Short Takes
Video Interviews With Industry Leaders
The Digital Health Coalition partners with a wide array of pharmaceutical industry leaders and key stakeholders to facilitate and disseminate insights on a range of topics related to digital pharmaceutical marketing innovation.
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Recent DHCG Disruptive Dose
Disruptive Dose Archive
- Jane Urban | Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Improzo
- Sarah Caldwell | GM, Crossix Analytics, Veeva
- Shawna Moore | Regional Business Director, Novo Nordisk
- Ezra Suveyke | CPO/CTO, PulsePoint
- Alex Davis | Director, Brand Strategy Biosimilars, Organon
- Damon Basch | VP, Head of Digital Health Media, Veradigm
- Karen Lazan | Healthcare Consumer Marketing Expert, karenlazan&co Consultancy (Regeneron & Pfizer alum)
- Sanjeev Menon, Head of Partnerships, Ubie
- RJ Lewis, Founder & CEO, eHealthcare Solutions
- Darshan Kulkarni, Regulatory and Compliance Attorney for the Life Sciences, The Kulkarni Law Firm
- Josh Simon, SVP, Social Center of Excellence, Centered, CMI Media Group
- Andy Kennemer, CXellence Digital Advisors
- Rusty Rahmer, CX/Digital Transformation Leader
- Paul Murasko, Head of Digital Innovation & Marketing Operations, Azurity
- Dorothy Gemmell, CCO, GoodRx
- Amar Duggasani, CEO, HealthLink Dimensions
- Nandini Nayar, Global Digital Health and innovation Lead, Sanofi
- Desiree Priestley, Health Experience Officer, Otsuka Precision Health
- Shwen Gwee, #GenAI4Pharma
- Yin Ho, Health IT CEO and Entrepreneur
- Mark Gaydos, Regulatory Expert, former Sanofi
- Andrew Burns, CRO, DrFirst
- Dr. Shivag Joshi, Sermo Medical Advisory Board and Neurologist
- Chris Neuner, President Throtle
- Michael Sivak, Senior Director, Customer Experience & Enterprise Digital Capabilities AstraZeneca
- Dr Jenny YU, Chief Health Officer Healthline
- Meghan Sarli, Principal, Marketing Strategy & Client Insights PatientPoint
- Dr Ashish Rana, Medical Advisory Board Sermo
- Brandi Ascione, EVP, Managing Director, Underscore Marketing
- Jay Carter, EVP Business Development Juice Pharma
- Milet Koo, Team Lead Social Media Genentech
- Jim Delash, Multi-Channel Marketing Director GSK
- Richard Schwartz, Life Sciences Industry Practice Lead Qualtrics
- Fay McCray, Vice President & Head of Health Equity and Social Impact Healthline Media
- Fred Bennett, Chief Digital Officer, BGB Group
- Tim Panetello, CEO, Relevate Health
- Louis Naimoli, Director, Programmatic Sales and Business Development, Haylo
- Erica Taylor, VP, Chief Marketing Officer, Genentech
- Jen Alper, Senior Director, US Women’s Health Portfolio Team Lead Pfizer
- Meghan Rivera, US Managing Director Organon
- Marianne Swift, Director of Client Partnerships Spotify
- William Febbo, CEO OptimizeRx
- Nik Kolatker, Vice President, US Medical Affairs Genentech
- Kristi Veitch, Executive Vice President, Human Resources Intouch Group
- Peter Kirk, Founder Sermo
- Peter Freidman, Chairman and CEO Liveworld
- Web Sun, CEO Komodo Health
- Heidi Anderson Hupe, SVP, ASO Strategy Teladoc
- Derek Choy, Co-Founder & COO Aktana
- Richard Schwartz, Life Sciences and Medical Device Industry Cx Practice Lead Medallia
- Spencer Curtis, Head of Digital Strategy, Otsuka Pharmaceutical
- Monique Levy, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer, Woebot Health
Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Improzo
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose episode, Mark Bard of the DHC Group sits down with Jane Urban, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Improzo, to discuss the critical role of data in commercial operations, the evolution of clinicians in the digital age, and the transformative potential of AI in the pharmaceutical industry. They explore the importance of understanding data, the need for operational improvements, and the strategies for adopting AI technologies. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of continuous learning and adaptation in a rapidly changing work environment, particularly in healthcare and technology sectors.
GM, Crossix Analytics, Veeva
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose episode, Mark Bard of the DHC Group sits down with Sarah Caldwell, GM, Crossix Analytics of Veeva, to explore how life sciences companies can better leverage data to connect with healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients in a fragmented media landscape. Sarah emphasizes the need for more personalized, omnichannel strategies that align with evolving behaviors and expectations across both segments. They also discuss the importance of real-time measurement, privacy-conscious data use, and collaboration across marketing, sales, and compliance teams to ensure impactful engagement. As AI and digital tools rapidly evolve, Sarah shares how organizations can rethink traditional models and build smarter, patient-first campaigns.
