The 10th Annual HealthIMPACT Forum was held in New York on January 25th. The keynote speaker, Gail Zahtz, shared her personal story of surviving late-stage cancer and how it led her to become the CEO of WiseCare Heal. Her talk emphasized the need for healthcare leaders to make decisions that serve patients, providers, and the business of healthcare.

Gail called for a shift in the culture of healthcare organizations from selling a "service of sickness" to sharing responsibility for the health of entire populations. She stressed that to succeed in the shift from fee-for-service to value-based care, a change in culture is needed and healthcare organizations should partner with companies who sell and service solutions for providers.

Gail's story and call to action highlight the importance of making healthcare more patient-centered and the need for ongoing reform in the industry.

The shift to virtual care during the pandemic has necessitated unprecedented approaches to patient experience and engagement challenges. Managing the health of vulnerable patients with chronic illnesses like diabetes virtually is of particular concern. Emily Dumas, Manager of Care Transitions at the University of Alabama Birmingham Medical Center, discusses the need for engaging accessible tools, and what works and what doesn't work when it comes to supporting, engaging, activating, coaching, and ultimately partnering with patients.