August 26, 2025 • 24 mins
Sean Duffy, co-founder and CEO of Omada Health, shares how his company is supporting diabetes care by providing continuous support between doctor visits through digital health technology. His journey from medical school to creating a healthcare solution that puts a "care team in your pocket" demonstrates how technology can help bridge critical gaps in traditional healthcare delivery.
Key topics discussed:
• Founding of Omada and Omada for Diabetes
• 15% of ERS population lives with diabetes, higher than the national average
• User experience: monitoring devices, a dedicated care team, and AI-powered tools at no out-of-pocket cost
• Program focuses on sustainable 5% incremental changes rather than dramatic lifestyle overhauls
• AI technology helps users easily track meals and understand their personal glucose responses
• Human element remains central with consistent coaches who provide accountability and personalized support
• Walking after meals and other small behavioral changes can significantly impact glucose management
• Future innovations will continue blending AI capabilities with human compassion and expertise
To register for Omada for Diabetes, check out the HealthSelect Omada for Diabetes Webpage. Contact Sean directly with feedback at sean@omadahealth.com.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Sean Duffy, Co-fo (00:00):
Unfortunately , based on the way that the
existing healthcare system isdesigned, we're just shackled
with this visit-by-visit modeland everything is built around
it the regulations, thereimbursement, the payment
models, I mean you name it andit was obvious that that type of
care did not meet the need indiabetes and what people
suffering with diabetes needed,and we've got 156 million
(00:23):
Americans that suffer fromchronic disease right now.
And so that led myself and myco-founder just to an enormous
amount of conviction that we hadto swing as big as possible to
build a different type of caremodel.
And we're privileged that,though the existing system is
not suited to care for diabetes,that there's wonderful
organizations like ERS thatrecognize that and support
(00:46):
solutions like Omada to reallyfill those gaps.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (00:50):
Hi everyone and welcome back to the Buena Vida
podcast, where we talk aboutliving well, living a good life,
making good choices.
Today, I am thrilled to havethe opportunity to introduce you
to Sean Duffy, who is theco-founder and CEO of Omada
Health.
He started a company that hasreally taken off in the digital
(01:12):
healthcare space, and the reasonwhy I'm talking to him is
because September 1st we arerolling out Omada for Diabetes
to our HealthSelect and ConsumerDirected HealthSelect plan
participants that qualify whohave type two or type one
diabetes in our population.
This is an amazing program thatreally provides you I like how
(01:33):
Sean says a healthcare team inyour pocket.
15% of our ERS population areliving with diabetes and that's
not just a number.
These are people's livesstories and I think there's a
real opportunity for impact andhelping to improve health and
health behavior in our members'lives.
Even if you don't have diabetes, you know someone that does,
(01:57):
and every single one of us has ahigher likelihood.
Just living in the UnitedStates, with our nutrition
challenges, our environment, allthe things that we deal with,
we're more likely to havediabetes in our lifetime.
So Sean will take us behind thecurtain from the spark of the
idea of Omada to a polishedsolution that helps really shape
(02:18):
health behavior.
He's going to break down thejourney, the mindset, how the
digital experience works and howit nudges people toward
healthier habits over time.
I'm so proud that ERS isoffering this benefit.
We know that improving healthbehavior isn't just good in
practice, it is good for ourworkforce, it is good for our
(02:39):
happiness, just for improvingpeople's lives.
So buckle up.
This is your front row seat forthe future of diabetes care.
I do want to mention thatthere's a few sound glitches in
this episode.
We record over Zoom, as peopleare joining me on this podcast
from across the country, sothere's a couple of sound
glitches, but bear with mebecause it is worth a listen.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CE (03:00):
All right here we go.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (03:02):
Good morning, Sean, and thank you so much for
being a guest on the Buena Vidapodcast.
It's so great to sit down andhave a conversation with you
today.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & C (03:10):
Good morning, lacey, and thank you
so much for having me excitedfor it.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (03:14):
Yeah, we are just thrilled that we are going
to be launching.
I know we've been kind of in asoft launch phase with Omada for
Diabetes for our participantsfor a while and we are
officially launching September 1, where we're going to be
promoting your solution to ourmembers with diabetes.
And so I'd love just to get youto start with sharing your
(03:38):
story.
How was Omada born, you know,how did you get here and what
led you to the founding of it?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & C (03:46):
Yeah , absolutely.
And I mean for starters just tojust just feel like absolutely
honored that we're in theposition to be able to help
support the ERS with diabetes.
And you know, hopefully, ifyou're listening to this podcast
, on the back of it you're moreexcited versus less to you know,
to take a peek at what we offerand see if we might be able to
help.
So I guess, quick on me.
I founded Omada Health.
(04:06):
Well, in medical school.
So I grew up in Colorado.
I was always somewhat of a techgeek at heart, played with
computers in high school, satmore at the table that was
playing chess over lunch.
I was always a tech geek andwhen I graduated I had done my
pre-med recs in undergrad butwas just drawn to what was
happening in Silicon Valley.
(04:28):
And so I worked in technology atGoogle for a little bit and
realized, you know what, maybethe world's weren't so black and
white, and applied and went inmedical school, ended up
deciding that, you know what,maybe there is a chance to blend
both.
And so, on a summer internship,really on the back of just a
(04:50):
lot of conversations with mytech friends, I recognized that
there needed to be a differentsort of company in digital
health, and one that providedjust amazing technology and
service experiences in diseaseareas where we found that people
are not well supported buttechnology could help, and that
led to the Genesis Firmata.
So we out there in the worlddescribe ourselves as a between
(05:12):
visit healthcare provider,because our goal is to put a
care team in everybody's pocket,so you feel that you've got
someone in your corner that'srooting for you.
With a limited time, it's justlike their number one.
