Mavericks in Healthcare: Chronicles of Innovation

What if pediatric care were designed around families first — not systems, incentives, or billing complexity? In this episode, Chris Johnson, Founder & CEO of Bluebird Kids Health, joins Mavericks in Healthcare to unpack how value‑based care can transform pediatric outcomes while making care more affordable, accessible, and sustainable — even for the most complex populations. Chris shares why pediatrics has historically lagged behind adult care in value‑based models, what it truly takes to serve Medicaid populations at scale, and how Bluebird is rethinking everything from clinic design to care teams to better support children, families, and clinicians alike. Drawing on lessons from scaling prior value‑based care organizations, he breaks down what healthcare leaders often underestimate when building for equity, trust, and long‑term impact. The conversation also explores the role of technology and AI in simplifying care delivery — not adding burden — and how thoughtful, human‑centered design can improve experience while driving measurable outcomes and cost savings. This episode offers a practical, real‑world blueprint for health system leaders, payers, and innovators focused on improving pediatric care delivery without compromising quality, access, or clinician well‑being. If you're interested in the future of value‑based care, pediatric innovation, or building healthcare models that truly work for families, this is a must‑listen.

Healthcare is undergoing profound transformation, and few leaders have had a closer view of that evolution than Kelly Hancock, Executive Vice President, Chief Caregiver Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at Cleveland Clinic. With more than 30 years of experience—from bedside nursing to executive leadership—Kelly reflects on the moments that shaped her purpose and the mission-driven culture she champions today. In this episode, Kelly unpacks the most critical issues impacting healthcare right now: workforce shortages, caregiver burnout, retention, resilience, and the shifting expectations of today's clinical workforce. She highlights innovative programs like peer support networks, holistic wellbeing initiatives, and apprenticeship pathways that are redefining how health systems attract, support, and grow talent. Looking ahead, Kelly explores the role of emerging technologies—including AI, predictive analytics, and clinical command centers—in enhancing operations while preserving human-centered care. Her insights offer a clear, grounded vision for what the future of caregiving should look like—and how leaders can build stronger, more connected teams in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

Healthcare is one of the most complex—and misunderstood—industries in the world. Few people explain it better than Dr. Eric Bricker. In this episode, we sit down with the physician, entrepreneur, and Chief Medical Officer behind AHealthcareZ, whose viral whiteboard sessions have become must-watch content for healthcare leaders. Dr. Bricker traces his unconventional path from internal medicine to entrepreneur to healthcare economist and reveals how financial incentives, not just clinical decisions, shape outcomes across hospitals, insurers, employers, and emerging health tech. We unpack why healthcare feels so opaque to patients and employers alike, what's broken in insurance and billing, and why misaligned incentives continue to drive cost and complexity. Dr. Bricker also makes the case for transparency, stronger primary care, and smarter use of technology as levers for real change. This conversation is essential listening for executives, clinicians, benefits leaders, founders, and policymakers who want to move beyond surface-level reform and understand how healthcare actually works—and how it can work better.

Technology and AI are reshaping the future of medical imaging and patient care. In this episode, hosts Asher Perzigian and Ajay Mody speak with Elan Adler, Founder and CEO of OneImaging, about how AI-driven diagnostics are improving accuracy, access, and affordability in radiology. Elan shares how OneImaging was founded to address the cost and complexity that hold back vital care, and how their platform brings clarity, connection, and care back to medical imaging. The conversation covers OneImaging's innovative approach to orchestrating imaging appointments nationwide, steering patients to the right scan, at the right site, for the right price. Listeners will learn how OneImaging leverages real-time AI decision support, seamless image sharing, and frictionless onboarding to make diagnostics affordable, accessible, and personal. Key topics include the impact of automation on healthcare workflows, the importance of transparency and patient choice, and the role of accreditation and advanced equipment in ensuring high-quality care. The episode also explores industry trends like direct-pay models and value-based care, offering insights for professionals and patients navigating a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

In this episode, hosts Ajay Mody and Asher Perzigian welcome Journey's CEO, Andrew Zimmerman, and Managing Director, David Taglione, for a conversation on how the intersection of design, storytelling, and technology is redefining the patient experience. They explore the creation of immersive and adaptive environments, showing how digital innovation—from AI to virtual simulations—can make care settings more engaging and responsive. Andy and David share their philosophy of starting with a compelling story and collaborating across disciplines to challenge traditional approaches. They highlight how integrating technology with human-centered design can foster connection, reduce anxiety, and turn routine moments into memorable experiences. Listeners will discover practical ideas for leveraging creativity and technology to enhance care environments, understand why experience design is essential for innovation, and be inspired by new possibilities for the future of patient experience.

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Wolin, CEO of Gravie, to explore how innovation is transforming health benefits for small and mid-sized businesses. Gravie believes members deserve a health plan that thinks beyond tradition—one that meets whole health needs with more care options and greater affordability.

In this episode of Mavericks in Healthcare, Adam Dole, Co-Founder and COO of Bento, reveals how his team is using technology and human-centered design to tackle food insecurity and chronic disease. He explains how Bento's curated grocery delivery, health coaching, and data-driven engagement are helping vulnerable populations access better nutrition and improve their health outcomes. Adam also shares the importance of integrating social determinants of health and building strong partnerships to create lasting change. Listeners will gain insights into the role of AI and tech in scaling impact, the challenges and opportunities in Medicaid innovation, and the future of food as medicine and personalized care. The conversation highlights how breaking down silos and restoring dignity are essential for advancing community health, and why compassionate, scalable solutions are needed to address the most pressing issues in healthcare today.

In this episode, Ajay Mody and Asher Perzigian sit down with Sangeeta Bardhan Cook, Chief Innovation Officer at Fox Chase Cancer Center and SVP of Commercialization Strategy and Business Development at Temple Health. Together, they explore how to close the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world patient care, using scientific expertise and strategic leadership to drive innovation in oncology and diagnostics. The conversation dives into how hospitals and research institutions are collaborating with startups and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate new ideas. Topics include scalable therapies, precision diagnostics, and the thoughtful application of AI—from early-stage research to clinical use cases like MRI interpretation and protein folding. Listeners will also gain insight into the collaborative spirit of academic medicine, the complexities of commercialization, and the importance of nurturing early-stage innovation despite market pressures. This episode offers a compelling look at how curiosity, collaboration, and strategic thinking are reshaping the future of healthcare.

In this episode, Dr. Matt Lundgren—physician, researcher, and Chief Scientific Officer at Microsoft Health & Life Sciences—shares how generative AI is transforming healthcare. From ambient documentation tools like Dragon Copilot to breakthroughs in multimodal model training, he explores how innovation is closing the gap between possibility and practice. Dr. Lundgren discusses how AI is streamlining workflows, reducing burnout, and improving care. He highlights the need to better process non-textual data like imaging and genomics, and stresses the importance of accessible AI education and ethical deployment. Whether you're a clinician, technologist, or healthcare leader, this episode offers a grounded yet visionary look at the future of healthcare.

In this special episode of Mavericks in Healthcare, we sit down with Mark Sevco, an executive in transition, as he embarks on a new chapter as President and CEO of Allegheny Health Network (AHN), part of Highmark Health. With decades of leadership experience across major health systems like UPMC and Sutter Health, Mark shares his vision, strategy, and mindset as he returns to his hometown of Pittsburgh to lead a transformative journey in healthcare. This episode offers a rare glimpse into a pivotal career transition—we catch Mark just as he steps away from his role as COO at Sutter Health and begins his new chapter at AHN. He shares his 30-60-90 day plan, emphasizes the power of listening and learning, and outlines his commitment to fostering a culture of operational excellence and coordinated care. Then, 90 days later, we reconnect to hear how that plan unfolded. Mark reflects on the early wins, the cultural shifts underway, and how he's leveraging AI, data, and technology to drive value-based care and population health. He also shares insights on leadership, team building, and the bold vision behind Highmark's Living Health Model. Whether you're a healthcare leader, an innovator, or simply passionate about the future of care, this episode explores the intersection of culture, strategy, innovation, and purpose.

In this episode of Mavericks in Healthcare, we sit down with Dr. Todd Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Executive at Sutter Health, for a powerful conversation on transforming healthcare from the inside out. Dr. Smith shares how Sutter is addressing clinician burnout, workforce shortages, and access challenges by focusing on culture, operational partnerships, and technology that truly supports providers. He unpacks the value of dyadic leadership, the rollout of ambient AI to reduce administrative burden, and a bold plan to expand ambulatory care across Northern California. With a clear-eyed view of what keeps him up at night and what gives him hope, Dr. Smith offers a candid look at what it takes to build a system where clinicians can thrive and patients get the care they need - when and where they need it.

