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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our team will be interviewing experts from across the ecosystem to bring the HLTH community timely facts and updates. Nancy Brown is Chief Executive Officer of the American Heart Association. Serving as CEO since 2008, Nancy has elevated the AHA as a global leader in heart disease and stroke science innovation. Robert Harrington, MD, is President of the American Heart Association and chairman of the department of medicine at Stanford University.

COVID-19 Discussion with The American Heart Association

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In 2023, we continue to face threats to public health, a mental health epidemic, a geopolitical crisis and social injustice. Additionally, imminent action is required to address the continued rise of healthcare costs and systemic inequities deeply ingrained in our health system. We are dying younger with more chronic disease, higher rates of depression and with more debt than ever before. Our quality of life is declining. You feel it, we feel it, so let’s do something about it. If you look hard enough, you’ll find glimmers of hope within the troubling news about the current state of our health and well-being. Progress is being made in all corners of our industry. We spend a whole lot of time focusing on why healthcare is hard and cannot change, rather than speaking to what’s possible if we try. My favorite quote is “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Instead of opining on why health cannot be disrupted, let’s actually attempt to disrupt it by finding small cracks where we can start to chip away.  At HLTH, we’re not putting on our rose-colored glasses any time soon, but instead are choosing to take a more positive, action-oriented outlook. We encourage all to think beyond yourself, your company, your bottom line.  Let’s lead with hope, rather than fear, to elevate humanity.  Our agenda will walk us through the story of how we got here, where we are now and what we can achieve once we face uncomfortable truths and remain open to the new technological innovations that can change the course of health’s future. According to the NIH, the triple aim in healthcare is improving the experience of care, improving the health of populations, and reducing per capita costs of health care. In the past few years, they’ve expanded to a quintuple aim, including both clinician well-being and health equity.  Given the rising cost of care, clinician burnout at an all-time high, continued healthcare restrictions on women and the LGBTQIA+ community, and a remarkably low public satisfaction with our healthcare system, we are not quite hitting the mark. Our agenda will present new targets for health leaders. Let’s aim to: <ul><li>Reduce the cost of care for patients and realign incentives within our health system to allow for this shift of cost. Somebody’s cost cannot always mean somebody else’s profits when you are dealing in the business of human lives.</li><li>Intervene early and often to catch disease at nascent stages, avoid downstream complications and costs, and create healthier individuals from a younger age. No matter how you cut the cake, we are a sick care system. Let’s focus on prevention and intervention.</li><li>Improve how patients and caregivers access and experience the health system. From choosing benefits to scheduling a care visit to finding a clinical trial to end of life care, the health experience should match or be significantly better than interactions with any other industry. Again, our business is humanity, the stakes are life and death.</li><li>Ensure quality care for all patients, full stop. The statistics are alarming and prove that in our current system, your zip code, your gender identity, your skin color, your socioeconomic status - the list goes on - are direct factors in the quality of care you will receive. This is unacceptable.</li><li>Create more affordable and accessible treatments for curable disease and expand research into the incurable. We have the most innovative R&amp;D in the world. Let&#39;s unlock our full potential, empower our scientists and not wait until the next pandemic to show the world what we are capable of developing.</li><li>Foster and fund the innovations that will move the industry and world forward. The status quo is not working, we have to try new things, fail, and then try new things again. Instead of leading with fear and criticism when discussing novel technologies, let’s focus on what is possible. Investing in our industry’s digital future is imperative.</li><li>Empower those working within our health system: from clinicians and nurses to benefits professionals to scientists to engineers. A company is only as good as its people, so finding solutions to help our people should be on all organizations&#39; priority list.