Accountability is your success,and so that led to the business
.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (05:28):
That's amazing.
Several years ago, I worked forthe army and I did wellness
coaching.
It ran a clinic and peoplewould come see me every 30 days
for follow-up visits and what Irealized was like it's just not
often enough.
People really do need moreday-by-day support and I love
(05:48):
how you said that having it inyour pocket it's just a
wonderful really use of ourtechnology.
So let's start with the why.
Diabetes and prediabetes andother chronic conditions are
impacting millions of Americans.
We hear about it, we see it, wefeel it every single day, and
15% of our ERS population isdiagnosed with diabetes, which
(06:13):
is higher than the nationalaverage.
From your perspective, how bigis this problem and how does
OMADA aim to solve for it?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CEO (06:23):
Oh for sure.
I mean, it's an enormouschallenge for the country and
it's one, if you kind of observe, the existing way that care is
delivered meets a very toughexternal environment.
Relative to food, and I meanyou name it you'd probably guess
that this would happen, thetruth be told.
And so in the early days we satin people's homes with diabetes
(06:44):
before writing any code, and Ijust felt this obvious gap.
And all these individuals, theyhad a primary care doc, but
what their doc was able to sayis like look, you need to take
your medicine, check yoursurgeries, eat differently, lose
weight, exercise more.
And there was no support, therewas judgment.
Unfortunately, there was a lotof well, just come back in six
months and maybe you'd get apamphlet, and that's actually
(07:07):
the opposite of what you'd needto support someone with their
diabetes goals.
So, relative to the why, itbecame very obvious that,
unfortunately, based on the waythat the existing healthcare
system is designed, we're justshackled with this visit by a
visit model and everything isbuilt around it the regulations,
the reimbursement, the paymentmodels, I mean you name it and
(07:29):
it was obvious that that type ofcare did not meet the need in
diabetes and what peoplesuffering with diabetes needed,
and we've got 156 millionAmericans that suffer from
chronic disease right now, andso that led myself and my
co-founder just to an enormousamount of conviction that we had
to swing as big as possible tobuild a different type of care
(07:50):
model, and we're privileged that, though the existing system is
not suited to care for diabetes,that there's wonderful
organizations like ERS thatrecognize that and support
solutions like Omada to reallyfill those gaps.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (08:04):
Absolutely.
It makes so much sense because,like you said, everybody's
dealing with the challenges ofthe food, environment, the
sedentary jobs that we have asI'm sitting in my desk having
this conversation with you.
So having that support, havingthat between visit care, like
you said, I think it just makesso much sense.
(08:26):
For someone who's never heardof Omada before, doesn't really
know what we're talking about,what we're launching, can you
kind of paint a picture of whatthe experience is for a user
that has diabetes and maybewants to enroll in this program?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & C (08:42):
Yeah , absolutely.
I think this is a good reminderthat there's no associated
out-of-pocket cost with Omada.
So if you're out there andyou're listening and you have
diabetes, I absolutely encourageyou to just put your toe in the
water and hopefully you lovewhat you find and if not, tell
us why.
We'll work to change it.
But the way that it works is itstarts with getting you a set
of devices to help you supportthe monitoring of your key
(09:03):
biometrics.
So scale, you know glucometer,you know the critical things
that would help support you,with your care team being able
to look at where you're at froma glucose standpoint.
Then you meet your care team.
Your care team would consist ofa health coach that's all
certified and you know andtrained to support, really being
in your corner, you knowlearning about you're, listening
(09:24):
to your goals not ours andseeing if we can help you
accomplish them, as well as acertified care and diabetes
education specialist.
And these individuals they getto know you and these are the
same people that are gonnasupport you over time, which is
a unique thing in the space welive and they're kind of your
care team and they've got to goon vacation.
(09:46):
They'll tell you you'll get asubstitute.
I mean it works just like anyother longitudinal relationship
and we found that both thehardware and the care team meets
a great software experiencethat has content community goal
tracking, food tracking,exercise tracking really can
help support dialing thoselittle knobs in your life that
(10:08):
on a daily basis can sound smallbut a monthly basis really add
up.
And just to absolve anypotential concerns, sometimes we
often hear from folks that aremaybe curious about the MOTO
program Like, oh my gosh, am Igoing to have to revamp my
entire lifestyle?
Am I now hitting the gym sevendays a week?
The answer is no.
In fact, if you told us that'swhat you wanted to do, we try to
(10:30):
reign you in and say, hey,that's a loved ambition, it's
baby steps, you can't, youcannot, it's not practical to do
that 180.
It's about the incremental 5%change every month and that's
how you, you know, land in apath of durability while having
some fun along the way.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (10:48):
I love that.
It sounds like you really builtthe program based off of the
research on habits andunderstanding how behavior
change actually happens.
I was really lucky I got tointerview BJ Fogg on this
podcast.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CEO (11:04):
Oh sure, yeah, I know him.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (11:05):
Yep, tiny habits and yeah, but it is our
instinct.
Sometimes, like it's January, Iwant to interview BJ Fogg on
this podcast.
Oh sure, yeah, I know him.
Yep, tiny habits and yeah, butit is our instinct.
Sometimes, like it's January, Iwant to change everything about
my life.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CE (11:17):
But we know, you know it really
does not work for most people.
So, you know, I mean we do seethat it's interesting.
I mean it's like a commonfailure point is like, okay, I'm
ready.
A common failure point is like,okay, I'm ready, Got the gym
membership.
You start going every singleday You're only eating salads
for dinner, and that's not theway that it works, you know.
Equally, you know a restrictivediet tends to not long-term be
(11:37):
durable.
So Omada's approach is reallyabout listening.
You know what are your goals,what are some strategies for
this week, for next week?
And we found that that reallycan create a world where it
feels like a glide path to allof a sudden waking up six months
later and be like what the heck?
