In this episode of The Healthcare Theory, we’re joined by Dr. Arpit Rao, oncologist and co-founder of Ankr Health, a Y Combinator-backed startup using AI to transform cancer care.

We explore his path from running FDA clinical trials to launching a platform that predicts treatment-limiting side effects before they happen. He also discusses the startup’s go-to-market journey, including their first major deal with AstraZeneca, and how they’ve built a solution tailored specifically for the pharma industry. This conversation is a powerful look into how machine learning can improve outcomes, reduce patient drop-off, and reimagine the future of oncology care.

In this episode of The Healthcare Theory, we're hosting Dr. Amar Setty, anesthesiologist and co-founder of Patient Premier, a startup reimagining how we measure and manage pain.

We explore his journey from medical school and Capitol Hill to launching a data-driven pain tracking platform that helps patients and providers make smarter decisions. Amar shares how Patient Premier's “Pain Scored” platform goes beyond the traditional 1–10 scale to capture a fuller picture of pain using remote monitoring and behavioral data. He also discusses the challenges of building a startup in healthcare, from navigating reimbursement models to integrating with clinical workflows. This conversation is a deep dive into how data can improve care, reduce opioid dependence, and reshape how we think about value in medicine.4o

In this episode of The Healthcare Theory, we’re joined by Maitreyee Joshi, founder and CEO of Avon Health, an AI-powered EMR platform built to be fully customizable for modern healthcare teams.

Maitreyee shares her journey from working at Microsoft and PathAI to launching Avon, where she's rethinking what an EMR should do—from a rigid system to a flexible, low-code platform that adapts to each clinic’s unique needs. We dive into how her team validated the product with early design partners, scaled the company without a traditional sales team, and embedded AI to streamline charting, analytics, and more. Maitreyee also offers powerful insights into founder–market fit, building lean, and why fast iteration is key to long-term success. Whether you're a healthcare builder, clinician, or just curious about how software can transform care delivery, this episode offers both strategic depth and inspiration.

This episode, we sit down with Albert Katz, founder and CEO of Flagler Health, a startup revolutionizing musculoskeletal (MSK) care.

With an operating system designed specifically for MSK providers, Flagler uses AI-powered triage tools to reduce readmissions, optimize patient care, and boost clinic efficiency—all while navigating the complexities of the healthcare ecosystem. Albert shares his unexpected journey into healthcare, the tough realities of building a startup, and the challenges of working with physician workflows. He dives into how Flagler partners with medtech giants, differentiates itself from virtual PT players like Hinge Health and Sword Health, and builds sticky, value-driven solutions that clinicians actually use.

We sit down with Aasim Saeed, CEO & Founder of Amenities Health, to explore how his company is transforming patient-provider relationships and hospital economics.

With experience in medicine, policy, McKinsey, and digital health at Baylor Scott & White, Aasim shares how health systems undervalue patient loyalty, why primary care is a loss leader, and how technology can drive both engagement and profitability. We discuss insights from 6,000 patient surveys, revealing that price transparency and convenience matter more than access, and why hospitals struggle to implement patient-first solutions. Aasim also explains how premium memberships can build patient retention, why hospitals mistakenly fund competitors like One Medical, and what it takes to create a true digital front door for healthcare.

We sit down with Abhishek Mohanty, the founder of CareFlick, a startup leveraging AI to combat loneliness and isolation among seniors.

Abhishek shares his unconventional journey into healthcare, from running a design firm and a D2C brand to leading a senior care startup before launching CareFlick. We dive into how Yana (aka You Are Not Alone), CareFlick’s AI-powered digital companion, is redefining senior care by providing engagement, companionship, and proactive health monitoring. Abhishek discusses the evolution of Yana—from a team management tool for caregivers to a culturally adaptable AI assistant capable of analyzing facial expressions and conversation tone to detect emotional and mental health changes in real time. Tune in to hear how AI is transforming senior care and how CareFlick is paving the way for a more connected and compassionate aging experience.

How does our brain turn limited sensory data into a rich visual experience? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Brainard, a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, to dive deep into the world of visual perception, inference, and computational modeling.

Dr. Brainard shares his journey from physics to psychology and explains how his research explores how the brain processes light, interprets color, and makes inferences about the world around us. We also discuss his work in computational modeling, which is transforming our understanding of retinal function, neural efficiency, and AI-driven vision systems. From cutting-edge research to the future of brain-computer interfaces and neurodegenerative treatments, this episode is packed with fascinating insights into how we see and how AI is learning to see.

In this episode of The Healthcare Theory, we're speaking with Erica Jain, the co-founder and CEO of Healthie, a New York-based software platform enabling telehealth and virtual care.

Erica shares her journey from studying international health disparities to working in healthcare consulting at BCG and launching Healthie to improve patient-provider interactions. She discusses the challenges of scaling a healthcare technology company, the evolving landscape of virtual care, and Healthie’s mission to empower clinicians with modern digital tools. This conversation covers the impact of COVID-19 on virtual care, how Healthie differentiates itself from traditional EHR systems, and the balance between profitability and long-term healthcare innovation.