Louise Short, MD, MSc, National Clinical Leader for Strategic Benefit Advisors (SBA) and Brown & Brown discusses the current state of healthcare and health management and how employers can embrace new innovative ideas to improve health outcomes, health care costs, and productivity.

After earning an undergraduate degree at Harvard and an MD from Tufts University School of Medicine, and completing her residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Dr. Short received further training at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City before embarking on her illustrious career in population health and health care strategy.

As an innovative leader in her field, Dr. Short works with businesses and employers to develop progressive strategies and solutions that will aid employees and their families and support them, with the goal of making good choices and getting the best care to help them avoid the detrimental effects of poor health.

Dr. Short talks about Strategic Benefit Advisors and its mission. She discusses their work in population health, assisting employers with challenges such as escalating healthcare costs, access to care including behavioral health, high-cost claimants, specialty drug trend, chronic disease and more. Dr. Short relates her thoughts about ongoing care and the possibility of it being delivered virtually, to save time and money and improve the patient experience. She discusses virtual coaching that is HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) compliant and aimed at improving health awareness and health outcomes. She addresses generational differences and consumer preferences in terms of interacting with the health care system, and the importance of the consumer experience.

The health enhancement strategist provides detailed information on the many ways that employers can take advantage of new opportunities in healthcare management. Dr. Short addresses the universe of innovative health care solutions including virtual care and digital health, as well as options offered by medical carriers. She highlights digital health innovation, health care access points, and speaks to the available data regarding some of these solutions. Examples of solutions discussed include those to address pre-diabetes and diabetes, chronic disease including behavioral health, musculoskeletal solutions, women’s health, and other areas.  She speaks to the complexity of the health care system and some of the solutions that are trying to help people navigate the system.

The best care, she states, provides personalized attention that helps people get the right care at the right time with the right provider, in the right setting. And Dr. Short expresses her zeal for health literacy and education, helping people understand their health choices.

Some of Dr. Short’s areas of specialty include the following: population health and health management, innovation and health strategies, as well as managed care and preventive medicine/wellness.