in healthcare 00:03:58 The impact of Athena Health on healthcare innovation 00:06:20 Datavant: Revolutionizing health data interoperability 00:08:15 The role of Datavant in reducing administrative burden 00:12:20 Understanding Datavant's value proposition across stakeholders 00:14:00 Consumer products and data accessibility at Datavant 00:18:25 The scale and impact of Datavant in healthcare 00:19:35 Cybersecurity challenges in healthcare data management 00:23:57 Bridging the gap in healthcare regulations 00:26:13 Unlocking the value of untapped healthcare data 00:29:25 Challenges of value-based care models 00:33:23 The reality of being a CEO in healthcare 00:37:00 Navigating IPOs vs. Acquisitions 00:39:44 Innovating healthcare incentives for better outcomes — Pre-order Halle's new book, Massively Better Healthcare. — 📍 Connect with us: Heart of Healthcare website LinkedIn Instagram Youtube  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    42 min
  5. Is Healthcare the Ultimate Test for AI? | Ankit Jain

    JAN 19

    Is Healthcare the Ultimate Test for AI? | Ankit Jain

    This week, Steve sits down with Ankit Jain, co-founder and CEO of Infinitus Systems, to talk about why voice-based AI has become one of the most rapidly adopted tools in healthcare operations, what’s actually working in the field, and where the hype still outpaces reality. Ankit shares six years of lessons from building AI agents that handle 35-minute medical calls end to end, plus his predictions on what 2026 and 2027 will really look like as enterprises attempt to build their own agents. We cover: Why so much of healthcare still runs on phones, faxes, and portalsHow AI agents are handling long, high-stakes medical calls without going off trackWhat large enterprises now expect around security, governance, and zero-hallucination requirementsWhy providers, payers, and pharma are adopting AI for different operational workflowsWhy 2026 may be the year many health systems try to build their own agents, and why most will return to vendors by 2027— About our guest:  Ankit Jain is the co-founder and CEO of Infinitus Systems, the agentic healthcare communications platform that automates high-stakes clinical and administrative conversations at scale. Under his leadership, Infinitus supports 44% of the Fortune 50, and many of the largest healthcare organizations in the US. A serial entrepreneur, advisor, and investor, Ankit has built companies and guided innovation at the intersection of technology and AI. He founded Quettra (acquired by Similarweb), helped launch Google Play and the search engine Cuil, and went on to co-found and manage Gradient Ventures, Google’s AI-focused venture fund. His background in building distributed systems and safety-constrained AI, combined with hands-on experience scaling products in regulated environments, gives him a pragmatic perspective on how to design trustworthy AI that earns adoption in healthcare. Ankit frequently works with industry leaders on governance, education, and integration strategies that make automation safe, approachable, and scalable. — Chapters: 00:01:38 Introduction to Ankit Jain and Infinitus Systems 00:02:54 The journey into healthcare entrepreneurship 00:03:55 Inspiration behind Infinitus and its mission 00:04:55 Evolution of AI in healthcare communications 00:08:12 Navigating competition in the AI healthcare space 00:10:30 Defensibility and product development insights 00:14:00 AI's role in enhancing healthcare accessibility 00:15:20 Go-to-Market strategies and lessons learned 00:17:52 Deepening engagement in healthcare workflows 00:19:33 Competitive dynamics in healthcare AI 00:20:42 Addressing industry concerns and challenges 00:22:14 The need for industry self-regulation 00:23:40 Navigating consumer privacy and AI interactions 00:25:27 The future of jobs in healthcare AI 00:28:30 The evolution of healthcare AI 00:29:37 Lessons for entrepreneurs in healthcare — Pre-order Halle's new book, Massively Better Healthcare. — 📍 Connect with us: Heart of Healthcare website LinkedIn Instagram Youtube  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    32 min
  6. 🔮 2026 Digital Health Predictions | Annie Lamont

    JAN 12

    🔮 2026 Digital Health Predictions | Annie Lamont

    Is 2026 the year that changes everything in healthcare? Steve and Halle sit down with legendary healthcare VC Annie Lamont for their annual predictions episode to dive into 2026 predictions and trends that founders and operators should pay attention to.  We cover: 📉 Why 2025 was "the most brutal year ever" for health plans 🏥 Why providers outpaced payers in AI adoption and where the next wave of enterprise software will land 💸 Where she’s spending her time in 2026 (and what space she’s avoiding) 🔮 What she expects for IPOs and M&A in 2026 ⚖️ How regulation, interoperability, and national AI policy could shape the next decade — About our guest:  Annie Lamont co-founded Oak HC/FT in 2014. Prior to founding Oak HC/FT, Annie spent 28 years at Oak Investment Partners, where she served as a Managing Partner and led the healthcare and fintech practices. Over the course of her career, she has invested in category-defining companies across the healthcare and financial services industries, including Aspire Health, athenahealth, CareBridge, Devoted Health, iHealthTechnologies (which became Cotiviti), NetSpend, OneMedical, and VillageMD.  — 📍 Connect with us: Heart of Healthcare website LinkedIn Instagram Youtube See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    36 min
  7. The Antidote to the “Industrial Wellness Complex” | Zeke Emanuel

