Outcomes Rocket

Organ preservation still runs on a plastic bag, wet ice, and a picnic cooler.

In this episode, Dr. Xiaoxi Wei, Founder and CEO of X-Therma, discusses extending the lifespan of organs, cells, and other living medicines. Her grandfather's death set the work in motion. She explains why the method used to carry a donated organ has barely changed in 50 years, and why a four-hour window decides which patients get matched. X-Therma's answer is a peptoid-based material modeled on nature's antifreeze proteins, designed to hold tissue at sub-zero temperatures without freezing damage. Wei also walks through the changes...

Healthcare has no shortage of technology, but too many disconnected tools can create more work for clinicians, patients, and administrators.

In this episode, Amit Kumthekar, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Sully, talks about building AI that expands healthcare’s human capacity. Amit traces his path into healthcare innovation through his experience with a chronic condition and his early work in diabetes research. He explains how Sully brings clinical documentation, billing, patient engagement, inbound and outbound calls, and front-office workflows into one system to reduce friction across the care journey. They also discuss how to design voice AI...

Finding the right behavioral health provider can be surprisingly difficult, even with hundreds of thousands of practitioners across the country.

In this episode, Jaffer Traish, Chief Operating Officer at findhelp, talks about the challenges of making behavioral health services easier to find and navigate. He explains why social care and behavioral health need to be integrated into a single workflow and how fragmented, outdated provider directories can create unnecessary barriers to care. Jaffer also discusses the problem of “ghost networks,” where provider listings may no longer reflect who is actually available, and why greater transparency, accuracy, and acco...

Managers are often the first people to notice when something is off with an employee. But do they have the tools to know what to do next?

In this episode, Brad Swingruber, CEO at meQuilibrium (meQ), talks about how managers can play a bigger role in connecting employees with mental health support. He explains why giving managers another training course or dashboard isn't enough, and why support needs to be simple, practical, and available where managers already work. Brad also shares examples of how meQ has helped organizations make these resources easier to use, including work with...

Healthcare interoperability fails if the data moving through the system isn't accurate.

In this episode, Saul Marquez, Founder and CEO at Outcomes Rocket, speaks with Martin Cody, Senior Vice President of Sales and Growth at 4medica, about the overlooked but critical issue of patient identity accuracy. Martin explains how duplicate, incomplete, and mismatched records lead to costly downstream denials and shares how 4medica combines technology, data, and human expertise to clean and maintain patient data at scale. Because the company understands the cascading effects of bad data, it brings a proactive approach to fixing identity issues upstream...

Providers won't adopt technology that adds steps to their day.

In this episode, Hannah Mundy, Vice President of Strategic Operations at iScribeHealth, discusses building ambient AI that fits how providers already work. She traces her path from an orthopedic and sports medicine provider to a healthcare technology leader, and explains how iScribeHealth pairs ambient documentation with deep EHR integrations to reduce the documentation and billing load providers carry. Because the company came up working with human scribes, it brings a working knowledge of clinical workflow, note quality, and the customization that high-volume specialty practices need. Hannah is...

Why the success of an ASC relies on preserving the physician's voice and cultivating a strong, unique culture.

In this episode of ASC Insights, recorded live at ASCA SAMBA 2026, Lindsay Alexander is joined by Allison Stock, Chief Operating Officer at Surgical Management Professionals (SMP). Drawing on 20 years of experience in the ASC space, Allison shares what it takes to build a successful surgery center from the ground up and the importance of keeping independent physicians at the center of clinical decisions. She discusses the evolving challenges of the ASC marketplace, including the impact of private equity, the...

Patients are the largest unorganized constituency in American healthcare—and Matthew Zachary believes that needs to change.

In this episode, I speak with Matthew Zachary, CEO and Co-Founder of We The Patients, brain cancer survivor, author of the book: We The Patients, founder of Stupid Cancer, and host of Out of Patients. Matthew shares why traditional advocacy built around awareness and moral arguments has not been enough to change healthcare policy. He explains his vision for organizing patients around shared economic interests, using the 3.5% rule as a framework for building real civic power. We also discuss how in...

High-quality care only improves outcomes when patients can access it, navigate it, and complete the next step in their care journey.

