Charting a New Course with Dr. Murray Zucker and Brendon Kelly: Recent Episodes
Murray Zucker & Brendon Kelly
We’re at the beginning of a golden age of technology-driven healthcare that’s changing how people experience medicine. From the activation of non-episodic health data to the mobilization of personal health records across different ecosystems, new technological advances are challenging the status quo for standard of care. In "Charting a New Course," we are highlighting thought leaders and exploring unique perspectives in the healthcare industry. Join us for compelling conversations with people who are re-thinking how human beings can thrive within a new, better, digital healthcare system.This is about imagining what’s possible. No topic is off limits. Production Team: Raquelle Bostow, Samantha Hollis, Jenny Sauer, Ross Thomas, Nate Purpura
What role will technology and digital solutions play in streamlining healthcare so that it is more impactful and efficient for patients, employers, healthcare providers, and government agencies? Brendon and Murray are joined by healthcare executives and thought leaders Kevin Pereau and Henry Loubet in this provocative round table, spanning mental health, artificial intelligence, best practices for sustained engagement in digital health, and more.
Kevin Pereau is Founder and CEO of TranscendIT Health, a healthcare strategy and management consulting firm focused on helping healthcare providers, payers, and innovators better connect with consumers.
Henry Loubet is the CEO of Bohemia Health, which identifies high-potential companies and accelerates their growth in the healthcare marketplace. Henry’s tenure in healthcare spans 30+ years, and his roles include CEO of the Western region for United HealthCare, and Chief Strategy Officer for Keenan.
In this week’s podcast, Murray’s co-host is Eliane Boucher, Happify Health’s Senior Director of Research Strategy. In this episode they share exciting news that will give hope to patients dealing with psoriasis. They’re joined by Theo Ahadome, SVP of commercialization at Happify, and Mohanad Fors, the Head of Global Commercial Digital Innovation at the global biopharmaceutical company, Almirall.
The discussion goes in depth about an innovative new whole-patient approach to psoriasis, and without spoiling too much, we’re excited to announce that Happify and Almirall are teaming up to help psoriasis patients, with the rollout of a digital solution called CLARO. Almirall has made impressive strides in the fight against psoriasis. And now, Happify is joining forces with them to offer digital programs to patients in order to fuel more well-rounded solutions that support mental health issues associated with the disease like anxiety and depression. Happify Health’s evidence-based and clinically validated platforms deliver mental health solutions to patients who deal with chronic diseases like psoriasis.
Tune in to learn more about CLARO and the benefits it will deliver.
Mohanad is the Head of Global Commercial Digital Innovation & Head at Digital Garden at Almiral. This digital innovation hub has a specific focus in HealthTech. Mohanad’s accolades include the European Excellence, Clio, and Cannes Lions awards for innovative health-first projects, like the first navigation application on smart watches, for visually impaired patients.
More than 8 million people in the U.S. live with psoriatic disease. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can develop at any age and they both have physical, mental, financial and emotional impacts.
Psoriatic disease is chronic and impacts the entire body – from lesions on the skin to permanent joint damage. Psoriatic disease diagnosis, treatment, and management is uniquely challenging, and unfortunately, far too many people are not receiving the treatment they need, or are undertreating.
In this episode, Murray discusses the partnership between the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) and Happify Health with Leah Howard, interim president and CEO of NPF, and Theo Ahadome, an SVP at Happify Health. The goal of the partnership is to unleash the tools and resources needed—including digital therapeutics— to help those affected manage – and even thrive with – the disease. Tune in for a lively and informative discussion.
Leah Howard, J.D., is the President & CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. She is a non-profit executive with a demonstrated history of success in developing and advancing the priorities of health care organizations. Howard joined the National Psoriasis Foundation in 2012 and was appointed to the role of Interim President and CEO, effective January 1, 2022. She previously served as NPF Chief Operating Officer (2017 – 2021) providing the strategic direction, vision and leadership to Foundation mission-related functions of government relations and advocacy, marketing and communications, and patient services (education, volunteer outreach and the NPF Patient Navigation Center). Prior to this role, Howard directed the Advocacy and Government Relations department (2012 – 2017). Howard has led a number of major initiatives for the NPF including development of the current (FY2020-2024) Strategic Plan, leading the planning for the 2016 FDA Patient Focused Drug Development (PFDD) meeting, engagement with value assessors, and the NPF annual payer roundtable series. She brings to her role more than 20 years of experience working with national health and disability organizations, local governments, and leading health care and research institutions. Howard has a bachelor of arts degree in government and international relations from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from George Mason University School of Law. She is based out of the NPF office in Alexandria, VA.
Mental Health America CEO Schroeder Stribling joins Brendon and Murray in a lively conversation about the 2022 report on Mental Health in America in 2021.
There’s no question that the pandemic brought our collective mental health crisis into sharp relief, but what can be done about it now? Stribling discusses with Brendon and Murray what can be done, proactively, at a policy level, to start getting more Americans the help they need, in the ways they need it.
