HLTH 2024: Bold Moves, Missed Opportunities, and Industry-Shaking News

The dust has settled on another HLTH conference in Las Vegas, and this year's theme, "Be Bold," perfectly captured the stark contrast between healthcare innovators and those still clinging to conventional approaches. Some organizations embraced boldness with game-changing announcements and fresh strategies, while others played it frustratingly safe. The result? A conference that highlighted both healthcare's exciting potential and its persistent resistance to meaningful change. A warning: I won't get into the big stage sessions; they get enough attention. I'll tell you about the authentic brands that made the conference worth attending. It's a snapshot but an important one.

Reimagining Conference Engagement: Sessions That Broke the Mold

Komodo Health's Dragon's Den

Remember when conference sessions meant dozing off in massive auditoriums? Komodo Health threw that tired format out the window. Instead of traditional stage presentations, they created an intimate setting in a private meeting room that transformed audience engagement from passive to passionate.

This wasn't Komodo's first time bucking convention, but this year hit differently. The diverse mix of stakeholders - from health system executives to data scientists and media - remained captivated throughout their sessions. Why? Because Komodo created an environment where authentic conversations happened, tough questions were asked, and genuine answers emerged. This format proved that sometimes, the boldest move is simply changing how we talk to each other.

I encourage my readers to check out Komodo Health's MapLab. It indeed provides a comprehensive view of healthcare subjects. I was just looking for some gynecological cancer statistics when I landed in Wonderland. Take the demo!

Digital Medicine Society Tackles Virtual Care's Future

The "Better Health Powered by Digital Innovation" session hosted by the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) Medicine Society dove deep into virtual care's sustainability challenges. Kathleen Aller , Head of Global Healthcare Market Strategy at InterSystems , stood out with sharp insights into the complex relationship between virtual care adoption and real-world implementation.

The panel explored how virtual care's success hinges on solving two critical challenges: physician reimbursement and health equity. They examined how these issues intersect with technological capabilities, patient preferences, and healthcare delivery systems. The discussion highlighted how virtual care must evolve beyond simple video visits to become a fully integrated part of the healthcare ecosystem.

Sometimes, the most important conversations happen in half-empty rooms. The "Brewing Change: Innovations in Reproductive Healthcare and Policy" session proved this point. Despite modest attendance, the content was explosive - particularly insights from Monica Cepak, MBA , CEO of Wisp .

Cepak highlighted how women's health is experiencing a renaissance, with virtual care options democratizing access across the entire lifecycle of care. From reproductive health to menopause management, digital solutions are breaking down traditional barriers to care. The session's low attendance ironically underscored its message about healthcare's ongoing struggle to prioritize women's health issues.

Industry Reality Check: Three Major Takeaways

AI's Double-Edged Sword

Artificial intelligence dominated the conference floor, but not always in good ways. While some companies showcased genuinely innovative AI applications, others seemed to be playing AI buzzword bingo. The fitness platform sector particularly stood out - several solutions I demoed already look obsolete compared to more efficient, streamlined competitors. The message is clear: AI isn't a magic wand, and slapping it onto existing products won't guarantee success.

The Medical Staffing Crisis: Band-Aids Won't Cut It

The overwhelming presence of medical staffing solutions highlighted healthcare's desperate need for workforce solutions. After speaking with virtually every staffing vendor present, a harsh truth emerged: most current staffing models aren't equipped to address the root causes of healthcare's staffing crisis.

These solutions largely ignore the systemic issues created by private equity's influence, the shortage of qualified full-time staff, and crushing administrative burdens. It's like trying to fix a broken bone with aspirin - you might dull the pain temporarily, but you're not solving the underlying problem.

However, one company stood out: Paycom . While not new to the scene, their fresh approach to HR management and employee onboarding could genuinely revolutionize healthcare staffing. Their solution addresses administrative burden reduction in a way that could make a real difference for healthcare workers.

Breaking News: Industry-Shaking Developments

Zocalo Health Expands to Maryland

Here's some exciting news for culturally competent healthcare: Zócalo Health is bringing its innovative care model to Maryland. This expansion marks a significant step forward for Latino community healthcare access in the region. Having followed Zocalo's journey from its early days, this development promises to address critical gaps in culturally competent care delivery. This may seem like a small development, but this is a massive win for the 673 thousand Marylanders who identify as Hispanic.

Walgreens and VillageMD: The Split Is Official

The healthcare industry's worst-kept secret is finally official: Walgreens is ending its relationship with VillageMD . The writing has been on the wall since June, when Walgreens began distancing itself from the partnership. This split signals larger shifts in retail healthcare strategy and raises questions about the future of similar partnerships.

Surescripts' Game-Changing Move

Two significant developments are reshaping Surescripts' future. First, TPG Capital's acquisition opens new doors for innovation at one of healthcare's most trusted organizations. Second, Surescripts is making strategic moves in trust and interoperability - a development that could significantly impact healthcare data sharing and security.

What's Next?

HLTH 2024 showed us both healthcare's potential and its pain points. The contrast between bold innovators and cautious traditionalists has never been more apparent. As we look ahead to HealthIMPACT Forum in January 2025, one thing's sure: healthcare's transformation is accelerating, and organizations must choose whether to lead change or be left behind.

Speaking of what's ahead, HLTH organizers are cooking up something major. While I can't spill all the details yet, stay tuned for announcements that could reshape how we think about this healthcare conference.

Here's the thing . . .

This year's HLTH conference reminded us that being bold isn't just about making noise - it's about creating meaningful change. Whether through innovative session formats like Komodo Health's approach, groundbreaking solutions like Paycom's staffing platform, or industry-shaking moves like Surescripts' evolution, the organizations that genuinely embraced boldness showed us what healthcare's future could look like.

For those who missed it, HLTH 2024 wasn't just another healthcare conference - it was a preview of healthcare's next chapter. The question now isn't whether healthcare will transform but who will lead that transformation.

I'll see you at HealthIMPACT Live Forum in January 2025, where I'll continue tracking these developments and uncovering what's next for healthcare innovation.

By the way, if you'd like to hear my marketing take on the conference, return to my page on Wednesday, October 30th, when I'll break down the takeaways from the showroom.

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