In this episode, I speak with Todd Gottula, Co-Founder and CEO of Clarify Health Solutions, about his personal experience navigating a serious back injury and how it reinforced the importance of timely access to care. Todd shares how Clarify Health uses nationwide claims data, AI-enabled insights, and outcome-based partnerships to help health systems identify where patients are leaving their networks or facing barriers to care. He also discusses Clarify Meridian, which supports physician activation, and Arrival...

Cancer care is complex, emotional, and often difficult for patients to navigate alone.

In this episode, Marcia Macphearson, Chief Operating Officer at ThymeCare, discusses how the company is working to transform cancer care through value-based care and a connected approach to the oncology ecosystem. She explains how ThymeCare brings together health plans, oncology practices, health systems, and multidisciplinary care teams to help patients navigate the financial, social, clinical, and emotional challenges of a cancer journey. Marcia also shares how building trust with patients and connecting the different parts of the healthcare ecosystem can help care teams respond...

Radiology teams are facing rising imaging volumes, persistent staffing shortages, and growing burnout, making workflow-focused AI more important than ever.

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Chang, Co-Founder and CEO of RAD AI, discusses building generative AI solutions that help radiologists work faster while maintaining their existing workflows. Jeff shares how RAD AI started by automating parts of radiology reporting, then expanded into patient follow-up and AI-powered reporting tools that reduce dictation time and support more consistent care. He also discusses why successful healthcare AI must fit naturally into clinical workflows, the lessons RAD AI learned while navigating...

A business cannot scale beyond its founder unless the founder is also willing to evolve.

In this episode, Steve Preda, Founder and CEO of Summit OS Group, discusses the systems founders need to build scalable, leadership-led companies. Steve shares how business operating frameworks helped him grow and sell his investment banking firm, which in turn inspired him to create Summit OS. He explains how the system establishes execution momentum, develops leaders into “mini CEOs,” and helps businesses progress from operational discipline to strategic differentiation. He also touches on why healthcare professionals must understand the business they lead, even...

Mental health support becomes more accessible when it reaches people through a tool they already use every day.

In this episode, Johnny Crowder, Founder and CEO of Cope Notes, discusses turning his lived experience with mental health challenges into a simple, evidence-based support platform. Johnny explains how Cope Notes delivers daily text messages featuring psychology facts, exercises, and journaling prompts written by peers and reviewed by clinicians. He talks about why text messaging can reach more people than an app, how employers can measure its impact through engagement, productivity, turnover, and healthcare claims, and why preventive support...

Protecting Medicaid access starts with identifying coverage risks before paperwork problems interrupt care.

In this episode, Asya Rudikoff, Co-Founder and CEO of AccessIQ, discusses how her experience as a physical therapist and home healthcare leader exposed the consequences of preventable Medicaid disenrollment. She explains how procedural issues, including missed forms, outdated contact information, and complicated renewal processes, can cause eligible patients to lose coverage. Asya also explores how these disruptions affect families, provider revenue, hospitals, health plans, and state healthcare spending. She shares how AccessIQ uses coverage signals to identify at-risk patients, help organizations...

The future of healthcare is not limited to clinics and hospitals. It is increasingly about meeting patients where they are and supporting them between visits.

In this episode, I speak with Aqil Chishty, CEO of TimeDoc Health, about shifting healthcare from episodic visits to continuous, longitudinal care. Aqil explains how TimeDoc Health serves as a bridge between patients and providers through chronic care management, remote patient monitoring, behavioral health support, and other virtual care programs. We discuss why compassion is essential for effective care coordination, how regular communication can prevent unnecessary hospital visits, and why healthcare organizations...

The future of robotic surgery lies in helping surgeons see better, make stronger decisions, and operate with greater precision.

In this episode, Jean-Pierre Hubschman, Founder and CEO of Horizon Surgical Systems, discusses the development of Polaris, a physical AI platform built specifically for ophthalmic surgery. He explains how variations in surgeons' vision, judgment, and technical execution can influence patient outcomes, even for routine procedures. Jean-Pierre explores how robotics and real-time imaging can provide intelligent surgical assistance while keeping physicians in control. He also shares his vision for making consistently high-quality eye surgery accessible to every patient, regardless...

Robotic surgery should solve the entire clinical problem, not become another expensive tool in the operating room.

In this episode, Tomas Baltrunas, Chief Medical Officer and Founder of Sentante, discusses the development of an intuitive robotic platform designed for endovascular procedures. He explains that successful medical robotics must support the entire procedure while allowing physicians to work with familiar instruments and established techniques. Tomas also shares Sentante's progress, including European approval for peripheral procedures and FDA Breakthrough Device designation for remote stroke treatment. He believes remote robotic care has the potential to expand access to specialized treatment...

Value-based care works best when payers and providers have the transparency, data, and shared understanding needed to succeed together.

In this episode, Rachael Jones, Founder and CEO of Syntax Health, now part of Lightbeam Health Solutions, talks about simplifying the financial complexities of value-based care. Rachael explains how Syntax combines contract modeling, performance analysis, and actuarial science to help healthcare organizations understand risk and determine their true earning potential. She also discusses why community health centers deserve a stronger position in value-based care conversations, how clearer information can improve payer-provider collaboration, and why every additional dollar earned...

Making primary care more sustainable starts with giving physicians more time to care for patients.

In this episode, I speak with Gadi Shenhar, Co-Founder and CEO of Droxi, about using AI to reduce the administrative workload that overwhelms primary care teams. Gadi shares how a medication error involving his grandmother led him to investigate the deeper problem of clinician burnout. He explains how Droxi brings relevant patient information directly into the EHR workflow, helping physicians manage their clinical inboxes with fewer clicks. We also discuss how listening to providers helped improve product adoption and...

Strong healthcare businesses are built on strong relationships, collaboration, and a shared commitment to advancing the industry.

In this episode, Apryl Childs-Potter, CEO of the Nashville Health Care Council, discusses how Nashville evolved into one of the nation's leading healthcare hubs through the growth of healthcare companies, investors, and specialized service providers. She explains the Council's role in connecting industry leaders through year-round programs and its relationship-focused Sessions conference. Apryl highlights how these initiatives foster candid conversations and meaningful partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem. She also shares how bringing leaders together in trusted environments helps drive collaboration...

The future of spine surgery is increasingly in the outpatient setting.

In this episode of ASC Insights, Dr. Jeffrey Roh, orthopedic spine surgeon and Chief Medical Officer at Excel Health, shares how minimally invasive technology is accelerating the shift from inpatient to outpatient spine surgery and transforming the ASC landscape. He discusses the clinical, economic, and patient-experience advantages of ASCs, as well as the evolving role of reimbursement, robotics, and AI in surgical care. Looking ahead, he envisions increasingly autonomous robotic systems, smaller procedures, and a healthcare system where outpatient surgery becomes the default for an expanding...

Healthcare cybersecurity is ultimately about protecting patients, clinicians, and the systems they rely on to deliver care.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Kile Garrett, Chief Revenue Officer at TripleKey, to discuss the growing risks within healthcare’s software supply chain. Kile explains why software vulnerabilities can emerge even after an application enters production and how TripleKey continuously monitors code to identify risks that traditional tools may overlook. We also explore why health systems and technology vendors need to take a more collaborative approach to cybersecurity. Kile and I discuss how The Pitt illustrates th...

Healthcare organizations are under increasing financial pressure, making efficiency, visibility, and better decision-making more important than ever. 

In this episode, Jeff Norton, VP of Business Development at Multiview Financial, explains how automation and financial technology can help healthcare organizations reduce manual work, improve reporting, and potentially cut the time required for month-end close. He also discusses why organizations should approach AI strategically by first fixing inefficient processes and establishing clean, reliable data rather than simply accelerating broken workflows. Jeff’s advice for healthcare leaders is simple: slow down to hurry up, do your homework, and make sure the...

Billing doesn't start in the billing department.

In this episode, Kristin Van Natta, Business Development at RCM360, discusses how staffing shortages and rising adoption of technology are reshaping healthcare revenue cycle management. She explains why clean claims start at the front desk and how accurate data, coding, and documentation can help prevent denials. Kristin also explores how organizations can thoughtfully implement AI and automation while ensuring new solutions integrate with their EHRs and deliver real operational value. She shares how practices can use RCM analysis and benchmarking to identify inefficiencies and strengthen their financial performance.

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Healthcare organizations need to understand what their AI can access, what it does, and how its decisions affect patients.

