Code Switch, Please: DEI, AI & Digital Transformation in Healthcare with Christopher Kunney

What happens when healthcare innovation moves faster than the people it's supposed to serve? In this episode of Tech It to the Limit, Elliott Wilson welcomes Christopher Kunney, host of Straight Outta Health IT, for an unfiltered conversation about AI in healthcare, health equity, digital transformation, and the uncomfortable questions healthcare leaders need to start asking.Christopher doesn't hold back. He gives healthcare a C grade for its response to the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), arguing that workforce diversity isn't just a moral issue. It's a mathematical necessity for an industry already facing critical staffing shortages. They explore why patients and frontline workers are routinely excluded from technology decisions, how digital literacy and cultural differences shape healthcare access, and why successful AI adoption requires training everyone, from hospital executives to cafeteria staff.The conversation takes a sharper turn as Elliott challenges the industry's enthusiasm for artificial intelligence against the environmental costs of massive data centers and their potential impact on marginalized communities. Christopher also shares candid insights on code-switching, racism, representation in healthcare leadership, and the unwritten rules of career advancement. In his closing Wise Nugs, Elliott reflects on the responsibility healthcare organizations and employees share in questioning technology's consequences.Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion about who benefits from healthcare innovation, who bears its hidden costs, and why the most important question isn't what AI can do, but what harm it might cause.In This Episode:[00:00] Podcast welcome[00:51] Meet Christopher from Straight Outta Health IT[03:00] A tech-inspired dad joke[04:10] Healthcare's DEI report card[07:04] Why diversity is a mathematical necessity[09:54] What's missing from digital health governance?[12:04] Digital access and patient literacy[13:12] Preparing healthcare workers for AI[15:12] Giving end users a seat at the table[16:12] The environmental cost of healthcare AI[18:36] Political determinants of health[20:48] Code-switching and inclusive technology design[25:34] Confronting bias and speaking the truth[28:05] Mentorship and healthcare career advancement[30:16] What harm is healthcare AI causing?[32:00] Governess.io satirical ad break[34:12] Wise Nugs: Equity, AI, and accountability[40:11] Final thoughts and creditsResources:Tech It to the Limit PodcastWebsite: https://www.techittothelimit.fun/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tech-it-to-the-limit/id1693838523 Christopher KunneyPodcast: Straight Outta Health ITLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherkunney/Elliott WilsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

Will AI replace nurses? In this episode of Tech It to the Limit, Elliott welcomes back nursing innovation guru Bonnie Clipper to tackle the question she gets asked on LinkedIn more than almost any other: will AI replace nurses? Bonnie makes the case that most AI tools on the market today were built for physician workflows, not nursing ones, and that nursing's "last mile" role in healthcare, the hands on, emotional, human work, is exactly what keeps it furthest from automation. They dig into trust data from recent studies on clinician AI adoption, why nurses currently report lower AI literacy and trust than physicians, and what it would actually look like for AI to clear the noise out of a nurse's shift instead of adding to it. The segment wraps with a lightning round game, Nurse GPT or Portugese, mixing nursing AI trivia with questions about Bonnie's future expat life.Then, recorded live at ViVE, Elliott sits down with Kirk Barnes, a digital health commercialization strategy expert whose career spans pharma, biotech, venture capital, economic development, and startup incubation at Georgia Tech's ATDC. Kirk shares the networking philosophy that's carried him through layoffs, startup shutdowns, and career pivots: real networking is about giving before you need anything in return. The conversation turns to one of the most expensive and common mistakes digital health founders make: hiring salespeople without understanding sales as its own discipline. Kirk unpacks his "suspect vs. prospect" framework, why sales is really about monetizing problem solving rather than convincing someone of something, and previews the launch of his new venture, the Digital Health Sales Institute.Tune in to hear why both nursing's future and digital health sales success come down to the same idea: trust has to be earned, and earned early, before you ever need to cash it in.In this episode:[00:00] Podcast welcome[00:53] Meet Bonnie Clipper[02:25] Will AI replace nurses?[03:27] Why nursing workflows matter[06:35] The last mile of nursing[11:12] Building trust and AI literacy[16:13] The Nurse GPT game[23:54] Hokey Pokey ad break[25:48] Meet Kirk Barnes[26:56] Dad joke icebreaker[27:34] Kirk's career origin[29:10] Recession and startups[30:02] Networking before you need it[31:16] Building a healthtech program[34:38] Sales hiring pitfalls[38:02] Monetizing problem-solving[40:15] Launching the Sales Institute[43:05] Wise Nugs recap[47:40] Final wrap and creditsResources:Tech It To The Limit PodcastWebsite Apple PodcastBonnie ClipperLinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnieclipperKirk BarnesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkbarnes/ Digital Health Sales Institute: https://digitalhealthsalesinstitute.com/Elliott WilsonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

