Join us for this episode of Digital Health Talks' "Five Good Things" where hosts Megan Antonelli and Janae Sharp discuss Samsung's acquisition of Xealth, Hartford Healthcare's first-in-US airport telehealth kiosk at Bradley International, and Rock Health's report showing $6.4 billion in healthcare investments with 62% going to AI startups. They also highlight nursing innovation awards, recognize Microsoft's Chief Nursing Officer Kathy McGrath, and announce their partnership with Emerge Americas for a major healthcare trade show in Miami, showcasing the continued momentum in digital health innovation and consumer-focused healthcare solutions.
Janae Sharp, Founder & CEO, The Sharp Index
Megan Antonelli, Founder & CEO, HealthIMPACT Live
0:01 Welcome to Digital Health Talks. Each week we meet with healthcare leaders making an immeasurable difference in equity, access, and quality. Hear about what tech is worth investing in and what isn't as we focus on the innovations that deliver. Join Megan Antonelli, Janae Sharp, and Shahid Shaw for a weekly no BS deep dive on what's really making an impact in healthcare.
0:30 Megan Antonelli: Hi, everyone. This is Megan Antonelli. Welcome to Digital Health Talks. And I am so excited for our next segment of Five Good Things with Janae Sharp. Hi Janae, how are you?
0:41 Janae Sharp: I'm great. Happy July, Happy summer break, everyone. Good to see you here today.
0:47 Megan: Happy July. It feels like a long time since we've recorded.
0:50 Janae: I know it feels like summer. I'm deep in the midst of summer. Time doesn't exist anymore. I hopefully, most of you are listening from the beach and having a fun time and you don't even know what day it is.
1:03 Megan: I know, really, I could see my dog in the frame. It's the dog days of summer, I guess. But, the kids are upstairs, so I'm sure we'll get interrupted and there'll be noise because that's just what happened.
1:15 Janae: That's the joy of summer. So you can be reminded why school is a miracle.
1:19 Megan: School is a good thing.
1:21 Janae: Yes, it is.
1:23 Megan: Let's talk about 5 good things.
1:25 Janae: Yeah, it's been kind of a busy month. There's been lots of things going on for, for the summer, right? There's not always a ton of announcements, but I think the big thing is, you know, our friend Mike McSherry's company, Zel got acquired by Samsung, right? So yay.
1:42 Megan: Yes, we're thrilled. Congratulations, Mike, Cynthia, all the team. You guys are wonderful. It is certainly, you know, it's an interesting, big move to big players in the digital health space coming together like that.
1:57 Megan: So I'm sure there'll be lots of, lots of implications in terms of, you know, the use of wearable data at, you know, health systems and individuals. And I do think there are some questions to be raised there when huge players sort of acquire all these companies and especially a company where they really facilitate innovation and they help with, you know, clinically validated data and with wearable platforms, just lots of connections, like, is this gonna be like a Microsoft acquisition, like, like what was the acquisition for?
2:31 Megan: Is it to expand Samsung's like space in healthcare, like, I would love to know more about what the agenda is there, if they're doing it as a competitive play, if they're, you know, stepping into the EHR market more. So, if anyone knows, let us know.
2:50 Janae: Yeah, we certainly think of them so much as a consumer products company, right? And so with their phones and devices, but it as, you know, sort of healthcare goes to the home, and the technology that they provide there, you know, I think Zel will really be able to provide this, you know, connection between those devices, particularly in the home, I think, even Mike was quoted in the article talking about, you know, kind of being that bridge between home monitoring and clinical decision making.
3:21 Janae: So it'll be really interesting to see what happens. And it's exciting. It's exciting when you see, you know, a friend, having, having good fortune like that.
3:31 Janae: So speaking of friends. Our friend Joel Vengco, who was just at Health Impact, Hartford Healthcare was in the news, this month too for their airport kiosk at Bradley.
3:45 Megan: Oh, that was them. OK, that makes sense.