In this episode, hosts Ajay Mody and Asher Perzigian sit down with Rivka Friedman, Head of Health Innovation at Morgan Health, to explore how JPMorgan is reengineering the employer-sponsored healthcare system. Rivka unpacks how Morgan Health's dual engine of investment and innovation is driving a smarter, more outcomes-focused model—scaling value-based care, piloting advanced primary care, and addressing critical gaps in maternal health and affordability. The conversation dives into the complexities of aligning incentives in commercial insurance, the power of data in improving outcomes, and why small and mid-sized businesses are emerging as a new frontier for healthcare transformation. Whether you're a founder, policymaker, or just health-curious, this episode delivers bold ideas and practical insights for building a more resilient and equitable healthcare future.

Nurses are essential leaders in healthcare, extending their influence far beyond management to encompass holistic care and relationship building. In this episode, Asher Perzigian and Ajay Mody welcome Joyce Fitzpatrick, the Director of the Marian K. Shaughnessy Nurse Leadership Academy and a distinguished professor at Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, to discuss the critical role of nursing in today's healthcare landscape. Joyce encourages nurses to see themselves as leaders, to speak up, and to drive change. She highlights the significant impact of nurse leadership on decision-making processes, the global reach of nursing, and the integration of technology in patient care. Joyce teaches her students to introduce themselves confidently, network effectively, and use technology to enhance their leadership, aiming to position nurses in key decision-making roles to better represent patient needs. Join us to explore how nurses are shaping the future of healthcare and to discover their vital role as the heart and soul of the healthcare system.

Nurses aren't just at the bedside—they're in boardrooms, legislatures, and labs. In this episode, Ajay Mody and Asher Perzigian sit down with Dr. Allison Norful of Columbia University and Summer Davis of the Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses to unpack how nurses are reshaping healthcare. From navigating towards full practice authority to driving policy and tackling mental health, this conversation reveals the untapped power of nursing leadership in a rapidly evolving system. Part of The Heart of Healthcare series—where the future of medicine gets personal.

Join hosts Asher Perzigian and Ajay Mody as they welcome Carolyn Jones, a renowned filmmaker and advocate for healthcare workers, to discuss the vital, yet often unrecognized, contributions of nurses. In this episode, Carolyn shares powerful stories from her film "American Delivery," highlighting the impact of the wholistic care nurses offer their patients. Carolyn, a brilliant storyteller, offers a unique perspective on the daily challenges and triumphs of these healthcare heroes, showcasing their technical expertise and unwavering compassion. Kicking off our Nurses Month mini series, The Heart of Healthcare, this episode is a timely reminder of the expertise and compassion that nurses bring to our communities each day. Tune in to explore the incredible work of these dedicated professionals and their crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare.

In this episode of Mavericks in Healthcare, hosts Ajay Mody and Asher Perzigian sit down with trailblazing leader Beth Dolan, Dean of the College of Health at Lehigh University. Beth isn't just rethinking healthcare education—she's turning it on its head. From championing interdisciplinary learning to weaving data science into the fabric of public health, Beth shares how Lehigh is preparing students to tackle today's most urgent health challenges. Discover how the College's bold initiatives—like its cutting-edge Population Health program and hands-on community-based research—are shaping a new kind of health professional. Plus, Beth opens up about the critical role of mental health in academia and what it really means to build a truly supportive student experience. If you're curious about the future of healthcare, education, and innovation, this conversation is a must-listen. Beth Dolan is on a mission—and she's inviting the next generation to lead the way.

Join hosts Ajay Mody and Asher Perzigian on Mavericks in Healthcare as they sit down with Alicia Graham, COO and co-founder of Claimable. Alicia shares the inspiration behind launching Claimable—a groundbreaking AI-powered platform that helps patients and providers challenge unjust healthcare denials in minutes. From her decade-long journey uniting clinical expertise, AI innovation, and patient advocacy, Alicia reveals how Claimable turns personal stories into powerful appeals, tackling crippling medical debt and amplifying shared patient experiences. Tune in to meet a true Maverick in Healthcare driving change for all.