In this episode, I speak with Eddie Borrero, Chief Information Technology Officer at Cyera, about helping healthcare organizations adopt AI while protecting sensitive data and maintaining strong governance. Eddie explains how companies are implementing AI across the workforce, business platforms, and software development, and why each area requires clear controls, accountability, and oversight. We also discuss his “offense and defense” framework, the importance of least-privilege access, and the risks created when AI agents inherit more permissions than they need...

For community health centers with limited staff, a request for thousands of medical records can quickly become an overwhelming administrative burden.

In this episode, Joe Van de Graaff, VP of Growth at Sherpas Healthcare Solutions, explains how Sherpas helps healthcare providers and payers securely find and release medical records while reducing the operational burden of audits, compliance reviews, and data requests. He discusses why FQHCs are particularly well-suited to Sherpas' mission and business model, how automation and EHR interoperability can streamline record retrieval, and why AI could play an increasingly important role in transforming manual healthcare workflows...

Taking the risk no one else will: how Medical 21 is working to replace harvested blood vessels with an artificial coronary artery that becomes part of the patient’s own body.

In this episode, Manny Villafana, Founder and CEO of Medical 21, returns to discuss his team's progress in developing an artificial coronary artery for bypass surgery. Drawing on more than five decades of medical device innovation, he reflects on how his earlier companies helped create longer-lasting pacemakers and lifelong heart valves that transformed cardiovascular care. Manny explains how Medical 21's graft is designed to grow into a living bl...

AI is transforming healthcare, but in behavioral health, how do we make sure technology doesn't come at the expense of human connection?

In this episode, Rebecca Ragland, Clinical Global Account Executive at Multi-Health Systems, explores how scientifically validated assessments and emerging technologies can improve behavioral healthcare while preserving the human element. She discusses the growing role of AI in clinical workflows and why clinicians must remain central to decision-making, particularly as technology advances faster than organizations can adapt. Rebecca also explains how trusted, structured data can serve as a guardrail for responsible innovation, helping organizations improve consistency...

Finding heart failure earlier gives patients a better chance to begin treatment before the disease progresses.

In this episode, Roger Owens, Chief Commercial Officer at Ultromics, discusses how AI-powered echocardiography can improve the early detection of HFpEF and cardiac amyloidosis. He explains how EchoGo integrates seamlessly into existing hospital workflows, enabling physicians to identify signs of heart failure from standard echocardiograms. Roger also explores the operational, reimbursement, and implementation challenges healthcare organizations face when adopting AI in clinical practice. He emphasizes that advances in treatment options make earlier diagnosis increasingly important for improving patient outcomes.

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Patient-matched technology is changing surgery by making the implant conform to the patient, not the patient to the implant.

In this episode, I speak with Nancy Hairston, President and CEO of MedCAD, about her unique journey from sculpture and 3D animation to the development of customized surgical solutions. Nancy explains how MedCAD uses patient imaging to design precise surgical plans, guides, anatomical models, and implants for each individual. We also discuss how these systems can simplify procedures, reduce operating room time, and potentially combine two surgeries into one. Nancy shares how advances in 3D-printed metals have accelerated...

What if every cancer patient could have the information and technology needed to find the right clinical trial or treatment option, regardless of where they live or what they can afford?

In this episode, Dr. Selin Kurnaz, co-founder and CEO of Massive Bio, shares how a personal family experience with cancer prompted her to leave a successful career in transactions and build a company dedicated to improving cancer care. She describes Massive Bio’s mission to empower patients to take an active role in their care by making clinical trials and treatment options more accessible. Kurnaz explains ho...

What if surgeons could actually see through organs during an operation?

In this episode, I spoke with Dr. Nicolas Bourdel, Founder and CEO of SurgAR, about how augmented reality is bringing patient-specific digital twins into the operating room. Using AI and computer vision, Surgar overlays CT and MRI-based anatomical models onto the live surgical view, helping surgeons see tumors hidden inside soft tissue during minimally invasive procedures. Nicolas shared why he believes surgery has progressed from digital eyes to robotic arms, and is now entering the era of the digital brain powered by intelligent software. We also...

What if the most common surgery in medicine could become one of the most consistent through robotics?