Regional Business Director, Novo Nordisk
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose, Mark Bard speaks with Shawna Moore, Regional Business Director at Novo Nordisk, about the evolving expectations of patients in today’s healthcare environment. Shawna shares how patient behavior has shifted toward a desire for more control, transparency, and convenience—particularly when it comes to understanding treatment options and navigating access. The conversation highlights the importance of delivering personalized, patient-first experiences that reflect the realities of day-to-day life. Shawna also discusses how brands can build trust and support informed decision-making through education, clear messaging, and strategic partnerships that remove friction from the patient journey.
CPO/CTO | PulsePoint
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose, Mark Bard speaks with Ezra Suveyke CPO/CTO at PulsePoint about balancing data innovation with privacy in healthcare marketing. Suveyke outlines the complex regulatory landscape facing marketers, from HIPAA and NAI guidelines to increasingly restrictive state legislation. He emphasizes that consent is becoming the central framework for all data decisions, requiring marketers to understand not just if they can target an audience but when and where it’s appropriate to do so. The conversation explores the crucial distinction between technical capabilities and ethical implementation. Suveyke shares a balanced perspective as both technologist and patient, suggesting that when healthcare marketing is done with genuine intent to help—providing relevant information that saves time and improves outcomes—it creates positive experiences that benefit everyone in the ecosystem.
Director, Brand Strategy Biosimilars | Organon
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose, Mark Bard speaks with Alex Davis, Director of Brand Strategy Biosimilars at Organon about transforming healthcare marketing through a consumer-first lens. With an unconventional background in film and advertising, Davis brings fresh perspectives from working with brands like the US Army and consumer packaged goods to pharma marketing. She challenges the industry’s “direct to patient” terminology, advocating instead for “human centricity” that meets people where they naturally spend their time—particularly on social media and with content creators. Davis emphasizes the importance of building trust through above-brand experiences. The conversation highlights how collaborative relationships with regulatory teams enable authentic storytelling in campaigns, moving beyond formulaic “talk to your doctor” messaging to create distinctive brand narratives that actually resonate with people’s lives.
VP, Head of Digital Health Media | Veradigm
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose, Mark Bard of the DHC Group and Damon Basch, VP, Head of Digital Health Media at Veradigm discuss the transformation of point of care marketing. Basch explains the shift to “points of care”—recognizing multiple conversion moments across the healthcare journey where marketers can engage patients and providers. The conversation explores how AI is revolutionizing the space by unlocking insights from previously inaccessible unstructured clinical data, creating more sophisticated targeting opportunities beyond traditional diagnostic code triggers. Basch emphasizes that while data harmonization and standardization are improving, the point of care landscape remains fragmented, requiring a balance between programmatic efficiency and the consultative approach needed for these critical healthcare decision moments.
Healthcare Consumer Marketing Expert | karenlazan&co Consultancy (Regeneron & Pfizer alum)
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose, Mark Bard of the DHC Group sits down with Karan Lazan, a healthcare consumer marketing expert to talk about the current state of marketing efficiency in pharma. Lazan acknowledges AI’s exciting potential while noting there’s currently more hype than practical application, advocating for a measured approach to modular content that starts small before expanding. She explores how organizational structure impacts technology implementation, with larger companies benefiting from Centers of Excellence while smaller companies often struggle without specialized infrastructure. Lazan emphasizes the enduring value of specialized external agency partnerships for creative ideation and media expertise, cautioning against using single agencies for both functions. The discussion concludes with insights on analytics accountability, highlighting the importance of transparent partnerships where all stakeholders collaborate using established benchmarks to drive optimization.
Head of Partnerships, Ubie
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose, Mark Bard of the DHC Group and Sanjeev Menon, Head of Partnerships at Ubie explore the evolving role of AI in healthcare—particularly the growing impact of clinically focused large language models. Sanjeev shares insights from Ubie’s work with 1,900 provider organizations, where their AI-driven solutions have improved diagnostic accuracy and significantly reduced time spent gathering information. The conversation touches on the balance between AI and human oversight, the importance of transparency and trust signals for patient adoption, and the need for pharma to tread carefully when introducing branded tools. Sanjeev also highlights how regulatory compliance, real-world data, and collaboration across stakeholders will be key to unlocking AI’s full potential as a trusted extension of the care team.
