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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.Timestamps00:00 Introduction: kidney care, CKD, and the challenge after risk identification01:21 Why “next best action” matters in chronic kidney disease care04:57 How clinical teams and AI/ML teams work together06:13 A real-world CKD patient example08:16 Recommendation systems, alert fatigue, and physician trust12:20 Turning care gaps into high-impact clinical action15:52 AI, prediction, and personalization in kidney care20:30 Improving outcomes for CKD stage 3 and stage 4 patients23:10 The financial case for better kidney care coordination25:37 Risk-based contracting and aligned incentives28:27 What health plans and providers should ask vendors30:11 Closing thoughts

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

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.

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

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 – Introduction1:24 – Dr. Montoya’s career, background, and role at Johns Hopkins5:32 – Why systems engineering?9:50 – Clarifying chaos: applying systems thinking in practice15:10 – Case study: large-scale defense health project19:00 – Project management vs. systems engineering in healthcare22:45 – Building “pilot” efforts and measuring outcomes28:00 – 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

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

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

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

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

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

Join host Cole as he sits down with Keeley White, Director of Community Health Programs at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, to explore the real-world challenges and successes of bringing nutritious food directly to patients through innovative clinic partnerships.Keeley White shares her unique journey from clinical dietitian to public health leader, offering firsthand perspectives on addressing rural barriers, transportation issues, and health equity for vulnerable populations. Listeners will learn how the Regional Food Bank’s programs collaborate with hospitals, clinics, and community partners to implement in-clinic food pantries, screen for food insecurity, and connect patients with sustainable nutrition resources. Keeley also unpacks practical strategies for building strong healthcare partnerships, effective grant management in cost-constrained environments, and the importance of piloting solutions tailored to each community’s unique needs.00:00 Introduction and Focus on Equity00:31 Meet Keely White: Director of Community Health Programs01:36 Keely's Journey into Nutrition and Public Health04:56 Challenges in Addressing Food Insecurity in Oklahoma07:44 Innovative Solutions for Rural and Urban Areas12:53 Healthcare Partnership Program Success20:20 Advice for Aspiring Community Health Leaders23:30 Conclusion and Future Prospects

Discover how MultiCare saved $7.5 million on pharmacy costs through innovative supply chain strategy and data-driven leadership. In this episode, Cole from the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy interviews Tyson Frodin, VP of Clinical Pharmacy, Supply Chain, and Technology at MultiCare, for an in-depth discussion on transforming pharmacy operations in a large health system.Tyson Frodin shares practical strategies for centralizing purchasing, leveraging pharmacy automation, and partnering with advanced data analytics firms to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. Learn how MultiCare coordinated purchasing across 13 hospitals, updated their inventory management systems, and used actionable analytics to drive both acute care and retail pharmacy savings. Tyson also breaks down the impact of direct manufacturer contracting, strategic partnerships with companies like Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug, and how these moves not only optimize costs but also enhance patient access and experience—especially in rural and critical access hospitals.Key topics include: pharmacy supply chain optimization, healthcare cost reduction, rural health strategy, 340B management, ambulatory footprint expansion, and the future of pharmacy procurement. If you're a healthcare leader, administrator, or pharmacy professional looking for actionable insights, this conversation is a must-watch.00:00 Introduction to Logistics Savings00:36 Meet Dr. Tyson Frodin01:47 Career Path and Leadership Journey03:43 Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Healthcare05:39 Strategic Growth and Partnerships11:50 Pharmacy Procurement and Cost Savings18:33 Leveraging Data Analytics for Better Outcomes25:59 Future of Pharmacy Supply Chain33:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Cole from The American Journal of Healthcare Strategy sits down with KP Tacconi, Senior Innovation Manager at NYU Langone Health, to break down the realities of human-centered design, innovation strategy, and leading change in academic medical centers.

Dr. Malko shares actionable insights on the challenges and opportunities facing health plans in CKD management, from early identification and care coordination to the vital role of primary care physicians as “quarterbacks” for complex patient needs. She explores how risk-based partnerships between health plans and clinical partners (not just vendors) drive improved outcomes, better data sharing, and real collaboration across care teams.If you’re a health plan leader, executive, or healthcare strategist looking to advance your CKD strategy, this episode is packed with lessons on optimizing care coordination, reducing unnecessary utilization, and building sustainable partnerships.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:26 Dr. Beth Malko's Career Journey03:37 The Importance of Primary Care in Complex Health Systems07:35 Health Plans and Primary Care Collaboration13:55 Selecting the Right Clinical Partners25:49 Challenges and Solutions in Data Management29:30 Primary Care and Specialty Care Integration38:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Don Berwick—Senior Fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and former Administrator of CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)—for an in-depth conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing U.S. healthcare.Dr. Don Berwick shares firsthand insights on running CMS during the rollout of the Affordable Care Act, the founding of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation, and what it means to shift an agency’s culture toward quality and patient-centered care. The discussion explores Medicare Advantage, payment reform, and how privatization and policy changes have shaped the healthcare landscape over the last decade. Dr. Berwick offers a candid assessment of the impact of political leadership, the influence of moneyed interests, and the need for a renewed social contract to achieve meaningful change.Listeners will also hear Dr. Berwick’s advice for the next generation of healthcare leaders: why collaboration, crossing disciplinary boundaries, and holding onto core values are key to progress. This episode is a must-watch for healthcare executives, policymakers, and anyone interested in healthcare strategy, Medicare, health policy, and leadership.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:43 Dr. Don Berwick's Background and Career02:22 Impact of the Affordable Care Act03:50 Challenges and Achievements at CMS06:04 Current State and Future of Healthcare13:04 The Role of Money in Healthcare22:22 Advice for Future Healthcare Leaders24:41 Cross-Disciplinary Learning and Innovation31:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts