The Beat

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The Beat, powered by HLTH, is a weekly interview series dedicated to paving a better path forward for the future of health. Each week a variety of hosts bring you authentic conversations with prominent thought leaders. Through these interviews with people at the forefront of change in healthcare, we hope to spark new ideas and encourage new collaborations among listeners.

22H AGO

What Healthcare Leaders Are Getting Wrong About AI

Artificial intelligence in healthcare isn’t just about futuristic diagnostics or robots assisting surgeons. It’s also transforming the operational backbone of the healthcare industry. In this episode, host Sandy Vance sits down with Anand Kumar, Vice President of Healthcare at Genpact, to explore how AI-driven automation is reshaping everything from payer operations to member experience. Together, they unpack how healthcare organizations can cut through the “AI buzz,” identify meaningful use cases, and drive measurable outcomes. From contact center automation to actuarial modeling and prior authorization workflows, this episode dives into the real-world impact of AI and how human expertise and intelligent agents can work together to improve both operational efficiency and patient experience. If you’re a healthcare leader trying to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape, this conversation offers practical insights into where the technology is delivering value today and what’s coming next. In this episode, they talk about: Healthcare organizations are adopting AI-first strategies to improve efficiency and operational outcomes Successful AI transformation requires aligning people, processes, and technology AI tools are helping contact centers resolve patient and member issues faster Many healthcare organizations are seeing 20–40% improvements in operational efficiency AI is helping actuaries analyze large datasets and identify trends more quickly Human experts and intelligent agents are working together to handle complex healthcare decisions Leaders should prioritize partners who demonstrate proven outcomes and operational expertise A Little About Anand: Anand Kumar is a distinguished leader in healthcare and technology, combining deep clinical expertise with advanced digital innovation. As Vice President at Genpact, Anand drives transformative strategies that integrate AI-driven solutions, digital platforms, and operational excellence to deliver measurable outcomes for global clients. Holding degrees as a Medical Doctor (MD), Chartered Accountant (CA), and a Ph.D. in Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Anand brings a unique multidisciplinary perspective to solving complex healthcare challenges. His work spans data engineering, automation, and advanced analytics, enabling payers and providers to reimagine care delivery and optimize patient engagement. At HLTH USA 2025, Anand is shaping conversations around generative AI in healthcare, population health strategies, and next-gen digital ecosystems. His leadership reflects a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and patient-centric solutions that redefine the future of health.

21 min
22H AGO

Why Healthcare Needs Cyber Resilience, Not Just Cybersecurity

In this episode of the Cybersecurity at ViVE series on The Beat Podcast, host Sandy Vance sits down with Chad Alessi, Managing Director of Cybersecurity at CTG, for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to protect healthcare organizations in today's threat landscape. With a background spanning chemical engineering, the U.S. Marines, energy sector Operational Technology security, and IT consulting, Chad brings a unique cross-industry perspective to healthcare cybersecurity. From the difference between cybersecurity and cyber resilience to the rise of AI-powered attacks, this episode is packed with practical insights for healthcare leaders who want to stay ahead of what is coming. In this episode, they talk about how: Cyber resilience focuses on operational continuity when an attack happens, not just prevention Breaches resolved within 200 days can save organizations over $1 million Bad actors often sit idle inside networks for months, collecting data before launching an attack Baseline requirements are identity-first security, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) and privileged access management Human-only Security Operations Center (SOC) models are too slow to keep up with today's automated, AI-powered attacks CTG uses Microsoft's Unified Security Operations (SecOps) platform to eliminate tool sprawl and improve response time Zero-trust architecture is expanding from department-level to enterprise-wide in healthcare New HIPAA regulations now require provable network segmentation for legacy medical devices AI-assisted security operations will continue to grow in the next few years A Little About Chad: As CTG's Managing Director of Cybersecurity, Chad Alessi leverages decades of experience in technology, cybersecurity, and operational strategy across enterprise and mid-market sectors to meet the evolving cybersecurity needs of clients in the U.S. During his time in IT consulting, Chad was instrumental in driving IT transformation in the company's regulated pipeline and gas processing business units. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering, an MBA from the University of Alabama, an MS in Information Systems with a concentration in Information Security from Syracuse University, and post-graduate certifications in leadership, full stack development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Chad is known for his strong work ethic, integrity, resourcefulness, and service-based leadership, which he attributes to his time in the U.S. Marine Corps.

