In this episode of The Healthy Enterprise, host Michael Gorton shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur and pioneer in telemedicine through his work with Teladoc. He reflects on how COVID-19 accelerated virtual care adoption and introduces his new venture, Recuro, focused on early detection and prevention. The conversation explores innovations in mobile healthcare, AI-driven personal health data, and the future of diagnostics—while touching on the entrepreneurial mindset needed to overcome healthcare’s bureaucratic challenges and drive meaningful change.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Michael Gorton and Telemedicine
04:14 The Birth of Teladoc
08:48 Telemedicine's Rise During COVID-19
15:32 Transitioning to Recuro: A New Venture
22:46 Innovations in Early Detection and Prevention
28:28 Innovations in Mobile Healthcare
31:08 The Future of Personal Health Data
34:57 The Role of AI in Early Diagnosis
35:41 The Journey of an Author
39:10 Exploring the Universe: Plasma Physics and Beyond
44:20 Phantom Space: The Future of Data Centers
51:17 Overcoming Bureaucratic Hurdles in Healthcare

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name: Michael Gorton
• Guest's Title/Position: Founder
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-gorton/
• Company / Affiliation: Dynamic Works Consulting https://michaelgorton.us/
• Guest's Bio: Michael Gorton is a 15-time entrepreneur, author, and pioneer in telemedicine and digital health. As the founder of Teladoc—the world’s largest telemedicine company—he helped ignite a half-trillion-dollar industry. With degrees in engineering and law, Michael has built a career turning bold ideas into reality through ventures spanning healthcare, energy, and technology. A bestselling author and frequent keynote speaker, he continues to inspire innovation and leadership through his writing, public speaking, and mentorship of emerging entrepreneurs.

Takeaways:

• Michael Gorton is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Teladoc.
• Telemedicine gained significant traction during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 87% of the U.S. population now prefers telemedicine for consultations.
• Telemedicine can be more profitable for doctors compared to traditional practices.
• Early detection in healthcare can prevent costly and dangerous conditions.
• Recuro aims to simplify healthcare and enhance early detection.
• The healthcare system is complicated and needs simplification.
• Innovative technologies can aid in early diagnosis and prevention.
• Access to healthcare is crucial for rural populations.
• Making healthcare simple can save lives and reduce costs.
• Mobile healthcare units are being developed for remote areas.
• Smartwatches can collect valuable health data.
• AI can help diagnose health issues early.
• Personal health data ownership is crucial for patients.
• Bureaucratic hurdles slow down healthcare innovation.
• Persistence is key to overcoming challenges in healthcare.
• Science fiction can inspire real-world innovations.
• Plasma physics may hold answers to extraterrestrial intelligence.
• Data centers in space could revolutionize AI processing.
• Collaboration among innovators is essential for progress.

In this episode of The Healthy Enterprise, Heath sits down with Michele Hart, Director of Marketing Communications at BostonSight, to explore the art and impact of nonprofit marketing in healthcare. Michele shares her journey from anthropology and journalism to leading marketing for a pioneering organization improving lives through innovative scleral lens technology. She discusses the challenges of mission-driven marketing—balancing purpose with growth, navigating the pandemic’s disruption, and aligning teams across marketing, sales, and product development—while emphasizing the importance of clear communication, the value of outsourcing for fresh perspectives, and the strategies that have helped BostonSight strengthen its brand and expand its global reach.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Michele Hart and Her Journey
02:52 Transitioning to Nonprofit Marketing
05:54 The Impact of COVID-19 on Work Dynamics
08:55 Understanding BostonSight and Its Mission
11:50 The Science Behind Scleral Lenses
14:59 Marketing Challenges and Strategies at BostonSight
17:52 Navigating the Commercial Landscape of Scleral Lenses
21:01 Expanding Global Reach and Partnerships
23:58 Optimizing Marketing Channels and Strategies
26:23 Streamlining Communication in Marketing
30:31 The Importance of Outsourcing for Fresh Perspectives
34:40 Aligning Marketing, Sales, and Product Development
36:53 Revenue Generation in Nonprofits
38:40 Innovative Marketing Strategies and Patient Engagement
42:25 The Future of Marketing: Balancing Digital and In-Person
45:45 Innovations in Scleral Lens Technology

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name: Michele Hart
• Guest's Title/Position: Director, Marketing and Communications
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelespilberghart/
• Company / Affiliation:BostonSight https://www.bostonsight.org/
• Guest's Bio: Michele Hart is a strategic and creative communications leader with a proven ability to align business goals with marketing strategy and optimize resources for maximum impact. With extensive experience in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors, she develops high-performing campaigns that engage both B2B and B2C audiences, drive growth, and expand access to meaningful solutions. Her work has been featured in leading outlets including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Good Housekeeping, TIME, and Prevention Magazine.

