Outcomes Rocket

Saul Marquez

The Outcomes Rocket podcast brings you conversations with the healthcare leaders actually building the future of care. Hosted by Saul Marquez, founder and CEO of Outcomes Rocket and a 17 year medical device veteran.

Every episode goes deep with one operator: a health system executive, a medtech commercial leader, a health tech founder, a clinician, an investor. They talk about what they’re building, what broke along the way, and what they’d do differently.

With more than 2,000+ episodes in the archive, this is one of the largest libraries of healthcare leadership interviews anywhere. No fluff, no press release talk. Just people who’ve done the work telling you how they did it.

If you’re responsible for outcomes, revenue, or both, you’ll leave each episode with something you can use this week.

New episodes weekly.

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54 episodes
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English

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Thursday · 27 min
Building a More Connected Healthcare Workforce with Amit Kumthekar, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Sully
Healthcare has no shortage of technology, but too many disconnected tools can create more work for clinicians, patients, and administrators. In this episode, Amit Kumthekar, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Sully, talks about building AI that expands healthcare’s human capacity. Amit traces his path into healthcare innovation through his experience with a chronic condition and his early work in diabetes research. He explains how Sully brings clinical documentation, billing, patient engagement, inbound and outbound calls, and front-office workflows into one system to reduce friction across the care journey. They also discuss how to design voice AI that feels natural and empathetic, why agentic AI needs a strong technical foundation to deliver real-world value, and how consolidating fragmented tools frees organizations to put more resources into patient care. Tune in to learn how connected AI can make healthcare more efficient, accessible, and patient-centered! Resources: Connect with and follow Amit Kumthekar on LinkedIn. Follow Sully on LinkedIn and explore its website.
Thursday · 17 min
Whole-Person Care: Unifying Behavioral Health and Social Care with Jaffer Traish, Chief Operating Officer at findhelp
Finding the right behavioral health provider can be surprisingly difficult, even with hundreds of thousands of practitioners across the country. In this episode, Jaffer Traish, Chief Operating Officer at findhelp, talks about the challenges of making behavioral health services easier to find and navigate. He explains why social care and behavioral health need to be integrated into a single workflow and how fragmented, outdated provider directories can create unnecessary barriers to care. Jaffer also discusses the problem of “ghost networks,” where provider listings may no longer reflect who is actually available, and why greater transparency, accuracy, and accountability are needed. Finally, he shares how better matching, closed-loop referrals, and more integrated search tools could help connect people with the care and support they need. Tune in to hear how findhelp is working to build a more connected and transparent approach to behavioral health access! Resources: Connect with and follow Jaffer Traish on ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Follow findhelp on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and explore their ⁠website⁠.
Thursday · 14 min
Beyond the Picnic Cooler: Redefining Organ Preservation with Dr. Xiaoxi Wei, Founder and CEO of X-Therma
Organ preservation still runs on a plastic bag, wet ice, and a picnic cooler. In this episode, Dr. Xiaoxi Wei, Founder and CEO of X-Therma, discusses extending the lifespan of organs, cells, and other living medicines. Her grandfather's death set the work in motion. She explains why the method used to carry a donated organ has barely changed in 50 years, and why a four-hour window decides which patients get matched. X-Therma's answer is a peptoid-based material modeled on nature's antifreeze proteins, designed to hold tissue at sub-zero temperatures without freezing damage. Wei also walks through the changes that occur when preservation stretches from hours to days, including broader donor matching, more room for cell and tissue therapies, and a path away from DMSO. Tune in to hear how a new class of preservation materials could turn more donated organs into transplants! Resources: Connect with and follow Dr. Xiaoxi Wei on LinkedIn. Follow X-Therma on LinkedIn and explore the X-Therma website. Contact the X-Therma team at info@xtherma.com.
October 9 · 27 min
Why Manager Enablement Is the Missing Layer in Workforce Mental Health ROI with Brad Swingruber, CEO at meQuilibrium (meQ)