I'm like a different person.
This is incredible.
My health feels better, myenergy feels better, and it
(11:58):
wasn't like that 180 hardsacrifice.
There's a lot of positivityaround it, and so that's what we
hope to create for every singleone of our millions of members.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (12:06):
I love that your solution is available now
for ERS health participants thatare diagnosed with diabetes,
and I know you haven't had a lotof our health plan participants
maybe enrolled in the solutionso far because we haven't pushed
it out broadly.
But I'm wondering what you'venoticed.
Is there anything unique thatyou can speak to with regards to
(12:29):
public sector versus privatesector clients?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CE (12:35):
You know, absolutely.
I mean, one of my favoritethings about public sector
clients is the diversity withintheir populations.
You know we love that we have,though of course we're new to
the ERS relationship.
We have many organizationswhere we've worked with them
that are similar and it's funnywe've got like people that work
at the post office, you know,police officers, teachers, I
mean you name it.
And that's amazing because thewhole spirit of the Omada
(12:58):
program is to leverage thatdiversity and personalized
against it.
And so it's really fun when wedeploy with public sector
clients because sometimes we'relike, well, this is an amazing
microcosm of life and itactually helps us make us better
, it makes us stronger, becausewe've got so many unique
differences in backgrounds andgoals and shift schedules.
(13:21):
I mean you name it.
So I actually think if you askwhich client types have helped
you innovate more and youimprove the program for that
next individual, the most ittends to be our public sector
clients.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (13:32):
Oh, that's great.
That's great to hear I havebeen able to go through your
program as a test user.
I always like to participate inanything that we're going to
promote to our participants, andone of the things that I really
loved is your use of AI, likewith the meal tracking.
Can you speak a little bit tothat and how you're using AI to
(13:55):
help people easily, because Ithink that old school like find
the food in the database andit's not in there.
It can be super frustrating.
Can you explain that to people?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & C (14:06):
Yeah , for sure.
I mean, we're living in a worldwhere, you know, through
software advances, we're able todo things that I only dreamed
about while at Google, and it'sjust such fun.
And that's one example.
You know there are some otheramazing, you know AI enabled
tools within Omada, but withfood tracking, it is a piece of
the program.
The one thing I always like tostart with is the goal of food
tracking should be that youdon't have to track, and that
(14:29):
orientation is sometimes flippedto the other side with the tech
companies where it's like I gotthis food tracking thing.
You should track every singlemeal for the rest of your life.
That, similarly, is not durable,and the goal is to track for
the periods of the time where itmakes sense to you to observe
your behaviors.
Okay, and so within that, thegoal is how do you make that so
(14:49):
easy?
You know, make it simple.
You know it's not a burden andtheir AI can help in amazing
ways.
I mean, it's such fun.
You know they encourageeveryone to use that feature.
You take a picture of literallyanything and it's going to do
an incredible job of like.
Is that, you know, kimchi orcabbage?
It'll pull out the ingredientsyou know, summarize its best
estimate of the macronutrientsto your meal plan.
(15:11):
Your coach will be able toengage with that and it's a
blast to show to your friendsand family.
So that's a fun one, becausethe whole goal is to do
everything we can to leverageinnovation and software to make
those little, you know, mythsand difficulties on a behavior
change path just easier andeasier and easier.
And that's that's one fun.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (15:28):
It is so great, and I haven't tried the program
for diabetes with the glucosemonitor, but I'm guessing if I
were to take that picture and atthe time right after I eat,
then it would help my coach toknow what types of foods are
actually spiking my blood sugarand then we can kind of talk
(15:50):
about ways that we could modifythat, is that?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder (15:53):
correct , that's totally right, and
you're highlighting, I mean, amodel for diabetes includes, you
know, at part of the kind ofthe start, a set of continuous
glucose meters and that, reallyeasy to apply to your arm,
doesn't hurt a bit, one of thecoolest technologies.
And exactly that pairing is somagical because you can
understand everybody's body isdifferent, especially if you
have diabetes.
(16:13):
If you just take a quickpicture of the food you know as
you eat it, and then thatcorrelates to the biometric data
that you see coming in yoursugar levels, you get a quick
sense for what's happening inyour body.
It's like a little you knowbehind the scenes tour of where
your glucose is going, you knowwhen you eat and we found that
that, in iteration with yourcare team, can really help rein
(16:34):
in.
You know your, your glucose andthe levels that are are more
comfortable for your long-termhealth.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (16:40):
I'm a health data nerd and I got a CG.
I just bought a CGM myself totry it personally on my own, and
I so, and I this is kind ofcrazy, because I did it during.
Thanksgiving week I don't know,just timing lined up.
And one of the things that Ithought so interesting was we
(17:04):
went out, and we always do.
The neighborhood has a turkeytrot and so I went and I ran
that morning and so I think Ihad burned so much glucose and
then when I ate my ThanksgivingI did not have the same blood
sugar spike that I was.
You know, it did not spike, itwas wild.
I mean just, it's sointeresting how your food
(17:28):
absolutely impacts.
But then we also probably startwatching how much your physical
activity, like just going outfor a walk after you eat, could
decrease your blood glucose.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CE (17:37):
I'm sure it's so and it's so fun to
like be able to find thoseobservations on your own when
you use a CGM and that's part ofthe positivity that I mentioned
and you know it can be likekind of, you know it's fun.
You get to self-experiment alittle bit.
You know see what happens whenyou drink a you know a big glass
of orange juice and watch thosesugars fly and be like oh
(17:58):
interesting, that's what happens, oh interesting.
But for your point, you know, ifyou go on a walk or run or
otherwise, I mean, all of asudden your muscles start to get
really thirsty for glucose andit sucks it up.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (18:08):
Yeah.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CE (18:08):
And so you know, a common thing
with folks that are spikingafter meals is you don't need to
, you know, don't?
