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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COVID-19, Infectious Disease & ICU Expert Dr. Kevan Akrami- University of California San Diego
Dr. Akrami has served and lived in multiple continents as he has developed expertise in infectious disease and crirtical care. Kevan joins the show to share his first-hand experience about battling COVID-19 on the frontline in 2021, while also addressing some of the myths about the disease and vaccine. Check out this episode!
2020 Cost of Care Survey with Genworth’s Gordon Saunders
The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey is the leading tool for seniors and their loves ones to get true private pay costs of in-home care, senior living, adult day care, and nursing home care. Gordon shares how it all comes together and how it’s the go-to resource for care seekers across the country. Check[…]
Chris Howard, Sharp HealthCare CEO
Chris uprooted from Oklahoma not too long ago after throwing his name in the hat to lead Sharp. Little did he know that early in his tenure a global pandemic would hit. Chris shares how he and his team have created a positive “Sharp experience.” Check out this episode!
Don Antonucci, Blue Shield of California Sr. VP, Growth
Don, who recently started his own podcast, has helped lead successful efforts in multiple states for Blue Shield. Don spends some time sharing a bit about Blue Shield in CA and what’s new in 2021. Check out this episode!
Karen M Johnson, Health Net’s Medicare Officer
Karen joins the show to shed some light as to how Health Net is helping its many members throughout the state through a variety of offerings. Karen also addresses the challenge of healthcare accessibility that remains a hot topic in the healthcare community. Check out this episode!
Dr. Romilla Batra, Chief Medical Officer, SCAN Health Plan
Dr. Batra joins us for our of our Fall Health Plan Miniseries where she shares about SCAN’s specific focus on seniors, how COVID-19 has impacted members in 2020, and how SCAN is moving forward into the new plan year for its over 200,000 older adult members. Check out this episode!
Anthem Vice President, Medicare Product Management, Martin Esquivel
Martin rejoins the show as the first health plan leader in our 2020 Open Enrollment Miniseries. Martin gives an update into how Anthem continues to evolve while, in certain ways, remaining the same as many of Anthem traditional and supplemental benefits are working well for its Medicare members. Check out this episode!
WelbeHealth President Matt Patterson Discusses PACE
Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, is not as prevalent as one may think due to certain restrictions the government has recently lifted. Up and coming WelbeHealth, led by Matt Patterson, has quickly grown to be able to provide care to thousands (and growing) of low income older adults. Matt shares how[…]
CEO of UC Davis Health, David Lubarsky
David spent time with the show sharing about his journey from one side of the country, South Florida, to the other side with UC Davis Health in Northern California. Located in the Greater Sacramento area, David shares how UC Davis Health was the first system to treat a COVID-19 community spread case and the lessons[…]
Former US Senator & Healthcare Policy Expert Tom Daschle
Senator Daschle helped lead America post 9/11 and also was one of only two in US history to serve twice as both Majority and Minority leader. Tom shares about his experiences as a US Senator, his role prior to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and his outlook on healthcare in America. Check out[…]
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.