Hard Problems, Smart Solutions: The Newfire Podcast

In this episode of “Hard Problems, Smart Solutions,” host Brendan Iglehart, Staff Healthcare Architect at Newfire, speaks with Deven McGraw, Chief Regulatory and Privacy Officer at Citizen Health and one of the nation’s leading voices on patient privacy, data access, and healthcare regulation. Together, they discuss how forward-thinking companies can turn data rights, compliance, and AI regulation into opportunities for differentiation and patient impact. Deven shares her extensive experience in healthcare privacy and regulatory policy, including her influential work with HIPAA at the US Department of Health and Human Services. They discuss the importance of early integration of compliance in product development, the challenges and opportunities in patient data access, and the regulatory landscape affecting health tech startups.

Listeners will gain perspective on how to:
Overcome the “sludge in the pipes” that still blocks seamless patient data access.
Design AI-driven tools that empower patients without crossing regulatory lines.
Build compliance cultures that encourage transparency instead of fear.
Anticipate privacy challenges that could redefine the next five years of digital health.
Turn regulation from a constraint into a strategic advantage for innovation.

In this episode of Hard Problems, Smart Solutions, Brendan Iglehart, Staff Healthcare Architect at Newfire Global Partners interviews Paul Wilder, the Executive Director of CommonWell Health Alliance.
They discuss the importance of not delaying integration in health IT and the incremental advancements in healthcare interoperability. Interoperability, Wilder explains, isn’t about one big breakthrough. It’s about a series of incremental steps that collectively create real progress. From startups building innovative patient tools to nationwide alliances shaping policy, the common thread is clear: the time to act is now.
Paul shares his journey from network support to health IT, emphasizing the significance of data exchange in improving patient care. They explore the role of CommonWell in promoting cross-vendor data availability and the challenges in ensuring patient access to their medical data. The conversation highlights recent governmental efforts, technological advancements in FHIR, and the application of AI in healthcare.
Don’t miss this episode. Tune in to hear Paul Wilder’s insights on the future of patient access and how organizations can navigate the complex, but rewarding, journey toward better data exchange.
00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts
00:28 Welcome to Hard Problems, Smart Solutions
01:36 Meet Paul Wilder: A Journey in Health IT
02:50 Understanding CommonWell Health Alliance
04:09 Challenges and Progress in Patient Data Access
06:39 Government Initiatives and Industry Movements
15:24 The Role of AI in Healthcare Data
18:32 Ensuring Patient Privacy and Data Security
21:13 The Future of FHIR and Interoperability
24:17 Advice for Healthtech Innovators
29:18 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Hard Problems, Smart Solutions from Newfire, host Will Crawford explores the intricacies of building and scaling digital health platforms with Alexis Levine McKenna, Digital Health Product Leader and former Chief Product and Technology Officer at Huddle Up Care. Alexis discusses the importance of integrating clinician and patient feedback into product development, maintaining compliance in healthcare, and leveraging AI to augment, rather than replace, clinical roles. She highlights the significance of rigorous documentation, cross-functional collaboration, and a user-centered approach in navigating the evolving landscape of digital health. The conversation also delves into Alexis's career trajectory, offering insights into achieving scalable technology solutions and driving clinical outcomes while addressing commercial realities.

In this episode of “Hard Problems, Smart Solutions: The Newfire Podcast,” Newfire’s VP of Data & AI, Gordon Wong, sits down with Lauren S. Moores, AI Catalyst and Strategic Advisor, better known as the Data Queen, to talk about the real-world impact of AI, and what it takes to move from buzzwords to meaningful product outcomes.
With over 30 years of experience in data innovation, Lauren shares insights on the critical role of context and storytelling in utilizing Large Language Models (LLMs), the evolving landscape of healthcare data, and the future of AI strategy. The conversation covers her experiences across various industries, practical advice on data strategy, the impact of generative AI, and the importance of focusing on the business problem at hand. Lauren emphasizes the need to stay curious, ask why, and continuously innovate to build meaningful solutions.
00:47 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
01:32 Lauren Moores: The Data Queen
07:18 Challenges and Innovations in Healthcare Data
10:15 The Role of AI in Drug Development and Food Science
18:16 Wearables and Personal Health Data
22:01 AI Strategy vs. AI Theater
27:49 Adapting Systems for AI
28:48 Challenges in Healthcare AI
31:26 The Importance of Storytelling in Data
35:38 Skills for Future Data Professionals
38:59 Building Effective Data Teams
42:35 The Role of BI Tools
49:22 Misconceptions About AI in Healthcare
50:13 Final Thoughts and Advice

From scaling D2C mental health platforms to driving value-based care models, Omar Mousa has seen it all. In the latest episode of “Hard Problems, Smart Solutions: The Newfire Podcast,” Omar joins host Brendan Iglehart, Staff Healthcare Architect at Newfire, to unpack the challenges and lessons from building healthtech products at every stage of growth.
Omar, who most recently served as VP of Product and Engineering at Ventricle Health, shares his perspective on product-market fit, go-to-market experimentation, and making smart build-vs-buy decisions in healthcare.
Brendan and Omar discuss Omar’s experiences across various health tech companies, the lessons he has learned about product development in the sector, and the challenges of navigating both direct-to-consumer and clinical product environments. The conversation delves into topics such as the importance of focusing on core business areas in build versus buy decisions, the role of technology in enhancing patient care, and strategies for effectively engaging patients in value-based care models. Omar also shares his thoughts on the evolving landscape of health tech and the impact of AI on handling unstructured data. Tune in to gain strategic insights on scaling health tech operations and developing impactful healthcare products.

00:00 Introduction to Hard Problems, Smart Solutions
00:38 Guest Introduction: Omar Mousa
01:37 Omar's Career Journey in Healthcare Technology
08:40 Challenges in Healthcare Technology
15:51 The Role of AI in Healthcare
17:51 Navigating Healthcare's Complex Stakeholder Mix
22:47 Gathering and Utilizing User Feedback
24:03 User Feedback and Instrumentation
24:53 Patient Reported Outcome Measures
25:32 Build vs Buy Decisions in Product Development
27:03 Challenges of Buying All Solutions
28:37 Pitfalls of Building All Solutions
30:01 Advantages of a Hybrid Approach
30:27 Stages of Company Growth and Product Strategy
32:26 Considerations for Buy Decisions
36:13 Considerations for Build Decisions
37:34 Navigating D2C vs Clinical Product Development
39:02 Improving Patient Engagement in VBC Workflows
43:21 Final Thoughts and Contact Information