Contributor: Katherine Clark, MD'15, WG’15

As we move into the new year, the WHCMAA board members continue to strive to strengthen our alumni community. We hope the more intimate events offered in 2024 and at the JPM Conference provided the opportunity to connect on a deeper level, share industry insights, and build the supportive community we all value. Read more.

This eclectic standing column features insightful musings, words of wisdom, life lessons, and stepping-stones to business success. This month's philosopher is Smita Jain, WG’05, Partner at Sage Tree Collective, a consulting firm which offers a health tech accelerator, biotech market evaluations, patient access journeys, and strategy from access to execution. Read more.

Contributors: Sean Zabaneh and Victoria Hawekotte

Employees and health plan participants have recently filed lawsuits in two separate cases against their employers, Wells Fargo and Johnson & Johnson (“J&J”), alleging the companies and group health plan fiduciaries mismanaged group health plans by paying excessive fees for pharmaceutical benefits. While both cases are still pending, they serve as a notice to healthcare businesses of the potential for similar litigation. Read more.

Contributor: Arpit Khemka

Addressing anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns is crucial in providing effective treatment for musculoskeletal conditions. In Part 4 of this article series, we will explore the interconnection between behavioral health and MSK care and discuss the importance of addressing mental health concerns in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. Read more. 

Contributor: Ben Katz, WH'02, W'02, NURS'02

In recent years, telehealth has transformed the way patients access medical care, making it more convenient and accessible than ever. And, as with any service, patient satisfaction hinges on the quality of the customer care experience. Learn tips from Wharton HCM grad, Ben Katz, a serial entrepreneur and CEO and co-founder of Happy Head. Read more. 

Contributor: Carl Fitch

Although Physician Advisors have been around for a little over a decade, since the dawning of the two-midnight rule in 2013, it is still a relatively new and evolving physician specialty role. It is rapidly gaining in recognition and importance due to its potential to significantly impact the bottom line and improve physician well-being for many healthcare systems. Read more.

Contributor: Vidya Murthy, WEMBA’42 

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and large language models (LLMs) into healthcare has impacted many aspects of patient care and operational efficacy but also introduced new challenges. Read more.

Contributors: Wren Keber, Lisa Soroka, and Z. Colette Edwards, WG'84, MD, 85

Electronic health records (EHRs) have long been heralded as a transformative technology in healthcare, promising to streamline operations, enhance patient care, collect data, and improve overall efficiency. Learn some keys to success for EHR disruption in Part 2 of this series. Read more. 

Contributor: Jillian Bowman

In Part 2 of this article series, I will cover the changes needed to overcome man-made barriers which limit not just the ADHDer but also negatively impact us all collectively. One such crucial area is the need for the scientific community and society at large to adopt a more balanced and nuanced understanding of ADHD. We need to start investing in studies that determine optimal environments for all neurotypes to thrive. Read more.

Contributor: Michael J. Charlton

The traditional healthcare model, designed to manage care and the flow of operations within the four walls of its facilities, is outdated and no longer sustainable. At AtlantiCare, we are committed to leading the change that healthcare needs through Vision 2030, our ambitious six-year strategy plan that reimagines how healthcare is delivered – prioritizing patients’ well-being and community wellness first. Read more.

Contributors: Linda Roszak Burton, ACC, BBC, BS and Betsy Chapin Taylor, FAHP

The concept of burnout encompasses emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a decreased sense of personal accomplishment. However, a powerful protective factor exists — meaning derived from purpose-filled work. Read more. 

Contributors: Carey Gallagher and Tom Bonner

A culture preset is a way to take the temperature of an organization, going beyond employee engagement to understand the kinds of specific working agreements and success factors that have laid the groundwork for the current state. The preset can give leaders data on what kinds of things will be disrupted by the change ahead, and a way to flag focal points as the environment changes for their people. With these insights, leaders can develop an action plan for strengthening trust through a time of uncertainty.  Read more. 

Contributors: Barbara Handelin, Ph.D. and Karyn Polak

The biotech and biopharmaceutical (biomedical) industries are failing us, medically and economically. We have the science to serve us better; but we need the right market participants to truly deliver greater coverage, access, and outcomes. Read more. 

Contributor: Christian DiGiacomo, WG’25

Last semester (Spring 2024), WGHV partnered with two client organizations in Bangalore, India, to solve some of their most impactful business problems – (1) Wysa, a company focused on improving mental health for previously underserved groups through its app-based, artificial intelligence-supported chatbot that provides clinical-level mental healthcare and (2) Proactive for Her, a leading provider of women’s healthcare services in Bangalore. Read more.