</li></ul> So what does this mean for the HLTH 2023 agenda? Well, we are thinking big and bold. We are not interested in sales pitches, self-promotional monologues or buzzwords-filled back and forths. We have a lot to change in this industry, and fluff just won’t get us there.  The health industry is uniquely positioned to make a remarkable impact on this world. We hope the conversations and revelations that occur on our stages will reverberate throughout the rest of the industry. We’re excited to bring a new cohort of pioneering health leaders to the HLTH stage. We’ve never been more hopeful about health’s future. Let’s elevate humanity together! <a href="https://www.hlth.com/2023event/register" target="_blank">Grab your ticket to HLTH 2023 here &gt;</a>

HLTH 2023: The Time for Fluff is Over

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Year after year, <a href="https://www.hlth.com/2024event" target="_blank">HLTH</a> is THE place where healthcare organizations and leaders go to break news. And this year was no different. Over 10,000 attendees traveled to Las Vegas to take part in the industry’s innovation event, with over 60 companies sharing their latest news, biggest announcements, and ground-breaking innovations.  Check out the biggest news that leading companies shared at HLTH 2023:  Aidoc: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aidoc-and-mayo-clinic-platform-provide-end-to-end-ai-support-to-maximize-patient-care-301950735.html" target="_blank">Aidoc and Mayo Clinic Platform Provide End-to-End AI Support to Maximize Patient Care</a>Ash Wellness: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ash-wellness-and-fulton-county-board-of-health-address-stihiv-testing-access-barriers-amidst-nationwide-sexual-health-crisis-301949423.html" target="_blank">Ash Wellness and Fulton County Board of Health Address STI/HIV Testing Access Barriers Amidst Nationwide Sexual Health Crisis</a>Augmedix: <a href="https://ir.augmedix.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/90/augmedix-announces-new-ai-medical-documentation-product" target="_blank">Augmedix Announces New AI Medical Documentation Product, Augmedix Go, a Clinician-Controlled Mobile App</a>BeMe: <a href="https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/mendelai-launches-medical-record-focused-chatbot-and-more-digital-health-announcements" target="_blank">Teen mental health platform BeMe Health announced Blue Cross of Kansas as a new strategic investor in the company</a>Best Buy Health: <a href="https://corporate.bestbuy.com/glucose-monitoring/" target="_blank">Best Buy to sell continuous glucose monitoring systems</a>BrightInsight: <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/brightinsight-showcase-key-updates-brightinsight-123000812.html" target="_blank">BrightInsight to Showcase Key Updates to its BrightInsight Platform and Disease Management Solution at HLTH 2023</a>care.AI: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/careai-builds-advanced-solutions-for-nurses-with-google-clouds-generative-ai-and-data-analytics-on-its-smart-care-facility-platform-301950221.html" target="_blank">care.ai Builds Advanced Solutions for Nurses with Google Cloud&amp;#039;s Generative AI and Data Analytics on Its Smart Care Facility Platform</a>Cedar: <a href="https://www.cedar.com/all-press/new-data-from-cedar-highmark-inc-and-allegheny-health-network-validates-that-payer-provider-collaboration-is-key-to-improving-billing-process/" target="_blank">New Data from Cedar, Highmark Inc. and Allegheny Health Network Validates that Payer-Provider Collaboration is Key to Improving Billing Process</a>Cigna Evernorth: <a href="https://www.evernorth.com/articles/evernorth-enhances-virtual-care-experience" target="_blank">Evernorth Acquires Bright.md Technology Platform, Enhances MDLIVE’s Virtual Care Experience for Patients and Clinicians</a>CLEAR: <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010880264/en/Verato-Forges-Strategic-Partnership-with-CLEAR-to-Accelerate-the-Adoption-of-Digital-Identity-in-Healthcare" target="_blank">Verato Forges Strategic Partnership with CLEAR to Accelerate the Adoption of Digital Identity in Healthcare</a>CLEAR: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bwell-connected-health--clear-target-portal-itis-with-strategic-partnership-advancing-privacy-convenience--security-for-healthcare-consumers-301952185.html" target="_blank">b.well Connected Health &amp;amp; CLEAR Target &amp;#039;Portal-itis&amp;#039; with Strategic Partnership Advancing Privacy, Convenience &amp;amp; Security for Healthcare Consumers</a>ClearData: <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/10/09/2756724/0/en/ClearDATA-s-CSPM-Software-CyberHealth-Platform-Now-Available-as-a-SaaS-Offering-to-Meet-Needs-of-Healthcare-Organizations-at-Every-Stage-of-Cloud-Maturity.html" target="_blank">ClearDATA’s CSPM Software, CyberHealth™ Platform, Now Available as a SaaS Offering to Meet Needs of Healthcare Organizations at Every Stage of Cloud Maturity</a>Curative: <a href="https://curative.com/press/national-survey-reveals-astonishing-failures-of-traditional-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans" target="_blank">New National Survey by Curative Reveals Astonishing Failures of Traditional Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Plans</a>Darena Solutions: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/simplifying-healthcare-app-development-darena-solutions-launches-meldrx-301939726.html#:~:text=ST.,based%20on%20the%20SMART%20specification." target="_blank">Simplifying Healthcare App Development: Darena Solutions Launches MeldRx</a>DatosX Digital Health Labs: <a href="https://www.mmm-online.com/home/channel/novartis-expats-detail-their-health-tech-spinoff-datosx/" target="_blank">Novartis expats detail their health-tech spinoff DatosX</a>DeepScribe: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/deepscribe-adds-customization-studio-to-their-fully-automated-ai-scribe-further-empowering-healthcare-systems-to-support-specialized-workflows-301949986.html" target="_blank">DeepScribe Adds Customization Studio to Their Fully Automated AI Scribe: Further Empowering Healthcare Systems to Support Specialized Workflows</a>DrFirst: <a href="https://drfirst.com/press-releases/fuzion-by-drfirst-brings-radical-efficiency-to-clinical-workflows-and-safeguards-patients-from-preventable-errors/" target="_blank">Fuzion by DrFirst Brings Radical Efficiency to Clinical Workflows and Safeguards Patients from Preventable Errors</a>DUOS: <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231009276637/en/DUOS-Launches-AI-Informed-Platform-to-Connect-Older-Adults-with-Vital-Resources" target="_blank">DUOS Launches AI-Informed Platform to Connect Older Adults with Vital Resources</a>Elation Health: <a href="https://www.elationhealth.com/resources/blogs/hlth-2023" target="_blank">Elation Health to Showcase Industry-First Unified EHR and Billing Solution for Primary Care at Healthcare&#39;s Premiere Innovation Event</a>Evernow: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-evernow-report-highlights-ongoing-unspoken-challenges-people-in-menopause-face-at-work-301951148.html" target="_blank">New Evernow Report Highlights Ongoing, Unspoken Challenges People in Menopause Face at Work</a>Fifth Eye: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fifth-eyes-ahi-system-detects-shock-patient-deterioration-hours-ahead-of-vital-signs-301935542.html" target="_blank">Fifth Eye&#39;s AHI System: Detects shock, patient deterioration hours ahead of vital signs</a>FluidAI: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fluidai-medical-announces-15m-in-series-a-funding-for-ai-driven-postoperative-monitor-at-hlth-2023-301951883.html" target="_blank">FluidAI Medical Announces $15M in Series A Funding for AI-Driven Postoperative Monitor at HLTH 2023</a>General Catalyst: <a href="https://www.generalcatalyst.com/perspectives/the-future-of-health" target="_blank">General Catalyst is creating Health Assurance Transformation Corp.</a>Google: <a href="https://blog.google/technology/health/hlth-2023-bringing-ai-to-health-responsibly/" target="_blank">HLTH 2023: Bringing AI to health responsibly</a>Google Cloud: <a href="https://www.googlecloudpresscorner.com/2023-10-09-Google-Cloud-Adds-New-Features-to-Vertex-AI-Search-for-Healthcare-and-Life-Science-Companies" target="_blank">Google Cloud Adds New Features to Vertex AI Search for Healthcare and Life Science Companies</a>Gradient: Gradient Releases HIPAA-Compliant AI Platform for HealthcareHawthorne Effect: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hawthorne-effect-announces-monumental-diversity-in-patient-recruitment-data-for-valvular-heart-disease-study-301951674.html" target="_blank">Hawthorne Effect Announces Monumental Diversity in Patient Recruitment Data for Valvular Heart Disease Study</a>Health Gorilla: <a href="https://www.healthgorilla.com/blog/health-gorilla-launches-patient-access-enabling-organizations-to-get-health-data-from-health-information-networks-through-consumer-queries" target="_blank">Health Gorilla launches Patient Access, Enabling Organizations to Get Data from Health Information Networks Through Consumer Queries</a>Health Gorilla: <a href="https://www.healthgorilla.com/blog/health-gorilla-and-amwell-announce-expanded-digital-diagnostic-lab-ordering-for-clinicians" target="_blank">Health Gorilla and Amwell Announce Expanded Digital Diagnostic Lab Ordering for Clinicians</a>HeHealth: <a href="https://www.blog.hehealth.ai/hehealth-revolutionizing-men-s-health-with-ai-amid-surging-sti-rates-all-anonymously" target="_blank">HeHealth: Revolutionizing Men&amp;#039;s Health with AI Amid Surging STI Rates, All Anonymously</a>Highmark Health: <a href="https://www.springhealth.com/news/highmark-mental-well-being-powered-by-spring-health" target="_blank">Highmark Health and Spring Health Collaborate to Launch My Highmark’s Mental Well-Being Powered by Spring Health</a>Hinge Health: <a href="https://www.hingehealth.com/resources/press-releases/empowering-movement-with-new-product-experiences/" target="_blank">Empowering movement with new product experiences</a>Innovative Health Diagnostics: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/innovative-health-diagnostics-debuts-new-labflow-platform-to-enhance-at-home-testing-capabilities-for-digital-health-companies-301942565.html" target="_blank">Innovative Health Diagnostics Debuts New LabFlow Platform to Enhance At-Home Testing Capabilities for Digital Health Companies</a>InterSystems: <a href="https://www.intersystems.com/news/intersystems-expands-startup-program-with-eight-new-companies-to-accelerate-digital-health-innovation/" target="_blank">InterSystems Expands Startup Program with Eight New Companies to Accelerate Digital Health Innovation</a>January AI: <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231008087564/en/January-AI-Makes-Its-Digital-Twin-Technology-Available-to-Food-Industry-RD" target="_blank">January AI Makes Its Digital Twin Technology Available to Food Industry R&amp;amp;D</a>Jorie AI: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jorie-ais-vibrant-debut-at-hlth-2023-the-future-of-healthcare-revenue-cycle-management-301962757.html" target="_blank">Jorie AI&#39;s Vibrant Debut at HLTH 2023: The Future of Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management</a>Kaiser Permanente: <a href="https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/news/collaboration-with-instacart-to-expand-nutritious-food-access" target="_blank">Collaboration with Instacart to expand nutritious food access</a>KEEP Labs: <a href="https://www.accesswire.com/789090/keep-announces-nationwide-launch-transforming-home-safety-and-medication-management" target="_blank">KEEP Announces Nationwide Launch, Transforming Home Safety and Medication Management</a>Kyruus: <a href="https://www.kyruus.com/news/digital-access-dominates-80-of-consumers-prioritize-scheduling-care-online-reveals-kyruus-2023-care-access-benchmark-report" target="_blank">Digital Access Dominates: 80% of Consumers Prioritize Scheduling Care Online, Reveals Kyruus&amp;#039; 2023 Care Access Benchmark Report</a>Mendel: <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231009364497/en/Mendel-Launches-Hypercube-an-AI-Copilot-for-Real-World-Data-Applications" target="_blank">Mendel Launches Hypercube, an AI-Copilot for Real World Data Applications</a>Microsoft: <a href="https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2023/10/10/microsoft-introduces-new-data-and-ai-solutions-to-help-healthcare-organizations-unlock-insights-and-improve-patient-and-clinician-experiences/" target="_blank">Microsoft introduces new data and AI solutions to help healthcare organizations unlock insights and improve patient and clinician experiences</a>Mineral: <a href="https://www.reworked.co/the-wire/mineral-adds-select-health-to-embed-hr-and-compliance-solutions-in-employer-sponsored-health-plans/" target="_blank">Mineral Adds Select Health to Embed HR and Compliance Solutions in Employer-Sponsored Health Plans</a>Mother Goose Health: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mother-goose-health_mother-goose-health-is-thrilled-to-announce-activity-7115053029740945408-YVKc?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop" target="_blank">Mother Goose Health is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with The Breastfeeding Shop to support mothers in achieving their breastfeeding goals</a>Noom: <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231010277372/en/Noom-for-Work-Helps-Employers-and-Payers-Provide-Clinical-Care-to-Support-a-Comprehensive-Metabolic-Health-Solution" target="_blank">Noom for Work Helps Employers and Payers Provide Clinical Care to Support a Comprehensive Metabolic Health Solution</a>NuraLogix: <a href="https://ramaonhealthcare.com/nuralogix-unveils-integration-availability-of-its-anura-telehealth-platform/" target="_blank">NuraLogix Unveils Integration Availability of its Anura™ Telehealth Platform</a>Oula: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oula-announces-third-clinic-and-expanded-partnership-with-mount-sinai-health-system-to-provide-wider-access-to-collaborative-maternity-care-301961519.html" target="_blank">Oula Announces Third Clinic And Expanded Partnership With Mount Sinai Health System To Provide Wider Access To Collaborative Maternity Care</a>PEP Health: <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pep-health-report-uses-ai-112000901.html#:~:text=Powered%20by%20industry%2Dleading%20AI,to%20deliver%20relevant%20feedback%20from" target="_blank">New PEP Health Report Uses AI to Benchmark U.S. Hospital Patient Experience Trends</a>Peterson Health Technology Institute: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digital-health-tools-for-diabetes-management-and-virtual-musculoskeletal-care-to-undergo-independent-evaluation-301948954.html#:~:text=PHTI&#39;s%20first%20assessments%20will%20focus,and%20an%20improved%20user%20experience." target="_blank">Digital Health Tools for Diabetes Management and Virtual Musculoskeletal Care to Undergo Independent Evaluation</a>ReadHealthy Communications: <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/new-healthcare-life-sciences-communications-firm-readhealthy-communications-announces-company-launch-7221918f" target="_blank">New Healthcare &amp;amp; Life Sciences Communications Firm, ReadHealthy Communications, Announces Company Launch</a>Samsung Health: <a href="https://resources.icanbwell.com/samsung-health-taps-b-well-connected-health-for-shoppable-healthcare-experience/" target="_blank">Samsung Health Taps b.well Connected Health To Make Personalized Healthcare A Reality</a>Sidekick Health: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sidekick-health-announces-landmark-acquisition-expanding-its-portfolio-to-offer-regulated-prescription-digital-therapeutics-301952420.html" target="_blank">Sidekick Health announces landmark acquisition, expanding its portfolio to offer regulated Prescription Digital Therapeutics</a>Smart Meter: <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005181228/en/Smart-Meter-Will-Showcase-New-Product-To-Help-The-37-Million-Americans-Who-Have-Diabetes-At-HLTH-Conference" target="_blank">Smart Meter Will Showcase New Product To Help The 37 Million Americans Who Have Diabetes At HLTH Conference</a>Sutter Health: <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/10/10/2757877/0/en/Sutter-Health-Announces-Cutting-Edge-Innovation-Center-to-Revolutionize-Patient-Care-Elevate-the-Healthcare-Experience.html" target="_blank">Sutter Health Announces Cutting-Edge Innovation Center to Revolutionize Patient Care &amp;amp; Elevate the Healthcare Experience</a>Teladoc Health: <a href="https://business.teladochealth.com/newsroom/press/release/Teladoc-Health-Offers-Clients-Access-to-Musculoskeletal-Health-with-Hinge-Health/" target="_blank">Teladoc Health Offers Clients Access to Musculoskeletal Health with Hinge Health</a>Texas Medical Center: <a href="https://www.tmc.edu/press-releases/texas-medical-center-expands-global-reach-with-launch-of-tmc-netherlands-biobridge/" target="_blank">Texas Medical Center Expands Global Reach with Launch of TMC Netherlands BioBridge</a>Tia Health: <a href="https://asktia.com/article/quality-report" target="_blank">Women&#39;s Primary Care &amp;quot;Plus&amp;quot; Outcomes Report</a>Transcarent: <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230926037021/en/Transcarent-Launches-National-Independent-Provider-Ecosystem" target="_blank">Transcarent Launches National Independent Provider Ecosystem</a>TrustCommerce: <a href="https://trustcommerce.com/trustcommerce-integrated-healthcare-payments-solution-enhances-offering-with-athenaidx/" target="_blank">TrustCommerce Integrated Healthcare Payments Solution Enhances Offering with athenaIDX</a>Uber: <a href="https://www.uber.com/blog/uber-optum/" target="_blank">Uber and Optum simplify access to supplemental benefits</a>ValidAI: U<a href="https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/uc-davis-health-and-leading-health-systems-launch-valid-ai/2023/10" target="_blank">C Davis Health, NODE.health, and Leading Health Systems launch VALID AI</a>Walgreens: <a href="https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/walgreens-virtual-healthcare-launch-telehealth/696071/" target="_blank">Walgreens launches direct-to-consumer telehealth</a>Wider Circle: <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231003697269/en/Milliman-Validates-Methodology-to-Measure-Clinical-and-Financial-Outcomes-for-Wider-Circle%E2%80%99s-Connect-for-Life%C2%AE-Program" target="_blank">Milliman Validates Methodology to Measure Clinical and Financial Outcomes for Wider Circle’s Connect for Life® Program</a>WiserCare: <a href="https://thectac.org/asset/blog/respecting-choices-joins-wisercare/" target="_blank">Respecting Choices Joins WiserCare</a>

Announcements Made at HLTH 2023

