Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women. Conditions like heart disease and stroke kill more women each year than breast cancer, lung cancer and chronic lung disease combined.

As awareness of cardiovascular risk grows, one cardiologist argues that wearable technology could play an increasingly important role in women's heart health. Ami Bhatt, M.D., is chief medical officer of WHOOP and former chief innovation officer at the American College of Cardiology. Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with Bhatt about the potential of wearable health data and why including women in the development of new technologies is so important.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Medical societies release female-specific framework for cardiovascular disease prevention, care 
Whoop expands Advanced Labs to non-members, adds Grail’s multi-cancer detection test to lineup 
ARPA-H launches $63M effort to build FDA-authorized AI agents for heart failure care 

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women. Conditions like heart disease and stroke <a href="https://newsroom.heart.org/news/research-adds-to-knowledge-about-heart-disease-and-stroke-in-women-of-all-ages">kill more women</a> each year than breast cancer, lung cancer and chronic lung disease combined.
As awareness of cardiovascular risk grows, one cardiologist argues that wearable technology could play an increasingly important role in women's heart health. Ami Bhatt, M.D., is chief medical officer of WHOOP and former chief innovation officer at the American College of Cardiology. Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with Bhatt about the potential of wearable health data and why including women in the development of new technologies is so important.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/new-female-specific-framework-cardiovascular-disease-prevention-and-care" aria-label="Link Medical societies release female-specific framework for cardiovascular disease prevention, care">Medical societies release female-specific framework for cardiovascular disease prevention, care</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/whoop-expands-advanced-labs-offering-non-members-adds-grails-multi-cancer-detection" aria-label="Link Whoop expands Advanced Labs to non-members, adds Grail&rsquo;s multi-cancer detection test to lineup">Whoop expands Advanced Labs to non-members, adds Grail&rsquo;s multi-cancer detection test to lineup</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/ai-and-machine-learning/arpa-h-launches-63m-cardiovascular-ai-initiative-naming-updoc-tempus-ai" aria-label="Link ARPA-H launches $63M effort to build FDA-authorized AI agents for heart failure care">ARPA-H launches $63M effort to build FDA-authorized AI agents for heart failure care</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Wearables, AI and women's heart health

Clinical AI must prove its value beyond a controlled demo. In this sponsored episode of Podnosis, host Irena Luo speaks with Chad Dodd, vice president of product management at Athenahealth, about how healthcare leaders can evaluate AI governance, safety and performance. Dodd explains why organizations should examine how a solution handles real-world data, edge cases and workflow variation, not only its ideal output. He discusses governance across the product development lifecycle, including testing for bias, accuracy and data validity, as well as validation across specialties, datasets and patient samples.

The conversation also covers practical clinician oversight through clear labeling of AI-generated information and links to source content. After deployment, Dodd says organizations should monitor model outputs, drift, telemetry, feature adoption and user feedback. For practices comparing AI partners, the discussion highlights four priorities: demonstrated workflow value, data privacy and security, transparent failure points, and evidence that the technology delivers its intended result safely and compliantly. Listen to the full podcast to learn more.

Clinical AI must prove its value beyond a controlled demo. In this sponsored episode of Podnosis, host Irena Luo speaks with Chad Dodd, vice president of product management at Athenahealth, about how healthcare leaders can evaluate AI governance, safety and performance. Dodd explains why organizations should examine how a solution handles real-world data, edge cases and workflow variation, not only its ideal output. He discusses governance across the product development lifecycle, including testing for bias, accuracy and data validity, as well as validation across specialties, datasets and patient samples.
The conversation also covers practical clinician oversight through clear labeling of AI-generated information and links to source content. After deployment, Dodd says organizations should monitor model outputs, drift, telemetry, feature adoption and user feedback. For practices comparing AI partners, the discussion highlights four priorities: demonstrated workflow value, data privacy and security, transparent failure points, and evidence that the technology delivers its intended result safely and compliantly. Listen to the full podcast to learn more.

How to Evaluate Clinical AI Beyond the Demo (Sponsored)

Pediatric developmental care is notoriously difficult to navigate. Providers often find it challenging to accept insurance, and provider shortages mean long waitlists for families at a time when every day without care counts.