Founder & CEO, eHealthcare Solutions
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose, Mark Bard of the DHC Group and RJ Lewis, Founder & CEO of eHealthcare Solutions discuss the evolving landscape of physician-level data and how AI is transforming personalized engagement in healthcare marketing. RJ outlines a three-pillar strategy—real-time PLD access, one-to-one bidding, and AI-generated creative—that brings the industry closer than ever to the long-standing goal of true one-to-one marketing. He highlights how AI is enabling dynamic segmentation and personalization, down to bid-level targeting and creative variations by individual physician behavior. The discussion also dives into regulatory challenges, especially around MLR compliance and modular content, and explores how personalization must strike a balance between being meaningful and avoiding the “creepy” factor. RJ also offers a candid look at how AI is reshaping the publishing world, posing existential risks to content aggregators while reinforcing the value of credible, original sources. Looking ahead, he predicts a near future where AI is a trusted second opinion in clinical settings and plays a central role across marketing and media.
Regulatory and Compliance Attorney for the Life Sciences, The Kulkarni Law Firm
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose, Mark Bard of the DHC Group and Darshan Kulkarni, Regulatory and Compliance Attorney for the Life Sciences at The Kulkarni Law Firm, dive into the evolving role of pharma in direct-to-consumer and direct-to-patient models. As companies bypass traditional intermediaries like PBMs and GPOs, new challenges arise in education, prescribing, liability, and distribution. They explore critical questions: Who truly owns the patient relationship? How will regulatory shifts impact pharma’s expanding role? And what happens when AI and virtual care disrupt traditional pharmacy models? Darshan shares his expert take on the legal, compliance, and strategic risks that will shape the industry’s future.
SVP, Social Center of Excellence, Centered, CMI Media Group
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose, Mark Bard of the DHC Group sits down with Josh Simon, SVP of the Social Center of Excellence at CMI Media Group, to discuss the evolving landscape of social influencers in pharma. They explore the shift from celebrity-driven content to authentic partnerships with HCPs and patients, the challenges of balancing compliance with genuine storytelling, and the differences between consumer, patient, and physician influencers. Josh shares insights on sourcing true digital opinion leaders, the growing role of micro-influencers, and how smaller pharma companies leverage them as a competitive advantage.
CXellence Digital Advisors
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose, Mark Bard of the DHC Group sits down with Andy Kennemer to discuss the state of customer experience (CX) in pharma, highlighting the industry’s reliance on sales reps and the shift toward digital channels post-COVID. They explore the role of AI chatbots in improving engagement and the challenges of scaling human support, measuring CX success, reducing friction, and learning from disruptive brands like Amazon to create seamless patient experiences.
CX/Digital Transformation Leader
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In this DHCG Disruptive Dose, Mark Bard of The DHC Group sits down with Rusty Rahmer to discuss pharma’s digital evolution, accelerated post-pandemic. They explore the shift from blockbuster drugs to targeted biopharma and the role of digital in reaching smaller patient populations. Rahmer highlights challenges in executing C-suite transformation goals, accountability gaps among vendors and teams, and the need for integrated marketing, analytics, and technology for real impact.
Head of Digital Innovation & Marketing Operations, Azurity Pharmaceuticals
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In this Short Take Mark Bard interviewed Paul Murasko, the current Head of Digital Innovation and Marketing Operations at Azurity. The two discussed what it will mean to be a leader in digital innovation in the pharmaceutical industry in 2025. Murasko emphasized that being a digital pioneer isn’t just about chasing new technologies, but about improving internal processes and getting the basics right before innovating. He also advocated for a test-and-learn culture that rewards both success and failure, rather than setting arbitrary innovation quotas. Paul shared how he plans to apply the concept of “true north” by staying focused on the company’s mission of serving overlooked patients while driving growth through multiple product launches.
Chief Commercial Officer, GoodRx
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In this Short Take interview with Mark Bard, Dorothy Gemmell, CCO at GoodRx, highlights the evolution of digital healthcare and the importance of improving patient access and affordability. She identifies four major trends in healthcare: virtual care, care at home, consumerism and e-commerce, and AI-driven hyper-personalization. She shares her perspective on the value of partnerships within the industry towards connecting patients, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies to address affordability challenges. Gemmell expresses optimism about the future of healthcare, citing the convergence of digital infrastructure, AI, and platforms enabling virtual care as drivers for accelerated improvements in healthcare outcomes.
CEO, HealthLink Dimensions
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In this Short Take interview, Mark Bard speaks with Amar Duggasani, CEO of HealthLink Dimensions, about current innovations in healthcare data management and the impact of leveraging advanced technology to realize enhancing communication between healthcare organizations and professionals. Duggasani shares insights into the future of healthcare data solutions and the importance of data accuracy in improving patient care.
Check out HealthLink Dimensions’ 2024 NPs and PAs Communications Report HERE
Global Digital Health and Innovation Lead, Sanofi
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Health Experience Officer, Otsuka Precision Health
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#GenAI4Pharma
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