Can celebrities help save health care?
We recently asked top benefits and health care leaders if they believe big personalities and celebrities can disrupt health care.
While onstage at the BenefitsPro Expo, 2024 Advisor Of The Year Chelsea Ryckis predicted that health care is more likely to be disrupted by big personalities than big companies, citing the recent failures of ambitious organizations like Haven and Walmart.
We recently asked some top industry leaders for their opinions and who they believe are some big personalities who can or will make a difference.
Put your money (and more) where your mouth is
“We regularly read about celebrities who are involved with brands impacting the health care, wellness and beauty industries, often inspired by personal and family experiences. There are actors who double as entrepreneurs, developing brands which immediately find success by their fans and followers. You think of Jessica Biel, Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Dwayne Johnson, LeBron James and so many others.
Wayne Sakamoto, president, Health Insurance Interactive, Inc.
Too big for one person
“Let’s level set something: Health care is a $4 trillion dollar industry. The industry lobbies more than the oil and defense combined. The “institution” (people who profit from it staying the same) employ millions, are some of the largest companies in the world, and have the brand name loyalty equal to a Coca Cola.
So, for the sake of impact and the success of the potential “disruption,” the focus can’t be on one, or even several, big personalities; it has to be on big communities of people who are making incremental changes in their backyards who are sharing the success to increase adoption.
I know it’s not the sexy way, but a huge ship can’t be turned if only a few people are paddling — even if they have big oars!”
Lester Morales, founder and CEO, Next Impact, LLC
Passion project
“I don’t know about “big”….but I think passionate has a decent shot at fixing this mess!!”
Deb Ault, president, AIMM
Perspective matters
“I love this take. Big personalities > Big companies. I believe this to be true for many reasons, but
Companies often lack a strong, relatable point of view. They can also lack voice, vision and perspective. Meanwhile, “personality hires” often get roasted as the employees that don’t bring much to the table.
If companies can find a way to leverage (and champion!) their smart, internal influencers, could you imagine what big companies with BIG personalities can achieve/?
If we’re looking for examples, I would like to nominate Dave Earle, Chief Healthcare Strategist, WellNet Healthcare.
Funny thing about Dave – by all accounts, you would not call him a big personality. His demeanor and southern charm immediately put you at ease and you think you’re talking to a close friend. Don’t let that fool you. Dave is a self-funding maestro with an exceptional grasp on the entire health care landscape.
His experience as a former CHRO, TPA strategist and health plan engineer make him an exceptional shotgun rider for advisors. He’s an incredible storyteller and believes in creating a member experience for health care transparency, advocacy and empowerment. He creates meaningful dialogue with advisors & the C-suite for long-term change.
What makes Dave a big personality is the fact that he’s not the loudest person in the room. He’s a true listener who works to understand the unique challenges of a growing company and builds plans that work for them – not the advisor or the plan administrator he works for.
But when he does get ahold of the mic, watch out. His input is relevant, poignant and insightful.
He’s also a true sales coach – working closely to help his team become servants of change & create the same influence for their advisor partners.”
Megan Chiarello, senior VP of marketing & communications
A familiar face
“I think Jessica Brooks Woods CEO, MPM, PHR has the perfect personality and is in an ideal position to disrupt health care. Furthermore, she is building a team that includes the incredible personality of Jasmine Keating to help do exactly that. With such leadership, the future is brighter for communities that have, historically, not received the support that we all need and deserve from this industry.”
Melissa Burkhart, founder and president, Futuro Sólido USA
Look in the mirror
“I think anyone can be a disruptor, whether they have a big personality or a small personality, work for a big company or a small company. You just have to be willing to do things differently from the establishment.”
Chris Fisher, founder, BenefitsAlly