One startup operating in Southern California aims to simplify pediatric therapy and improve care coordination. Village offers a two-sided platform that streamlines communication between providers and families and brings documentation together in one secure place. Families can find providers through Village, while providers can manage their practices and collaborate with others.

To explain the model, Fierce Healthcare Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya sits down with Brandon Terry, co-founder and CEO of Village.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Survey: Parents struggle to navigate fragmented pediatric, specialty care
UnitedHealthcare expands behavioral coaching program for youths
Amid spending growth scrutiny, CMS unveils toolkit for states to safeguard autism care 

Pediatric developmental care is notoriously difficult to navigate. Providers often find it challenging to accept insurance, and provider shortages mean long waitlists for families at a time when every day without care counts.
One startup operating in Southern California aims to simplify pediatric therapy and improve care coordination. Village offers a two-sided platform that streamlines communication between providers and families and brings documentation together in one secure place. Families can find providers through Village, while providers can manage their practices and collaborate with others.
To explain the model, Fierce Healthcare Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya sits down with Brandon Terry, co-founder and CEO of Village.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/zarminali-survey-parents-struggle-navigate-fragmented-pediatric-specialty-care" aria-label="Link Survey: Parents struggle to navigate fragmented pediatric, specialty care">Survey: Parents struggle to navigate fragmented pediatric, specialty care</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/unitedhealthcare-expands-behavioral-coaching-program-youths" aria-label="Link UnitedHealthcare expands behavioral coaching program for youths">UnitedHealthcare expands behavioral coaching program for youths</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/cms-unveils-toolkit-states-safeguard-autism-care-amid-aba-spending-growth" aria-label="Link Amid spending growth scrutiny, CMS unveils toolkit for states to safeguard autism care">Amid spending growth scrutiny, CMS unveils toolkit for states to safeguard autism care</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Connecting the dots to improve pediatric developmental care

Breakdowns in patient navigation can have consequences beyond patient frustration, contributing to missed appointments, avoidable emergency department visits and lost revenue for healthcare organizations.

Nichole Davis, founder and CEO of Wayfinder Patient Advocates, believes healthcare organizations should treat these breakdowns, which she calls "trust leaks," as operational problems that can be identified, measured and addressed. Her approach focuses on improving care coordination, equipping patients to make informed decisions and translating patient feedback into meaningful changes.

In this week's episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Davis about the connection between patient trust and organizational performance, practical strategies for improving care navigation and why these efforts are particularly important as healthcare organizations face growing financial pressures.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Who do Americans believe have the most influence in healthcare?
Three-quarters of Americans disillusioned with costs, say healthcare is defining voting issue
Industry Voices—Return to trust: How lack of transparency can damage relationships in healthcare

Breakdowns in patient navigation can have consequences beyond patient frustration, contributing to missed appointments, avoidable emergency department visits and lost revenue for healthcare organizations.
Nichole Davis, founder and CEO of Wayfinder Patient Advocates, believes healthcare organizations should treat these breakdowns, which she calls "trust leaks," as operational problems that can be identified, measured and addressed. Her approach focuses on improving care coordination, equipping patients to make informed decisions and translating patient feedback into meaningful changes.
In this week's episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Davis about the connection between patient trust and organizational performance, practical strategies for improving care navigation and why these efforts are particularly important as healthcare organizations face growing financial pressures.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/sachshealth-survey-examines-american-perceptions-health-stakeholder-influence" aria-label="Link Who do Americans believe have the most influence in healthcare?">Who do Americans believe have the most influence in healthcare?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/usofcare-survey-three-quarters-americans-say-healthcare-defining-voting-issue" aria-label="Link Three-quarters of Americans disillusioned with costs, say healthcare is defining voting issue">Three-quarters of Americans disillusioned with costs, say healthcare is defining voting issue</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/industry-voices-return-to-trust-how-lack-transparency-can-damage-relationships-healthcare" aria-label="Link Industry Voices&mdash;Return to trust: How lack of transparency can damage relationships in healthcare">Industry Voices&mdash;Return to trust: How lack of transparency can damage relationships in healthcare</a></li>
</ul>

The hidden and not-so-hidden costs of the patient trust gap

Prior authorization touches nearly every part of healthcare, yet patients, providers, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers experience its friction differently. In this sponsored episode of Podnosis, host Kelly Hogan speaks with Adriana Ramirez, president and chief operating officer of Abarca Health, about insights from Abarca Forward, where stakeholders worked together to rethink the process.

