Digital Health Heavyweights
This conversational podcast brings you exclusive interviews with all the Heavyweights in Digital Health. Hosted by Norm Volsky, a top industry headhunter, whose team helped scale companies including Livongo, Hinge Health, Lyra, Virta, Progyny and many more. This series will bring listeners insights into the latest trends, technologies, and strategies driving the digital health revolution.
In each episode, Norm sits down with some of the most influential and innovative leaders in healthcare technology today from legendary founders who have built successful companies, venture capitalists who have led funding rounds, HR/Benefits leaders at forward thinking companies, Consultants and Brokers at the top benefits consulting firms, and other impactful visionaries challenging the status quo in healthcare. Listeners can learn from the industry greats who have created what we now know as health benefits, and who are changing the face of healthcare as we know it.
Whether you're a healthcare professional, a tech enthusiast, a start-up founder, benefits aficionado, jobseeker in Digital Health, or simply curious about the future of healthcare, Digital Health Heavyweights has something for you.
Digital Health Heavyweights
Episode 32- Andrew Parker Founder and CEO of Papa
🙋♂️Welcome back to our channel and thank you for 200 subscribers!! We are thrilled to bring you episode 32 of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast!
Today Norm sits down with Andrew Parker, CEO and founder of Papa, who shares his journey in healthcare and the founding of Papa. He discusses the early success and challenges faced at MDLive, as well as the lessons learned during that time. Andrew dives into the early years of Papa, the importance of building what customers want, and the company's focus on transparency. Finally, he explains how Papa pivoted during the pandemic and the impact it had on the company's growth and ability to help older adults. Andrew also shares his insights on what he thinks makes a founder successful. He emphasizes the importance of grounded optimism, grit, breaking through walls, and rallying the troops. Andrew also highlights the value of being a therapist or philosopher and knowing one's weaknesses. He advises new founders to practice the lean startup methodology and to test and iterate. Additionally, he discusses the significance of maintaining mental health and fitness, including running and weightlifting. Finally, Andrew shares a healthy recipe for turkey meatballs and sweet potatoes! Yum.
Takeaways:
🏗 Building what customers want is more important than building what you want.
🤝Hiring people from diverse backgrounds can bring valuable perspectives to a company.
🔦Transparency and honesty are crucial in building trust with customers and partners.
😷The pandemic presented challenges but also opportunities for Papa to provide virtual and in-person assistance to older adults.
📈Successful founders possess grounded optimism, grit, and the ability to break through walls.
🧠Maintaining mental health and fitness is important for success.
🥗Healthy eating can be achieved through simple recipes and a focus on fresh ingredients.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:14 Inspiration to Enter Healthcare
07:56 Lessons Learned at MDLive
10:41 Starting Papa in 2017
15:06 Early Customers and Successes
30:40 Papa's Response to the Pandemic
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