Managers are often the first people to notice when something is off with an employee. But do they have the tools to know what to do next? In this episode, Brad Swingruber, CEO at meQuilibrium (meQ), talks about how managers can play a bigger role in connecting employees with mental health support. He explains why giving managers another training course or dashboard isn't enough, and why support needs to be simple, practical, and available where managers already work. Brad also shares examples of how meQ has helped organizations make these resources easier to use, including work with Citizens Bank that led to higher engagement and lower burnout. He discusses what organizations should measure, why psychological safety is an important place to start, and how understanding the needs of different groups within the workforce can shape a more effective approach. Tune in to hear Brad's take on what managers actually need to support their teams! Resources: Connect with and follow Brad Swingruber on LinkedIn. Follow meQuilibrium on LinkedIn and explore their website. Check the Burnout Impact calculator from the meQ team here.
October 9 · 24 min
Why Interoperability Depends on Accurate Patient Records with Martin Cody, SVP of Sales and Growth at 4medica
Healthcare interoperability fails if the data moving through the system isn't accurate. In this episode, Saul Marquez, Founder and CEO at Outcomes Rocket, speaks with Martin Cody, Senior Vice President of Sales and Growth at 4medica, about the overlooked but critical issue of patient identity accuracy. Martin explains how duplicate, incomplete, and mismatched records lead to costly downstream denials and shares how 4medica combines technology, data, and human expertise to clean and maintain patient data at scale. Because the company understands the cascading effects of bad data, it brings a proactive approach to fixing identity issues upstream, especially during hospital mergers and acquisitions. Martin is also candid about the clinical risks of patient record overlays and why strong human relationships still matter in a rapidly changing healthcare industry. Tune in to hear what it takes to make clean patient data the foundation of safer care and true interoperability! Resources: Connect with and follow Martin Cody on LinkedIn. Follow 4medica on LinkedIn and explore its website. Stay tuned for 4medica’s upcoming podcast, Dirty Data Done Right.
October 8 · 13 min
Helping Providers Focus on Patients, Not Paperwork with Hanna Mundy, Vice President of Strategic Operations at iScribeHealth
Providers won't adopt technology that adds steps to their day. In this episode, Hanna Mundy, Vice President of Strategic Operations at iScribeHealth, discusses building ambient AI that fits how providers already work. She traces her path from an orthopedic and sports medicine provider to a healthcare technology leader, and explains how iScribeHealth pairs ambient documentation with deep EHR integrations to reduce the documentation and billing load providers carry. Because the company came up working with human scribes, it brings a working knowledge of clinical workflow, note quality, and the customization that high-volume specialty practices need. Hannah is also candid about provider resistance to change, and why iScribeHealth treats that resistance as a design constraint. Tune in to hear what it takes for documentation technology to earn a provider's trust! Resources: Connect with and follow Hanna Mundy on LinkedIn. Explore iScribeHealth and learn more about its ambient AI documentation solutions.
October 6 · 20 min
ASC Insights: The Role of Culture and Relationships in ASC Success with Allison Stock, Chief Operating Officer at Surgical Management Professionals
Why the success of an ASC relies on preserving the physician's voice and cultivating a strong, unique culture. In this episode of ASC Insights, recorded live at ASCA SAMBA 2026, Lindsay Alexander is joined by Allison Stock, Chief Operating Officer at Surgical Management Professionals (SMP). Drawing on 20 years of experience in the ASC space, Allison shares what it takes to build a successful surgery center from the ground up and the importance of keeping independent physicians at the center of clinical decisions. She discusses the evolving challenges of the ASC marketplace, including the impact of private equity, the shift toward higher case complexity, and the pressures of supply chain and reimbursement. Looking ahead, she emphasizes that while innovations like AI and robotics offer new operational efficiencies, human relationships and collaborative teams will always be the true drivers of an ASC’s success. Tune in as Allison Stock explores why a customized approach to culture and staffing is critical, and how ASC leaders can navigate a rapidly changing landscape while delivering exceptional outpatient care. Resources: Connect with and follow Allison Stock on LinkedIn. Follow Surgical Management Professionals (SMP) on LinkedIn and explore their website!
October 6 · 25 min
Why Patients Need Political Power, Not Just Awareness with Matthew Zachary, CEO and Co-Founder of We The Patients