Ramirez shares why the discussion revealed more alignment than expected and outlines a framework centered on experience, infrastructure and performance. The episode explores the need for greater transparency at the point of care, shared standards and structured criteria, and better coordination across medical and pharmacy benefits. It also considers why measures such as turnaround times, approvals and denials are not enough to show whether prior authorization is delivering value.

Watch the full interview to learn how time to therapy, treatment abandonment, clinical outcomes and total cost of care can provide a clearer view of performance, and why trust, accountability and collaboration are essential to meaningful redesign. Download the white paper to see the full framework. 

Prior authorization touches nearly every part of healthcare, yet patients, providers, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers experience its friction differently. In this sponsored episode of Podnosis, host Kelly Hogan speaks with Adriana Ramirez, president and chief operating officer of Abarca Health, about insights from Abarca Forward, where stakeholders worked together to rethink the process.
Ramirez shares why the discussion revealed more alignment than expected and outlines a framework centered on experience, infrastructure and performance. The episode explores the need for greater transparency at the point of care, shared standards and structured criteria, and better coordination across medical and pharmacy benefits. It also considers why measures such as turnaround times, approvals and denials are not enough to show whether prior authorization is delivering value.
Watch the full interview to learn how time to therapy, treatment abandonment, clinical outcomes and total cost of care can provide a clearer view of performance, and why trust, accountability and collaboration are essential to meaningful redesign. <a href="https://abarcahealth.com/redesigning-prior-authorization-shared-path-forward/">Download the white paper to see the full framework.</a>&nbsp;

Redesigning prior authorization around the patient (Sponsored)

Serious mental illness (SMI) is challenging to address. Individuals with SMI die significantly earlier and are nearly twice as likely to have co-occurring physical health conditions as the general population. Yet the current system remains geographically inaccessible, fragmented and burdened by unaddressed social determinants of health.

Sonia Garcia, co-founder and chief growth officer of Amae Health, has seen the system's shortcomings firsthand while caring for her own family. Amae is trying to transform SMI care by combining psychiatry with medical care, nutrition, behavioral coaching and long-term monitoring.

To explain the approach, Fierce Healthcare senior writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with Garcia.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Behavioral health utilization is up with anxiety disorders leading demand, report finds 
Amae Health teams up with Google Health to integrate wearables data into SMI care
Psychiatrists' use of biomarkers could open a new window into mental health diagnoses 

Serious mental illness (SMI) is challenging to address. Individuals with SMI die <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12524047/">significantly earlier</a> and are nearly twice as likely to have co-occurring physical health conditions as the general population. Yet the current system remains geographically inaccessible, fragmented and burdened by unaddressed social determinants of health.
Sonia Garcia, co-founder and chief growth officer of Amae Health, has seen the system's shortcomings firsthand while caring for her own family. Amae is trying to transform SMI care by combining psychiatry with medical care, nutrition, behavioral coaching and long-term monitoring.
To explain the approach, Fierce Healthcare senior writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with Garcia.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/trilliant-report-behavioral-health-utilization-telehealth-plateauing" aria-label="Link Behavioral health utilization is up with anxiety disorders leading demand, report finds">Behavioral health utilization is up with anxiety disorders leading demand, report finds</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/amae-health-teams-google-health-integrate-wearables-data-smi-care" aria-label="Link Amae Health teams up with Google Health to integrate wearables data into SMI care">Amae Health teams up with Google Health to integrate wearables data into SMI care</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/psychiatrists-use-biomarkers-could-open-new-window-mental-health-diagnoses" aria-label="Link Psychiatrists' use of biomarkers could open a new window into mental health diagnoses">Psychiatrists' use of biomarkers could open a new window into mental health diagnoses</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Integrating care for people with serious mental illness

A growing number of clinicians are looking to work in healthcare as independent contractors, giving them more flexibility over when and how they work.

