Hard Problems, Smart Solutions: The Newfire Podcast

Regulatory Compliance: Turning Overhead into an Opportunity

In this episode of “Hard Problems, Smart Solutions,” host Brendan Iglehart, Staff Healthcare Architect at Newfire, speaks with Deven McGraw, Chief Regulatory and Privacy Officer at Citizen Health and one of the nation’s leading voices on patient privacy, data access, and healthcare regulation. Together, they discuss how forward-thinking companies can turn data rights, compliance, and AI regulation into opportunities for differentiation and patient impact. Deven shares her extensive experience in healthcare privacy and regulatory policy, including her influential work with HIPAA at the US Department of Health and Human Services. They discuss the importance of early integration of compliance in product development, the challenges and opportunities in patient data access, and the regulatory landscape affecting health tech startups. Listeners will gain perspective on how to: * Overcome the “sludge in the pipes” that still blocks seamless patient data access. * Design AI-driven tools that empower patients without crossing regulatory lines. * Build compliance cultures that encourage transparency instead of fear. * Anticipate privacy challenges that could redefine the next five years of digital health. * Turn regulation from a constraint into a strategic advantage for innovation.

Patient Access: Why Waiting is Healthcare's Biggest Mistake

In this episode of Hard Problems, Smart Solutions, Brendan Iglehart, Staff Healthcare Architect at Newfire Global Partners interviews Paul Wilder, the Executive Director of CommonWell Health Alliance. They discuss the importance of not delaying integration in health IT and the incremental advancements in healthcare interoperability. Interoperability, Wilder explains, isn’t about one big breakthrough. It’s about a series of incremental steps that collectively create real progress. From startups building innovative patient tools to nationwide alliances shaping policy, the common thread is clear: the time to act is now. Paul shares his journey from network support to health IT, emphasizing the significance of data exchange in improving patient care. They explore the role of CommonWell in promoting cross-vendor data availability and the challenges in ensuring patient access to their medical data. The conversation highlights recent governmental efforts, technological advancements in FHIR, and the application of AI in healthcare. Don’t miss this episode. Tune in to hear Paul Wilder’s insights on the future of patient access and how organizations can navigate the complex, but rewarding, journey toward better data exchange. 00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts 00:28 Welcome to Hard Problems, Smart Solutions 01:36 Meet Paul Wilder: A Journey in Health IT 02:50 Understanding CommonWell Health Alliance 04:09 Challenges and Progress in Patient Data Access 06:39 Government Initiatives and Industry Movements 15:24 The Role of AI in Healthcare Data 18:32 Ensuring Patient Privacy and Data Security 21:13 The Future of FHIR and Interoperability 24:17 Advice for Healthtech Innovators 29:18 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

Turn Skeptics into Champions: Fostering Trust in Healthtech

In this episode of Hard Problems, Smart Solutions from Newfire, host Will Crawford explores the intricacies of building and scaling digital health platforms with Alexis Levine McKenna, Digital Health Product Leader and former Chief Product and Technology Officer at Huddle Up Care. Alexis discusses the importance of integrating clinician and patient feedback into product development, maintaining compliance in healthcare, and leveraging AI to augment, rather than replace, clinical roles. She highlights the significance of rigorous documentation, cross-functional collaboration, and a user-centered approach in navigating the evolving landscape of digital health. The conversation also delves into Alexis's career trajectory, offering insights into achieving scalable technology solutions and driving clinical outcomes while addressing commercial realities.

AI With Purpose: How to Build Products that Matter

In this episode of “Hard Problems, Smart Solutions: The Newfire Podcast,” Newfire’s VP of Data & AI, Gordon Wong, sits down with Lauren S. Moores, AI Catalyst and Strategic Advisor, better known as the Data Queen, to talk about the real-world impact of AI, and what it takes to move from buzzwords to meaningful product outcomes. With over 30 years of experience in data innovation, Lauren shares insights on the critical role of context and storytelling in utilizing Large Language Models (LLMs), the evolving landscape of healthcare data, and the future of AI strategy. The conversation covers her experiences across various industries, practical advice on data strategy, the impact of generative AI, and the importance of focusing on the business problem at hand. Lauren emphasizes the need to stay curious, ask why, and continuously innovate to build meaningful solutions. 00:47 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:32 Lauren Moores: The Data Queen 07:18 Challenges and Innovations in Healthcare Data 10:15 The Role of AI in Drug Development and Food Science 18:16 Wearables and Personal Health Data 22:01 AI Strategy vs. AI Theater 27:49 Adapting Systems for AI 28:48 Challenges in Healthcare AI 31:26 The Importance of Storytelling in Data 35:38 Skills for Future Data Professionals 38:59 Building Effective Data Teams 42:35 The Role of BI Tools 49:22 Misconceptions About AI in Healthcare 50:13 Final Thoughts and Advice

Building in Healthtech: Product Strategies for Innovators

From scaling D2C mental health platforms to driving value-based care models, Omar Mousa has seen it all. In the latest episode of “Hard Problems, Smart Solutions: The Newfire Podcast,” Omar joins host Brendan Iglehart, Staff Healthcare Architect at Newfire, to unpack the challenges and lessons from building healthtech products at every stage of growth. Omar, who most recently served as VP of Product and Engineering at Ventricle Health, shares his perspective on product-market fit, go-to-market experimentation, and making smart build-vs-buy decisions in healthcare. Brendan and Omar discuss Omar’s experiences across various health tech companies, the lessons he has learned about product development in the sector, and the challenges of navigating both direct-to-consumer and clinical product environments. The conversation delves into topics such as the importance of focusing on core business areas in build versus buy decisions, the role of technology in enhancing patient care, and strategies for effectively engaging patients in value-based care models. Omar also shares his thoughts on the evolving landscape of health tech and the impact of AI on handling unstructured data. Tune in to gain strategic insights on scaling health tech operations and developing impactful healthcare products. 00:00 Introduction to Hard Problems, Smart Solutions 00:38 Guest Introduction: Omar Mousa 01:37 Omar's Career Journey in Healthcare Technology 08:40 Challenges in Healthcare Technology 15:51 The Role of AI in Healthcare 17:51 Navigating Healthcare's Complex Stakeholder Mix 22:47 Gathering and Utilizing User Feedback 24:03 User Feedback and Instrumentation 24:53 Patient Reported Outcome Measures 25:32 Build vs Buy Decisions in Product Development 27:03 Challenges of Buying All Solutions 28:37 Pitfalls of Building All Solutions 30:01 Advantages of a Hybrid Approach 30:27 Stages of Company Growth and Product Strategy 32:26 Considerations for Buy Decisions 36:13 Considerations for Build Decisions 37:34 Navigating D2C vs Clinical Product Development 39:02 Improving Patient Engagement in VBC Workflows 43:21 Final Thoughts and Contact Information