The Strategy of Health

Hosted by The American Journal of Healthcare Strategy

Business Management Careers Health FitnessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

152

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Join us as we dive deep into the evolving world of healthcare. Each episode features leading experts discussing the latest trends, innovations, and strategies driving healthcare forward. Our mission is to provide insights and practical advice for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of healthcare systems and their improvement. Whether we're exploring patient engagement techniques, dissecting policy changes, or forecasting the impacts of technological advances, our goal is to arm you with the knowledge needed to navigate and excel in today's complex healthcare landscape. Tune in to stay at the forefront of healthcare strategy and policy.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

July 13, 202630 min

Kidney Care Innovation: The Next Best Action Strategy

Chronic kidney disease care is moving beyond risk scores. In this episode of Strategy of Health, Cole Lyons speaks with Joseph Vattamattam and Stephanie Toth-Manikowski, MD, MHS, FASN of Healthmap Solutions about next best action, CKD population health, AI/ML-enabled care workflows, care gap prioritization, and value-based kidney care.The conversation covers how Healthmap Solutions helps identify which interventions matter most for complex kidney patients, how clinicians and analytics teams work together, and how better prioritization can improve outcomes while reducing avoidable hospital and emergency department utilization.Guests: Joseph Vattamattam and Stephanie Toth-Manikowski, MD, MHS, FASNHosted by Cole Lyons for the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy.Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: kidney care, CKD, and the challenge after risk identification 01:21 Why “next best action” matters in chronic kidney disease care 04:57 How clinical teams and AI/ML teams work together 06:13 A real-world CKD patient example 08:16 Recommendation systems, alert fatigue, and physician trust 12:20 Turning care gaps into high-impact clinical action 15:52 AI, prediction, and personalization in kidney care 20:30 Improving outcomes for CKD stage 3 and stage 4 patients 23:10 The financial case for better kidney care coordination 25:37 Risk-based contracting and aligned incentives 28:27 What health plans and providers should ask vendors 30:11 Closing thoughts

May 27, 202644 min

The Last Unmanaged Benefit: Why Medical Transportation is Healthcare's Next Frontier

Did you know that the medical transportation system has become a massive, unseen liability for healthcare payers? On this episode of The Strategy of Health (TSoH) podcast, host Cole Lyons sits down with Ken Van Cara, CEO of Alacura, and Steve Fox, Chief Growth Officer, to uncover the hidden costs of air and ground medical transports.Healthcare leaders are currently facing severe transportation inefficiencies, where an excessive reliance on air transport for short-distance inter-hospital transfers is driving significant and unexpected costs. Ken and Steve break down the economic drivers of this overutilization, the unintended consequences of the No Surprises Act, and the explosion of Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) claims.Learn how Alacura is combatting these issues by implementing 24/7 clinical triage to match patients to the most appropriate transport modes, lowering costs while improving patient outcomes.🕒 Chapters & Timestamps00:00:00 - Introductions and the current challenges in medical transportation 00:08:48 - Why medical transport is an "iceberg" of hidden liability for payers 00:13:17 - The economic drivers of overutilization and unnecessary air ambulance flights 00:15:32 - Alacura's solution: 24/7 clinical triage and logistical oversight 00:27:02 - The No Surprises Act and the explosion of Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) claims 00:34:14 - Keeping a "human in the loop": The ethical application of AI in healthcare 00:41:11 - Using data and predictive intelligence to identify vulnerable members 00:59:30 - How hospital hub-and-spoke models impact transport logistics 01:01:33 - Air ambulance market consolidation and the top 3 dominating companies 01:02:21 - The hidden role of private equity in driving transport costs

February 17, 202633 min

Kidney Care's Breakout Year: Healthmap Solutions on Growth, AI, and the Future of Healthcare

Healthmap Solutions' CEO Eric Reimer and Chief Growth Officer Tom Gaffney return to The Strategy of Health for a 2025 year-in-review. They discuss how the company delivered record savings rates amid industry headwinds, the integration of the Carium, and why chronic care management is finally getting the scrutiny it deserves. The conversation covers their expanding comorbidity strategy, plans to grow spend under management by 30-40% in 2026, and how AI is making their clinical teams more effective without replacing them.