    JAN 5

    The Antidote to the “Industrial Wellness Complex” | Zeke Emanuel

    For our first episode of 2026, Dr. Ezekiel “Zeke” Emanuel, oncologist, bioethicist, architect of the Affordable Care Act, and author of Eat Your Ice Cream joins us to share why he believes the longevity movement is overblown and how real health comes down to simplicity. In his new book, Zeke argues that instead of chasing expensive fads and wellness trends, we should focus on six straightforward habits that make life healthier and more enjoyable.  In this conversation with co-host Steve Kraus, he explains why complexity is one of healthcare’s biggest threats, how public frustration is reshaping policy, and why the path to better health may be far simpler than we think. We cover: 🚫 Rejecting the wellness industrial complex 📈 Why public frustration will force major policy changes by 2032 🧩 How the ACA's success created a huge new flaw 🤖 The two biggest bottlenecks that slow down hospital AI implementation 💡 How to improve quality and empathy with specialized medical AY systems — About our guest:  Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD, is a Vice Provost and Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. An oncologist and world leader in health policy and bioethics, he was instrumental in drafting the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Dr. Emanuel regularly contributes to the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and appears on BBC, NPR, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC and other media outlets. His new book, Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life, is available on January 6.  — 📍 Connect with us: Heart of Healthcare website LinkedIn Instagram Youtube  — Chapters: 00:00:50 Introducing Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel 00:06:04 His path to medicine 00:09:15 Working on Obamacare - successes and regrets 00:11:19 Is healthcare too big to fail? 00:14:18 The antidote to the “longevity” movement 00:17:18 How to stay mentally sharp 00:18:34 AI and job displacement 00:22:57 Critique of the “Wellness Industrial Complex” 00:25:10 Philosophy on life expectancy and quality 00:27:16 Optimism about AI in healthcare 00:30:20 Lightning round of questions See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    36 min
  8. Former Presidential Candidate Gets Real About America's Future | Andrew Yang 🧢

    12/29/2025

    Former Presidential Candidate Gets Real About America's Future | Andrew Yang 🧢

    We’re closing out the year with a candid conversation about where America is headed. For our final episode of 2025, Halle and Steve sit down with entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang to talk plainly about the forces reshaping American life, from rising healthcare costs and gaps in coverage to AI-driven job disruption and the strain on the social safety net.  We cover: 🏛️ Andew’s idea of “Medicare for all who want it” 🤖 How AI is already wiping out entry-level jobs, and why he thinks America is heading toward a “bad men problem” 💸 Why he ran on Universal Basic Income which he calls “capitalism where income doesn’t start at zero” 🏥 How entrenched players restrict physician supply, shape regulation, and protect revenue even when it hurts patients 📵 His new effort to cut phone addiction and why he says parents, schools, and policymakers are waking up to the damage caused by screen-first childhoods — About our guest:  Andrew Yang is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, attorney, nonprofit leader, and former U.S. presidential and New York City mayoral candidate. After a brief stint as a corporate lawyer, he worked in startups and founded an education company that became #1 in the country. He later launched Venture for America, a national nonprofit that empowered thousands of young entrepreneurs to build careers in cities such as Detroit, Cleveland, and Baltimore. Under his leadership, the organization became a multi-million-dollar charity, and Yang was named a Presidential Ambassador of Entrepreneurship and a Champion of Change during the Obama administration. Motivated by the impact of automation on the American workforce, Yang ran for President in 2017. Centered on a proposed $1,000-per-month “Freedom Dividend,” his campaign raised nearly $40 million and helped mainstream conversations around Universal Basic Income. He later founded Humanity Forward, a nonprofit that has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in federal cash relief. Yang is also an author, CNN commentator, and podcast host. He is the son of Taiwanese immigrants, and holds degrees from Brown University and Columbia Law School. — Chapters: 00:2:22 Andrew’s Vision for American Healthcare 00:7:27 Healthcare and the 2026 Election 00:9:59 AI’s Impact on Employment and Society 00:22:35 Universal Basic Income  00:29:14 Regulatory Capture in Healthcare 00:31:37 Noble Mobile 00:33:57 Children and Phone Addictions 00:43:19 Closing Advice for Healthcare Innovators — Pre-order Halle's new book, Massively Better Healthcare. — 📍 Connect with us: Heart of Healthcare website LinkedIn Instagram Youtube  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    46 min
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🏆 #1 podcast in the Top 100 Health Tech All-time charts Join us every Monday for conversations with the biggest names in digital health. Hosted by digital health veterans Halle Tecco, Michael Esquivel, and Steve Kraus. Learn more and submit your ideas for the show at the Heart of Healthcare website.

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