Patients are the largest unorganized constituency in American healthcare—and Matthew Zachary believes that needs to change. In this episode, I speak with Matthew Zachary, CEO and Co-Founder of We The Patients, brain cancer survivor, author of the book: We The Patients, founder of Stupid Cancer, and host of Out of Patients. Matthew shares why traditional advocacy built around awareness and moral arguments has not been enough to change healthcare policy. He explains his vision for organizing patients around shared economic interests, using the 3.5% rule as a framework for building real civic power. We also discuss how insurance barriers, administrative burden, medical debt, and delayed access to prevention continue to harm patients, and why aligning patient protections with economic incentives could create meaningful reform. Tune in to learn why an organized patient constituency could become one of the most powerful forces in healthcare! Resources: Connect with and follow Matthew Zachary on LinkedIn. Visit Matthew Zachary’s website. Get a copy of We the Patients: Understanding, Navigating, and Surviving America’s Healthcare Nightmare. Listen to Out of Patients with Matthew Zachary. Learn more about Stupid Cancer. Read Matthew’s The Hill op-ed on patients sharing a civic identity. Explore Erica Chenoweth’s research on the 3.5% rule. Learn more about Lucid Diagnostics and the EsoGuard test.
October 1 · 19 min
Improving Patient Access Through Data and Activation with Todd Gottula, Co-Founder and CEO of Clarify Health Solutions
High-quality care only improves outcomes when patients can access it, navigate it, and complete the next step in their care journey. In this episode, I speak with Todd Gottula, Co-Founder and CEO of Clarify Health Solutions, about his personal experience navigating a serious back injury and how it reinforced the importance of timely access to care. Todd shares how Clarify Health uses nationwide claims data, AI-enabled insights, and outcome-based partnerships to help health systems identify where patients are leaving their networks or facing barriers to care. He also discusses Clarify Meridian, which supports physician activation, and Arrival, a patient activation solution designed to help more patients complete specialty referrals and receive the care they need. Tune in to learn how better data, patient engagement, and aligned incentives can help health systems improve access and outcomes! Resources: Connect with and follow Todd Gottula on LinkedIn. Follow Clarify Health Solutions on LinkedIn and explore their website.
September 29 · 17 min
Bridging Gaps in Cancer Care Through Value-Based Models with Marcia Macphearson, Chief Operating Officer at ThymeCare
Cancer care is complex, emotional, and often difficult for patients to navigate alone. In this episode, Marcia Macphearson, Chief Operating Officer at ThymeCare, discusses how the company is working to transform cancer care through value-based care and a connected approach to the oncology ecosystem. She explains how ThymeCare brings together health plans, oncology practices, health systems, and multidisciplinary care teams to help patients navigate the financial, social, clinical, and emotional challenges of a cancer journey. Marcia also shares how building trust with patients and connecting the different parts of the healthcare ecosystem can help care teams respond quickly when patients need support. She explores the potential of AI to support clinicians by reducing administrative work, consolidating information, and giving care teams more time and insight to focus on individual patient needs. Tune in to learn how coordinated, whole-person cancer care can close gaps, build trust, and improve outcomes! Resources: Connect with and follow Marcia Macphearson on LinkedIn. Follow ThymeCare on LinkedIn and explore their website. Learn more about Thyme Companies.
September 25 · 15 min
Building AI That Works With Radiologists, Not Against Them with Dr. Jeff Chang, Co-Founder and CEO of RAD AI
Radiology teams are facing rising imaging volumes, persistent staffing shortages, and growing burnout, making workflow-focused AI more important than ever. In this episode, Dr. Jeff Chang, Co-Founder and CEO of RAD AI, discusses building generative AI solutions that help radiologists work faster while maintaining their existing workflows. Jeff shares how RAD AI started by automating parts of radiology reporting, then expanded into patient follow-up and AI-powered reporting tools that reduce dictation time and support more consistent care. He also discusses why successful healthcare AI must fit naturally into clinical workflows, the lessons RAD AI learned while navigating early startup challenges during COVID-19, and how generative coding could accelerate innovation across healthcare. Tune in to learn how workflow-driven AI can reduce radiologist burden, improve follow-up care, and support the future of medical imaging! Resources: Connect with and follow Dr. Jeff Chang on LinkedIn. Follow RAD AI on LinkedIn and explore their website!
September 24 · 15 min
Why Founders Must Keep Reinventing Themselves with Steve Preda, Founder and CEO of Summit OS Group
A business cannot scale beyond its founder unless the founder is also willing to evolve. In this episode, Steve Preda, Founder and CEO of Summit OS Group, discusses the systems founders need to build scalable, leadership-led companies. Steve shares how business operating frameworks helped him grow and sell his investment banking firm, which in turn inspired him to create Summit OS. He explains how the system establishes execution momentum, develops leaders into “mini CEOs,” and helps businesses progress from operational discipline to strategic differentiation. He also touches on why healthcare professionals must understand the business they lead, even when they delegate its daily management, and why continual reinvention is essential as companies grow and face disruption. Tune in to learn how the right systems can help founders strengthen execution, empower their teams, and build businesses that can scale beyond them! Resources: Connect with and follow Steve Preda on LinkedIn. Follow Summit OS Group on LinkedIn and explore the Summit OS website! Visit StevePreda.com to explore Steve’s books, podcasts, videos, and other resources. Explore the Summit OS book library, including Summit OS: A Fable. Preorder Steve’s upcoming book, 5 Climbs: That Take Your Business to the Top of the Mountain. Listen to Steve’s Management Blueprint podcast. Download the free Summit OS Starter Toolkit.
September 23 · 22 min
Making Mental Health Support as Accessible as a Text Message with Johnny Crowder, Founder and CEO of Cope Notes
Mental health support becomes more accessible when it reaches people through a tool they already use every day. In this episode, Johnny Crowder, Founder and CEO of Cope Notes, discusses turning his lived experience with mental health challenges into a simple, evidence-based support platform. Johnny explains how Cope Notes delivers daily text messages featuring psychology facts, exercises, and journaling prompts written by peers and reviewed by clinicians. He talks about why text messaging can reach more people than an app, how employers can measure its impact through engagement, productivity, turnover, and healthcare claims, and why preventive support can benefit people whether or not they are currently struggling. Tune in to learn how accessible, bite-sized mental health support can help people build healthier thinking patterns one text at a time! Resources: Connect with and follow Johnny Crowder on LinkedIn. Email Johnny directly at johnny@copenotes.com. Follow Cope Notes on LinkedIn and explore their website! Learn more about the evidence behind Cope Notes on their research page. Try Cope Notes free for seven days at copenotes.com.
September 22 · 14 min
Why Healthcare’s Old Processes Can’t Keep Up with Medicaid Changes with Asya Rudikoff, Co-Founder and CEO of AccessIQ
Protecting Medicaid access starts with identifying coverage risks before paperwork problems interrupt care. In this episode, Asya Rudikoff, Co-Founder and CEO of AccessIQ, discusses how her experience as a physical therapist and home healthcare leader exposed the consequences of preventable Medicaid disenrollment. She explains how procedural issues, including missed forms, outdated contact information, and complicated renewal processes, can cause eligible patients to lose coverage. Asya also explores how these disruptions affect families, provider revenue, hospitals, health plans, and state healthcare spending. She shares how AccessIQ uses coverage signals to identify at-risk patients, help organizations prioritize outreach, and shift Medicaid coverage management from reactive problem-solving to proactive prevention. Tune in and learn how actionable data can help protect Medicaid coverage, preserve access to care, and support healthcare organizations. Resources Connect with Asya Rudikoff on LinkedIn. Follow AccessIQ Health on LinkedIn and visit its website. Connect with Asya Rudikoff via email at asya@accessiq.health
September 18 · 15 min
Meeting Patients Where They Are Through Continuous Care with Aqil Chishty, CEO of TimeDoc Health
The future of healthcare is not limited to clinics and hospitals. It is increasingly about meeting patients where they are and supporting them between visits. In this episode, I speak with Aqil Chishty, CEO of TimeDoc Health, about shifting healthcare from episodic visits to continuous, longitudinal care. Aqil explains how TimeDoc Health serves as a bridge between patients and providers through chronic care management, remote patient monitoring, behavioral health support, and other virtual care programs. We discuss why compassion is essential for effective care coordination, how regular communication can prevent unnecessary hospital visits, and why healthcare organizations must listen closely to both patients and clients. Aqil also shares why he believes the home will become an increasingly important setting for care delivery. Tune in to learn how compassionate care coordination can close gaps, support providers, and help patients manage their health between appointments! Resources: Connect with and follow Aqil Chishty on LinkedIn. Follow TimeDoc Health on LinkedIn and explore their website!
September 17 · 7 min
The Three Foundations of Intelligent Robotic Surgery with Jean-Pierre Hubschman, Founder and CEO of Horizon Surgical Systems
The future of robotic surgery lies in helping surgeons see better, make stronger decisions, and operate with greater precision. In this episode, Jean-Pierre Hubschman, Founder and CEO of Horizon Surgical Systems, discusses the development of Polaris, a physical AI platform built specifically for ophthalmic surgery. He explains how variations in surgeons' vision, judgment, and technical execution can influence patient outcomes, even for routine procedures. Jean-Pierre explores how robotics and real-time imaging can provide intelligent surgical assistance while keeping physicians in control. He also shares his vision for making consistently high-quality eye surgery accessible to every patient, regardless of who performs the procedure. Tune in to discover how physical AI and robotics could transform the future of eye surgery! Resources: Connect with and follow Jean-Pierre Hubschman on LinkedIn. Follow Horizon Surgical Systems on LinkedIn and explore their website!
September 16 · 10 min
The Future of Remote Robotic Surgery with Tomas Baltrunas, Chief Medical Officer and Founder of Sentante
Robotic surgery should solve the entire clinical problem, not become another expensive tool in the operating room. In this episode, Tomas Baltrunas, Chief Medical Officer and Founder of Sentante, discusses the development of an intuitive robotic platform designed for endovascular procedures. He explains that successful medical robotics must support the entire procedure while allowing physicians to work with familiar instruments and established techniques. Tomas also shares Sentante's progress, including European approval for peripheral procedures and FDA Breakthrough Device designation for remote stroke treatment. He believes remote robotic care has the potential to expand access to specialized treatment and reduce healthcare disparities regardless of a patient's location. Tune in to learn how remote robotic procedures could make advanced vascular and stroke care more accessible! Resources: Connect with and follow Tomas Baltrunas on LinkedIn. Follow Sentante on LinkedIn and explore their website!
September 15 · 26 min
Knowing Your Value in Value-Based Care Contracting with Rachael Jones, Founder and CEO of Syntax Health
Value-based care works best when payers and providers have the transparency, data, and shared understanding needed to succeed together. In this episode, Rachael Jones, Founder and CEO of Syntax Health, now part of Lightbeam Health Solutions, talks about simplifying the financial complexities of value-based care. Rachael explains how Syntax combines contract modeling, performance analysis, and actuarial science to help healthcare organizations understand risk and determine their true earning potential. She also discusses why community health centers deserve a stronger position in value-based care conversations, how clearer information can improve payer-provider collaboration, and why every additional dollar earned can help these organizations better serve their communities. Tune in to learn how actuarial intelligence and greater transparency can help community health centers maximize value-based care opportunities! Resources: Connect with and follow Rachael Jones on LinkedIn. Follow Syntax Health (a Lightbeam Solutions Company) on LinkedIn and learn more on their website!
September 11 · 18 min
Making Clinicians’ Lives Easier to Improve Patient Care with Gadi Shenhar, Co-Founder and CEO of Droxi
Making primary care more sustainable starts with giving physicians more time to care for patients. In this episode, I speak with Gadi Shenhar, Co-Founder and CEO of Droxi, about using AI to reduce the administrative workload that overwhelms primary care teams. Gadi shares how a medication error involving his grandmother led him to investigate the deeper problem of clinician burnout. He explains how Droxi brings relevant patient information directly into the EHR workflow, helping physicians manage their clinical inboxes with fewer clicks. We also discuss how listening to providers helped improve product adoption and how supporting advanced primary care management can help practices generate recurring revenue while strengthening care between visits. Tune in to learn how thoughtful AI design can reduce clinician burden and help build a more sustainable future for primary care! Resources: Connect with and follow Gadi Shenhar on LinkedIn. Follow Droxi on LinkedIn and explore their website!
September 10 · 14 min
How Nashville Became a Leading Healthcare Hub with Apryl Childs-Potter, CEO of the Nashville Health Care Council
Strong healthcare businesses are built on strong relationships, collaboration, and a shared commitment to advancing the industry. In this episode, Apryl Childs-Potter, CEO of the Nashville Health Care Council, discusses how Nashville evolved into one of the nation's leading healthcare hubs through the growth of healthcare companies, investors, and specialized service providers. She explains the Council's role in connecting industry leaders through year-round programs and its relationship-focused Sessions conference. Apryl highlights how these initiatives foster candid conversations and meaningful partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem. She also shares how bringing leaders together in trusted environments helps drive collaboration and industry-wide problem-solving. Tune in to discover why Nashville has become the Healthcare City and a leading destination for healthcare innovation and collaboration! Resources: Connect with and follow Apryl Childs-Potter on LinkedIn. Follow the Nashville Health Care Council on LinkedIn and explore their website! Learn more about the Nashville Health Care Sessions conference at NashvilleHealthcareSessions.com.

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