You don't need to go run like a5k after, but just go a little
walk, yeah, after a meal, andyou're going to see the night
and day.
Do an AB test Try one mealwithout, try one meal with, and
let the data decide your path.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (18:32):
And then your care team will help guide on
things to try, which, per yourpoint, can be really
illuminating.
Yeah, I love it.
I think a lot of times peopleare really scared of technology
and the direction we're going,but on the other side of that, I
think there's a lot of thingsthat can really help us to
improve our health with thetechnology and it's exciting
it's really exciting that we canuse this to make us better.
What is next for Omada?
Do you have any tools orinnovations that you're
particularly excited about?
(18:52):
What's on your roadmap?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & C (18:54):
Yeah , I mean, like every day, we
wake up and try to make certaintiny aspects of the product
better.
So Omada for diabetes, I meanthere's a lot on the roadmap.
A lot of it does involve amazingAI features to help support
better care for our members,even enable our care teams for
more insight, while remainingthe humanness and the compassion
that we're known for.
(19:15):
So I would say that that's thearea of innovation I'm most
excited about.
It's just artificialintelligence and a blend between
people and technology, becausewe remain firm believers that
you need a human care team, youneed that compassion, you need
that accountability.
I've yet to find someone whosays, oh, I feel accountable to
chat GPT, but there's so muchexpertise and insight that the
(19:36):
models can provide.
And I think that blend and thatbalancing act, especially with
the data that Omada has beenable to amass, leaves us really
excited.
I think the innovation pace atOmada now is faster than it's
ever been.
There's an adage that whenyou're growing a company, the
things that you talk about inyear one it'll take a decade to
do, and it finally feels likewe're able to actually kind of
(19:58):
accomplish some of the things weonly hoped we could.
So it's an exciting roadmapahead.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (20:02):
Wow.
Well, I know it took no tellingthousands of tiny steps to get
to where you are today, butwe're so grateful that you have
built this program and that ourmembers will be able to utilize
it, and I hope it can help helpsupport a lot of people in
improving their health.
Before I close, I always liketo ask the question our program,
(20:24):
our wellbeing program, iscalled Buena Vida, which means
good life, and I'm curious whatis a good life for you?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & C (20:31):
Yeah , no, I mean, that's that's,
that's awesome, I mean.
So there's, there's theobviously.
If you look at every singlehappiness study, it tends to be
once you're past a certain levelof resources.
It's all incremental and it'sabout friends and family and how
you use your time.
So I live out in East Bay andWalnut Creek and, blessed with
you know, an amazing wife, two,two kiddos, and as tough as it
(20:51):
is to have a three and afive-year-old, the ups make the
downs worth it.
And then, relative to health,of course, try to eat well while
not being restrictive Onholidays.
Well, 4th of July, we startwith a donut with our kids, and
I like the approach we use atOmada, everything in moderation.
And then I found, with physicalactivity, just given my schedule
(21:11):
now, as know, crazily enough, apublic company, former medical
student, now public company ceo,I just need to find ways to fit
uh, working out in in my dailylife.
And and just, and for me that'swalking meetings with my team.
If it's a one-on-one and just,you know, get out and have that
phone call.
But they're also, you know, I'dsay, a lot of times I am
(21:31):
working from home, not alwaysthere.
There's a fitness studio that'swithin like a three minute walk
to my home in this little plaza, and whatever is in there, I'll
do.
It.
Used to be a rose studio andI'd show up at you know 7am and
it's mostly like you know,wonderful grandmothers and me.
Now it's now.
(21:52):
It's like a functional strengthtraining studio called P-Volve
and I'm just there Like.
So whatever, because of theconvenience, it doesn't matter
what exercise classes they havethere, I'll do it.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (22:01):
That's amazing.
Yeah, Just, and that it's.
It matters the proximity, thelocation where you're going to,
where you're going to move.
That's why I have a gym at homenow, because I can't even make
myself walk three minutes to goto a gym.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder (22:16):
Exactly , it's about lowering that
little bit of barrier oflogistics time headache, and
that's something that actually athought partner, like a care
team, can help you do, becauseit might not be intuitive.
Really unpacking what's gettingin the way of your activity
requires, like pulling up a bit,a little bit of iteration, some
(22:37):
brainstorming to find asolution that just feels
embedded into your life.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (22:41):
That's great.
Yeah Well, is there anythingthat I should have asked you
that I didn't?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CE (22:49):
You know, I think you, you, you
gave an amazing summary and youknow and putting, obviously, you
know I always like to makemyself directly available for
any feedback or thoughts, sofeel free to flick me an email
If you find anything that youthink you'd want in the product.
It's just Sean S-E-A-N atomadahealthcom and I'll make
sure you know we get the teamson your feedback.
But you know, if you do chooseto sign up for OMADA, what a
(23:09):
privilege to be able to supportyou and an honor to be
partnering with ERS.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (23:14):
Thank you so much.
I'm going to put the link forthe registration for OMADA in
the show notes, so if you'relistening and want to check that
out, I'll also put Sean's emailaddress, since he said we could
share that.
It says a lot to me when acompany is willing to share
their CEO with us for aconversation.
So thank you for that and we'relooking forward to great things
(23:35):
for our members.
Sean Duffy, Co-founde (23:37):
Wonderful Lacey.
Well, thank you for having me.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (23:38):
Yeah, take care .
All right, everyone.
That wraps up our conversationwith Sean Duffy on the Omada for
Diabetes program.
I hope you found thisconversation insightful and you
learned something new.
I know that I sure did.
I think it was great how hetalked about the fact that
technology and our small dailyactions can really make a big
(23:59):
difference in managing ourhealth.
Whether you have diabetes oryou don't, all of it matters.
If you'd like to learn moreabout this program specifically,
including eligibilityrequirements and the details,
you can find a link in the shownotes to a webpage that will
give you everything you need anda link to registration.
If you want to apply toparticipate for yourself, even
(24:23):
if you don't have diabetes, Ihope you'll consider sharing
this with someone in your lifethat might benefit from it,
because you might be the reasonthat someone else takes a first
step toward better health.
So until next time, here's toliving your version of the good
life, whatever that looks like,and I hope you have a wonderful
rest of your day.
Take care.
Unfortunately , based on the way that the
existing healthcare system isdesigned, we're just shackled
with this visit-by-visit modeland everything is built around
it the regulations, thereimbursement, the payment
models, I mean you name it andit was obvious that that type of
care did not meet the need indiabetes and what people
suffering with diabetes needed,and we've got 156 million
(00:23):
Americans that suffer fromchronic disease right now.
And so that led myself and myco-founder just to an enormous
amount of conviction that we hadto swing as big as possible to
build a different type of caremodel.
And we're privileged that,though the existing system is
not suited to care for diabetes,that there's wonderful
organizations like ERS thatrecognize that and support
(00:46):
solutions like Omada to reallyfill those gaps.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (00:50):
Hi everyone and welcome back to the Buena Vida
podcast, where we talk aboutliving well, living a good life,
making good choices.
Today, I am thrilled to havethe opportunity to introduce you
to Sean Duffy, who is theco-founder and CEO of Omada
Health.
He started a company that hasreally taken off in the digital
(01:12):
healthcare space, and the reasonwhy I'm talking to him is
because September 1st we arerolling out Omada for Diabetes
to our HealthSelect and ConsumerDirected HealthSelect plan
participants that qualify whohave type two or type one
diabetes in our population.
This is an amazing program thatreally provides you I like how
(01:33):
Sean says a healthcare team inyour pocket.
15% of our ERS population areliving with diabetes and that's
not just a number.
These are people's livesstories and I think there's a
real opportunity for impact andhelping to improve health and
health behavior in our members'lives.
Even if you don't have diabetes, you know someone that does,
(01:57):
and every single one of us has ahigher likelihood.
Just living in the UnitedStates, with our nutrition
challenges, our environment, allthe things that we deal with,
we're more likely to havediabetes in our lifetime.
So Sean will take us behind thecurtain from the spark of the
idea of Omada to a polishedsolution that helps really shape
(02:18):
health behavior.
He's going to break down thejourney, the mindset, how the
digital experience works and howit nudges people toward
healthier habits over time.
I'm so proud that ERS isoffering this benefit.
We know that improving healthbehavior isn't just good in
practice, it is good for ourworkforce, it is good for our
(02:39):
happiness, just for improvingpeople's lives.
So buckle up.
This is your front row seat forthe future of diabetes care.
I do want to mention thatthere's a few sound glitches in
this episode.
We record over Zoom, as peopleare joining me on this podcast
from across the country, sothere's a couple of sound
glitches, but bear with mebecause it is worth a listen.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CE (03:00):
All right here we go.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (03:02):
Good morning, Sean, and thank you so much for
being a guest on the Buena Vidapodcast.
It's so great to sit down andhave a conversation with you
today.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & C (03:10):
Good morning, lacey, and thank you
so much for having me excitedfor it.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (03:14):
Yeah, we are just thrilled that we are going
to be launching.
I know we've been kind of in asoft launch phase with Omada for
Diabetes for our participantsfor a while and we are
officially launching September 1, where we're going to be
promoting your solution to ourmembers with diabetes.
And so I'd love just to get youto start with sharing your
(03:38):
story.
How was Omada born, you know,how did you get here and what
led you to the founding of it?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & C (03:46):
Yeah , absolutely.
And I mean for starters just tojust just feel like absolutely
honored that we're in theposition to be able to help
support the ERS with diabetes.
And you know, hopefully, ifyou're listening to this podcast
, on the back of it you're moreexcited versus less to you know,
to take a peek at what we offerand see if we might be able to
help.
So I guess, quick on me.
I founded Omada Health.
(04:06):
Well, in medical school.
So I grew up in Colorado.
I was always somewhat of a techgeek at heart, played with
computers in high school, satmore at the table that was
playing chess over lunch.
I was always a tech geek andwhen I graduated I had done my
pre-med recs in undergrad butwas just drawn to what was
happening in Silicon Valley.
(04:28):
And so I worked in technology atGoogle for a little bit and
realized, you know what, maybethe world's weren't so black and
white, and applied and went inmedical school, ended up
deciding that, you know what,maybe there is a chance to blend
both.
And so, on a summer internship,really on the back of just a
(04:50):
lot of conversations with mytech friends, I recognized that
there needed to be a differentsort of company in digital
health, and one that providedjust amazing technology and
service experiences in diseaseareas where we found that people
are not well supported buttechnology could help, and that
led to the Genesis Firmata.
So we out there in the worlddescribe ourselves as a between
(05:12):
visit healthcare provider,because our goal is to put a
care team in everybody's pocket,so you feel that you've got
someone in your corner that'srooting for you.
With a limited time, it's justlike their number one.
Accountability is your success,and so that led to the business
.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (05:28):
That's amazing.
Several years ago, I worked forthe army and I did wellness
coaching.
It ran a clinic and peoplewould come see me every 30 days
for follow-up visits and what Irealized was like it's just not
often enough.
People really do need moreday-by-day support and I love
(05:48):
how you said that having it inyour pocket it's just a
wonderful really use of ourtechnology.
So let's start with the why.
Diabetes and prediabetes andother chronic conditions are
impacting millions of Americans.
We hear about it, we see it, wefeel it every single day, and
15% of our ERS population isdiagnosed with diabetes, which
(06:13):
is higher than the nationalaverage.
From your perspective, how bigis this problem and how does
OMADA aim to solve for it?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CEO (06:23):
Oh for sure.
I mean, it's an enormouschallenge for the country and
it's one, if you kind of observe, the existing way that care is
delivered meets a very toughexternal environment.
Relative to food, and I meanyou name it you'd probably guess
that this would happen, thetruth be told.
And so in the early days we satin people's homes with diabetes
(06:44):
before writing any code, and Ijust felt this obvious gap.
And all these individuals, theyhad a primary care doc, but
what their doc was able to sayis like look, you need to take
your medicine, check yoursurgeries, eat differently, lose
weight, exercise more.
And there was no support, therewas judgment.
Unfortunately, there was a lotof well, just come back in six
months and maybe you'd get apamphlet, and that's actually
(07:07):
the opposite of what you'd needto support someone with their
diabetes goals.
So, relative to the why, itbecame very obvious that,
unfortunately, based on the waythat the existing healthcare
system is designed, we're justshackled with this visit by a
visit model and everything isbuilt around it the regulations,
the reimbursement, the paymentmodels, I mean you name it and
(07:29):
it was obvious that that type ofcare did not meet the need in
diabetes and what peoplesuffering with diabetes needed,
and we've got 156 millionAmericans that suffer from
chronic disease right now, andso that led myself and my
co-founder just to an enormousamount of conviction that we had
to swing as big as possible tobuild a different type of care
(07:50):
model, and we're privileged that, though the existing system is
not suited to care for diabetes,that there's wonderful
organizations like ERS thatrecognize that and support
solutions like Omada to reallyfill those gaps.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (08:04):
Absolutely.
It makes so much sense because,like you said, everybody's
dealing with the challenges ofthe food, environment, the
sedentary jobs that we have asI'm sitting in my desk having
this conversation with you.
So having that support, havingthat between visit care, like
you said, I think it just makesso much sense.
(08:26):
For someone who's never heardof Omada before, doesn't really
know what we're talking about,what we're launching, can you
kind of paint a picture of whatthe experience is for a user
that has diabetes and maybewants to enroll in this program?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & C (08:42):
Yeah , absolutely.
I think this is a good reminderthat there's no associated
out-of-pocket cost with Omada.
So if you're out there andyou're listening and you have
diabetes, I absolutely encourageyou to just put your toe in the
water and hopefully you lovewhat you find and if not, tell
us why.
We'll work to change it.
But the way that it works is itstarts with getting you a set
of devices to help you supportthe monitoring of your key
(09:03):
biometrics.
So scale, you know glucometer,you know the critical things
that would help support you,with your care team being able
to look at where you're at froma glucose standpoint.
Then you meet your care team.
Your care team would consist ofa health coach that's all
certified and you know andtrained to support, really being
in your corner, you knowlearning about you're, listening
(09:24):
to your goals not ours andseeing if we can help you
accomplish them, as well as acertified care and diabetes
education specialist.
And these individuals they getto know you and these are the
same people that are gonnasupport you over time, which is
a unique thing in the space welive and they're kind of your
care team and they've got to goon vacation.
(09:46):
They'll tell you you'll get asubstitute.
I mean it works just like anyother longitudinal relationship
and we found that both thehardware and the care team meets
a great software experiencethat has content community goal
tracking, food tracking,exercise tracking really can
help support dialing thoselittle knobs in your life that
(10:08):
on a daily basis can sound smallbut a monthly basis really add
up.
And just to absolve anypotential concerns, sometimes we
often hear from folks that aremaybe curious about the MOTO
program Like, oh my gosh, am Igoing to have to revamp my
entire lifestyle?
Am I now hitting the gym sevendays a week?
The answer is no.
In fact, if you told us that'swhat you wanted to do, we try to
(10:30):
reign you in and say, hey,that's a loved ambition, it's
baby steps, you can't, youcannot, it's not practical to do
that 180.
It's about the incremental 5%change every month and that's
how you, you know, land in apath of durability while having
some fun along the way.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (10:48):
I love that.
It sounds like you really builtthe program based off of the
research on habits andunderstanding how behavior
change actually happens.
I was really lucky I got tointerview BJ Fogg on this
podcast.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CEO (11:04):
Oh sure, yeah, I know him.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (11:05):
Yep, tiny habits and yeah, but it is our
instinct.
Sometimes, like it's January, Iwant to interview BJ Fogg on
this podcast.
Oh sure, yeah, I know him.
Yep, tiny habits and yeah, butit is our instinct.
Sometimes, like it's January, Iwant to change everything about
my life.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CE (11:17):
But we know, you know it really
does not work for most people.
So, you know, I mean we do seethat it's interesting.
I mean it's like a commonfailure point is like, okay, I'm
ready.
A common failure point is like,okay, I'm ready, Got the gym
membership.
You start going every singleday You're only eating salads
for dinner, and that's not theway that it works, you know.
Equally, you know a restrictivediet tends to not long-term be
(11:37):
durable.
So Omada's approach is reallyabout listening.
You know what are your goals,what are some strategies for
this week, for next week?
And we found that that reallycan create a world where it
feels like a glide path to allof a sudden waking up six months
later and be like what the heck?
I'm like a different person.
This is incredible.
My health feels better, myenergy feels better, and it
(11:58):
wasn't like that 180 hardsacrifice.
There's a lot of positivityaround it, and so that's what we
hope to create for every singleone of our millions of members.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (12:06):
I love that your solution is available now
for ERS health participants thatare diagnosed with diabetes,
and I know you haven't had a lotof our health plan participants
maybe enrolled in the solutionso far because we haven't pushed
it out broadly.
But I'm wondering what you'venoticed.
Is there anything unique thatyou can speak to with regards to
(12:29):
public sector versus privatesector clients?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CE (12:35):
You know, absolutely.
I mean, one of my favoritethings about public sector
clients is the diversity withintheir populations.
You know we love that we have,though of course we're new to
the ERS relationship.
We have many organizationswhere we've worked with them
that are similar and it's funnywe've got like people that work
at the post office, you know,police officers, teachers, I
mean you name it.
And that's amazing because thewhole spirit of the Omada
(12:58):
program is to leverage thatdiversity and personalized
against it.
And so it's really fun when wedeploy with public sector
clients because sometimes we'relike, well, this is an amazing
microcosm of life and itactually helps us make us better
, it makes us stronger, becausewe've got so many unique
differences in backgrounds andgoals and shift schedules.
(13:21):
I mean you name it.
So I actually think if you askwhich client types have helped
you innovate more and youimprove the program for that
next individual, the most ittends to be our public sector
clients.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (13:32):
Oh, that's great.
That's great to hear I havebeen able to go through your
program as a test user.
I always like to participate inanything that we're going to
promote to our participants, andone of the things that I really
loved is your use of AI, likewith the meal tracking.
Can you speak a little bit tothat and how you're using AI to
(13:55):
help people easily, because Ithink that old school like find
the food in the database andit's not in there.
It can be super frustrating.
Can you explain that to people?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & C (14:06):
Yeah , for sure.
I mean, we're living in a worldwhere, you know, through
software advances, we're able todo things that I only dreamed
about while at Google, and it'sjust such fun.
And that's one example.
You know there are some otheramazing, you know AI enabled
tools within Omada, but withfood tracking, it is a piece of
the program.
The one thing I always like tostart with is the goal of food
tracking should be that youdon't have to track, and that
(14:29):
orientation is sometimes flippedto the other side with the tech
companies where it's like I gotthis food tracking thing.
You should track every singlemeal for the rest of your life.
That, similarly, is not durable,and the goal is to track for
the periods of the time where itmakes sense to you to observe
your behaviors.
Okay, and so within that, thegoal is how do you make that so
(14:49):
easy?
You know, make it simple.
You know it's not a burden andtheir AI can help in amazing
ways.
I mean, it's such fun.
You know they encourageeveryone to use that feature.
You take a picture of literallyanything and it's going to do
an incredible job of like.
Is that, you know, kimchi orcabbage?
It'll pull out the ingredientsyou know, summarize its best
estimate of the macronutrientsto your meal plan.
(15:11):
Your coach will be able toengage with that and it's a
blast to show to your friendsand family.
So that's a fun one, becausethe whole goal is to do
everything we can to leverageinnovation and software to make
those little, you know, mythsand difficulties on a behavior
change path just easier andeasier and easier.
And that's that's one fun.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (15:28):
It is so great, and I haven't tried the program
for diabetes with the glucosemonitor, but I'm guessing if I
were to take that picture and atthe time right after I eat,
then it would help my coach toknow what types of foods are
actually spiking my blood sugarand then we can kind of talk
(15:50):
about ways that we could modifythat, is that?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder (15:53):
correct , that's totally right, and
you're highlighting, I mean, amodel for diabetes includes, you
know, at part of the kind ofthe start, a set of continuous
glucose meters and that, reallyeasy to apply to your arm,
doesn't hurt a bit, one of thecoolest technologies.
And exactly that pairing is somagical because you can
understand everybody's body isdifferent, especially if you
have diabetes.
(16:13):
If you just take a quickpicture of the food you know as
you eat it, and then thatcorrelates to the biometric data
that you see coming in yoursugar levels, you get a quick
sense for what's happening inyour body.
It's like a little you knowbehind the scenes tour of where
your glucose is going, you knowwhen you eat and we found that
that, in iteration with yourcare team, can really help rein
(16:34):
in.
You know your, your glucose andthe levels that are are more
comfortable for your long-termhealth.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (16:40):
I'm a health data nerd and I got a CG.
I just bought a CGM myself totry it personally on my own, and
I so, and I this is kind ofcrazy, because I did it during.
Thanksgiving week I don't know,just timing lined up.
And one of the things that Ithought so interesting was we
(17:04):
went out, and we always do.
The neighborhood has a turkeytrot and so I went and I ran
that morning and so I think Ihad burned so much glucose and
then when I ate my ThanksgivingI did not have the same blood
sugar spike that I was.
You know, it did not spike, itwas wild.
I mean just, it's sointeresting how your food
(17:28):
absolutely impacts.
But then we also probably startwatching how much your physical
activity, like just going outfor a walk after you eat, could
decrease your blood glucose.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CE (17:37):
I'm sure it's so and it's so fun to
like be able to find thoseobservations on your own when
you use a CGM and that's part ofthe positivity that I mentioned
and you know it can be likekind of, you know it's fun.
You get to self-experiment alittle bit.
You know see what happens whenyou drink a you know a big glass
of orange juice and watch thosesugars fly and be like oh
(17:58):
interesting, that's what happens, oh interesting.
But for your point, you know, ifyou go on a walk or run or
otherwise, I mean, all of asudden your muscles start to get
really thirsty for glucose andit sucks it up.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (18:08):
Yeah.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CE (18:08):
And so you know, a common thing
with folks that are spikingafter meals is you don't need to
, you know, don't?
You don't need to go run like a5k after, but just go a little
walk, yeah, after a meal, andyou're going to see the night
and day.
Do an AB test Try one mealwithout, try one meal with, and
let the data decide your path.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (18:32):
And then your care team will help guide on
things to try, which, per yourpoint, can be really
illuminating.
Yeah, I love it.
I think a lot of times peopleare really scared of technology
and the direction we're going,but on the other side of that, I
think there's a lot of thingsthat can really help us to
improve our health with thetechnology and it's exciting
it's really exciting that we canuse this to make us better.
What is next for Omada?
Do you have any tools orinnovations that you're
particularly excited about?
(18:52):
What's on your roadmap?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & C (18:54):
Yeah , I mean, like every day, we
wake up and try to make certaintiny aspects of the product
better.
So Omada for diabetes, I meanthere's a lot on the roadmap.
A lot of it does involve amazingAI features to help support
better care for our members,even enable our care teams for
more insight, while remainingthe humanness and the compassion
that we're known for.
(19:15):
So I would say that that's thearea of innovation I'm most
excited about.
It's just artificialintelligence and a blend between
people and technology, becausewe remain firm believers that
you need a human care team, youneed that compassion, you need
that accountability.
I've yet to find someone whosays, oh, I feel accountable to
chat GPT, but there's so muchexpertise and insight that the
(19:36):
models can provide.
And I think that blend and thatbalancing act, especially with
the data that Omada has beenable to amass, leaves us really
excited.
I think the innovation pace atOmada now is faster than it's
ever been.
There's an adage that whenyou're growing a company, the
things that you talk about inyear one it'll take a decade to
do, and it finally feels likewe're able to actually kind of
(19:58):
accomplish some of the things weonly hoped we could.
So it's an exciting roadmapahead.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (20:02):
Wow.
Well, I know it took no tellingthousands of tiny steps to get
to where you are today, butwe're so grateful that you have
built this program and that ourmembers will be able to utilize
it, and I hope it can help helpsupport a lot of people in
improving their health.
Before I close, I always liketo ask the question our program,
(20:24):
our wellbeing program, iscalled Buena Vida, which means
good life, and I'm curious whatis a good life for you?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & C (20:31):
Yeah , no, I mean, that's that's,
that's awesome, I mean.
So there's, there's theobviously.
If you look at every singlehappiness study, it tends to be
once you're past a certain levelof resources.
It's all incremental and it'sabout friends and family and how
you use your time.
So I live out in East Bay andWalnut Creek and, blessed with
you know, an amazing wife, two,two kiddos, and as tough as it
(20:51):
is to have a three and afive-year-old, the ups make the
downs worth it.
And then, relative to health,of course, try to eat well while
not being restrictive Onholidays.
Well, 4th of July, we startwith a donut with our kids, and
I like the approach we use atOmada, everything in moderation.
And then I found, with physicalactivity, just given my schedule
(21:11):
now, as know, crazily enough, apublic company, former medical
student, now public company ceo,I just need to find ways to fit
uh, working out in in my dailylife.
And and just, and for me that'swalking meetings with my team.
If it's a one-on-one and just,you know, get out and have that
phone call.
But they're also, you know, I'dsay, a lot of times I am
(21:31):
working from home, not alwaysthere.
There's a fitness studio that'swithin like a three minute walk
to my home in this little plaza, and whatever is in there, I'll
do.
It.
Used to be a rose studio andI'd show up at you know 7am and
it's mostly like you know,wonderful grandmothers and me.
Now it's now.
(21:52):
It's like a functional strengthtraining studio called P-Volve
and I'm just there Like.
So whatever, because of theconvenience, it doesn't matter
what exercise classes they havethere, I'll do it.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (22:01):
That's amazing.
Yeah, Just, and that it's.
It matters the proximity, thelocation where you're going to,
where you're going to move.
That's why I have a gym at homenow, because I can't even make
myself walk three minutes to goto a gym.
Sean Duffy, Co-founder (22:16):
Exactly , it's about lowering that
little bit of barrier oflogistics time headache, and
that's something that actually athought partner, like a care
team, can help you do, becauseit might not be intuitive.
Really unpacking what's gettingin the way of your activity
requires, like pulling up a bit,a little bit of iteration, some
(22:37):
brainstorming to find asolution that just feels
embedded into your life.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (22:41):
That's great.
Yeah Well, is there anythingthat I should have asked you
that I didn't?
Sean Duffy, Co-founder & CE (22:49):
You know, I think you, you, you
gave an amazing summary and youknow and putting, obviously, you
know I always like to makemyself directly available for
any feedback or thoughts, sofeel free to flick me an email
If you find anything that youthink you'd want in the product.
It's just Sean S-E-A-N atomadahealthcom and I'll make
sure you know we get the teamson your feedback.
But you know, if you do chooseto sign up for OMADA, what a
(23:09):
privilege to be able to supportyou and an honor to be
partnering with ERS.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (23:14):
Thank you so much.
I'm going to put the link forthe registration for OMADA in
the show notes, so if you'relistening and want to check that
out, I'll also put Sean's emailaddress, since he said we could
share that.
It says a lot to me when acompany is willing to share
their CEO with us for aconversation.
So thank you for that and we'relooking forward to great things
(23:35):
for our members.
Sean Duffy, Co-founde (23:37):
Wonderful Lacey.
Well, thank you for having me.
Lacy Wolff, ERS (23:38):
Yeah, take care .
All right, everyone.
That wraps up our conversationwith Sean Duffy on the Omada for
Diabetes program.
I hope you found thisconversation insightful and you
learned something new.
I know that I sure did.
I think it was great how hetalked about the fact that
technology and our small dailyactions can really make a big
(23:59):
difference in managing ourhealth.
Whether you have diabetes oryou don't, all of it matters.
If you'd like to learn moreabout this program specifically,
including eligibilityrequirements and the details,
you can find a link in the shownotes to a webpage that will
give you everything you need anda link to registration.
If you want to apply toparticipate for yourself, even
(24:23):
if you don't have diabetes, Ihope you'll consider sharing
this with someone in your lifethat might benefit from it,
because you might be the reasonthat someone else takes a first
step toward better health.
So until next time, here's toliving your version of the good
life, whatever that looks like,and I hope you have a wonderful
rest of your day.
Take care.
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Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.