Takeaways:
-Michele Hart has over 25 years of experience in healthcare marketing.
-Her background in anthropology has been valuable in understanding consumer behavior.
-Transitioning to nonprofit work has provided her with meaningful mission-based experiences.
-COVID-19 created unique challenges but also fostered team bonding.
-BostonSight specializes in scleral lenses that improve vision and comfort for patients.
-The organization has a strong focus on patient care and research.
-Marketing strategies include optimizing channels and building brand identity.
-The commercial scleral lens is used by optometrists worldwide.
-Partnerships with international eye institutes have expanded their reach.
-Press releases remain a vital tool for internal communication and marketing.
-Streamlining communication is essential to avoid muddled messaging.
-Outsourcing can provide valuable insights and an objective perspective.
-Aligning marketing, sales, and product development is crucial for success.
-Nonprofits must focus on revenue generation to sustain their mission.
-Innovative marketing strategies can enhance patient engagement.
-In-person connections are becoming increasingly important post-pandemic.
-Traditional marketing methods are seeing a resurgence in the digital age.
-Scleral lenses are evolving with new technology for better patient outcomes.
-A focus on prevention in healthcare could transform patient care.
-Engaging with patients through webinars and testimonials builds trust.

In this episode of The Healthy Enterprise, host Heath speaks with Ataes Aggarwal, co-founder of Moodr Health, an AI-driven platform improving behavioral health through remote monitoring. They discuss Moodr’s origins, its evolution from perinatal mental health to broader applications, and the ethical use of AI in healthcare. Ataes shares lessons on scaling a health tech startup, building motivated and independent teams, and navigating challenges unique to communities like Appalachia. The conversation also touches on marketing’s role in brand growth, the power of partnerships, and Ataes’ core advice: keep things simple and stay persistent.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Moodr Health and Its Mission
03:12 The Genesis of Moodr Health
06:09 The Role of Data in Behavioral Health
08:46 Building Relationships Through Technology
12:07 Ethical AI in Healthcare
15:00 Expanding Focus: From Perinatal to Broader Mental Health
18:06 Challenges and Growth in Business
21:04 Real-World Impact and Case Studies
24:02 Scalability and Future Directions
28:15 Motivation and Team Dynamics
32:24 Marketing and Brand Development
37:30 Scaling Challenges and Team Independence
40:46 Community Impact and Healthcare Challenges
45:05 Collaborations and Partnerships
48:04 Final Thoughts and Advice

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name: Ataes Aggarwal
• Guest's Title/Position: Co-Founder
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ataes/
• Company / Affiliation: Moodr Health https://moodrhealth.com/
• Guest's Bio: Ataes Aggarwal is the co-founder of Moodr Health, a company empowering healthcare organizations to build genuine, scalable connections with their patients through AI-driven, ethical technology. A Johns Hopkins Biomedical Engineering graduate, Ataes combines technical expertise with empathy to advance behavioral health. He champions responsible AI, emphasizing privacy, fairness, and respect, and believes success comes from simplicity, perseverance, and creating real impact in people’s lives.

Takeaways:

• Moodr Health aims to stop silent suffering in behavioral health.
• The platform started with a psychiatrist using Fitbits for patient data.
• Data collection in mental health can enhance treatment efficacy.
• Building relationships through technology is key to patient care.
• Ethical AI is crucial in healthcare applications.
• Moodr Health is expanding its focus beyond perinatal mental health.
• The company is passionate about serving veterans and community health.
• Scalability is a challenge but the technology is designed for growth.
• Real-time data can improve patient-provider communication.
• The team is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in healthcare. Motivation stems from having a clear vision and a supportive team.
• A strong team is essential for navigating the challenges of a startup.
• Continuous learning is crucial, often through traditional methods like textbooks.
• Marketing is a vital component of a startup's success.
• Founders often have a deep connection to their brand and its story.
• Building independence within teams is key to scaling effectively.
• Healthcare challenges in Appalachia require innovative solutions.
• Collaborations with organizations can enhance service delivery.
• Every detail matters when serving patients and customers.
• Simplicity in communication and strategy is difficult but essential.