In this episode of Tech It to the Limit, pediatric ER physician and digital health veteran Dr. Adam Glasofer returns to the pod with a characteristically unfiltered take on the oversaturation of AI in healthcare. He argues that while AI tools are genuinely game changing for clinical workflows and point of care decision support, the current investment climate has created a dangerous incentive structure.Then, recorded live at VIVE in Los Angeles, Elliott sits down with Scott Arnold, EVP and Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, and Rachel Feinman, SVP of Innovation Ventures and Digital Solutions, from Tampa General Hospital for a candid conversation on operationalizing innovation. They reveal why most health systems say they want innovation but build only black holes for ideas, how TGH built actual on ramps from Idea HQ and innovation challenges to a Shark Tank event where frontline nurses pitch board members, and why "proceed until apprehended" has become their operating mantra.Tune in to hear why the future of healthcare may depend less on replacing humans and more on designing technology that helps humans think, decide, and care better.In this episode:[01:14] Welcoming Dr. Adam Glasofer[02:53] The oversaturation of AI in healthcare[05:17] Where AI actually belongs in clinical care[07:23] Lessons from CPOE and order set design[10:54] Will we ever license AI to practice medicine?[11:34] The irreplaceable human elements of clinical care[14:14] Ambient AI and the accountability paradox[15:45] The biggest fear in AI oversaturation[24:47] Sponsored skit: Kwor’m.ai[27:14] Introducing Scott Arnold and Rachel Feinman[30:04] Tampa General's innovation vision and culture[32:34] How frontline ideas reach the innovation portfolio[34:35] On-ramps for innovation: Idea HQ and Shark Tank events[36:46] From idea to scale: cycle times and the "advanced work" phase[40:06] Change management and winning hearts on the frontline[43:03] Inside the Palantir partnership[45:03] Real wins: sepsis detection, care traffic control, and the blood supply crisis[49:54] Advice for startups pitching health systems[56:30] Most overused word at VIVE 2025[58:13] Elliott's nuggets of wisdom[01:05:03] Episode wrap-upResources:Tech It To The Limit PodcastWebsiteApple PodcastDr. Adam GlasoferLinkedInScott ArnoldLinkedInRachel FeinmanLinkedInElliott WilsonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

Prior authorization is now a bot‑to‑bot conversation waiting to happen. The only thing missing is the interoperability standard.In this episode of Tech It to the Limit, former co-host Sarah Harper returns as the show's first guest in its bold new format, making the case for going analog in a hyper connected world. She explores how the constant presence of screens, notifications, and digital noise has quietly become a wellness problem, not just for patients, but for caregivers and designers alike. Drawing from her own life audit, her kids' tin can phone, and the growing cultural backlash against smartphones, she argues that the health tech industry must design for unplugging just as intentionally as it designs for engagement. The conversation challenges builders and clinicians to ask a harder question: is the technology we're adding actually improving lives, or just adding to the noise?Then, recorded live at HLTH in Los Angeles, Elliott sits down with Dr. Anil Jain, Chief Innovation Officer at Innovaccer, for a candid conversation on what autonomous healthcare actually looks like in practice. Drawing from his time at IBM Watson Health and years leading large scale health system transformation, Dr. Jain unpacks why AI for the sake of AI has never been the right message, how data quality remains the unglamorous prerequisite to everything, and why the EMR rollout is a cautionary tale worth revisiting. He also shares what Innovaccer is building right now, from AI powered heart failure management to prior authorization automation, and makes the case that AI orchestration is the next great interoperability challenge.Tune in to hear why the future of health technology may depend equally on knowing when to unplug and when to automate, and why both require the same thing: designing with real people at the center..In this episode:[00:00] Introduction[01:21] Welcoming back Sarah Harper[03:55] Going analog in a digital world[07:02] Analog trends in pop culture[20:00] Sponsored skit: Parent Trap AI[22:34] Introducing Dr. Anil Jain[27:57] The importance of data quality in AI[33:51] Designing empathy into AI[36:22] The vision for autonomous healthcare[43:45] Innovator's real-world solutions[47:03] The future of prior authorization[49:50] Advice for digital health founders[51:01] Episode wrap-up Resources:Tech It To The Limit PodcastWebsite Apple PodcastSarah HarperLinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharperDr. Anil JainLinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/aniljainmd/Innovaccer: https://innovaccer.com/Elliott WilsonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