While this can sound straightforward in theory, a lack of clarity around worker classification can complicate opportunities for these professionals.

The Department of Labor has proposed a new rule, currently undergoing final review, that could change how businesses engage with independent contractors. One expert argues the change would be for the better.

To explain what the rule could mean for healthcare workers and employers, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya sits down with Regan Parker, chief legal and public affairs officer at ShiftKey, a platform that connects independent healthcare workers with open shifts at healthcare facilities.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

Department of Labor's proposed foreign worker wage increases are more tough news for healthcare staf… 

A growing number of clinicians are looking to work in healthcare as independent contractors, giving them more flexibility over when and how they work.
While this can sound straightforward in theory, a lack of clarity around worker classification can complicate opportunities for these professionals.
The Department of Labor has proposed a <a href="https://advocacy.sba.gov/2026/03/03/dol-proposes-new-independent-contractor-rule/">new rule</a>, currently undergoing final review, that could change how businesses engage with independent contractors. One expert argues the change would be for the better.
To explain what the rule could mean for healthcare workers and employers, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya sits down with Regan Parker, chief legal and public affairs officer at ShiftKey, a platform that connects independent healthcare workers with open shifts at healthcare facilities.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/department-labors-proposed-foreign-worker-wage-increases-are-more-tough-news-healthcare" aria-label="Link Department of Labor's proposed foreign worker wage increases are more tough news for healthcare staf&hellip;">Department of Labor's proposed foreign worker wage increases are more tough news for healthcare staf&hellip;</a>&nbsp;

The future of independent contracting in healthcare

As health plans confront rising medical and administrative costs, payment integrity is evolving from a collection of discrete interventions into an enterprise-wide strategic capability. In this sponsored episode of Podnosis, host Irena Luo speaks with Michael Axt, CEO of ClarisHealth, about why adding specialized vendors alone does not guarantee stronger performance. Without orchestration and end-to-end visibility, payers risk duplicative findings, missed savings, fragmented workflows and greater provider abrasion.

Axt explains how technology and AI can help payers improve payment accuracy, move more determinations earlier in the payment cycle and coordinate interactions with providers. He also considers how orchestration platforms such as Pareo can connect data, give internal teams a shared workspace and provide vendor-agnostic analytics for stronger program oversight. His perspective points toward a future in which payment integrity, utilization management, risk adjustment and other cost-management functions converge around a more connected view of the claim and episode-of-care lifecycle. Listen to the interview to learn more about the operating model shaping the future of payer performance.

As health plans confront rising medical and administrative costs, payment integrity is evolving from a collection of discrete interventions into an enterprise-wide strategic capability. In this sponsored episode of Podnosis, host Irena Luo speaks with Michael Axt, CEO of ClarisHealth, about why adding specialized vendors alone does not guarantee stronger performance. Without orchestration and end-to-end visibility, payers risk duplicative findings, missed savings, fragmented workflows and greater provider abrasion.
Axt explains how technology and AI can help payers improve payment accuracy, move more determinations earlier in the payment cycle and coordinate interactions with providers. He also considers how orchestration platforms such as Pareo can connect data, give internal teams a shared workspace and provide vendor-agnostic analytics for stronger program oversight. His perspective points toward a future in which payment integrity, utilization management, risk adjustment and other cost-management functions converge around a more connected view of the claim and episode-of-care lifecycle. Listen to the interview to learn more about the operating model shaping the future of payer performance.

The strategic shift reshaping payment integrity (Sponsored)

For years, health systems have been working to address their environmental impact. These efforts are largely voluntary and require systemwide buy-in to be effective. Some organizations are more sophisticated in setting sustainability goals and further along in putting them into practice.

Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with Beth Schenk, Ph.D., chief environmental stewardship officer at Providence, about the climate impacts she has witnessed as a nurse and her health system’s sustainability journey.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
New procurement guide for hospitals, payers takes aim at AI's environmental impact
In next phase of sustainability, UCI Health, Kaiser Permanente, and others turn to electric hospital… 
How policy, reimbursement incentives, could help healthcare address its climate footprint
'We can't do this alone': Hospitals share lessons from Hurricane Helene to prepare for extreme weath… 

For years, health systems have been working to address their environmental impact. These efforts are largely voluntary and require systemwide buy-in to be effective. Some organizations are more sophisticated in setting sustainability goals and further along in putting them into practice.
Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with Beth Schenk, Ph.D., chief environmental stewardship officer at Providence, about the climate impacts she has witnessed as a nurse and her health system&rsquo;s sustainability journey.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/health-care-without-harm-ai-procurement-guide-focuses-environment" aria-label="Link New procurement guide for hospitals, payers takes aim at AI's environmental impact">New procurement guide for hospitals, payers takes aim at AI's environmental impact</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals/next-phase-sustainability-uci-health-kaiser-permanente-turn-electric-hospitals" aria-label="Link In next phase of sustainability, UCI Health, Kaiser Permanente, and others turn to electric hospital&hellip;">In next phase of sustainability, UCI Health, Kaiser Permanente, and others turn to electric hospital&hellip;</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/study-incentives-healthcare-address-its-climate-footprint" aria-label="Link How policy, reimbursement incentives, could help healthcare address its climate footprint">How policy, reimbursement incentives, could help healthcare address its climate footprint</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals/we-cant-do-alone-hospitals-share-learnings-hurricane-helene" aria-label="Link 'We can't do this alone': Hospitals share lessons from Hurricane Helene to prepare for extreme weath&hellip;">'We can't do this alone': Hospitals share lessons from Hurricane Helene to prepare for extreme weath&hellip;</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

How Providence is tackling its climate footprint

Racial disparities in breast cancer have persisted for years. Though Black women have a slightly lower incidence of breast cancer, they face a mortality rate that is 38% higher than that of white women. One researcher in Georgia is focused on addressing those inequities in her community.

Lauren McCullough, Ph.D., an epidemiology researcher, is running several studies investigating disparities across breast and gynecologic cancers. She also founded a peer support community to elevate the voices of marginalized patients going through cancer treatment. Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with McCullough about these efforts and what they could mean at scale.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Women's oncology market will reach $110B by 2030 across therapeutics, diagnostics and care delivery 
The cold cap coverage gap and a cancer survivor’s push for change 
Breast cancer tops list of most-studied diseases for 5th year in a row: report 
Not all patient care access is equal when it comes to mammograms, CDC report finds

Racial disparities in breast cancer have persisted for years. Though Black women have a slightly lower incidence of breast cancer, they face a mortality rate that is <a href="https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures-2024.pdf">38% higher</a> than that of white women. One researcher in Georgia is focused on addressing those inequities in her community.
Lauren McCullough, Ph.D., an epidemiology researcher, is running several studies investigating disparities across breast and gynecologic cancers. She also founded a peer support community to elevate the voices of marginalized patients going through cancer treatment. Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with McCullough about these efforts and what they could mean at scale.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/finance/pwc-report-claims-womens-oncology-will-grow-65b-75b-today-100b-110b-2030-recommends" aria-label="Link Women's oncology market will reach $110B by 2030 across therapeutics, diagnostics and care delivery">Women's oncology market will reach $110B by 2030 across therapeutics, diagnostics and care delivery</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/benefits-scalp-cooling-told-breast-cancer-survivor" aria-label="Link The cold cap coverage gap and a cancer survivor&rsquo;s push for change">The cold cap coverage gap and a cancer survivor&rsquo;s push for change</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/cro/breast-cancer-tops-list-most-studied-diseases-5th-year-row-report" aria-label="Link Breast cancer tops list of most-studied diseases for 5th year in a row: report">Breast cancer tops list of most-studied diseases for 5th year in a row: report</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/not-all-patient-care-access-equal-when-it-comes-mammograms-new-report-shows" aria-label="Link Not all patient care access is equal when it comes to mammograms, CDC report finds">Not all patient care access is equal when it comes to mammograms, CDC report finds</a></li>
</ul>

Breast cancer and Black women: Investigating the disparities

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podnosis

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

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