That fact is that three-quarters of the people seeking help for mental health now have never sought help before. Many of these people are multiracial and LGBTQ youth. In a world where almost everyone needs a some level of care, Mental Health America aims to answer some of the most immediate questions, like: How can community, and peers play a role in helping alongside leadership? How can the new 988 mental health crisis phone number rolling out in July be a valuable resource for everyone? What role do Mental Health America’s local affiliate partners play? How will this take the pressure off of 911 responders? How can we assist broad populations without missing the cultural nuances that set them apart?
All of these questions and more are addressed in this new episode.
Schroeder Stribling is the President and CEO of Mental Health America, the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. She is a lifelong social justice advocate with over 20 years of experience managing organizations focused on mental health, homelessness, poverty, and racial justice.
At least 50% of the population has panic attacks, or have had one. So, what happens when those people must go to work? Panic attacks and many other types of mental health events and illnesses don’t step aside just so you can get that email out on time. In this episode, Brendon and Murray talk with Alison Cupito, the Global Mental Health & Wellness Program Lead at Accenture, about the evolving nature of mental health in the workplace.
Alison shares how the international consultancy Accenture has developed a culture where peers, from C-Suite to entry level, check in on one another—in the firm’s offices all around the world. Additionally, the group discusses racial, and geographic inequities and stigmas when it comes to addressing mental health, and the positive conversations that happen to initiate openness, comfort, and change. And Alison outlines methods Accenture takes to create more empathetic leadership, foster meaningful conversations about mental illness (even in job interviews), and accommodate employees with mental health challenges.
Based in Texas, Alison’s had a decade-long career at Accenture, and her expertise in the field of mental health is driving change in the consulting industry.
One in six people have symptoms of depression and don’t recognize it. In this episode of Charting a New Course, Brendon and Murray are joined by members of Happify Health’s research team to take a closer look at the impact that unrecognized depression has in minority populations whose primary source of health coverage comes through Medicaid.
Our country’s mental health resources are woefully inadequate. To overcome the gaps in care, President Biden pledged over $6B in his 2023 budget to ensure funding for mental health support services. Of the $6 billion pledged to this cause, $455 million was earmarked for researching new care models and expanding early intervention services with a focus on “Black and Brown communities (which) are disproportionately undertreated – even as their burden of mental illness has continued to rise.”
As the U.S. continues to endure a mental health crisis, will this budget pledge help turn the corner? Tune in to learn more.
Ever wonder if we’re getting anywhere with substance abuse treatment? In this episode, Murray and Brendon talk with David Smith, the Founder of the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics of San Francisco. David provides an empathetic journey through the history of substance abuse treatment, as well as a look at the evolution of medicine to treat mental illness and addiction.
David has a rich and diverse background in Addiction Medicine. He’s served as Fellow and Past President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine; he was the former President of the California Society of Addiction Medicine; as well as the past Medical Director for the California State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. Additionally, David has served as Medical Director for the California Collaborative Center for Substance Abuse Policy Research, and is a former adviser to the Betty Ford Center.
Would you know if your child was depressed? And if they were, how could you help? In this episode, Dr. Murray Zucker, Chief Medical Officer at Happify Health, sheds light on children’s mental health. Dr. Zucker shows all listeners—not just parents— how to recognize the signs of childhood depression, as well as tips that will teach resilience in children, and ways to start the conversation about a child’s emotional well-being. If you have concerns regarding your child's mental health, contact your child's pediatrician or school guidance counselor for help.
You’re a parent, and you can’t ignore the fact that your kid is struggling with their mental health. What do you do? Well, for starters, please realize that you’re not alone. There’s a burgeoning mental health crisis facing America’s youth today, and in this episode, Murray and Brendon speak to an expert, Dr. Hansa Bhargava, about what parents and educators can do.
Guest Bio: An expert in parenting, mental health, and pregnancy, Dr. Bhargava is a board-certified pediatrician and the author of Building Happier Kids: Stress-Busting Tools for Parents. She is also the CMO at Medscape Education, where she leads innovation-driven initiatives for physicians and health care professionals. Dr. Bhargava’s focus is on issues of resilience, burnout, and mental health. She’s been a practicing physician for over a decade and was previously Senior Medical Director at WebMD.
Additionally, Dr. Bhargava has been a featured partner in healthcare initiatives with the University of Alabama, the CDC, the White House, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Learn more about Hansa: https://www.hansabhargavamd.com/
In this episode, Murray answers key questions about bipolar disorder for listeners, like how it is defined and diagnosed. He also discusses the warning signs of bipolar disorder, and what you can do if you suspect someone in your life has bipolar disorder. Finally, Murray will address what the best way is to get help for that person.
If you or someone you know needs support due to a mood disorder, contact the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: https://www.dbsalliance.org/
What if you were diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder? Natasha Tracy, an award-winning author, blogger, editor, and speaker talks to Dr. Zucker and Brendon about her Bipolar Disorder diagnosis, and how she’s managed it for decades. In this enlightening, eye-opening and ultimately uplifting story, Natasha explains what life is like with bipolar disorder and shares insights that may help others who wrestle with it.