24 min
3D AGO

Restoring Joy to Nursing Through Ambient AI

How can health systems help nurses confidently adopt and trust AI? We’ll explore how nurse-led design, clear guardrails (policy, consent, privacy), and intentional change management strategies help when implementing AI solutions that reduce cognitive burden, elevate the patient experience, and meet frontline expectations for safety, control, and transparency. In this episode of the AI at ViVE series on the BEAT podcast, host Sandy Vance sits down with Angie Curry, BSN, RN, CCDS, Chief Nursing Informatics Officer at Microsoft, to discuss how ambient AI is finally giving nurses the technological support they deserve. They chat about everything from the documentation burden nurses face, to the importance of workflow fit in driving adoption, to the critical role of human oversight in building trust with AI. If you're a nurse leader, clinical informatics professional, or healthcare innovator thinking about ambient AI, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, they talk about: Microsoft developed the first ambient AI solution designed specifically for nurses, integrated with Epic's mobile Rover app Nurses spend roughly 40% of their shift on documentation, making them a prime candidate for ambient technology The solution captures spoken nurse-patient interactions and converts them into flow sheet-ready documentation for nurse review Nurses remain in full control, reviewing and approving all AI-generated content before it enters the patient record Trust in AI adoption is less about the technology itself and more about whether it fits naturally into existing nursing workflows Ambient listening captures "invisible care" that nurses often skip documenting due to time constraints Organizations have seen success with piloting on dedicated innovation units before scaling system-wide Documentation habits and language vary across organizations so designing solutions with nurses rather than for them is critical A Little About Angie: As a Chief Nursing Informatics Officer at Microsoft, Angie is passionate about transforming the way nurses experience technology. Drawing on years of bedside experience, she understands firsthand the challenges of documentation and the profound impact it has on patient care. Her mission is simple: to help nurses reclaim time for what matters most, caring for patients. Angie works at the intersection of clinical expertise and innovation, partnering with healthcare leaders to design solutions that feel intuitive, reduce cognitive load, and restore the joy of nursing. From ambient AI to workflow optimization, she believes technology should empower—never overwhelm—the caregivers who keep health systems running. Two Sentence Summary of Podcast Focus: How can health systems help nurses confidently adopt and trust AI? We’ll explore how nurse-led design, clear guardrails (policy, consent, privacy), and intentional change management strategies can help when implementing AI solutions that reduce cognitive burden, elevate the patient experience, and meet frontline expectations for safety, control, and transparency.

20 min
MAR 5

Why Prior Authorization Needs a Reset

By 2030, prior authorization as we know it will be unrecognizable. The convergence of CMS-0057, WISeR pilots, and nationwide interoperability mandates—paired with breakthroughs in AI—will transform prior authorization from a costly administrative burden into an intelligent, patient-centered clearance process. Jeremy Friese, MD, founder and CEO of Humata Health, joins Sandy Vance to talk about one of the most frustrating problems in healthcare: prior authorization. Luckily, AI may finally be the tool that can fix it. Drawing on his experience as a physician and healthcare executive, Jeremy explains how automation, interoperability, and smarter clinical data workflows can reduce denials, improve efficiency, and help patients get care faster. Their chat explores the changing industry, what still needs to happen, and why the future of prior authorization may look very different by the end of the decade. In this episode, they talk about: Prior authorization is a major driver of provider burnout and financial loss in healthcare. Solving the problem requires both interoperability and advanced clinical intelligence. Real-world interoperability is still messy, often involving portals, APIs, and fax. AI can now extract the right clinical evidence directly from patient records to improve approvals. Automation is cutting physician peer-to-peer reviews by about half. Health systems are seeing strong ROI through denial reduction and efficiency gains. Getting prior authorization right upfront can recover millions in lost revenue. Gold card programs exist, but need better automation to work effectively. The future is mostly automated approvals happening behind the scenes. By 2030, most prior authorization decisions could be handled by computers, not humans. A Little About Jeremy: Jeremy Friese, MD is the Founder and CEO of Humata Health, where he leads the development of AI solutions designed to simplify prior authorization and reduce friction across healthcare. A physician by training, he spent nearly two decades at Mayo Clinic as an interventional radiologist and healthcare leader before moving into entrepreneurship, where he has built and scaled multiple healthcare technology companies focused on aligning providers and payers. His work today centers on using automation and AI to help health systems operate more efficiently while improving patient access to care.

