Hope, Power and Karaoke?
This week, our hosts come together, in the middle of conference season, to create their own Conference Survival and Thrival Guide.
This episode is essential for innovators who are trying to make a dent in the world, and get their product seen and heard by the right people, especially at industry gatherings.
Melissa gives some of her best tips and tricks on maximizing your time, leveraging your connections, and being open to unplanned conversations and experiences.
Chris and Melissa also tackle the topic of rising costs and systemic barriers that are taking a toll on the healthcare environment. Sharing posts from LinkedIn about driving costs for both medical expenses and operational expenses.
This episode is your “one-stop shop” for all things conferencing, you won’t want to miss it.
Links from today’s episode:
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:Edited by Alyssa SchrollMusic by Chris Hemphill
Are you defining your elite capacity?
This week, we are diving deep into the exhaustion crisis that’s plaguing achievers, leaders and innovators. Hosts Chris and Melissa welcome author, speaker, and Elite Energy Coach, Bree Bacon, to resupply our fam with personal strategies needed to keep showing up for yourselves.
Bree introduces herself and her debut book, Your Elite Energy. Her guide to combating personal burnout, while replenishing your energy using both research and her own experiences.
She walks us through her own “crash and burn” experience as a corporate executive, triggered by the intense pressure of balancing her demanding career with personal losses and the arrival of her miracle baby.
Our conversation with Bree highlights a critical truth: we are not robots, we are humans.
Connect with Bree Bacon and Your Elite Energy!
Find Bree’s book, Your Elite Energy here:
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Elite-Energy-Blueprint-Vitality/dp/B0FCC6WHQF
Visit her website below for social links and accelerator programs:
https://www.breebacon.com/
Listen to music by Bree here, or wherever you get your music:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xFrzxxxlIwIXWn7xIsmQL?si=CZtYri1SSgecHhGU6uSocQ
https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCWBPIZE55NINsMuPPHnCBsQ
Listen to music by Bree’s husband, Neil Bacon here, or wherever you get your music:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1DT6EgWljxtu3KO6oJHqah?si=wubqPooTTTa3qQvH5CfmoA
Neil’s new song, “Like No Other”:https://open.spotify.com/track/4efsopOHAZmpCAeYu46OMO?si=eecb4e0dc7fc4d47https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=p8tbzarnPiY
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:
Edited by Alyssa SchrollMusic by Chris Hemphill
Dropping the gate, re-anchoring and recharging.
We’re back for another one, as our hosts Melissa and Chris embrace the good chaos, flexibility and agility that defines both building innovation and navigating life. From the annual frenzy of open enrollment, to the importance of owning your expertise and the challenges of thoughtful AI deployment.
Our hosts tackle the reoccurring theme of “Don’t Gatekeep Yourself”, prompted by a recent LinkedIn post from Cristina Farr. This post discussed accomplished, professional women who often decline opportunities to be featured publicly. Exploring why it happens, and calling on the HPH fam to own your expertise and to recognize you were selected for a reason!
Melissa and Chris also share thoughts on the current, tangible, impacts of the government shutdown. With promises to explore the long-lasting cuts and irreversible changes this event may cause in a future episode.
Don’t Miss:
The Ending Clinician Burnout Summit runs November 6th-7th: Register now with code HPHFAM for a 25% discount.
If you’re attending HLTH 2025 in Las Vegas, come meet Melissa at the Zeel Medical Massage Booth!
Let us know in the comments: Have you ever turned down a speaking or thought leadership opportunity even though you were perfectly capable? We want to hear your stories, and help hype you up!
Links from Today’s Episode:
Christina Farr’s LinkedIn Post:
As always, Join Our Conversation, with like-minded innovators and HPH fam! https://discord.gg/CcaqGFag
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:Edited by Alyssa SchrollMusic by Chris Hemphill
Welcome back fam! After much traveling for both of our hosts, Chris and Melissa are back to dive into a massive week, spanning policy, cutting-edge predictive AI, and real-world innovation.