Guest Bio: In 2016, Natasha released Lost Marbles: Insights into My Life with Depression & Bipolar. Book Authority named it the second-best manic depression book of all time. Natasha was also named one of the Top 10 mental health influencers by Sharecare.com, and is the proud recipient of an Erasing the Stigma Leadership award from Didi Hirsch.
Additionally, for 15 years, Natasha wrote the award-winning blog "Bipolar Burble," detailing life with bipolar disorder, which has appeared on countless top health blog lists. She also writes "Breaking Bipolar" at HealthyPlace which has earned numerous Web Health Awards.
Natasha has a B.S. in computer science and a background in technology. Her expertise has been sought by academics, businesses and media.
Learn more about Natasha: https://natashatracy.com/
In episode 9, Dr. Murray Zucker, Chief Medical Officer at Happify Health breaks down eating disorders for our listeners. Tune in while Dr. Zucker explains how eating disorders are diagnosed, what the most common warning signs are, and how to find help if you or someone you know may be struggling.
If you or someone you know needs help, please visit the National Eating Disorders Helpline: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline
In this episode, Murray and Brendon talk to Rebecca Eyre, the CEO of Project Heal, a national nonprofit in the U.S. focused on equitable treatment access for people struggling with eating disorders. Eating disorders are a very personal topic for Rebecca as it’s an illness that has impacted many people in her immediate family, including her mother.
Not only are eating disorders misunderstood and misdiagnosed, but the vast majority of misdiagnoses happen to people of color. If you don’t have direct experience with eating disorders, buckle up. You’re going to hear some things about this issue that are going to blow your mind.
Guest Bio: Rebecca Eyre is CEO of Project HEAL, a national nonprofit in the U.S. focused on equitable treatment access for people struggling with eating disorders. Rebecca is a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders and trauma. She’s recognized as an intuitive thought leader and strategist with diverse experience across industries, including mental health, nonprofit, marketing, education, tech, and writing.
About Project HEAL
Project HEAL is a national nonprofit in the U.S. focused on equitable treatment access for people struggling with eating disorders. Project HEAL is the only nonprofit in the U.S. focused on opening doors to eating disorder treatment for people experiencing systemic, healthcare, and financial barriers to healing. We offer free services to our beneficiaries, including treatment placements, insurance navigation support, case management, cash gifts, travel funds, clinical assessments, and impartial treatment recommendations. We're specifically focused on supporting individuals who have marginalized identities of any kind within the eating disorder space.
Sam Gibbs had forty years of experience in the private sector, building healthcare and technology companies. In 2017, Gibb's love and loyalty to his home state of North Carolina led him to leave silicon valley and head home to drive innovation and care delivery transformation as the deputy secretary of Health and Human Services. Two years later, Covid 19 would shut down the country and North Carolina would call on Gibbs to find new and innovative ways to deliver care to at-risk patient populations.
Tags: #podcast #chartinganewcourse
What would you do if every man in your family developed heart disease in their forties? When it happened to Jeff Bennett, he decided to start Higi.
Higi is a medical technology company that creates health station kiosks that anyone can access in supermarkets, pharmacies, and other retail locations.
Most people thought Jeff was crazy when he said he wanted to bring preventive healthcare services to every grocery store and pharmacy in the United States. Today, Higi has more than 10,000 health stations installed in retail locations throughout the country.
Let's face it, the holidays are here and life isn’t quite back to normal. For many, the holiday season is a time of joy, but it can also be a time of stress, anxiety and exhaustion. What can you do? A lot actually! In episode 5 of Charting a New Course our hosts, Brendon Kelly and Dr. Murray Zucker share their top 5 tips to surviving the holidays.
What will it take to actually deliver a 5G broadband infrastructure that reaches every corner of America and closes the “digital divide” that limits access to the Internet for low-income families?
According to Accedian’s vice president of cybersecurity strategy, Mike Rezek, the $800 billion set aside for 5G in the federal infrastructure bill lays the groundwork for closing the digital divide; yet, the access won’t become meaningful until people have access to digital tools that actually make their livesbetter.
What if software could help us prevent migraines or severely limit their frequency?
Migraines are a debilitating form of headache disorder affecting nearly one in six Americans, especially women.
While most people only experience episodic migraines, more than 4 million Americans suffer from chronic migraines, which means they spend half their days in agony because they have 15 or more migraines per month.
In this episode, you’ll meet the head of research at Happify Health as they talk to Brendon and Murray about the promise of digital medicine to help people who suffer from migraines.
How do you transform a healthcare system that, instead of finding cures, profits from peddling medicine? Winston Ball has been trying to answer that question on his 20-year journey as a senior executive in healthcare corporate development.
In the inaugural episode of the Charting a New Course podcast, get to know our hosts, Murray Zucker, M.D., and Brendon Kelly, M.B.A., and understand their motivation for launching this new program.