Tech It to the Limit Episode 4.01Patient Power: Dr. Archelle Georgiou and Danielle Teal on Patient Advocacy in Healthcare TechIn the Season 4 premiere of Tech It to the Limit, hosts Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson return with humor, heart, and a timely focus on the most important voice in healthcare: the patient. The episode kicks off with the usual banter, nostalgic tech gifts, and a brand-new game, Trial Ready or Try Again, which puts emerging oncology innovations to the test and separates real breakthroughs from sci-fi hype.The episode features two remarkable guests. Danielle Teal, a Mayo Clinic Joy Program champion and patient advocate, shares her lived experience navigating a breast cancer diagnosis and how technology showed up during moments of shock, vulnerability, and resilience. Dr. Archelle Georgiou brings decades of insight as a physician, former healthcare executive, and nationally recognized patient advocate, offering perspective on where health technology truly empowers patients and where it falls short without personalization, context, and compassion.Together, they explore patient portals, AI, wearables, social platforms, and decision-making tools, emphasizing kindness, listening, and partnership in care. This Season 4 opener sets a powerful tone, highlighting how innovation and empathy must work together to create technology that genuinely supports patients and their real-world journeys.In this episode:[00:00] Welcome to Tech It to the Limit[00:51] Season 4 kickoff[01:20] Introducing our expert guests[02:37] Holiday tech gifts recap[04:38] Analog vs. digital: a fun debate[15:35] Patient advocacy and technology[24:51] A year ago: the start of chemotherapy[25:33] The challenge with technology in healthcare[26:00] Personalized health information: the key to better care[41:44] The importance of kindness in healthcare design[46:31] Call to action: Patients as equal partners[52:08] Wise nugs[59:48] Episode close & HealthTech HaikuResources:Tech It To The Limit PodcastWebsiteApple PodcastDanielle TealLinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielletealDr. Archelle Georgiouhttps://www.archellemd.com/abouthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/archellegeorgiouPodcastSarah HarperLinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharperElliott WilsonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

Tech It to the Limit Episode 3.11 - HLTH-Y Dose Part 2: The Future of Agentic, Ambient, and Diagnostic Artificial IntelligenceIn this second part of HLTH, Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson dive back into the cutting-edge world of AI, focusing on technology that not only acts but also listens and sees what humans can’t. The episode features three insightful conversations from HLTH this fall, proving that the future isn't just about AI, it's about AI that works for you.First, meet Jon Wang, CEO of Assort Health, who explores the frontier of agentic AI. Next, Dr. Adam Glasofer of Vertex Health brings a reality check to the flashy health tech landscape. Finally, Dr. Zachary Tan and Jeff Dunkel of Optain Health demonstrate how their AI-powered retinal exam transforms diagnostic care. In This Episode:[00:47] Welcome back: Bonus episode 2.0[02:16] Exploring agentic AI with Assort Health[06:03] Interview with Jon Wang, CEO of Assort Health[21:47] The future of ambient innovation with Vertex Health[23:12] Interview with Dr. Adam Glasofer of Vertex Health[30:33] Survival tips for health tech startups[32:43] Navigating health conferences as a founder[42:37] AI and retinal screening innovations[49:23] Scaling precision imaging in frontline care[55:00] Wrapping up and looking aheadResources:Tech It To The Limit PodcastWebsite Apple PodcastJon WangLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonxwangAssort Health - https://www.assorthealth.com/Dr. Adam GlasoferLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-glasofer-mdVertex Health - https://vertexhealthconsulting.com/Dr. Zachary TanLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharytanJeff DunkelLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-dunkel-5529aa4Sarah HarperLinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharperElliott WilsonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