This episode is all about the power healthcare leaders and innovators have to transform systems, starting with accountability and transparency.
Chris details his incredible speaking opportunity, in Washington D.C. at the Congressional Black Caucus, and shares the problem of bias with algorithms trained on existing healthcare data, often reflecting historical injustices.
Melissa pivots to Dr. Eric Topal’s analysis of a groundbreaking new approach to predictive modeling, using a transformer architecture. But, the fundamental hurdle remains: the current fee-for-service system, doesn’t effectively pay for prevention.
Lastly, our hosts revisit the Jobs to be Done framework, applying this gold-standard to the interviewing process, to avoid biased answers.
As always, Join Our Conversation, with like-minded innovators and HPH fam! https://discord.gg/CcaqGFag
Links from Today’s Episode:
Primary Prevention in Medicine (Dr. Eric Topal, Ground Truths):
https://erictopol.substack.com/p/dawn-of-a-new-era-of-primary-prevention
Panel from NAACP:
Dr. Craig Watkins: https://journalism.utexas.edu/faculty/s-craig-watkins
Dr. Nicole Turner Lee: https://www.brookings.edu/people/nicol-turner-lee/
Dr. Tony Price
Dr. Chris Pernell: https://www.drchrispernell.com/
Jobs to Be Done Theory from the Christensen Institute:
https://www.christenseninstitute.org/theory/jobs-to-be-done/
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:Edited by Alyssa SchrollMusic by Chris Hemphill
Mental health tech paradox: AI chatbots advising suicide yet other rigorous digital tools lowering attempts by 58%
This week, Chris and Melissa tackle one of the most difficult, yet vital, conversations in modern health innovation, recorded on World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th). The two delve into the stark contrast between technology’s promises, and its unintended dangers in the mental health space.
They discuss how the immense power of technology, specifically LLMs, can go wrong when unchecked. Talking about a recent lawsuit against OpenAI, where an AI chatbot was accused of assisting a high-risk 16-year-old with carrying out suicide.
They also dive into the profound findings from a randomised control trial, involving We Therapeutics and its digital therapeutic intervention for inpatients with elevated suicide risk
This episode’s underscores the necessity of authenticity in life and work. The importance of listening to clients’ needs and sticking to core values. Focusing on progress and supporting mission-driven work, allows innovators to band together to “do more with less” and keep pushing for better outcomes.
If you or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts, know you are not alone. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone.
Links from today’s episode:
Parents suing OpenAI and Sam Altman allege ChatGPT coached their 16-year-old into taking his own life. (Fortune):
https://fortune.com/2025/08/26/adam-raine-openai-sam-altman-wrongful-death-lawsuit-suicide/
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:Edited by Alyssa SchrollMusic by Chris Hemphill
Welcome to a deeply powerful, and impactful episode of Hope, Power and Healthcare. Join hosts Chris Hemphill and Melissa Reilly as they dive into the crucial intersection of clinician burnout and art and policy.
This isn’t just a conversation; it’s a call to action to address the pervasive challenges facing healthcare professionals today.
In this special episode, we’re honored to feature:
Dr. Jonathan Fisher, a cardiologist and visionary behind the Ending Clinician Burnout Global Community and Summit. Dr. Fisher shares his personal journey through burnout, and how curiosity led him to positive psychology and a mission to create spaces for healthcare workers to share their stories. Don’t miss his book “Just One Heart”, which offers best practices for individuals struggling with burnout.
Jeremy Rosario, the heart and hands behind “The Disposables” Project. Jeremy unveils this moving passion project, which transforms discarded medical equipment and supplied into powerful art portraits of doctors who died by suicide. We discover how The Disposables project directly influenced public policy, leading to the removal of invasive, stigmatizing mental health questions from clinician credentialing in many states.
Join us for this essential conversation about supporting our healthcare heroes and building a brighter, more compassionate future for medicine.
Don’t miss the 4th Annual Ending Clinician Burnout Global Summit, November 6th and 7th. Use code HPH2025, for a special 25% discount on admission.