23 min
MAR 5

The Future of Interoperability in Healthcare Isn’t Just “New” Technology

In this episode, host Sandy Vance chats with Frank Toscano, the new Senior Vice President of Product and Engineering at Amplify. They talk about the continued relevance of fax technology in healthcare, the challenges of interoperability, and how Amplify aims to streamline workflows to improve patient care. Frank highlights the importance of integrating fax technology with modern systems to enhance efficiency and reduce friction. In this episode, they talk about: Fax remains an important part of healthcare communication Many interoperability challenges come down to integration and mapping Prior authorizations often still depend on fax How Amplify supports healthcare organizations of all sizes Streamlined patient referrals can improve care delivery Healthcare is an interconnected ecosystem that affects outcomes Maximizing existing technology boosts operational efficiency AI helps connect data for better decision-making Effective solutions start with understanding real workflows Eliminating legacy technology isn’t always the best option The future blends proven methods with modern technology A Little About Frank: Frank Toscano is a nationally recognized product and technology leader with more than 20 years of experience modernizing how healthcare organizations exchange documents, automate workflows, and connect systems through AI-driven interoperability. As Senior Vice President of Product & Engineering at Amplify, he serves as the company’s public-facing technology voice and strategic advisor, guiding product innovation, engineering excellence, and enterprise integrations. Previously, as Vice President of Product Management at Consensus Cloud Solutions (eFax Corporate), Frank led the transformation of legacy fax into cloud-native, HIPAA-compliant interoperability services, delivering FHIR integration, TEFCA-aligned exchange, AI-powered document processing, and large-scale workflow automation used by thousands of healthcare organizations. A named inventor with multiple U.S. patents in secure communication and intelligent document workflows, Frank has also held senior leadership roles at Cellebrite, Cleo, and Retarus, consistently bridging deep technical architecture with real-world clinical and operational needs to reduce manual burden and improve care coordination.

20 min
MAR 3

From EHR Aspiration to Measurable Impact: Turning Investment into Sustained Enterprise Value

In this episode, Rajkumar Thirunavukkarasu, SVP & Head of Healthcare Provider Business at Tech Mahindra , and LaDonna Sweeten, EHR Practice Lead at The HCI Group, a fully owned subsidiary of Tech Mahindra, discuss how health systems can transform their EHR from a static system of record into a dynamic performance engine. The conversation also highlights a unique market differentiator: the combined strength of The HCI Group’s deep EHR and provider-focused expertise with Tech Mahindra’s global technology scale, engineering depth, automation capabilities, and innovation track record. Together, this partnership brings end-to-end capabilities—from EHR optimization and managed services to advanced data engineering, AI integration, and enterprise digital transformation—delivered at scale with measurable outcomes. Listeners will gain insight into how leading organizations are moving beyond implementation toward sustained transformation—leveraging global innovation, cross-industry engineering excellence, and healthcare-specific expertise to drive lasting value. In this episode, they talk about: HCI Group grew from staff augmentation to a full solutions provider after the Tech Mahindra acquisition Many providers aren't fully utilizing EHR systems despite heavy investment Providers face simultaneous pressure from workforce shortages, shrinking margins, and new regulations HCI and Tech Mahindra use each org's own data to tailor strategy rather than a one-size-fits-all approach AI is set to significantly disrupt revenue cycle management Ambient listening technology is reducing the clinician documentation burden End-to-end workflow reimagination is recommended over isolated AI pilots Patients now expect the same seamless experience from healthcare as they get from retailers Houston Methodist's new campus was cited as a model for automated, frictionless clinical workflows Value-based care is now mandatory, making urgent AI adoption a necessity not a choice A Little About Rajkumar and LaDonna: Raj T is a dynamic and accomplished business leader with over two decades of global experience in managing high-impact client relationships and driving growth in the healthcare technology space. Currently, Raj is serving as SVP & Head of Healthcare Provider Business at Tech Mahindra, where he leads strategy, delivery, and innovation for some of the world’s leading healthcare organizations. Raj's collaborative leadership style and results-driven mindset have consistently delivered value to clients, making him a trusted advisor in the healthcare technology ecosystem. Raj is passionate about harnessing technology to improve patient outcomes, streamline provider operations, and enable data-driven decision-making across the care continuum. LoDonna leads enterprise healthcare technology strategy and delivery for health systems nationwide. She specializes in EHR transformation, workflow optimization, managed services, and digital enablement, partnering with executive leaders to ensure technology investments drive measurable clinical, operational, and financial impact. LaDonna uses data and best-practice benchmarks to identify performance gaps, prioritize high-value opportunities, and design targeted improvement roadmaps. She then applies structured governance and performance monitoring to mitigate risk and ensure intended benefits are realized. Her passion is helping provider organizations transform their EHR from a system of record into a data-informed performance engine that supports fiscal sustainability and provider resilience. She understands that in today’s margin-compressed and highly regulated environment, optimization has to be measurable and sustainable, not just aspirational.