In my latest conversation, I sat down with Dr. Joseph Nathan, Founder and CEO of ForSight Robotics, to explore why ophthalmology is becoming one of the next frontiers for surgical robotics. We discussed how cataract surgery, the most common procedure in medicine, is uniquely suited for robotic assistance because of its repetitive nature and the need for extraordinary precision. Dr. Nathan shared how advances in AI, computing power, and robotics are helping create systems designed to improve consistency and predictability...

Clean, accessible, and well-governed healthcare data is the foundation for better care and effective AI.

In this episode, Erik Johnson, Vice President of Marketing at Harmony Healthcare IT, discusses how healthcare organizations can preserve, manage, and activate decades of clinical, financial, and operational data. He explains how a comprehensive data lifecycle strategy helps reduce legacy system costs, improve interoperability, and build a stronger foundation for AI adoption. Erik also shares marketing insights from both established brands and startups, emphasizing the value of brand equity and achieving product-market fit. He explores the potential of agentic AI to support...

What happens when a hospital trusts a robot as much as one of its own team members?

In this episode of Outcomes Rocket, Saul Marquez speaks with Sultan Mehrabi, CEO of Relay Robotics, and Craig Anderson, Vice President of Innovation at BayCare, about how autonomous delivery robots are transforming hospital operations through a collaborative innovation partnership. They explain how Relay robots safely transport lab samples, medications, and other critical items, allowing nurses and pharmacy staff to spend more time on direct patient care while maintaining a secure chain of custody and reliable delivery. The conversation highlights that...

What if the next breakthrough in surgical robotics isn't happening in the operating room, but inside the blood vessels?

In this episode, David Fischel, Chairman and CEO of Stereotaxis, shares how the company is pioneering robotic endovascular surgery through an integrated platform of robotics, proprietary catheters, and digital technologies. He explains why successful surgical robotics requires an entire ecosystem that seamlessly connects devices, software, imaging, and physician workflows. David also reflects on Stereotaxis' transformation through nearly a decade of investment in research and development, regulatory milestones, and commercialization. Together, we discuss how intelligent robotics could make complex...

What if prostate cancer could be treated without a single incision, and patients could be home having dinner with their families the very same day?

In this episode, Tom Tamberrino, Chief Commercial Officer of Profound Medical, discusses how the company's MRI-guided TULSA-PRO technology is changing prostate treatment through incisionless, minimally invasive procedures. He explains how focused ultrasound, AI-assisted treatment planning, and real-time MRI guidance enable physicians to treat both prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia while allowing patients to return home the same day. Tom also explores how new Medicare reimbursement is making the technology financially viable...

Move faster without losing focus: why medtech innovation must balance agility, regulation, and patient needs.

In this episode, Mike Stuedemann, Co-Founder and Principal Consultant at agilityIRL, discusses how medical device companies can use agile techniques to accelerate product development while maintaining FDA compliance. He explores the regulatory challenges surrounding AI-enabled devices, particularly as technologies continue to learn and evolve after launch. Mike also explains how AI can support quality and regulatory teams by identifying potential risks, flagging requirements for review, and reducing manual work without replacing human expertise. Finally, he shares why personalized medicine, responsible data use...

Advanced patient monitoring becomes more practical for ASCs when innovation is integrated, scalable, and built around real outpatient workflows.

In this episode, Blake Tatum, Vice President of US Commercial for Medtronic Acute Care and Monitoring, and Mike Lessick, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Patient Monitoring, and Life Support for Mindray North America, discuss how their expanded partnership is helping ambulatory surgery centers access hospital-level monitoring technology in a simpler, more affordable way. They explain how Medtronic technologies, including Nellcor™ SpO2 monitoring, Microstream™ capnography, BIS™ brain monitoring, and INVOS™ tissue oximetry, can be integrated into Mindray’s ASC-focuse...

Burnout often does not happen all at once. For many leaders, it starts with small moments of drift away from their vision, voice, values, and vitality.

In this episode, Kristi Huber, Founder of Perspective Shift Consulting, discusses how leaders can recognize and prevent leadership drift before it leads to burnout. Drawing from her own lived experience, she explains why high achievers are especially vulnerable to overcommitting, losing alignment, and operating on autopilot. Kristi introduces the Radical Clarity Compass as a practical framework for helping leaders and teams pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most. The conversation...