Links from Our Episode:Learn more about Jeremy’s work: https://www.disappearingdoctors.com/
Dr. Jonathan Fisher’s Book:https://www.amazon.com/Just-One-Heart-Cardiologists-Happiness-ebook/dp/B0D1526W7D
Register for the 2025 ECB Summit:https://endingclinicianburnout.com/Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:
Edited by Alyssa SchrollMusic by Chris Hemphill
Debunking the 95% AI failure rate, diving into the MIT study for healthcare innovators, and new insights from SCAN.
Join Chris and Melissa for yet another exciting episode of Hope, Power and Healthcare! This week, the hosts discuss an MIT study about the high failure rate of AI in business, offering a “No Hot Takes” approach, crucial for healthcare innovators.
Melissa touches on her insights and networking tips from recent conference experiences, and tips from Susan Rowan’s book, “How to Work a Room”.
Chris applauds SCAN’s “Healthcare is Broken” ad campaign, for its ability to hit a nerve in the industry.
The hosts encourage listeners to cultivate endurance, commitment, resilience and grit in their innovation journeys, comparing the process to running a marathon.
Join the Conversation: Join like-minded innovators and get in on the latest news in the healthcare space on Discord! https://discord.gg/CcaqGFag
Links from Today’s Episode:
The GenAI Divide: State of AI in Business 2025 (MIT):https://mlq.ai/media/quarterly_decks/v0.1_State_of_AI_in_Business_2025_Report.pdf
Scan Declares “Health Insurance is Broken” in New National Campaign (Fierce Healthcare):https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/scan-declares-health-insurance-broken-new-national-campaign
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:
Edited by Alyssa SchrollMusic by Chris Hemphill
Forget demographics - discover the powerful secret to understanding healthcare behavior, and driving real change!
This week, our hosts Melissa and Chris are joined by Ann Somers Hogg, Lead Healthcare Researcher at the Clayton Christensen Institute. Ann shares her unique journey in healthcare innovation and dives deep into the transformative power of the Jobs to be Done theory.
They also discuss the Christensen Institute’s paper, applying JTBD to reducing sugary drink consumption in children, specifically focusing on low-income populations where consumption is higher.
This episode offers a crucial framework for anyone innovating in healthcare, from startups to large health systems, and provides actionable insights for personal health decisions.
Connect with us!
Join the Conversation: Join like-minded innovators and get in on the latest news in the healthcare space on Discord! https://discord.gg/CcaqGFag
Links from Today’s Episode:
Follow Ann Somers Hogg on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-somers-hogg-ba4a9121/
Jobs to Be Done Theory from the Christensen Institute:
https://www.christenseninstitute.org/theory/jobs-to-be-done/
Less Sugar, More Life Paper:
https://www.christenseninstitute.org/publication/sugary-drinks/
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:
Edited by Alyssa SchrollMusic by Chris Hemphill
Can AI replace your therapist in 10 years? Better yet, can AI replace YOU?
In this week’s episode of Hope, Power and Healthcare, hosts Chris Hemphill and Melissa Reilly talk innovator summits, the future of “agentification”, and the 8 most critical tips for selling women’s health tech to payers.
Melissa draws on her over 20 years of experience at major healthcare organizations like Evernorth, Cigna, Optum Ventures and UHG to provide valuable insights for mission-driven founders and innovators, navigating the complex health tech landscape.
The hosts also converse on the concept of “agentification” - the automation of tasks and core service offerings using AI and if this approach is viable in the behavioral health or traditional therapy space.
Connect with us!
You still have time to vote for Chris’s SXSW Panel! Head over to sxsw.com to vote, search for the session title - “Can AI Unlock the Next Frontier in Mental Healthcare?”, and tap the heart!
Join the Conversation: Join like-minded innovators and get in on the latest news in the healthcare space on Discord! https://discord.gg/CcaqGFag
Links from today’s episode:
8 Insider Lessons from a Payer Industry Veteran:
https://www.newsletter.inwomenshealth.com/p/jobs-in-women-s-health-august-11-2025
Visit The Thyme, a Berkshires Mountain Hideaway with Soul:
The Thyme – Retreat to Wonderland
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:
Edited by Alyssa SchrollMusic by Chris Hemphill
Your pitch is broken - here’s how to fix it.
In this episode, our hosts Chris and Melissa pull back the curtain on the art (and science) of pitching in healthcare. From metaphors that miss the mark, to crystal-clear pitches that spark interest, they break down what works, what doesn’t, and how to make your message stick.
Chris announces his participation in an upcoming South by Southwest panel alongside Dr. Jessica Jackson (Mental Health America), Steve Duke, and Dr. Andy Blackwell (ISO). They’ll discuss how AI can create more personalized, equitable, and effective care, “the right way”, with strong ethics and accountability. You can help bring their message to the stage by voting at sxsw.com - open until August 24th!
They also reflect on the current VC landscape, noting that what used to be a “seed” round has multiplied, and VCs are increasingly asking “Where’s your AI?”.
Connect with us!
Vote for Chris’s SXSW Panel: head over to sxsw.com to vote, search for the session title “Can AI Unlock the Next Frontier in Mental Healthcare?”, and tap the heart!
Join The Conversation: We’d love to hear your pitches and innovator insights. Connect with us on Discord for tons of discussion! https://discord.gg/CcaqGFag
Links from today’s episode:
VC Investment in AI is Skyrocketing: (IT Pro)https://www.itpro.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/vc-investment-in-ai-is-skyrocketing-funding-in-the-first-half-of-2025-was-more-than-the-whole-of-last-year-says-ey?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:
Edited by Alyssa SchrollMusic by Chris Hemphill
Is AI threatening your job AND your well-being? Find out how to thrive in the digital world.
In this episode of Hope, Power and Health care, Melissa and Chris explore how we stay grounded in the rapidly evolving world. They take a deep dive into the revolutionary impact of Artificial Intelligence on our lives and our healthcare landscape, and explore the intriguing and sometimes alarming possibilities of the digital age.
They also share their take on the White House AI Action Plan, and nod to the transparency and cost-effectiveness for use by innovators, and the concern that job displacements may be on the rise.
Chris and Melissa also discuss an article on Physicians Perspectives on Prior Authorization Reform, and the importance of cross-departmental collaboration to prevent burnout across all healthcare staff.
Like, share, and subscribe for more Hope, Power and Healthcare!
Join our community on Discord to continue the conversation!https://discord.gg/CcaqGFag
Links:White House AI Action Plan:https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Americas-AI-Action-Plan.pdf
Physician Perspectives on Prior Auth Reform:https://www.forbes.com/sites/sachinjain/2025/06/29/physician-perspectives-on-prior-authorization-reform/
Microsoft’s 40 Jobs Most and Least AI-Applicable:https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alliekmiller_microsoft-just-released-their-list-of-the-activity-7353864207102009345-E5yG/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAG4dk8B7FNW_1ag1B9259roypJ8QSpelk0Hosts:
Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:Edited by Alyssa SchrollMusic by Chris Hemphill
Is it possible to redesign healthcare delivery, not from the top down, but from the ground up - with clinicians leading the way?
In this week’s episode, Chris and Melissa host a special LIVE event with Cathryn Connolley, discussing the challenges of innovating and growing a startup in the heavily regulated and competitive healthcare industry.
Cathryn, CEO of Doctivity Health, shares her journey from a leadership role at Geisinger to founding Doctivity. She highlights the importance of deep industry knowledge, strategic partnerships, and a strong team to secure wins against larger competitors.
Doctivity Health, an advanced PRM platform, was designed to help healthcare organizations grow faster and smarter. The platform focuses on transforming healthcare delivery through actionable data, transparency, and aligned physician engagement.
To learn more about Doctivity Health, click the link🔗: https://www.doctivityhealth.com/
💻Join Our Discord!: https://discord.gg/CcaqGFag
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:
Edited by Alyssa Schroll
Music by Chris Hemphill
How deep is the mental health data gap - and who's paying the price?
In this episode of Hope, Power and Healthcare, Chris and Melissa break down MHA's massive dataset on mental healthcare trends, the high societal and personal cost of inequity, and the beginning of a much larger conversation, about Medicare's prior authorization.
Mental Health Inequities Cost Report: https://meharryglobal.org/mental-health-inequities-cost-the-us-more-than-477-billion-today-and-could-increase-to-14-trillion-by-2040-if-unaddressed-according-to-analysis-by-deloitte-and-meharry-school-of-global-health/
MHA's Massive Dataset: https://mhanational.org/data-in-your-community/mha-state-county-data/
For People Building Data Products (Kevin Holland in Health Tech Nerds):https://www.kevintholland.com/pricing-data-points-and-predictions-data-product-pricing-frameworks/
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Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:
Edited by Alyssa Schroll
Music by Chris Hemphill
They said AI could save lives - so why is it falling behind?
In this episode, Chris and Melissa dive deep into the collison of AI ethics and real-world applications. From the hard lessons behind Woebot's shutdown, to the trusted benchmark of Milliman's care guidelines. They also visit the big question: How do we create ethical guardrails for AI in sensitive domains?
Ethical Guidance for AI in the Practice of Health Service Psychology (APA Courtesy Kay Nikiforova):https://www.apa.org/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning/ethical-guidance-professional-practice.pdf
Why Woebot Shut Down (Mario Aguilar: STAT):https://www.statnews.com/2025/07/02/woebot-therapy-chatbot-shuts-down-founder-says-ai-moving-faster-than-regulators/
Milliman Care Guidelines Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KOGZg2s8cI
🔗Join our Discord Conversation!
https://discord.gg/XmT79szm
Hosts:
Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:
Edited by Alyssa Schroll
Music by Chris Hemphill
In this episode, Melissa & Chris chat with Melissa Fors Shackelford, a senior marketing executive, fractional CMO, advisor, and most recently - published author.
They also discuss recent announcements to reform prior authorization, and social media use in college.
Melissa brings her over 25 years of experience at top healthcare organizations, such as Optum, Hazelden Betty Ford, and Cigna's Evernorth, to the conversation and dives into the intersection of marketing, inclusivity and authenticity.
🔗Check out Melissa's book: https://a.co/d/cWfppgw
RFK Jr and Dr. Oz announce insurers' 'pledge' to reform prior authorization - MSN: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/rfk-jr-and-dr-oz-announce-insurers-pledge-to-reform-prior-authorization/ar-AA1HhoW0?ocid=msedgntp&pc=asts&cvid=bb7ea324c5fd492c8523f19d52d9d684&ei=30
Social Media in College - Behavioral Health Tech:https://www.behavioralhealthtech.com/insights/social-media-in-college-the-impact
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:
Edited by Alyssa Schroll
Music by Chris Hemphill
They say food is fuel - but what if it could also be medicine? In this episode, Chris and Melissa sit down with Emily Brown, Co-Founder and CEO of Attane Health, to explore how food can power personal and community health.
Emily - who draws on her own experiences as a former Medicaid beneficiary and a parent managing chronic health conditions - reimagines healthcare by empowering underserved families with personalized, nutritious food options.
Attane Health delivers culturally tailored groceries, one-on-one telehealth coaching, and food prescriptions in collaboration with health plans to help manage chronic conditions, emphasizing that “food is medicine”.
Join us for an inspiring conversation on turning food into actionable medicine, and transforming policy, systems and individual lives.
🔗Learn more about Attane Health: https://attane-health.com/about-us/
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Production:
Edited by Alyssa Schroll
Music by Chris Hemphill
What's scarier: dying with regrets, failing your sales pitch, or losing your research funding?
In this week's episode, Chris and Melissa talk regrets, sales secrets, and grant drama.
The 5 Most Common Deathbed Regrets: https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/the-five-most-common-deathbed-regrets-as-told-to-instagram-star-hospice-nurses/ar-AA1GnE5y?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=4763b931e2b54de0b75762d2e90a84bf&ei=20
10 Laws of Selling Health Tech to Health Systems: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/joshuapliu_10-laws-for-selling-health-tech-activity-7338309534106439680-YSBu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAG4dk8B7FNW_1ag1B9259roypJ8QSpelk0
NIH Walks Back DEI Ban: https://www.statnews.com/2025/06/09/nih-rescinds-dei-ban-israel-boycotts-grants-says-awaiting-further-government-wide-guidance/
Hosts:
Chris Hemphill
Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly
Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Have you ever sent something to the wrong person?
This week, Melissa and Chris talk about UnitedHealth's leaked "talking points", and their own experiences with workplace communication mishaps.
Leaked: UnitedHealth's 'talking points' to appease worried investors:https://healthexec.com/topics/healthcare-management/business-intelligence/leaked-unitedhealths-talking-points-appease-worried-investors
Also, Omada Health Goes Public:STAT News - Mario Aguilar: Executives reflect on why profits elusive as Omada goes public:http://statnews.com/2025/06/06/omada-health-ceo-sean-duffy-digital-health-elusive-profits/HIT Consultant - Fred Pennic: Omada Health Soars in NASDAQ Debut:https://hitconsultant.net/2025/06/06/omada-health-soars-in-nasdaq-debut
Diversity Aware Population Modeling Framework (New tool to battle AI bias):Nature - Nicole Osayande: Quantifying associations between socio-spatial factors and cognitive development in the ABCD cohort: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43588-025-00774-0
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.com
Melissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
What’s the Next Wave of Medicare/Medicaid innovation going to look like?
STAT News Report on Medicare Tech RFI:
Key Goal: Effective and responsible adoption of technology can empower patients to make better decisions for their health and well-being
Respond with text, screenshots, OR VIDEO!
Like: Calls for interoperability, emphasis on digital health tools & care navigation, call to hear from patients along with typical stakeholders
Still calling value based care a cornerstone
Direct input into future API decisions for Blue Button
Addresses rural healthcare disparities
RFI Submissions So Far:
Getting Personal: Behavioral Health Tech's New Series on Mental Health & Disability
New Series from Behavioral Health Tech explores intersection between disability and mental health
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.comMelissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.
Why do nurses hate pizza? Hint: we’re not talking about flavor or nutrition.
Are digital mental health solutions clinically effective? Do they drive ROI? Melissa & Chris deep dive into a new study by PHTI, which examines clinical impact and financial returns, and it isn’t biased by vendor funding.
PLUS
Dean Browell, Chief Behavioral Officer at Feedback, discusses DEEPER standards of evidence than clinical and financial metrics. He puts serious context around it by discussing what they learned about clinician burnout months before any surveys identified issues.
Perhaps Dean will tell you why nurses hate pizza.
PHTI Study on Digital Mental Health: https://phti.org/assessment/virtual-solutions-anxiety-depression/
Silver Lining for Starting Business in a Choppy Economy - https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-says-there-s-a-silver-lining-for-people-starting-businesses-in-a-choppy-economy
Hosts:Chris Hemphill - Chris’s 17 years in healthcare technology have spanned sales, operations, data science IC, and AI leadership. Chris couples this with a focus on health equity and serves as the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research Fellow for Healthcare AI. Chris’s currently leads Modular Feedback, which focuses on helping healthcare innovators find and build thoughtful AI use cases: https://modularfeedback.comMelissa Reilly - Melissa spent the last 20 years leading innovations at major payers: UnitedHealth Group(Optum Ventures), Aetna, and Evernorth/Cigna. She’s helped drive and commercialize multiple startups in AI & consumer testing, and she is now driving product and commercialization for healthcare innovators full-time. She brings industry expertise as well as a background in law, negotiation, & real estate. Her company’s name is STLTH.