Between Visits: Reimagining Continuous Healthcare, Wei-Li Shao President @Omada Health

02/18/25 • 29 min

In a groundbreaking conversation, Wei Li, President of Omada Health, outlined a transformative vision for healthcare deeply rooted in a profound belief that health is a fundamental human right. Drawing inspiration from a World Health Organization quote that "help is the core of sustainable development," Li has dedicated his entire professional career to addressing the universal health challenges people face globally. His approach seamlessly integrates technology and human connection, focusing on comprehensive, personalized care across chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and musculoskeletal issues. Li emphasizes that the real healthcare challenge lies not in medical appointments, but in the day-to-day struggles people face in implementing health changes, believing that health is the foundational element for achieving life's personal and professional objectives.

Central to Omada Health's strategy is a delicate balance between AI-driven solutions and human coaching, with Li asserting that human relationships remain the critical "currency" of behavior change. The company leverages billions of health data points to create highly personalized care experiences, particularly in innovative areas like GLP-1 medication management and behavioral intervention programs. By prioritizing accessibility, continuous support, and a holistic view of patient needs, Omada Health is fundamentally reimagining healthcare delivery—making it more integrated, proactive, and centered on individual patient experiences across diverse populations. Li envisions a future where healthcare becomes as accessible and routine as daily personal care, breaking down traditional barriers between in-person and virtual health services, and providing persistent, personalized support that recognizes the complex interplay of health challenges faced by patients.

About

Wei Li is a global executive and leader with over 20 years of experience building and leading biopharmaceutical, diagnostic imaging, and digital health businesses across the world. After a rewarding 18-year career at Eli Lilly and Company, he came to Omada Health in 2019 to take on a new professional challenge––upending the status quo in chronic condition care by scaling virtual health. Currently, 70% of U.S. healthcare spending is for people with chronic conditions. He is steadfast in his belief that Omada is at the forefront of health tech innovation that's gradually improving outcomes and reducing costs for health systems and organizations.

He holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Business Administration from the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. Over the course of his career, he has demonstrated an ability to grow successful organizations, lead turn-arounds, and establish start-ups. He has brought his wealth of experience to Omada, where he has surrounded himself with amazing people, built a strong team, set high expectations, and helped create an organization grounded in values and principles.

In addition to his professional achievements, Li has published a children's book, "Anny The Tall Girl," a touching story imbued with diversity, equity, and inclusion. He and his wife Sarah are the proud parents of two daughters.

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Previous Episode

The Next Frontier: Medtronic's CTO Ken Washington discusses AI, Robotics and Patient Outcomes

Medtronic's technological strategy represents a sophisticated convergence of AI, data analytics, and medical innovation, positioned to fundamentally reshape healthcare delivery. Under Chief Technology Officer Ken Washington's leadership, the organization is pioneering a model of technological augmentation that prioritizes human expertise while leveraging advanced computational capabilities. The core strategic approach focuses on developing intelligent medical devices that provide precision insights and predictive healthcare interventions.

The technology framework centers on comprehensive data infrastructure, spanning 70 distinct medical conditions. By meticulously collecting and analyzing patient data through advanced sensing technologies, Medtronic is developing AI-enabled platforms capable of personalized health monitoring and preemptive diagnostic capabilities. This approach transforms medical technology from a reactive to a predictive model, potentially reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes through early intervention strategies.

Washington's innovation model extends beyond technological development to include critical considerations of regulatory compliance, global scalability, and sustainable design. With a commitment to net-zero emissions by 2045 and strategic partnerships across healthcare and technology sectors, Medtronic is positioning itself as a leader in responsible, forward-thinking medical innovation. The organization's approach integrates high-precision robotics, advanced algorithmic models, and data-driven personalization to create transformative healthcare solutions that address complex global health challenges.

About
Ken Washington serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology and Innovation Officer. In this role, Ken is responsible for accelerating Medtronic innovation through product development and technology strategies.

Ken joined Medtronic in 2023 and brought with him deep expertise in leading technology development and execution across industries including robotics, consumer products, automotive, and space. Ken inspires teams and pushes them even further in their ability to invent, innovate and create positive market disruptions. He partners closely with teams and leaders around Medtronic to ensure our products and therapies continue to advance the Mission to better serve patients and customers.

Prior to joining Medtronic, Ken was Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Robotics at Amazon. Prior to that, he was Chief Technology Officer at Ford Motor Company, overseeing development of the company’s technology strategy including next-generation vehicle architectures, controls and automated systems. He also spent seven years at Lockheed Martin in various leadership roles including Chief Technology Officer, Chief Privacy Officer and Vice President, Advanced Technology Center, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.

Ken is an internationally recognized thought leader on technology and innovation. He earned a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science, and a PhD in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University. He was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2020 and was inducted into the Black Engineer Hall of Fame in 2023.

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Data Mosaic: Komodo Health's Predictive Power, Web Sun, President & Co-Founder @Komodo Health

In this episode, I am in conversation with with the President and Co-Founder of Komodo Health to explore how their revolutionary healthcare journey mapping is transforming patient care in ways no other company has achieved.

What sets Komodo Health apart is their proprietary Healthcare MapTM – the industry's largest and most comprehensive patient-level database that tracks nearly 330 million Americans' interactions with the healthcare system. Unlike traditional data aggregators, Komodo has created an interconnected ecosystem that links clinical encounters, prescription data, insurance claims, lab results, and social determinants of health into a unified, longitudinal view.

We dive into how Komodo's unique artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities extract actionable insights from this massive dataset, identifying patterns invisible to traditional analytics. Web explains their distinctive approach to tokenization and de-identification that maintains patient privacy while enabling unprecedented analytical depth across the entire patient journey.

I seek to understand how Komodo's platform differs from competitors by enabling not just retrospective analysis but predictive modeling that helps healthcare providers anticipate patient needs before they develop complications. We'll explore their innovative Sentinel system that alerts care teams to intervention opportunities based on real-world evidence rather than theoretical care pathways.

Throughout our conversation, we examine how this comprehensive approach allows Komodo to address healthcare disparities by identifying gaps in care that other platforms simply cannot detect. Web shares case studies of how their technology has revolutionized rare disease diagnosis, reduced care variation, and optimized treatment pathways in ways that were impossible before their platform existed.

This fascinating conversation reveals how Komodo Health's distinctive data-driven insights are not just improving individual patient outcomes but transforming our entire approach to healthcare delivery.

About

Web Sun, the President and Co-Founder of Komodo Health, has dedicated his career to making a meaningful impact on healthcare. He began as a cancer researcher, followed by a decade working with Fortune 100 companies in research and development, before ultimately moving into health technology. Throughout his career, he became increasingly focused on the power of data and analytics in shaping critical decisions within the healthcare system. His passion for leveraging data and emerging technologies led to his current role at Komodo Health.

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