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Promoting the importance of a diverse physician workforce can sometimes strike a nerve among those who believe the only important quality in a physician is their credential. Certainly, the credential is important. But the data clearly demonstrate that health outcomes improve when race or ethnicity of the patient are the same as the physician. A recent study randomly assigned 1,300 Black patients to Black or non-Black primary care physicians and found that patients cared for by Black doctors received 34% more preventative services1. Studies show that when physicians and patients share the same race or ethnicity it improves trust, time spent together, medication adherence, shared decision-making, wait times for treatment, patient perceptions of treatment decisions and reduces implicit bias 2. Another study revealed that too many White doctors still believe Black people don’t feel pain in the same way as White people - and that it had an effect on care, with Black and Hispanic patients less likely to receive medication to ease acute pain. One study showed that for the same ailment, such as a broken bone, a Black patient is 41% less likely to receive pain medication and more likely to receive inferior treatment for the same injury3. Black Americans make up 14% of the US population but only 4% of physicians are Black. Latinx and Hispanics make up about 19% of the US population and less than 6% of physicians are Latinx or Hispanic. 5.6% of adults identify as LGBTQ but there is little data on how many physicians identify as LGBTQ due to fears of homophobic reactions, discrimination, and increased risk of violence. The lack of diversity in our physician workforce makes it difficult for patients to find a doctor who shares their race or ethnicity, and the numbers are so low, many physician groups struggle to introduce any diversity into their team.   Why? Reasons include lack of opportunity, the high cost of medical education, implicit and explicit bias, lack of encouragement, lack of role models and mentors and college counselors who discourage Black and brown people from pursuing medical careers. There is also a critical lack of awareness and understanding of the importance and benefit of what is called patient provider concordance.   Dr Nwando Anyaoku, a Black pediatrician says that from her 20 years of clinical experience she knows how difficult it is to build and sustain a diverse clinical team. She says that it starts in middle school where non-majority students are discouraged from STEM subjects and the obstacles continue from there.  Dr. Anyaoku says many minority physicians struggle to be included and to feel they belong for their whole self in medical school and in their practice. Minority students have higher rates of leaving medical school and residency than White students. The trouble she says is that our system defaults to uniformity and conformity and if people don’t fit that model, they have a hard time being integrated into the team and it can feel like a bridge too far.  There are things healthcare organizations can do now to build an increasingly diverse workforce to offer the best care for their communities:<ul><li>Create opportunities and activities to expose students to careers in medicine early. Connecting with potential physicians as early as possible can help reduce some of the barriers to becoming a physician. Encourage physicians to engage in their communities to guide, support, and mentor high school and undergraduate students interested in medicine.</li><li>Increase opportunity for mentoring and sponsorship programs specifically targeted at minority physicians. Building effective mentoring programs drives inclusion and helps retain and grow minority physicians.  </li><li>Make diversity an actionable value and priority. Increase the diversity of the c-suite and board to reflect the community served and the commitment of the organization. Create inclusion programs which support diversity as an asset that enriches the experience of all physicians and staff, not only those of color.  </li></ul> Build an inclusive environment and reduce social isolation. Create a diversity committee; adopt a diversity action plan; conduct diversity, equity and inclusion training for physicians and leaders; evaluate leaders based on their effectiveness in achieving diversity-related objectives; and promote inclusive social gatherings and resource groups. To improve the quality of healthcare we must decrease barriers to building a diverse provider workforce. Diversity leads to better care by ensuring all backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicities, and perspectives are represented and understood so that each patient can be met where they are at. That is health equity.

Physician Diversity is Key to Health Equity

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