Inside Northwell Health's ED Follow-Up Playbook: Reducing Returns and Improving Throughput

From Mint to Medicine: How Aaron Patzer Is Fixing Patient Communication (RePost)

What happens when the founder of Mint.com takes on one of healthcare's most broken experiences—patient communication? In this episode of Bright Spots in Healthcare, Eric Glazer sits down with Aaron Patzer, Founder and CEO of Vital, to explore how simplicity, clarity, and human-centered design can drive real impact in healthcare. Drawing from his journey building Mint, Aaron shares why most healthcare technology misses the mark, how better communication improves outcomes and ROI, and what leaders must do to design experiences people actually use. The conversation goes deep on: * Why simplifying complexity—not adding more tech—is the real innovation * How better patient communication drives measurable ROI for hospitals * What healthcare leaders can learn from consumer tech about trust, adoption, and engagement * The leadership principles Aaron relies on when innovating inside highly regulated, slow-moving systems If you're a healthcare leader navigating digital transformation, AI investment decisions, or experience strategy, this episode offers clear thinking, hard-earned lessons, and proof that when you make it easier for people to understand what's happening, everything works better. References: Book Reference - The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman About Aaron: Aaron Patzer is a renowned entrepreneur, engineer, and innovator best known as the founder of Mint.com, the personal finance platform that revolutionized money management for millions of users. After launching Mint in 2007, Patzer led it to rapid success, growing the user base to over 25 million and overseeing its acquisition by Intuit in 2009. A passionate advocate for user-centered design and simplicity in complex systems, Patzer built Mint.com by combining his technical acumen with a deep understanding of user experience and behavioral finance. He holds degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and a Master's from Princeton University. Following Mint, Patzer continued to push boundaries in tech and health innovation. He co-founded Vital, a healthcare startup focused on improving hospital emergency room, urgent care, and inpatient experiences using AI and design thinking. Ranked by KLAS as #1 in patient experience, Vital achieves concrete results: 30–50% fewer LWOBS/AMA, 10–15% higher NPS, stronger HCAHPS scores, reduced ED bounce- back, and 10% lower 30-day readmissions. Designed to integrate seamlessly with existing EHR systems, Vital provides a user-friendly interface that engages patients, resulting in 60%+ adoption rates, 5-10x higher than the competition. View our product overview. Partner with Bright Spots Ventures: If you are interested in speaking with the Bright Spots Ventures team to brainstorm how we can help you grow your business via content and relationships, email hkrish@brightspotsventures.com About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures is a healthcare strategy and engagement company that creates content, communities, and connections to accelerate innovation. We help healthcare leaders discover what's working, and how to scale it. By bringing together health plan, hospital, and solution leaders, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that lead to measurable impact. Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and go-to-market strategy work, we surface and amplify the "bright spots" in healthcare—proven innovations others can learn from and replicate. At our core, we exist to create trusted relationships that make real progress possible. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com [http://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com]. Visit our website: www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com [http://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com]. Follow Bright Spots in Healthcare: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shared-purpose-connect/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/shared-purpose-connect/]

Express Scripts SVP Harold Carter on GLP-1s & the Future of Pharmacy Benefits (Repost)

GLP-1 therapies are transforming pharmacy benefits, and Express Scripts is leading the way. Harold Carter, PharmD, SVP of Trade Relations, joins host Eric Glazer to discuss how one of the nation's largest PBMs is navigating this disruptive moment in healthcare. Harold shares how Express Scripts is: * Capping costs of GLP-1 therapies to expand patient access while keeping plan spending predictable. * Redesigning funding models to strike a balance between affordability, predictability, and outcomes. * Leveraging digital tools and AI to reduce friction in the member experience and support long-term adherence. * Rethinking formularies not just as cost-control tools but as part of a broader population health and behavioral change ecosystem. You'll also hear his forward-looking perspective on how PBMs will evolve over the next three to five years, and the key questions health plans and employers should be asking today to prepare for the future of pharmacy benefits. About Dr. Harold Carter: Harold Carter, PharmD, is responsible for leading all interactions and contracting with pharmaceutical manufacturers and oversees strategy and management of Express Scripts' drug formularies, data & insights, client underwriting, and product strategy and development. In his nearly 14 years with the organization, Harold has held numerous leadership roles oriented around critical efforts to lower the cost of prescription drugs and ensuring medication access for Express Scripts clients and members. Harold's previous responsibilities include oversight of the organization's medical pharma contracting and drug procurement teams, as well as leading the strategy, development and execution of Express Scripts' wholesale market, value-based solutions and generic strategy, and development of Express Scripts' advanced utilization management solutions. In addition to his work at Express Scripts, Harold serves on numerous boards including LifeWise Stl Board of Directors, St. Louis University High School Board of Trustees and IVI Board of Directors. Harold earned his doctorate in pharmacy from St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Partner with Bright Spots Ventures: If you are interested in speaking with the Bright Spots Ventures team to brainstorm how we can help you grow your business via content and relationships, email hkrish@brightspotsventures.com [hkrish@brightspotsventures.com] About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures is a healthcare strategy and engagement company that creates content, communities, and connections to accelerate innovation. We help healthcare leaders discover what's working, and how to scale it. By bringing together health plan, hospital, and solution leaders, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that lead to measurable impact. Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and go-to-market strategy work, we surface and amplify the "bright spots" in healthcare, proven innovations others can learn from and replicate. At our core, we exist to create trusted relationships that make real progress possible. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com.