In this special HLTH bonus episode of Tech It to the Limit, hosts Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson battle post-conference fatigue and full-blown health FOMO by bringing the conference floor straight to your earbuds. While Sarah recovers from a “very real case of health FOMO,” Elliott reports from the trenches after surviving days of buzzwords, badge scanners, and $9 lattes. To shake up the usual format, they press play on two standout booth interviews from HLTH.First, Elliott sits down with Dr. Lynne Nowak of Surescripts for a deep dive into seamless prescribing, touchless prior authorization, interoperability, and price transparency. Dr. Lynne breaks down how automation is shrinking prior auth from a multi-day nightmare into a near-instant, 30-second reality, reducing burnout for clinicians and removing friction for patients who just want their meds on time and at a price they can afford.Then, the episode shifts into venture-building mode with returning guest John Beadle of Aegis Ventures. John unpacks how his consortium model is helping health systems move from “innovation theater” to real innovation delivery by building and scaling AI companies faster than the market average. From ambient AI becoming table stakes to the rise of patient-facing agents, he offers a clear view of where healthcare innovation is headed next.In this episode:[00:00] Introduction[01:16] Health conference recap setup[07:13] Interview Dr. lynne Nowak automation and burnout[10:25] Touchless prior authorization explained[12:59] Interoperability and data exchange[18:11] Trust and data governance[19:55] Future of data science at Surescripts[21:12] Interview wrap up Dr. lynne[24:42] Interview John Beadle AI startups and health systems[26:02] Startup success metrics and examples[28:11] Clinician experience and ambient AI[32:19] Advice for health conference attendees[33:07] Sponsor segment HIPAA compliance tool[34:22] Episode wrap up and teaser for part two[35:40] Healthtech haiku and sign-offResources:Tech It To The Limit PodcastWebsite Apple PodcastDr. Lynne NowakLinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnee-nowak-md-62054583/Surescripts - https://surescripts.com/John BeadleLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpbeadle/Aegis Ventures - https://aegisventures.com/Sarah HarperLinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharperElliott WilsonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

In this final episode of Season 3 of Tech It to the Limit, hosts Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson go global and get grounded with a very special guest. After sharing travel tales from Germany and the HLTH conference, Sarah and Elliott debut their new game, “Trust-O-Meter,” rating real-world health tech scandals and solutions on a scale from “hospital stairwell cell signal” to “grandma’s green bean casserole.”Then, they sit down with Dr. David Rhew, Global Chief Medical Officer at Microsoft, for a wide-ranging, surprisingly personal conversation on everything from his pivot from academia to industry ( a VA grant pushed him out) to the future of oculomics, voice biomarkers, and responsible AI. Dr. Rhew breaks down the three layers of bias, explains why implementation is everything, and doesn’t shy away from the hard truth about AI and the future of the healthcare workforce. It’s a deep, funny, and profoundly human conversation to close out the season.The episode wraps with Wise Nugs and a final health tech haiku, leaving listeners hopeful and ready for Season 4.Key TakeawaysTrust needs humans in the loop :AI earns credibility when it supports clinical workflows, not replaces them.Bias hides in plain sight :Data, model design, and deployment all carry bias. Responsible AI means addressing all three.Implementation eats innovation for breakfast: Technology does not change healthcare; adoption and usability do.Your eyes and voice are the new vital signs :Oculomics and voice biomarkers are turning everyday signals into early detection tools.Equity must be built in, not bolted on:“Neutral AI” does not exist. Fairness and transparency have to be engineered from the start.Automation is not the enemy; stagnation is :AI will replace tasks, not purpose. The key is reskilling and redefining human work.In this episode:[00:00:13] Welcome to the season 3 finale[00:01:19] Host travel log[00:05:24] Game debut: Trust-o-meter[00:22:01] Interview: Dr. David Rhew[00:23:34] Dad jokes and Korean BBQ regrets[00:25:27] From white coat to cloud[00:30:52] Bridging the hype-reality gap[00:34:50] Oculomics: The 2-minute eye scan[00:38:02] The DMA of bias[00:45:27] The TRAIN consortium[00:48:45] Cloud consolidation and data stewardship[00:58:29] Call to action: Operationalizing trust[01:05:32] Spicy nugs: Key takeaways[01:14:09] Health tech haiku and sign-offResources:Tech It To The Limit PodcastWebsite Apple PodcastDr. David RhewLinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-rhew-m-d-1832764/Sarah HarperLinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharperElliott WilsonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

