THE SHOW
Healthcare is a multi-trillion dollar industry in the United States, and yet many people are completely unaware of the brilliant people who work tirelessly behind the scenes and their efforts to improve access, lower costs and improve patient outcomes. Welcome to PopHealth Podcast, the show by healthcare professionals that explores the challenges facing the American Healthcare system and the innovative minds looking to solve them and move the industry into the future. We invite thought-leaders and influencers to discuss population health; from elected officials tasked with setting public policy, to clinicians who treat patients in every conceivable condition and social situation, to ground-breaking business leaders who are creating ways to connect and streamline the delivery of care to an ever-growing and diverse nation.
Our hosts, Gavin Ward & Zac Morgan, bring a combined 20 years of heath care and home care experience which allows them to facilitate thoughtful and meaningful discussion on topics including population health, care transitions, readmission prevention, etc. Our goal is to provide listeners with a wealth of knowledge on the issues which affect millions of Americans every day, and a glimpse inside the world’s largest healthcare system.
If you have experience with population health or possess a passion for care transitions and readmission prevention, join us on the PopHealth Podcast! Together, through healthy conversation, we can change and improve the future of healthcare!
Latest Episodes
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Anthem Regional Vice President Beau Hennemann: California’s Long Term Supports and Services, CalAIM
Beau shares how an initial stint as a temporary worker landed him a role with California’s In-Home Supportive Sevices that became a springboard into his career as he ultimately become well versed in California’s long term supports (LTSS) and services as well as home and community based services (HCBS). That foundation has helpd Beau become[…]
L.A. CARE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sameer Amin on His First Year and What’s To Come in 2024
L.A. CARE is one of the largest health plans in CA, serving millions in L.A. County, primarily Medi-Cal beneficiaries. L.A. CARE CMO Dr. Sameer Amin joins host Gavin Ward to share some of the highlights of his first year and what we can expect in 2024 with the state’s largest Medi-Cal managed care organization. Check[…]
California Association of Health Plans President/CEO Charles Bacchi- Initiatives & Annual Conference
Charles joins the show and shares about the latest CAHP initiatives and what to expect at the annual 2023 conference where over 1,000 leaders from DHCS, Health Plans, and providers gather in the desert. Check out this episode!
WellSpace Health’s Greater Sacramento Impact with Leaders Christie Gonzalez and Cordia Losh
WellSpace Health has been serving the Greater Sacramento area for many decades, and the CalAIM initiative is only going to increase its impact. Wellspace leaders Christie Gonzales and Cordia Losh join the show to share about the impact WellSpace has had in the community and what’s to come through the CalAIM initaitive, enhanced care management,[…]
CA Department of Health Care Services’ Susan Phillip: Update on 2024 Manged Care Plan Contracts
Susan Phillip joins the show to discuss the process and results of DHCS’ procurement and results for the 2024 managed care plan contracts. Susan, who serves as DHCS’ Deputy Director, Health Care Delivery Systems, shares how she came into the role and what we can expect heading into 2024 and beyond. Check out this episode!
California Commission on Aging Legislative Director Leza Coleman Explains CCOA and Its Initiatives
Leza joined the show and shares how her passion for older adults has led to her work wtih CCOAin the Golden State. CCOA’s latest initiatives include efforts to ensure the aging population has access to legislative meetings as well as a recognized voice and influence into lawmaking. Check out this episode!
Health Net VP Darrel Ng and Medi-Cal Redetermination or “Renewal”
Health Net’s VP of Communications and Marketing joined the show to share how the end of the pandemic and Public Health Emergency (PHE) is making the annual Medi-Cal redetermination of eligibility unlike recent years before as Californians were automatically renewed during the PHE. The state, Health Net, and other Medi-Cal plans are making significant outreach[…]
Kern Family Health Care’s Dan Diaz: How CalAIM and ECM are Impacting Thousands of Lives
Dan discusses his journey as the son of immigrant parents that inspired Dan to make a difference in Kern County where he’s spent his entire life. From ICU nurse to leading enhanced care management efforts of the 20th largest county in the US, Dan’s shares how he’s played a role in saving lives both literally[…]
California’s Caregiver Resource Centers (CRC) with Valley CRC Exec. Director Michelle Dibuduo
So many Californians provide care to their loved ones and often don’t know where to turn for help and support. Michelle shares how her own journey as a caregiver led to her receiving support from Valley CRC. Now as the Executive Director, Michelle shed lights on how caregiver resource centers throughout the state like hers[…]
Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) Chief Medical Officer Dr. Takashi Wada on Year 1 of CalAIM
Dr. Wada returns to PopHealth Podcast to share some of the initial results of IEHP’s California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) efforts as well as what’s to come next for IEHP, including how the end of the Covid-19 related Public Health Emergency (PHE) may have a significant impact on eligibility for the Medi-Cal population. Check[…]
OUR HOSTS
Gavin Ward – Co-host
Gavin Ward is the first Certified Fellow in Readmission Prevention and is a Nationally Certified Readmissions Professional. Gavin brings over 12 years of experience in the healthcare and homecare space, including assisting in the development of Maxim Healthcare’s senior care, or “companion,” division early on in his career. He currently serves as 24Hr HomeCare’s Regional Director of Strategy and Partnerships, where he works with various hospitals, managed care groups, health systems, and the post-acute community to develop programs to improve throughput (decrease length of stay), care transitions, and readmission prevention through a professional caregiving, non-medical solution. His efforts, including the Hospital to Home™ care transitions programs nominated as a finalist for the Patrick Soon-Shiong Innovation Awards, have led to 24Hr HomeCare partnerships with many healthcare organizations which previously had not funded non-medical in-home care, but are starting to now that the right homecare program can bring cost savings and stronger outcomes. Gavin recently joined the Alzheimer’s Association-California Southland Chapter’s Speakers’ Bureau and also serves as an expert panelist moderator for the National Readmission Prevention Collaborative in California and Arizona. He received his BA in Communication Studies from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA, where he also enjoyed time on the Westmont Warriors Ultimate Frisbee team. Gavin is married and has two children, ages 2 and 4.
Joe Zimmer – Co-host
Joe Zimmer is Regional Director at 24Hr HomeCare. As one of the leaders of the sales team, Zimmer oversees several Directors of Admissions throughout California, Arizona, and Texas. Joe was one of the company’s first employees, and helped to launch three start-up branch locations in Culver City, Encino, and Walnut Creek. He was also the engineer of the industry-first exclusive contractual partnership with a non-profit Community Based Organization: Jewish Family & Children’s Services of the East Bay – a pillar in the SF Bay Area since 1877. He also is a certified readmission prevention fellow through the National Readmission Prevention Collaborative. Fun fact: Joe taught himself how to play the piano at age 3.
Zachary Morgan – Co-host
Zac Morgan began as an Account Manager for 24Hr HomeCare’s Culver City office in 2010, and now serves as Regional Director of Strategy & Partnerships. He was the company’s first Senior Director of Admissions when he led the expansion into San Diego County, and also served two terms as the Chairman of the American Board of Home Care (2014-16). An early employee of 24Hr HomeCare, he helped to create the innovative Hospital to Your Home program and is a Nationally Certified Readmissions Professional. Zac graduated from Loyola Marymount University in LA where he studied both Sports Medicine and Business, and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Fun Fact: After graduating from LMU, Zac moved to South Korea where he taught English, science and math while traveling around Asia.
Ryan Iwamoto – Co-host and Producer
Ryan Iwamoto is owner and co-founder of 24Hr HomeCare. As leader of the sales, marketing and business development team, Iwamoto is responsible for developing the overall sales and marketing strategy, execution, and development. He co-founded 24Hr HomeCare’s award-winning Hospital to Your Home™ program that offers a high-touch, low cost solution for hospital throughput efficiency, reducing hospital readmission, and care transitions. The program was named a finalist for the Patrick Soon-Shiong Innovations award and the Los Angeles Journal’s Healthcare Leadership Forum & Awards for post-acute care programs. Fun fact: Ryan is a former Eagle Scout with the Bronze Palm.