Kaiser Permanente | Dr. Hector de Leon on Scaling What Works in Healthcare

Recorded live at the AHIP 2026 Conference, Eric Glazer sits down with Dr. Hector de Leon, Board Chair of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Foundation and practicing pediatrician, for a conversation about one of healthcare's biggest challenges: Not discovering what works, but scaling what already does. For more than 80 years, Kaiser Permanente has built its care model around prevention, physician trust, integrated care, and long-term health outcomes. In this conversation, Dr. de Leon shares practical examples of how those principles come to life, and why Kaiser is increasingly partnering with organizations across the country to help scale those lessons beyond its own walls. In this episode: * A patient story that brings value-based care to life * Why physician trust, not prior authorization, can accelerate better care * How Kaiser embeds prevention into everyday clinical workflows * Making the "right thing" the easiest thing to do for patients and clinicians * Why higher screening rates lead to better outcomes and lower costs * The thinking behind Risant Health, Habitat Health, and Kaiser's growing partnerships * Why collaboration, not competition, may be the future of healthcare transformation * What health plans, providers, and innovators can learn from one of the nation's longest-running value-based care organizations If you're a healthcare executive looking for practical lessons on improving outcomes, reducing friction, and building a more sustainable healthcare system, you'll find plenty to think about in this conversation. About Dr. Hector de Leon Dr. Hector de Leon is Board Chair of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Foundation and a practicing pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente Colorado. He has served in physician leadership roles across Kaiser Permanente while continuing to care for patients and helping advance value-based care nationally. Connect with Dr. de Leon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectordeleonmd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectordeleonmd/] About Bright Spots in Healthcare Bright Spots in Healthcare is where healthcare leaders share what's working—and how others can learn from it. Through executive interviews, peer-to-peer conversations, and industry events, we spotlight proven ideas that improve care, lower costs, and help healthcare organizations scale what works. Learn more: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com [https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/]

Kaiser Permanente | Dr. Hector de Leon on Scaling What Works in Healthcare

Recorded live at the AHIP 2026 Conference, Eric Glazer sits down with Dr. Hector de Leon, Board Chair of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Foundation and practicing pediatrician, for a conversation about one of healthcare's biggest challenges: Not discovering what works, but scaling what already does. For more than 80 years, Kaiser Permanente has built its care model around prevention, physician trust, integrated care, and long-term health outcomes. In this conversation, Dr. de Leon shares practical examples of how those principles come to life, and why Kaiser is increasingly partnering with organizations across the country to help scale those lessons beyond its own walls. In this episode: * A patient story that brings value-based care to life * Why physician trust, not prior authorization, can accelerate better care * How Kaiser embeds prevention into everyday clinical workflows * Making the "right thing" the easiest thing to do for patients and clinicians * Why higher screening rates lead to better outcomes and lower costs * The thinking behind Risant Health, Habitat Health, and Kaiser's growing partnerships * Why collaboration, not competition, may be the future of healthcare transformation * What health plans, providers, and innovators can learn from one of the nation's longest-running value-based care organizations If you're a healthcare executive looking for practical lessons on improving outcomes, reducing friction, and building a more sustainable healthcare system, you'll find plenty to think about in this conversation. About Dr. Hector de Leon Dr. Hector de Leon is Board Chair of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Foundation and a practicing pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente Colorado. He has served in physician leadership roles across Kaiser Permanente while continuing to care for patients and helping advance value-based care nationally. Connect with Dr. de Leon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectordeleonmd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectordeleonmd/] About Bright Spots in Healthcare Bright Spots in Healthcare is where healthcare leaders share what's working—and how others can learn from it. Through executive interviews, peer-to-peer conversations, and industry events, we spotlight proven ideas that improve care, lower costs, and help healthcare organizations scale what works. Learn more: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com [https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/]