3:47 Janae: Yes, I'm thrilled about that. Imagine you're traveling and you want to check something out. Maybe you don't feel well, maybe you need a prescription, maybe you just, you know, want to connect with a physician. So the first US based airport healthcare kiosk is at Bradley International. And they have a steel ceiling mounted stethoscope sensor, 85% diagnostic success rate versus standard telehealth.
4:13 Janae: So that's something to think about, but there is a big gap for travelers, like people who travel a lot, maybe you're away from your, your main provider, maybe you're outside of your insurance network. Like you need telehealth options that work and you need them that work on your schedule.
4:35 Megan: For sure. And if you're delayed at Bradley waiting for, you know, I don't know, your frontier flight to come Sea Breeze. There's first of all, if you're delayed, our thoughts are and prayers are with you. But there's way. And why not, you know, I mean, I always love taking advantage of the nail salons and massage places and, and all of that at the airline. Why not get a, get a checkup?
5:01 Janae: And I just figured out I can go to the lounge. I just go to the lounge now.
5:05 Megan: How long aren't too fancy. I don't know if I'm not fancy, but I do love a lounge. But it, it is, so I think it's a partnership. So Hartford, it's a Hartford Healthcare kiosk branded, you know, Hartford Healthcare, but they're part the care station is partnered, I think, and powered by a company called OnMed which is based there in White Plains, New York.
5:26 Megan: So, it'll be interesting to see, you know, if this happens and if, if it's, something that people are interested in and, you know, what other new airlines it will be, be at. I think it shows a real attention to increasingly consumer-focused healthcare.
5:44 Janae: Consumers and consumer need matters, and we've heard that people are, people are giving the message. They've been giving the message for a long time, so it's nice to see that there are programs that are meeting that need that really you should be able to deliver healthcare in people's lives in a platform that works for them, right, where they are, right? Meeting them where they are, they are, and certainly the Samsung-Zel, you know, acquisition is also, you know, that's a big consumer company getting very involved in kind of the intricacies of interoperability and healthcare.
6:21 Janae: So, more, more, you know, sort of more trends towards that, and I think along those lines we saw Rock Health released their half year, right?
6:31 Megan: So it's, yeah, let's talk about this. We always funding. We always love funding, so we got to have something about funding.
6:36 Janae: Yeah, so they released their, you know, sort of six month report for the first half of 2025, which is really hard to believe we're in, but let's not get into that. Time is a construct. But here we are, and it, it was, I think 6.4 billion, in investments, 245 deals, and obviously no surprises, 62% of that funding was to AI startups.
7:05 Janae: So, stuff that if you have a startup, make sure it says AI in there.
7:11 Megan: I mean that's our. Letters, AI in the name.
7:15 Janae: Just make sure the website as a dot AI, you know, even if it's a fax company, really, just put a we have seen a little bit of a marketing pivot. So, you know, thinking of all the people who are validating that, who are looking at the quality and the security and the setup of those data agreements.
7:38 Megan: That's great. Like we have to think too. We have all this funding and there's a lot of promise. I hope it doesn't turn out like some AI initiatives in the past, like, I hope we start to see stronger ROI. I would love to see not only the investment, but also reports of people saving money.
7:58 Janae: Yeah, and patients getting the value, right? You know, and, and physicians in their, you know, workflow and operations, you know. It is, you know, it's an interesting time and the technology is coming so fast and we're all using it, I mean, just this, you know, this month on Health Impact Live talking to, you know, from Tom Lowry to Lauren Pettit, I mean, all of these folks that we've talked to.
8:25 Janae: In addition, I had, you know, we just heard from Danielle Wiley and her. You know, she works completely, you know, mostly out of healthcare doing influencer marketing, but it's so, you know, there's so much of that that's being impacted by, by all of this and, you know, we're watching it unfold, unless we're watching Love Island, in which case, that case, maybe we should set up a meet up for that, the Health tech Love Island talking group.
8:51 Megan: Let's move on though. Let's talk a little bit about, when we talk about innovation and funding. I think a group that has really stepped up in attention and in, in sharing their voices is nurses. Like we saw that too at Health Impact, the forum. I love that they have more programs for innovation, like they're inviting nurses, tech medicine had a nursing innovation award where they awarded $100,000 10,000 dollars per nurse from the Sims and Mann Foundation.