January 28, 202610 min

Are Traditional Health Systems Doomed? | Dr. Roger Kerzner on the Ambulatory Care Battle

Digital disruptors are coming for ambulatory care—but 2024 revealed the fight is far from over. Walmart shuttered all 51 health clinics. Walgreens wrote down $12.7 billion. Teladoc's stock fell 98%. Meanwhile, Optum now employs 10% of U.S. physicians and Bain projects nontraditional providers will capture 30% of primary care by 2030.So what's actually happening—and can traditional health systems survive?In this conversation, Dr. Roger Kerzner, Medical Director at Heartbeat Health, joins Cole Lyons to unpack why the old episodic care model is failing, what health systems can learn from disruptor failures, and the leadership courage required to navigate a decade-long transformation.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:23 Discussion on Healthcare Disruption01:56 Ambulatory Care and Business Models04:18 Challenges and Solutions for Incumbents06:48 Value-Based Care and Future Vision11:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

December 12, 202530 min

How Systems Engineering Can Transform Healthcare

Welcome to Strategy of Health by the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy! In this episode, host Cole Lyons sits down with Dr. Matthew Montoya—professor of Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins and veteran systems thinker—to discuss:-What “systems engineering” really means in healthcare-Dr. Montoya’s career path: from math and engineering to health systems and executive leadership at Johns Hopkins-How systems thinking brings clarity to organizational chaos—and why that matters for patient outcomes-Real-world examples: orchestrating complex projects at scale (like defense, national security, and multi-stakeholder healthcare efforts)-Where AI fits (and doesn’t fit) in system-based problem solving-How healthcare professionals and executives can “get started” with systems engineering or infuse systems thinking into their organizations-Plus: book recommendations like The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge, and practical tips on education and training for healthcare leaders seeking to implement systems approaches.About Dr. Matthew Montoya:Dr. Montoya serves as professor and mentor at Johns Hopkins University’s Systems Engineering and Healthcare Systems Engineering programs, with over 35 years at Johns Hopkins and national recognition as an outstanding instructor and principal chief engineer. His work applies engineering, systems science, and business acumen to tackle complex problems across industries—from healthcare delivery to national security. 0:00 – Introduction 1:24 – Dr. Montoya’s career, background, and role at Johns Hopkins 5:32 – Why systems engineering? 9:50 – Clarifying chaos: applying systems thinking in practice 15:10 – Case study: large-scale defense health project 19:00 – Project management vs. systems engineering in healthcare 22:45 – Building “pilot” efforts and measuring outcomes 28:00 – The impact of AI tools in systems engineering35:40 – Practical advice for healthcare organizations40:55 – Getting started: mindset, books, and educational resources44:00 – Closing thoughts

November 18, 202532 min

From ICU Nurse to Healthcare Tech CEO: Angela Adams RN on Solving Missed Follow-Ups with AI

EDITOR'S NOTE: AJHCS has received a formal request disputing the factual accuracy of the Inflo Health founding narrative and timeline as presented by the guest in this interview. Consistent with our commitment to objective reporting and truthful knowledge, our editorial team is currently reviewing the provided documentation. The statements and origin narrative expressed below represent the claims of the guest and are currently under active editorial review. Angela Adams, RN, CEO of Inflo Health, joins the Strategy of Health podcast to share her journey from critical care nursing at Duke University Medical Center to founding a groundbreaking healthcare technology company. Angela discusses her experience in intensive care, her shift into medical-legal consulting and medical device startups, and how personal tragedy inspired her mission: solving the epidemic of missed radiology follow-ups in health systems.She explains how Inflo Health leverages AI and automation to ensure no actionable patient result is lost in the chaos of healthcare workflows, closing care gaps and relieving staff burden. Angela details her team's innovative platform, the impact on patient outcomes, and advice for clinicians and executives seeking to implement systems thinking and technology in their organizations.Learn about the real-world challenges Angela faced, the broken processes she witnessed, and how Inflo Health is reshaping clinical follow-up—empowering providers, supporting staff, and delivering better patient care.00:00 Introduction to the Strategy of Health Podcast00:42 Angela Adams' Journey from Nurse to CEO01:34 Transitioning to Medical-Legal Consulting and Medical Devices02:19 Entering the Startup World and Embracing Technology03:36 The Birth of Inflow Health04:59 The Personal Story Behind Inflow Health07:37 Challenges in Healthcare Follow-Up Systems09:22 Inflow Health's Innovative Solutions18:42 Building a Radiology-Specific Language Model23:12 Partnerships and Implementation Strategies28:32 Future Directions for Inflow Health31:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

October 21, 202530 min

Making Predictive AI Actionable: Why Human Behavior and Physician Partnerships are Key

