ViVE2025: Its a Wrap Take 2

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Posted By: Roberta Mullin February 27, 2025

Another ViVE conference (the fourth) is in the books. This year ViVE published figures of over 9,000 attendees (1,500 C-Level), 800+ sponsors, and 10 stages filled with industry leaders. I never received final actual attendees but it didn’t feel like 9000 and especially by Tuesday afternoon when the mass exodus to beat the couple of inches of snow that blew in Tuesday night. But the crowd that was there was engaged, generally optimistic, up for networking, sharing in happy hours, and  of course talking about Ai. What was obviously absent from the event was any federal voice or human. The crowd not so talkative about their absence or the news of our new HHS leader. A definite positive I have always liked about ViVE is the  event takes place in one space. The setup this year had four main stages aptly named for music genres, after all we were in Nashville. Interestingly though the music you heard while waiting to begin had nothing to do with the stage names. The other feature I think is great in the main stages is the floor whiteboards that continually rotate the pictures and names of the people on stage. It helps keep track of who is speaking and connecting their POV to whom they are and where they work. Here are sessions I took in at the Jazz, Rock and Roll, Blues, and Country stages.

A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Data-Informed Decision Making in Action

Unlocking the potential of data to drive impactful decisions in healthcare was the discussion moderated by Dr. Aaron Wilcox, Surgeon with Kaiser Permanente joined by panelists Scott Arnold, EVP/CIO and Chief of Innovation, Tampa General Hospital, Dr. Stephanie Lahr, Chief Experience Officer, Artisight, and Amy Deaton, President & COO, EvidenceCare. The discussion tapped into real-world examples of leveraging data analytics to improve patient outcomes, streamline operations, and enhance decision-making.

Takeaway Quotes:

  • Data rich vs. Insight Data
  • Where to begin – Data Literacy
  • What is a data platform?
  • If Ai is the gold rush, Data is the currency.
  • What is the problem, who owns the problem, who will champion.

The Dog Days are Over for Retail Health

So what did the Pandemic uncover for Retail Pharmacy?
This space has had its ups and downs and many retail pharmacies are now returning to their roots while keeping an eye on the future to grow in new ways. They are focused on improving and expanding core pharmacy services while intentionally embracing integrated care models and a transition to value. There is a primary care crisis in the US, by 2039 it is predicted we will have a 50K doctor shortage. Currently, “patients will no longer be patient.”

As reimbursement rates shrink and consumer spending softens, pharmacies are facing increased pressure, on top of under staffing, rising workloads, and growing competition from new entrants. Despite these challenges, the role of pharmacists within care teams is evolving, with opportunities to enhance patient outcomes through deeper integration into care delivery. Tackling reimbursement challenges with expanding duty of the pharmacist, addressing pricing models of old, and engaging in policy changes on the state and federal levels.

Sustainable solutions that address burnout, optimize staffing, and empower pharmacists to meet the needs of today’s healthcare consumer can modernize the pharmacy model. Exploring new outlets that embrace convenience and customer engagement in pharmacy services that includes channels of care in the health ecosystem.

Moderator: Pooja Babbrah, EVP, Strategy & Industry Alignment, NCPDP
Speakers: Rina Shah, SVP, Pharmacy Growth, Walgreens
Jonathon Thierer, Co-Founder, SVP of Product, Waltz Health
Laura Jensen, Head of Manufacturer, Prescriber Partnerships, Amazon Pharmacy
Dr. Patrick Carroll, Chief Medical Officer, Hims & Hers

Don't Underestimate the Things Diagnostics Can Do

Is is finally safe to discuss the diagnostics industry after the cloud of Theranos? These industry leader say it is. And new technologies are emerging with tangible use cases that can transform the way we diagnose disease. A drop of blood can actually unveil a comprehensive picture of personalized health allowing for a shift from reactive treatment to predictive, personalized healthcare.

New innovations from discovering a nascent autoimmune condition before symptoms fully manifest to providing a remote community access to advanced diagnostics through a device no larger than a smartphone to identifying autism through a strand of hair. But will we see reimbursement from payers historically slow to embrace new technology even when it will save money in the long run.

The direct-to-consumer diagnostic market is gaining momentum and pushing the traditional health system into a diagnostic-driven future. This is what consumer want, will we give it to them?

Moderator: Rohan Ganesh, Partner, Obvious Ventures
Speakers: Jennifer Higgins, SVP, Global Public Affairs, Guardant Health, Inc.
Connor Landgraf, Co-founder and CEO, Eko Health
Rekha Ranganathan, SVP and GM, Imaging Digital GEHC, GE HealthCare
Jay Srinivasan, President & CEO, Truvian

Policy Changes Can't Hold Me Down

Healthcare and policy will always go hand-in-hand, no matter who is in charge in DC. This panel advocated for more collaborative relationships. Especially with upcoming Ai issues, challenges, and regulations. Why regulate Ai? Don’t look at regulatory framework as a hurdle, but look at it as guardrails that can help shape responsible development. In healthcare it is given that policy and practice go together. Engaging early in legislative rules and process can influence rulemaking.

Healthcare is looking at Ai growing, organizations must cultivate resilience to policy shifts through proactive, transparent dialogue with both current and incoming regulatory teams. A thorough evaluation of Ai tools is necessary before implementing. This will ensures fairness, accuracy, and societal benefit—building a regulatory environment where innovation and governance work hand in hand.

Moderator: Randi Seigel, Partner, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Speakers: Zack Lipton, Chief Scientific and Technology Officer, Abridge
Alya Sulaiman, Privacy, Regulatory Affairs, and Compliance. Datavant
Sanjula Jain Ph.D., Chief Research Officer, Trilliant Health

ViVE Startup Pitch

See you in LA in 2026!