9:23 Megan: Basically, Encouraging innovation, and I think that's so important like. Nurses are on the front line. They're really aware of the needs of patients and They're really stepping up to share their leadership insights and to create what they need.
9:45 Janae: Yeah, no, and I mean, I think we talked about it a lot in terms of how hard that job is, right? And it was so, it was so fun at Health Impact last month to be able to give an award to our friend Kathy McGrath, who's the chief nursing at Microsoft, and I feel like she just embodies exactly, you know, when you think of Nurses in this, you know, in this country and the role that they play and, and where she pushes on innovation, but also, you know, patient care and just keeping all of that in mind, and she does it so well.
10:21 Janae: So we were so excited to give her the Chanaker award this year. So, but yes, recognizing them, elevating the discussion. Tom Lowry and I actually had a great conversation around, you know, AI and that, and that impact and the use and, and on nursing, on, on the practice of nursing, and where that's gonna go in the future.
10:41 Janae: So it's an exciting area to think about and certainly as we're planning for our programming for the rest of 2025 and 2026, it's top of mind.
10:51 Megan: We have some exciting news, it's sort of pre-breaking, we haven't quite released it on the on the wires yet, but we are partnering with Emerge Americas and we are gonna be helping them produce the healthcare vertical for their 20,000 person trade show in Miami.
11:08 Megan: So that will be a very exciting effort for us and as we think about all of these areas that are. You know, really impacting digital health, because their, their focus has always been, you know, and, and continues to be around the investor side and the startups, but they want to and plan to, you know, kind of do a little bit more of what Health Impact does, which is bring together the health systems and the payers and the pharma companies that are, you know, looking to those startups to bring that innovation.
11:40 Megan: So it'll be really fun for us to be able to kind of on that size of a platform, bring, bring some of the leaders that we work with every day. So we're excited about that.
11:52 Janae: And yeah, and we certainly have a, have a focus on nurses and and I love that, that it's upcoming, we're going to be involved, everyone's gonna want to hear about it. We'll have to make a real official announcement soon.
12:06 Megan: And just this week, the health, the American Heart Association health tech competition is going online. So for all of those of you working in the cardiology and stroke space. Be sure to check it out at the AHACHTI website, and also you'll get that information in our newsletters, but the competition goes live, this Thursday and we can, and I think that.
12:34 Megan: The event, the winners to that competition or the finalists to the competition get to present and be a part of the live, live event at American Heart Association scientific sessions in November. So, and that's in New Orleans this year. So that's exciting.
12:51 Janae: Lots and lots of good things. Should we also update about our friends?
12:56 Megan: Of course.
12:57 Janae: OK, well, so exciting. There are a few things happening. One is that we wanted to congratulate Tina Shaw. She's a physician. And she raised a massive amount of money. It was in the news, like in the news in New Jersey, you know, she had $260,000 raised. She's a candidate for New Jersey 7, and she's really, she's worked with several administrations, and she's really an advocate for physician well-being and also for increasing the number of healthcare professionals and physicians who are able to share their perspective and knowledge with decision makers, you know, we need more of that, and we want to congratulate her.
13:43 Janae: I mean, if you think of how many lawyers there are in Congress, we could definitely use a lot more physicians. And so, to have Doctor Tina Shaw running is just very exciting. And you know, what's funny, to bring it all home. Kathleen McGrath introduced me to Doctor Shaw. So, when she first spoke before she was at a bridge, and now before, of course, she was a. Run. We knew her before she was famous.
14:08 Megan: So very exciting to see that. Yeah, it's New Jersey's 7th congressional district. We wish her the best of luck. And if you guys want to learn more, her website is Dr. Tina Shaw for congress.com. And you can learn more about why she's running, but that it is very exciting to see both, you know, that she's a woman running, which because we certainly need more of them and a physician.
14:32 Janae: And an important seat, yeah, and she'll also be at our virtual and in clinician burnout summit in November.
