#402 – Susan Rawlings, Chief Executive Officer at GroundGame Health

Introduction

In this episode of the Slice of Healthcare podcast, Jared Taylor sits down with Susan Rawlings, the co-founder and CEO of GroundGame Health. The conversation delves into the unique approach of GroundGame Health in addressing gaps in healthcare, the challenges in the social impact and health sector, and the crucial role of payers. Join us as we explore how GroundGame Health is making waves in the healthcare industry.

The CEO’s Journey

Susan Rawlings’ Remarkable Career in Healthcare

Susan Rawlings boasts an extensive career in healthcare dating back to 1987, primarily on the insurance side. Her focus on government programs stems from her deep-seated desire to support people in various ways. Her journey continued until 2008 when she transitioned into the role of CEO in several related companies. In 2020, Susan and her partner, Sri Akula, found their way to GroundGame Health’s predecessor organizations, eventually leading to the creation of GroundGame Health in 2022.

GroundGame Health’s Unique Proposition

GroundGame Health’s tagline, “connecting the unconnected,” encapsulates their mission. They bridge the gap between those in need and the resources required to address those needs. With a unique combination of enabling technology and community-based organization DNA, GroundGame Health stands out. While technology plays a pivotal role in connecting the unconnected, their founding partners’ experience in community-based organizations is equally vital. This blend allows them to work effectively with different business models, creating a middle ground that fosters collaboration and effective problem-solving.

Challenges in Closing Gaps in Care

Closing gaps in care in the social impact and health sector is a multifaceted challenge. Three key constituencies must come together for success: community organizations, payers, and individuals with healthcare needs. Community organizations have the experience and understanding of the ground-level challenges. Payers recognize the impact of social needs on healthcare spending. The challenge lies in finding effective mechanisms for these parties to communicate and collaborate. GroundGame Health’s role is to facilitate this interaction, ensuring secure data sharing and streamlined processes.

The Role of Payers

Payers are a crucial part of the equation in addressing social impact and health. However, their business models, compliance requirements, and goals differ from community-based organizations. Bridging this gap and helping payers understand the value of addressing social needs is essential. GroundGame Health’s success lies in tailoring solutions to meet the specific needs and goals of payers, whether it’s addressing readmissions or advancing a food-as-medicine strategy. They create targeted solutions that align with payer objectives, ultimately making a significant impact on healthcare outcomes.

The Future of GroundGame Health

As GroundGame Health continues to grow rapidly, its focus remains on creating connections across different programs throughout the country. They aim to expand their services to include a broader range of community organizations, from food banks to housing providers. Additionally, they plan to engage with corporations looking to make a social impact in the markets they serve. Ground Game Health is excited about the prospect of creating a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to addressing social impact and health.