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 19: Kimball Thomas, CEO & Co-Founder at Walrus Health
In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Kimball Thomas, CEO and founder of Walrus, a company dedicated to improving medication adherence and reducing pharmacy costs for employers. Kimball shares his personal journey into healthcare, inspired by his own experiences with asthma and the complexities of the healthcare system. He discusses how Walrus leverages data insights to provide personalized medication management, emphasizing the importance of user engagement and the unique value proposition of their services. The conversation also covers the impact of Walrus on employee health, cost savings for employers, and the innovative Walrus RX Rewards program that incentivizes healthy behaviors. Kimball highlights the role of technology in enhancing the patient experience and the ongoing need for pharmacists to provide personalized care in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.
Takeaways
🔹 Kimball Thomas is the CEO and founder of Walrus, a company focused on improving medication adherence and reducing pharmacy costs for employers.
🌬️ Kimball's personal experiences with asthma and the healthcare system inspired him to enter the healthcare space.
📊 Walrus leverages data insights to address pharmacy spend and improve health outcomes for employees.
📱 The company focuses on user engagement, achieving higher engagement rates than most digital health companies.
💊 Walrus operates as a precision pharmacy, providing personalized medication management and support.
🎁 The Walrus RX Rewards program incentivizes employees to engage with their health and medication management.
💰 Walrus has demonstrated significant cost savings for employers through improved medication adherence and reduced hospitalizations.
🤝 The company collaborates with existing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to enhance the user experience without displacing them.
🧠 Kimball emphasizes the importance of understanding the consumer experience in healthcare.
📞 Walrus's approach includes ongoing support and communication with patients to ensure they receive the best care possible.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Walrus and Kimball Thomas
02:34 Kimball's Journey into Healthcare
09:47 The Unique Approach of Walrus Health
18:17 Precision Pharmacy: A New Paradigm
22:02 Case Study: Success with Pitney Bowes
27:48 Walrus Technology Evolution
34:28 Personalized Patient Engagement
39:40 The Role of Pharmacists in Modern Healthcare
45:20 Walrus RX Rewards Program
47:16 Personal Health Practices and Team Culture
53:10 Outro
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