In this episode of Tech It To The Limit, hosts Sarah Harper and Elliot Wilson revisit generational myths in digital health and reveal why age isn’t the real barrier to adoption. Through their new game, Fact Check Fever, and a deep dive into the Capability-Motivation-Context (CMC) framework, they show how design, usability, and trust matter far more than birth year. From busting stereotypes to exploring how health systems can design with users, not for them, it’s a witty, insightful look at the future of inclusive, human-centered innovation.Key TakeawaysGenerational myths don’t hold up: Boomers use portals, Gen Z cares about privacy, and every group struggles with clunky design, not just “digital natives.”Design trumps demographics: Adoption isn’t about age, it’s about usability, accessibility, and human-centered design.Follow the CMC framework: Capability, motivation, and context, not birth year, to predict whether people engage with health tech.Health equity requires intention: Neutral AI does not exist; equity has to be actively built into technology.The biggest unifier isn’t age: A diagnosis, condition, or shared health journey brings people together across generations more than labels like Boomer or Gen Z.In this episode:[00:00:13] Welcome & episode introduction[00:00:55] Recap of Mayo Clinic live show[00:02:36] Looking ahead to HLTH: speakers, tracks, and the health tech “fashion week” vibe[00:05:08] Conference tracks & awards00:07:13] Launching Fact Check Fever: busting myths on portals, EHR burnout, Gen Z TikTok habits, and more[00:07:37] Fact Check Fever: generational myths & data[00:19:24] Break for fake sponsor: Patient Portal Plus Plus[00:20:44] Sincere segment: CMC framework for health tech adoption[00:22:24] Deep dive: CMC framework explained[00:31:17] Designing with, not for, users[00:35:31] Break for fake sponsor: Bias Focals[00:37:14] Spicy Nugs: co-host lightning round[00:46:41] Closing thoughts, HLTH call-to-action, and Elliot’s health tech haikuResourcesTech It To The Limit PodcastWebsiteApple PodcastSarah HarperLinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharperElliott WilsonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

In this episode of Tech it to the Limit, Dr. Rachel Harrington (NCQA) joins hosts Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson to unpack how digital tools are reshaping healthcare—and why equity must be part of the equation. From fixing biased data to evolving HEDIS and designing with communities, it’s a sharp look at the future of human-centered, tech-powered care.Key TakeawaysStart with the right data: If we don’t ask the right questions and reflect real diversity, we’re guessing, not solving.Co-create with communities: Don’t design for people—design with them to build solutions that actually work.Go beyond broad stats: Break down the data to see what different groups really need.Tackle the root causes: Health isn’t just about doctors—it’s about housing, food, transport, and more.Act, don’t just assess: Finding problems is easy. Solving them takes real action.In this episode:[00:00:00] Welcome to Tech it to the Limit[00:01:43] Insights from the Mayo Clinic AI Summit[00:04:05] Segment spotlight – “Guess That Quality Data Acronym”: [00:11:05] Conversation with Dr. Rachel Harrington, NCQA: advancing equity through data and measurement[00:26:15] Collaborating across sectors: the importance of community-based partnerships[00:27:12] Stratification and the role of data transparency in identifying quality gaps[00:27:44] Transitioning to HEDIS: why equity must be embedded in quality measurement[00:29:15] The impact of race and ethnicity stratification in performance metrics[00:32:13] Aligning incentives across payers, providers, and systems for greater accountability[00:39:12] Designing for equity: avoiding bias in digital health tools through inclusive development[00:42:57] A call to action: how digital health leaders can make equity core to their strategy[00:46:02] Final reflections and key insightsOur GuestDr. Rachel Harrington is the Assistant Vice President of Health Equity at the NCQA, where she leads the Equity and HEDIS initiative. With a Ph.D. in pharmacy systems and a background in regulatory science, health economics, and public policy, Rachel has a wealth of experience in healthcare data, quality improvement, and social determinants of health. Her work ensures that healthcare systems deliver equitable, effective care for all communities.ResourcesDr. Rachel HarringtonNCQADr. Rachel HarringtonWe Ask Because We Care campaignTech It To The Limit PodcastWebsite Apple Podcast