Risk Never Sleeps Podcast – Episode #106

Scaling Healthcare: The Importance of Culture and Understanding in Innovation

Host: Ed Gaudet
Guest: Dan Nardi, CEO of Reimagine Care
Date: November 14, 2024

Episode Overview

In this engaging conversation, Ed Gaudet sits down with Dan Nardi, CEO of Reimagine Care, live from the Health conference in Las Vegas. The episode explores how Reimagine Care is scaling cancer care beyond traditional clinical settings, the critical role of culture in fast-growing healthcare startups, and key advice for current and aspiring healthcare innovators. Dan shares stories from his career, insights about building resilient teams, and actionable wisdom for leaders navigating the risks and complexities of healthcare innovation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reimagine Care and the Cancer Journey

[01:40 – 02:32]

• Dan introduces Reimagine Care as “the industry's first on-demand cancer care platform,” combining technology-enabled services and oncology-trained professionals to extend cancer care outside the clinic.
• Core Problem: Oncologists are highly effective in-person, but most of the patient journey (97-98%) happens outside the clinic, leading to gaps in care.
• Solution: Reimagine Care bridges these gaps, functioning as an extension of the oncology team to deliver support and continuity at home.

“We have built this suite of services that really help deliver the highest possible support for those patients and be an extension of that care outside of the clinic.”
— Dan Nardi [02:23]

2. Career Path & Early Days in Healthcare

[02:35 – 03:39]

• Dan “lucked into” healthcare—originally a math and computer science student, he transitioned from defense contracting to healthcare IT via startups like Channel Health, Allscripts, and Livongo.
• Highlights the benefit of learning by doing and the deep relationships formed in the industry.

“I was learning…more there than in any class. And I said, you know, I like what we're doing. Like, let's just do this.”
— Dan Nardi [03:22]

3. Current Growth & Announcements at Health Conference

[04:07 – 04:57]

• Reimagine Care is expanding rapidly:
  • Memorial Hermann Health System: From successful pilot to system-wide rollout; Memorial Hermann is now also an investor.
  • Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa: Recently partnered through the Cancer X Initiative.
  • Reimagine Care is experiencing 10x year-over-year growth and is in “rapid scale mode.”

“They loved it so much they came on as an investor…We just announced…full system wide. So we’re really excited about that.”
— Dan Nardi [04:19]

4. Looking Forward: Value-Based Cancer Care

[05:14 – 06:40]

• With solid product-market fit, Dan’s focus is now on delivering services that enable the adoption of value-based cancer care.
• Cancer has lagged behind other specialties in value-based care due to its complexity.
• Reimagine Care aims to help organizations make the transition with the right risk arrangements and contracting.

“With the right combination of services, we're going to be able to help these systems as we work towards the right risk arrangements, the right value-based contracting. And we're going to be the leader in making that transition…”
— Dan Nardi [06:21]

5. Scaling Culture in a Growing Organization

[06:40 – 08:23]

• Culture is always top-of-mind for Dan, especially in times of ambiguity and rapid growth.
• Startups require adaptable people; the “right people, right role, right time” is critical.
• Success is about building a learning environment where mistakes are part of the process, not failures.
• Example from Livongo: Revamping core company values to make them meaningful and memorable.

“There are people that are really amazing for early stage companies…But…in startups sometimes it’s 50/50, you get as much information as you can and then just like, let’s go make a decision.”
— Dan Nardi [07:42]
“It’s not just the culture…but it’s like a focus on a learning environment. Let’s always be learning. Right. It’s okay to make a mistake.”
— Dan Nardi [07:56]

6. Career Reflections and Life Advice

[08:34 – 09:18]

• What would Dan tell his 20-year-old self? “Just say yes.”
  • Emphasizes the power of embracing opportunities and being open to risk.
  • It's important to remember that few decisions are truly irreversible.

“Just say yes. Right. Say yes. And take those opportunities to learn, meet new people, try it out, take a risk.”
— Dan Nardi [08:43]

7. If Not Healthcare...Passions Outside the Office

[09:27 – 09:54]

• Dan’s dream job: Outdoor adventure guide—loves skiing, the outdoors, and the idea of making the world his office.
• Recently relocated to Boulder, CO, to enjoy the mountains.

8. Personal Risks & Memorable Moves

[10:21 – 10:57]

• Riskiest decision: Moving solo from Vermont to San Diego for a job that ultimately didn’t materialize.
• The move turned out to be pivotal—leading to lifelong friends and meeting his wife.

“Packed up my car, drove out by myself for four days and got to see some of the country on the way and…ended up making some great friends and I met my now wife…”
— Dan Nardi [10:57]

9. Desert Island Albums

[11:31 – 13:04]

• Dan’s picks:
  • Pearl Jam – Ten
  • Van Morrison (any album)
  • Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (any)
  • Led Zeppelin IV
  • Cody Johnson (influenced by attending his live show with his son)

10. Advice for Aspiring Healthcare Innovators & Entrepreneurs

[13:39 – 14:51]

• Dan’s essential tip: “Read the manual.”
  • Deeply understand the segment of healthcare you wish to impact.
  • Know the current players, payment models, and the implications of your innovations.
  • Many startups fail not because of an idea, but because they don’t know how to navigate entrenched interests or operationalize their solutions.

“To be really successful in building companies, you have to really, deeply understand what you’re affecting, because there are entrenched players in all of healthcare…if you want to go shake up the world, you have to understand whose cheese you're…moving.”
— Dan Nardi [13:47 & 14:18]

Notable Quotes

• On innovation in healthcare:
  “You can have a great idea, but so many startups won’t end up being successful because they can't figure out how to, like, actually monetize it…or they can't figure out, like, how can I take this great idea and turn it into something that isn't going to piss off a whole bunch of other people and they'll basically squash us.”
  — Dan Nardi [14:32]

• On the shared mission of healthcare:
  “That's what we're here to deliver all about. That's right. Better patient experiences.”
  — Dan Nardi [04:53]

• On scaling startups:
  “The ambiguity sometimes can crush people, the pace can crush people, the ability to make decisions. Like, I'm a big fan of right people, right role, right time.”
  — Dan Nardi [07:08]

Memorable Moments

• Dan recounts seeing U2 at The Sphere in Las Vegas for his anniversary, highlighting the camaraderie and serendipity that happen at industry conferences. [01:02]
• Personal side: His love for the mountains, adventure, and spending time with family—especially skiing and attending concerts with his son. [09:27, 12:48]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Reimagine Care Overview & Mission – [01:40 – 02:32]
• Dan’s Career Start in Healthcare – [02:35 – 03:39]
• Company Announcements and Growth Updates – [04:07 – 04:57]
• Transitioning to Value-Based Cancer Care – [05:19 – 06:40]
• Maintaining and Scaling Culture – [06:40 – 08:23]
• Career Advice for Younger Self – [08:34 – 09:18]
• Dream Jobs & Passions – [09:27 – 09:54]
• Riskiest Decision in Life – [10:21 – 10:57]
• Desert Island Albums – [11:31 – 13:04]
• Advice for Healthcare Entrepreneurs – [13:39 – 14:51]

For more risk leadership insights and strategies, visit:
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