In this conversation, Michael Friend, Founder and CEO of the Minority Coalition for Precision Medicine, discusses the critical role of precision medicine and CRISPR technology in addressing health disparities, particularly in minority communities. He shares his personal journey, the challenges faced by individuals with sickle cell disease, and the importance of building trust in healthcare. The conversation emphasizes the need for community engagement, youth involvement, and advocacy to drive change in the healthcare landscape.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Precision Medicine and CRISPR
03:00 Understanding Sickle Cell Disease and Its Challenges
06:00 The Role of CRISPR in Healthcare
09:02 The Importance of Trust in Healthcare for Minorities
11:59 The Coalition's Mission and Community Engagement
14:56 Overcoming Skepticism Around Precision Medicine
18:01 The Tipping Point for CRISPR and Public Awareness
21:12 Future of Precision Medicine and Business Models
23:49 Advocacy and Personal Motivation
27:03 Engaging Youth in Healthcare Conversations
30:05 Advice for Aspiring Change-Makers
33:11 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name: Michael Friend
• Guest's Title/Position: Founder & CEO
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-friend-/
• Company / Affiliation: Minority Coalition for Precision Medicine
• Guest's Bio: Michael Friend is a U.S. veteran and founder of the Minority Coalition for Precision Medicine (MCPM), dedicated to ensuring precision medicine serves all communities, not just the privileged few. Inspired by his East Baltimore roots and the legacy of Henrietta Lacks, Michael fights for health equity through coalition-building, youth education, and advocacy in areas like CRISPR, sickle cell disease, and microbiome science. His work is a mission of justice, remembrance, and redemption, amplifying voices long ignored in healthcare.

Takeaways:

• Michael Friend is the CEO of the Minority Coalition for Precision Medicine.
• The coalition aims to reduce health disparities in minority communities.
• Sickle cell disease is a painful and complex condition.
• CRISPR technology has the potential to reshape healthcare.
• Building trust in healthcare is crucial for minority communities.
• Community engagement is essential for awareness and education.
• Skepticism around precision medicine exists but is changing.
• Youth involvement is vital for the future of healthcare.
• Private-public partnerships are necessary for innovation.
• Advocacy and personal motivation drive change in healthcare.

In this episode of The Healthy Enterprise, Trace Voshell, Chief Revenue Officer at GoGoMeds, shares his journey from baseball player to pharmacy leadership. He discusses the challenges of healthcare costs, innovations in medication access, telemedicine, and custom pharmacy solutions, while offering insights on leadership, team collaboration, and making medications more affordable for employers and employees.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to GoGoMeds and Trace's Journey
02:57 Understanding Pharmacy Operations and Patient Care
05:54 The Challenges of Healthcare Costs
09:02 Innovations in Medication Access and Employer Benefits
11:52 Telemedicine and Custom Pharmacy Solutions
14:49 Transitioning to GoGoMeds and Leadership Style
24:03 The Drive to Win: A Personal Philosophy
25:04 Documentary Insights: Uncovering Healthcare Costs
28:07 Marketing Strategies: Outsourcing for Growth
32:18 Sales Team Dynamics: Growth and Strategy
34:32 The Balance of Aggression and Patience in Sales
38:03 Building a Winning Corporate Culture
43:13 AI in Business: Balancing Automation and Personal Touch
45:13 Final Thoughts and Future Connections

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name:Trace Voshell
• Guest's Title/Position: Chief Revenue Officer
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trace-voshell-34040b7a/
• Company / Affiliation: GoGoMeds https://gogomeds.com/GoGoClient/home
• Guest's Bio: Trace Voshell is the Chief Revenue Officer of GoGoMeds, a company transforming pharmacy pricing by moving beyond traditional PBM models. After a decade in a large PBM-owned pharmacy, Trace shifted to the cash-pay side to make medications more affordable through a transparent, cost-plus pricing model. GoGoMeds empowers employers, physicians, and digital health companies to deliver medicine fairly, save money, and put patients first.

Takeaways:

• Trace Bushell transitioned from a baseball career to pharmacy.
• GoGoMeds aims to transform patient access to medications.
• Healthcare costs can be overwhelming for patients.
• GoGoMeds offers significant savings on generic medications.
• Employers can benefit from offering $0 medications to employees.
• Telemedicine is a growing area for GoGoMeds.
• Custom pharmacy solutions enhance patient care.
• Trace's personal experience with cancer informs his work.
• Leadership involves being hands-on and empathetic.
• Failures are part of the journey to success. I like to win, don't care about recognition.
• The documentary 'It's Not Personal, It's Just Healthcare' uncovers hidden costs.
• Go Go Meds is a solution in the pharmacy space.
• I was one of the producers of the documentary.
• We needed to enhance our marketing efforts.
• You can't just have one marketing piece for all verticals.
• Aggression and patience are key in sales.
• Culture is crucial for employee motivation.
• You have to remain a person in sales interactions.
• We're changing the pharmacy landscape for affordability.