Why Digital Health Pilots Fail: UC Davis Health's Dr. Reshma Gupta

A lot of digital health pilots do not fail because the idea is bad. They fail because the care model, workflow, staffing, and financial design were never fully built. This episode features a presentation from the ROI-Centered Care Summit, produced by Bright Spots Ventures in partnership with TytoCare and the American Telemedicine Association (ATA). In this episode, Reshma Gupta, MD, Chief of Population Health and Accountable Care at UC Davis Health, shares why so many AI and digital health pilots stall, and what it takes to redesign them into models that are operationally viable, financially sustainable, and built to scale. Using UC Davis Health's hypertension remote patient monitoring program as a case study, Reshma walks through what broke in the original pilot, including slower ramp-up, unclear vendor role design, returned device logistics, and delayed billing capture. She then explains how her team rebuilt the program into a 6-month model with clearer workflows, stronger local clinical support, and a more sustainable financial structure. You'll hear how UC Davis: * Redesigned RPM with a local MA, RN, pharmacist, clinician support, and vendor MA model * Built a 6-month patient journey with education, medication review, and monthly nurse and pharmacy visits * Improved blood pressure outcomes from 146/81 pre-enrollment to 126/73 at program completion * Reframed success around workflow fit, patient engagement, billing discipline, and ROI Key topics include why pilots fail, how to match the model to the right patient population, the importance of role clarity and billing optimization, and what health systems should think through before launching the next digital health program. If you are a health system leader, population health executive, digital health leader, or care transformation strategist trying to move beyond pilots and into sustainable performance, this episode offers a practical blueprint grounded in real-world lessons. Link to Dr. Reshma Gupta's Presentation: Bio: Dr. Reshma Gupta is a transformative healthcare executive with experience leading large-scale healthcare transformation across complex health systems and national payment reform initiatives– dedicated to innovation in population health, affordable healthcare, and social justice. With expertise in clinical and operational transformation, digital strategy, and policy, she has consistently driven high impact initiatives. Through the University of California Office of the President, she co-develops system-wide population health strategy across multiple campuses, social needs integration, and high-risk patient management initiatives including tech-enabled care and keeping patients healthier at home. As Chief of Population Health and Accountable Care at University of California Davis Health, Dr. Gupta oversees the enterprise-wide population health and accountable care portfolio to operationalize and modernize care pathways across inpatient and outpatient settings, standing up quality and equity improvement systems, and launching digital health and AI platforms. Nationally, she has advised the CMS Innovation Center on primary care transformation and advanced payment models and currently serves as an advisor to state and federal agencies on affordability and health system delivery reform. Connect with Dr. Reshma Gupta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reshma-gupta-md-mshpm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/reshma-gupta-md-mshpm/] Thank You to Our Episode Partner, TytoCare. TytoCare enables health systems and plans to deliver high-quality remote exams anytime, anywhere. Their FDA-cleared devices and AI-powered diagnostic platform support virtual specialty care, school-based programs, and home health models, reducing unnecessary ED visits and improving patient experience. To learn more, visit tytocare.com [http://tytocare.com]. Schedule a Meeting with a Senior Leader at TytoCare: To explore how TytoCare can help your organization expand virtual specialty access and improve care coordination, reach out to jtenzer@brightspotsventures.com [jtenzer@brightspotsventures.com] to schedule a meeting. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures exists to help healthcare organizations accelerate the adoption of what's actually working. Healthcare does not suffer from a lack of innovation. It suffers from slow adoption, fragmented learning, and limited trust between stakeholders. For example, one health plan or provider may solve a major operational or clinical challenge while others spend the next 5–10 years rediscovering the same answer. We close that gap by creating trusted environments where health plans, providers, and innovators can share practical strategies, operational lessons, and scalable models that drive measurable improvement. Through the Bright Spots in Healthcare podcast, leadership councils, executive roundtables, curated events, and strategic advisory work, we help organizations build credibility, strengthen strategic relationships, and accelerate the spread of proven ideas across healthcare.