14:41 Megan: So good, yeah. You know, just catch up with all the people and well-being, catch up with us and that event partner too, like purpose events is, you know, you made it possible, right? We are powering it for sure, Tell folks what they, can they get there on the URL? Is it an easy URL?
15:00 Janae: Yes, it's, let me look at it. ECB. OK. ECB summit.com. So you should be able to find it. Registration is open. It's perfect. They bring together frontline healthcare providers, people who are making those clinical decisions.
15:17 Janae: The theme this year is Stronger Together, so inviting people, chief wellbeing officers and chief executive officers to work outside of their normal frame of reference and really emphasize how communities and community partnerships are critical to improving well-being, you know, it's smarter. And it's easier, it's more effective.
15:39 Janae: So, thrilled, we'll be thrilled. We, we're hearing from Doctor Shaw, Doctor Jonathan Fisher, some really great voices, Colin West, Great voices and well-being. And also from the Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation, Stephanie Simmons will be there.
15:55 Megan: Oh nice. Oh, that's great. Can't wait.
15:58 Janae: Yeah, you've done a great job on that program, kudos. And that's, it is a virtual, a 100% virtual event, right?
16:04 Megan: And it's, yeah, we actually have people from Australia who come, people from abroad, like, so it's international, and I think it's a great community.
16:15 Janae: Well, that's so many more than 5 good things. And, and I would, I can't believe I forgot to mention, but we actually moved our measuring the impact of AI in healthcare virtual event to September 8th. So we are excited to have that coming, so please, you know, check out our website. If you just go to healthimpactlive.com. All of the events we've talked about today are there and you can check them out and get registered, but another free virtual event, you know, right at that, Point of healthcare and AI.
16:49 Megan: So yes, but yeah, looking forward to all these events and I'm glad we got to talk about good things, you know.
16:56 Janae: Yes, it is, and it's good to find good things. Are you, it's always like the most fun exercise that I go through all, all, all month.
17:05 Megan: Do you have any fun summer plans?
17:08 Janae: Me, we'll probably go to the beach. We'll go to Asheville and my kids are finishing school, so. My dad Is that your dog in the back?
17:23 Megan: You know, I've also been deep in the production of Roblox Grow Garden paper printables for my son, who is obsessed. So I have 3D designed all sorts of stuff.
17:37 Janae: Well, that, you know, at least they're just not in their rooms on video games looking at their phones.
17:42 Megan: No, we are creating. We are creating merch for video games.
17:49 Janae: Good, good, that I'm sure my kids are buying with my art, merch, you know, it is intense, like today, you know, every day is a new assignment.
18:01 Megan: Well, so fun. Thanks everybody for joining us. I mean, it, you know, all these developments are. You know, it's showing you that this sort of continuation, no matter what is going on in the news or on Love Island, health IT and investments and implementation continues.
18:18 Megan: I think the, you know, we're just getting really excited about the Samsung Zel acquisition. I think it shows us a a maturation in the wearables market that there's, there's a real demand for that, and I think we're gonna see, You know, more, more money and more deals flowing.
18:36 Janae: So yeah, we're going to see improved health, and I hope everyone, thank you for following us. Please follow, subscribe, share, tag us, email us your five good things, share online. Like, we love to hear it, and we have featured a lot of them that people have sent us.
18:55 Megan: And that's it for today. Thanks so much for joining us. This is Megan Antonelli and Janae Sharp signing off for 5 Good Things and Digital Health Talks.
19:04 Narrator: Thank you for joining us on Digital Health Talks, where we explore the intersection of healthcare and technology with leaders who are transforming patient care. This episode was brought to you by our valued program partners Automation Anywhere, revolutionizing healthcare work flows through intelligent automation. Nara, advancing contactless vital signs monitoring. Elite groups delivering strategic healthcare IT solutions. Cello, securing healthcare identity management and access governance.
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19:55 Narrator: Ready to connect with healthcare technology leaders in person? Join us at the next health impact event. Visit healthimpactforum.com for date and registration. Until next time, this is digital Health Talks, where change makers come together to fix healthcare.