In this episode, Laura Lampa, CEO of LML StoryLab Consulting, shares her journey from a scientist to a communication expert in the life sciences sector. She discusses the importance of effective communication in science, her transition to entrepreneurship, and the challenges of being a solopreneur. Laura emphasizes the significance of networking, leveraging AI in her work, and maintaining a work-life balance. She also provides valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and shares her vision for the future of her business.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Laura Lampa and LML StoryLab
02:54 Journey from Science to Communication
05:55 The Transition to Entrepreneurship
09:02 Challenges of Solopreneurship
12:01 Networking and Building Relationships
15:00 Vision for the Future of LML StoryLab
18:11 Leveraging AI in Communication
20:57 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
23:54 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name:Laura Lampa
• Guest's Title/Position: Founder and CEO
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralampa/
• Company / Affiliation: LML StoryLab Consulting https://lmlstorylab.com/home
• Guest's Bio: Laura Lampa is the Founder and CEO of LML StoryLab Consulting, where she helps mission-driven companies in agriculture, fermentation, and sustainability tell compelling stories that inspire action. With over 18 years of experience spanning global organizations and startups—including Monsanto, Kaiser Permanente, Bayer Crop Science, and Ginkgo Bioworks—Laura brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and communications leadership. A former bench scientist turned strategist, she specializes in science communication, change management, and stakeholder engagement, empowering organizations to connect authentically and drive meaningful impact.

Takeaways:

• Laura Lampa transitioned from a scientist to a communication expert.
• Effective communication can unlock conversations and connections.
• Networking is crucial for building relationships and finding clients.
• AI can be a strategic partner in writing and communication.
• Time management is a significant challenge for solopreneurs.
• Maintaining professional connections helps avoid loneliness.
• It's important to know your limits as a solopreneur.
• You can develop tools and templates for clients to use independently.
• Showing up consistently builds credibility and trust.
• Entrepreneurship requires a willingness to take risks and embrace challenges.

In this episode of The Healthy Enterprise, host Brian Newsom discusses his journey in the biotechnology field, focusing on his role as CEO of Carrigent, a company specializing in cell and gene therapy. He elaborates on the innovative vector technology being developed for targeted payload delivery, the challenges of fundraising in the current market, and the integration of AI to enhance operational efficiency. Brian also shares insights into the importance of strategic partnerships and the ultimate goal of bringing therapeutic solutions to patients. In this conversation, the speaker discusses the importance of building long-term relationships in healthcare, particularly in the context of gene therapy. They share insights on leadership styles, emphasizing trust and autonomy within teams. The challenges of being a founder are explored, along with the need for inspiration and motivation in tough times. The discussion also touches on the intersection of science fiction and current scientific advancements, future trends in healthcare, and advice for aspiring professionals in the field.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cell and Gene Therapy Innovations

03:04 Exploring Vector Technology and Its Applications

05:59 Brian Newsom's Journey: From Science to Business

09:08 Leveraging AI and Technology in Biotech

11:59 Navigating Fundraising Challenges in Biotech

14:49 Strategic Partnerships and Market Positioning

22:12 Building Long-Term Relationships in Healthcare

23:27 Leadership Style and Team Dynamics

26:00 The Challenges of Foundership

28:32 Finding Inspiration and Motivation

31:12 The Intersection of Science Fiction and Reality

33:03 Future Trends in Healthcare

35:34 Advice for Aspiring Professionals

37:17 Navigating Tough Times in the Industry

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name: Brian Newsom
• Guest's Title/Position: Chief Executive Officer
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-newsom/
• Company / Affiliation: Carrigent https://carrigent.com/
• Guest's Bio: Brian Newsom is the founding CEO of the vector technology company, Carrigent, as well as the VP of Business Development for the cell therapy CDMO, Theragent. Prior to this, Brian spent six years at KBI Biopharma and almost a decade at Thermo Fisher Scientific (and legacy companies) in business development. Brian’s technical background includes posts as Head of R&D at Opexa Therapeutics and five years at Baylor College of Medicine, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy. Brian began his career in cell therapy at Aastrom Biosciences, one of the industries pioneering companies, in 1992. Brian received his degree in Microbiology from Texas Tech University and an MBA from Texas A&M University.

Takeaways:

• Brian Newsom is the CEO of Carrigent, focusing on cell and gene therapy.
• Carrigent is developing a next-generation payload delivery system.
• The company is exploring applications in oncology, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Brian transitioned from a scientific role to business development to have a broader impact.
• AI is being leveraged to create efficiencies in biotech operations.
• Fundraising in biotech is currently challenging due to market conditions.
• Strategic partnerships are essential for asset development and exposure.
• The ultimate goal is to partner with pharma and biotech for therapeutic development.
• Brian's diverse background provides a unique perspective in the industry.
• The end users of their technology will be pharma and biotech companies. Building long-term relationships is crucial in healthcare.
• Leadership involves trusting your team to do their jobs.
• Founders often struggle to let go of their vision.
• Inspiration can come from various sources, including literature.
• Science fiction often predicts future scientific advancements.
• Early diagnostics are essential for effective treatment.
• The healthcare industry is evolving with new therapies.
• Resilience is key in navigating industry challenges.
• Patient care should be the primary motivation for professionals.
• The future of healthcare will focus on curing chronic diseases.