In this episode of “Hard Problems, Smart Solutions,” host Brendan Iglehart, Staff Healthcare Architect at Newfire, speaks with Deven McGraw, Chief Regulatory and Privacy Officer at Citizen Health and one of the nation’s leading voices on patient privacy, data access, and healthcare regulation. Together, they discuss how forward-thinking companies can turn data rights, compliance, and AI regulation into opportunities for differentiation and patient impact. Deven shares her extensive experience in healthcare privacy and regulatory policy, including her influential work with HIPAA at the US Department of Health and Human Services. They discuss the importance of early integration of compliance in product development, the challenges and opportunities in patient data access, and the regulatory landscape affecting health tech startups.

Listeners will gain perspective on how to:

• Overcome the “sludge in the pipes” that still blocks seamless patient data access.
• Design AI-driven tools that empower patients without crossing regulatory lines.
• Build compliance cultures that encourage transparency instead of fear.
• Anticipate privacy challenges that could redefine the next five years of digital health.
• Turn regulation from a constraint into a strategic advantage for innovation.

In this episode of Hard Problems, Smart Solutions, Brendan Iglehart, Staff Healthcare Architect at Newfire Global Partners interviews Paul Wilder, the Executive Director of CommonWell Health Alliance.

They discuss the importance of not delaying integration in health IT and the incremental advancements in healthcare interoperability. Interoperability, Wilder explains, isn’t about one big breakthrough. It’s about a series of incremental steps that collectively create real progress. From startups building innovative patient tools to nationwide alliances shaping policy, the common thread is clear: the time to act is now.

Paul shares his journey from network support to health IT, emphasizing the significance of data exchange in improving patient care. They explore the role of CommonWell in promoting cross-vendor data availability and the challenges in ensuring patient access to their medical data. The conversation highlights recent governmental efforts, technological advancements in FHIR, and the application of AI in healthcare.

Don’t miss this episode. Tune in to hear Paul Wilder’s insights on the future of patient access and how organizations can navigate the complex, but rewarding, journey toward better data exchange.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts

00:28 Welcome to Hard Problems, Smart Solutions

01:36 Meet Paul Wilder: A Journey in Health IT

02:50 Understanding CommonWell Health Alliance

04:09 Challenges and Progress in Patient Data Access

06:39 Government Initiatives and Industry Movements

15:24 The Role of AI in Healthcare Data

18:32 Ensuring Patient Privacy and Data Security

21:13 The Future of FHIR and Interoperability

24:17 Advice for Healthtech Innovators

29:18 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Hard Problems, Smart Solutions from Newfire, host Will Crawford explores the intricacies of building and scaling digital health platforms with Alexis Levine McKenna, Digital Health Product Leader and former Chief Product and Technology Officer at Huddle Up Care. Alexis discusses the importance of integrating clinician and patient feedback into product development, maintaining compliance in healthcare, and leveraging AI to augment, rather than replace, clinical roles. She highlights the significance of rigorous documentation, cross-functional collaboration, and a user-centered approach in navigating the evolving landscape of digital health. The conversation also delves into Alexis's career trajectory, offering insights into achieving scalable technology solutions and driving clinical outcomes while addressing commercial realities.