2025 Healthcare Sessions Conference: Day One

Opening day of the 2025 Nashville Healthcare Sessions saw nearly 1,200 healthcare leaders convene for an exciting agenda centered on innovation, collaboration, technology and what it all means for the future of healthcare.

On-stage conversations explored the investment landscape in a new era of healthcare, the evolving role of employers in redefining provider partnerships and strategies for redesigning community-based care. Additional panels looked to the future of value-based models, highlighting the growing influence of wearables and their undeniable impact on holistic patient care.

We anticipate another day of thoughtful dialogue and collaboration as the conference continues tomorrow for day two.

Nashville Healthcare Sessions: Day 1

In case you couldn’t attend today’s Sessions, we’ve got you covered!

Below is a recap of key highlights and discussions from today.

Investing in a New Era of Healthcare

A partnership discussion with Vijay Patel, Managing Partner, CVS Health Ventures, and Julie Yoo, General Partner, a16z. Moderated by Jed Brody, Managing Director and Head of Healthcare, Americas, Barclays

Panelists tackled the big question: how do you fund innovation in a volatile market? Spotlighting AI and robotics as game-changers, alongside the continued rise of consumers as a new class of payers as well as fresh momentum in value-based care, panelists noted that today’s health tech startups are scaling faster than ever, rivaling growth seen in mainstream tech. With collaboration across payers, providers, and corporate entities accelerating, the outlook is clear: Data-driven solutions and consumer-first models are redefining the healthcare landscape – but they must be underpinned by creativity and transparency.

“We invest in companies that are transforming the way we access healthcare, pay for healthcare and experience healthcare.” – Julie Yoo, General Partner, a16z

Employers at the Helm: Redefining Employer and Provider Partnerships in Healthcare

A Fireside Chat with Mercedes Ikard, Senior Director, US Benefits Operations, The Walt Disney Company and Beth Ratliff, COO, Premise Health

In a dynamic fireside chat, Disney’s Senior Director of U.S. Benefits, Mercedes Ikard, joined Beth Ratliff of Premise Health to discuss how large, self-insured employers are reshaping healthcare. Disney spends over $1 billion annually on benefits and has pioneered disruptive strategies such as direct contracting, advanced primary care and holistic wellness programs through its Centers for Living Well. With same-day access, three-minute wait times, and personalized care teams – including physicians, pharmacists, nutritionists and even chefs – Disney has achieved 15-20% cost savings and industry-leading satisfaction scores. The future-focused conversation underscored how employers are moving from passive payers to active innovators, demanding high-quality, consumer-centered, value-based care that takes cost out of the system.

“In order to be changed, we, in many ways, have to change and do something different.” – Mercedes Ikard, Senior Director, US Benefits Operations, The Walt Disney Company

The Partnership Continuum: Redesigning Community-Based Care

 A panel discussion featuring Rob Allen, President & CEO, Intermountain Health, Marty Bonick, President & CEO, Ardent Health and Omar Lateef, DO, President & CEO, Rush University System for Health & Rush University Medical Center. Moderated by: Anne Hancock Toomey, President & Founding Partner, Jarrard Inc.

A robust discussion between health system CEOs underscored how strategic collaboration and partnerships can accelerate progress across healthcare. Allen, Bonick and Lateef stressed that cultural and strategic alignment are essential to unlock meaningful impact. They further emphasized the importance of intentionality and transformational partnerships that go beyond transactional arrangements. In light of pressures from tight margins and stale legacy thinking, panelists agreed that embracing innovation and technology is critical to driving efficiency, elevating patient care and positioning organizations for long-term success.

“If you’re not focusing on culture, strategy and intentionality, then it’s just a purchase order and not a partnership.” - Marty Bonick, President & CEO, Ardent Health

The Next Frontier: Wearables, Medicare Advantage and the Future of Value-Based Care

A panel discussion with Tom Hale, CEO, ŌURA and Saria Saccocio, MD, CMO, Essence Healthcare. Moderated by Dan Peres, Group President, Modern Healthcare.

With 10-20 percent of healthcare occurring in an exam room or through a formal clinical engagement, leveraging patient data through wearable devices is both a challenge and, in many ways, a welcome disruption for healthcare providers. Oura and Essence are revolutionizing healthcare by leveraging wearable technology to influence users in pursuit of better health. By focusing on prevention, personalized care and sustainable behavior change, these organizations are creating a new model of healthcare that promises to improve outcomes, lower costs and enhance the healthcare experience for both patients and care teams.

“We are in the healthcare behavior change business. If we can change behaviors to be healthier, we can draw a straight line between more activity and better sleep and better nutrition and all the things that we’re trying to drive towards for better health outcomes.” – Tom Hale, CEO, ŌURA

News Announcements Sponsored by Meditech

• Nashville Health Care Council Celebrates First Ever Nashville Health Care Week, Highlights Industry's Massive Impact

The Nashville Healthcare Council celebrated the city's inaugural Health Care Week in addition to sharing groundbreaking economic insights from the Nashville Health Care Council’s 2025 Annual Economic Report.

Key highlights include:

• $72 billion annual economic impact
• 370,000 jobs supported
• $22.6 billion direct GDP contribution
• 8,358 healthcare business locations
• 6% year-over-year industry growth

Mayor Freddie O'Connor made the official proclamation prior to Sessions in recognition of Nashville's status as a premier healthcare innovation hub. The Council, celebrating its 30th anniversary, continues to position the city as a top destination for healthcare talent and investment, underscoring its potential for continued growth and innovation.

• Alight Solutions: Winning with Wellbeing: Latest Insights from the 2025 Alight Employee Mindset Study

Alight Solutions, a leading cloud-based human capital technology and services provider serving more than 35 million people worldwide, unveiled insights from its 2025 Employee Mindset Study.

Findings show encouraging progress: nearly half of workers now rate their overall wellbeing positively, with more reporting a strong sense of belonging at work. At the same time, the study highlights a critical disconnect between the availability of employer-sponsored programs and actual employee use, pointing to the need for clearer, more personalized guidance. Flexibility and choice in where and how people work continue to be powerful drivers of satisfaction, while mixed feelings around AI reveal its growing influence on the employee experience.

• Mamaya: Scaling a Village: How Mamaya Health’s $3M Raise Is Redefining Mental Health for Families—and Systems

Women’s mental health provider Mamaya Health announced a $3 million Series A funding round backed by LFC Capital and Spina.

With the new funding, Mamaya will expand its clinical network and AI-powered resources, build partnerships with hospitals, health systems and employers and deliver more personalized, culturally attuned care to women and families navigating critical stages of life.

The company focuses on supporting women through key life transitions—including pregnancy, postpartum and fertility challenges—where nearly half report unmet mental health needs.

• Tembo Health: Tembo Health Announces Major California Expansion to Deliver No-Cost Dementia Care

Tembo Health, a virtual care provider for older adults with dementia, has expanded its services to all 50 states – a major leap from just 13 states this time last year. Backed by the CNMI Guide program, the company is partnering with health systems, provider groups and senior housing facilities to deliver accessible, innovative care. Early results show a 75% reduction in ambulance rides for dementia patients, underscoring the model’s impact. Tembo Health remains committed to helping older adults live healthier, more fulfilling lives through scalable virtual care solutions.