In this episode of the Strategy of Health podcast, Cole Lyons from the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy engages in a conversation with Joe Vattamattam, co-founder and president of Healthmap Solutions, a company focused on improving outcomes for chronically sick populations, especially those with chronic kidney disease. Joe shares insights into the company's journey, the importance of changing human behavior, and how Healthmap Solutions uses a blend of advanced predictive analytics and clinical collaboration to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. The discussion also covers the strategic role of AI, the impact of wearables, and the future potential of expanding their successful model to other chronic conditions.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:47 Meet Joe Vattamattam: Co-founder of Healthmap Solutions02:41 Building a Strong Team and Culture at Healthmap Solutions06:46 Strategic Vision and Approach to Kidney Disease08:21 The Role of Analytics and Predictive Models12:30 Integrating Clinicians and AI for Better Outcomes26:50 Future Prospects and Expansion Plans29:52 Conclusion and Farewell

September 9, 202524 min

Why Rep. Arvind Venkat Says Clinicians Must Lead the Fight for Better Care

In this powerful and timely episode, we sit down with Rep. Arvind Venkat, emergency physician and Pennsylvania State Representative for the 30th Legislative District, to explore the growing need for healthcare professionals in political leadership. Drawing from his dual roles in medicine and policy, Rep. Venkat discusses why frontline clinicians are uniquely positioned to drive healthcare reform—especially in areas of access, affordability, and system-level accountability.Topics include unionization among residents and fellows, the impact of healthcare consolidation, flaws in the current reimbursement model, and policy threats to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Rep. Venkat also shares his personal motivations for running for office, his experience navigating clinical and legislative responsibilities, and advice for early-career physicians who want to make a difference.If you're a healthcare strategist, policy advocate, or clinician interested in value-based care, physician advocacy, or healthcare leadership, this episode offers critical insights from someone who bridges all three worlds.00:00 Introduction and Importance of Coalition Building00:30 Meet Representative Venki01:48 Serving the Community: A Dual Role06:18 Challenges in Healthcare Post-COVID08:19 Addressing Healthcare Access and Affordability14:13 Legislative Actions and Future Outlook18:12 Encouraging Clinician Involvement in Politics24:33 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

August 18, 202523 min

Why CKD Patients Fall Through the Cracks and How Healthmap Solutions' Navigators Bridge the Gap

Join Cole Lyons on the Strategy of Health podcast from The American Journal of Healthcare Strategy as he interviews Dr. Howard Shaps, Chief Medical Officer at Healthmap Solutions. Dr. Shaps shares lessons from his career in emergency medicine, health insurance, and consulting—and explains his transition to Healthmap Solutions.They tackle the real-world complexity of chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially when combined with diabetes and hypertension, and discuss how Healthmap uses AI-driven risk models, patient navigators, and care coordination outside the clinic to catch CKD earlier and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations. Dr. Shaps details strategies for preparing patients for dialysis and transplants, lowering crash dialysis rates, and reducing hospital readmissions.Get a look inside Healthmap Solutions' technology, operations, and intentional growth—Dr. Shaps’ perspective on where CKD care and population health are headed.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:26 Guest: Dr. Howard Shaps00:48 Career Journey01:36 Joining Healthmap Solutions03:47 CKD Care Challenges04:20 Healthmap’s Approach07:00 Technology & Risk Management11:40 Future of CKD14:15 High-Acuity CKD17:05 Building Care Teams22:47 Closing Remarks

August 4, 202537 min

Urgent Care Reinvented: Eliminating Handoffs with Clinical Concierge and Lean Design

In this episode of The American Journal of Healthcare Strategy podcast, we sit down with Brandon J. Robertson, Founder and CEO of UCP Merchant Medicine and in Televisit Solutions, to explore how clinical concierge models and lean design principles are transforming urgent care delivery at scale.Brandon shares how his team applied operational science—including queuing theory, the Theory of Constraints, and AI-driven clinical decision tools—to eliminate handoffs, slash visit times, and achieve an average Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 94. You’ll learn why traditional urgent care models fail, how AI-enhanced standing orders drive diagnostic consistency, and what it takes to create financially sustainable urgent care operations—even in low-reimbursement environments.We also cover the three-phase ROI model Brandon uses to help health systems justify investment in urgent care, including short-term profitability, mid-term referral capture, and long-term lifetime value. Whether you're a healthcare executive, strategist, or operations leader, this conversation is a masterclass in urgent care innovation and system-wide impact.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:17 Brandon's Career Journey02:58 Founding UCP Merchant Medicine03:14 Theory of Constraints in Healthcare04:20 Reducing Urgent Care Door-to-Door Time05:05 Queuing Theory and Process Optimization08:03 Clinical Concierge Model16:30 AI in Urgent Care18:53 Economic Impact and Scalability21:21 Long-term Value of Urgent Care28:46 Customized Models and Data Science34:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts