Professional. Polished. Accomplished. Thoughtful. Made It. Ready to Make It. “Inspiring Women” is an interview show hosted by Laurie McGraw. 30 years of leadership in both commercial companies and non-profits has taught Laurie one thing: Women need women. Women need Inspiring Women. Hear short-form interviews every week from Inspiring Women who are at the pinnacle of their careers and Inspired Women who are just starting out.
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Professional. Polished. Accomplished. Thoughtful. Made It. Ready to Make It. “Inspiring Women” is an interview show hosted by Laurie McGraw. 30 years of leadership in both commercial companies and non-profits has taught Laurie one thing: Women need women. Women need Inspiring Women. Hear short-form interviews every week from Inspiring Women who are at the pinnacle of their careers and Inspired Women who are just starting out.
The Cancer Survivor Revolutionizing Cancer Care with AI and Human Touch || Ep.220
Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw
23 minutes
3 weeks ago
The Cancer Survivor Revolutionizing Cancer Care with AI and Human Touch || Ep.220
"The worst part of cancer is the wait. Just waiting and waiting to hear and waiting to talk to someone involved in your care. We can be there 24/7 to essentially understand whether there may be SDOH needs—I need a ride to treatment, I need someone to watch my dog, I have issues paying my electric bill."
From navigating her own cancer diagnosis with insider healthcare knowledge to becoming Chief Growth Officer at Reimagine Care, Ann Stadjuhar is on a mission to ensure no patient faces their cancer journey alone. After 20+ years revolutionizing digital health—from women's health to standing up big centers during the pandemic—she's now tackling what she calls her "capstone": transforming cancer care through AI-powered companionship that never sleeps.
Ann's personal cancer experience while working at Optum revealed a harsh truth: even with her extensive healthcare expertise, inside knowledge of case volumes, and connections to top surgeons, navigating treatment was overwhelming. Her uncle wasn't so fortunate; by the time he reached MD Anderson from rural New Mexico, inadequate local treatment had made his cancer inoperable.
"Sometimes people are honestly more comfortable with the bot," Ann explains, challenging assumptions about AI in healthcare. "They'll tell REMI, our AI solution, that they're having these challenges more readily, and we can escalate it quickly to get them the resources they need." It's this blend of 24/7 AI availability with human expertise—what she calls "AI plus human in the loop"—that attracted her to Reimagine Care after first encountering them at the Cancer X Accelerator.
In this episode of Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw, Ann reveals:
Why one in four people will face cancer—and how AI can transform their journey
The hidden complexities of cancer care that even insiders struggle to navigate
How her Meta glasses and AI tools multiply her capabilities "times four"
Why patients often open up more to AI than human caregivers about their struggles
The 18-month health system adoption cycle that's literally costing lives
What working through "the gauntlet" of healthcare for 20+ years taught her about innovation
How her 20-year-old daughter keeps her learning about the next generation's use of AI
Her advice: "Stay curious, stay true to yourself, and know what you care about"
"Cancer, healthcare, it's endless. There will never be a mastery of it. There will never be an end to what I can learn."
From launching pharmaceuticals to scaling CRMs and population health platforms, Ann Stadjuhar has spent two decades preparing for this moment. At Reimagine Care, she's not just applying her expertise—she's combining personal experience, technological innovation, and deep empathy to ensure no cancer patient waits alone in fear. Her motto, "stay curious," drives her to constantly explore how AI can enhance rather than replace human connection, creating a future where every patient has a companion through their darkest hours.
Because for Ann, this isn't just business—it's personal. And that makes all the difference.
Chapters
03:03 - Cancer's Complexity: When Fear Meets Treatment Options
06:54 - From Patient to Advocate: Ann's Personal Cancer Journey
10:15 - Never Alone: 24/7 AI Companionship for Cancer Patients
12:50 - From Launching Drugs to Leading Cancer Innovation
16:23 - Breaking Through Healthcare's 18-Month Adoption Problem
18:02 - Becoming Bionic: How AI Multiplies Human Capabilities
19:45 - Stay Curious: Advice for Healthcare's Next Generation
Guest & Host Links
Connect with Laurie McGraw on LinkedIn
Connect with Ann Stadjuhar on LinkedIn
Connect with Inspiring Women
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Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw
Professional. Polished. Accomplished. Thoughtful. Made It. Ready to Make It. “Inspiring Women” is an interview show hosted by Laurie McGraw. 30 years of leadership in both commercial companies and non-profits has taught Laurie one thing: Women need women. Women need Inspiring Women. Hear short-form interviews every week from Inspiring Women who are at the pinnacle of their careers and Inspired Women who are just starting out.