23 min
MAR 2

Trust Is the Foundation of Healthcare AI with Solventum

In this episode, host Sandy Vance chats with Hari Bala, the Chief Technology Officer for Health Information Systems at Solventum. Together, they explore how healthcare organizations can build trust and confidence around AI adoption, drawing on insights from Solventum’s recent global survey of healthcare professionals. The research highlights a growing demand for AI alongside concerns that innovation could increase pressure on clinicians. Hari shares practical perspectives on how AI can support rather than overshadow providers, improve efficiency without compromising quality, and help organizations introduce new technologies in ways that feel safe and sustainable. Listen to learn how leaders can ensure clinicians feel comfortable incorporating AI into their daily workflows while improving the overall patient experience. In this episode, they talk about: The three key trust factors and why trust is the foundation for AI adoption Why trust is the currency of successful implementation The role of AI in improving patient care and clinician efficiency How speed and quality can improve together rather than compete Key findings from Solventum’s healthcare AI adoption survey The cultural and mindset shifts required for successful implementation The impact of AI on the patient experience How leaders can evaluate potential technology partners A Little About Hari: Hari Bala joined Solventum as Chief Technology Officer for Health Information Systems in May 2025. He brings more than 25 years of experience building scalable, distributed systems using generative AI, data science, analytics, and machine learning across healthcare, cloud, and security. Before Solventum, Hari led AI, data, analytics, and cloud transformation initiatives at GE Healthcare and Oracle Cerner. At Oracle, he helped establish the AI Services organization and led development of the Health Data Intelligence and Analytics platform, a near real-time, cloud-based population health solution, while advancing AI and machine learning tools for clinical use. Earlier in his career, Hari spent nearly 19 years at Microsoft in leadership roles across Azure and several core enterprise technologies.

22 min
FEB 24

AI at HLTH: AI That Acts -The Rise of Intelligent Healthcare Agents

Today, host Sandy Vance sits down with Jeff McCool, the AVP of Healthcare Conversational AI at Amelia. Join a discussion with SoundHound AI, the leader in conversational intelligence, to learn how AI agents are helping healthcare companies overcome challenges like improving patient care and streamlining operations. Hear how the SoundHound Amelia Platform lets you build AI agents that understand, reason, and act so you can create the most seamless conversational experience. In this episode, they talk about: The types of healthcare organizations Amelia partners with How Amelia’s platform approach supports health systems in multiple ways beyond a single tool Working with clients to establish guardrails for safe and effective AI adoption How conversational AI is expected to evolve in the coming years Real-world implementation success stories and lessons learned What differentiates SoundHound AI’s agents and the broader ecosystem created through partnerships Advice for healthcare leaders at provider and payer organizations navigating next steps with AI A Little About Jeff: Jeff McCool works at the intersection of healthcare and AI, helping organizations use conversational technology to solve real operational challenges. He is AVP of Healthcare Conversational AI at Amelia, where he partners with health systems to deploy AI-powered virtual agents that improve patient and employee experiences while reducing friction in everyday workflows. His focus is on practical AI adoption, what works in production, how teams implement it, and how to scale responsibly. Previously, Jeff held leadership roles at Ciox and Datavant Health, leading digital growth initiatives centered on interoperability, APIs, and healthcare data exchange. His background combines healthcare operations, technology, and go-to-market strategy. Jeff holds an MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

22 min

The Beat, powered by HLTH, is a weekly interview series dedicated to paving a better path forward for the future of health. Each week a variety of hosts bring you authentic conversations with prominent thought leaders. Through these interviews with people at the forefront of change in healthcare, we hope to spark new ideas and encourage new collaborations among listeners.

Creator

HLTH
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

405
Rating

Clean
Copyright

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