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If our values align with yours, and you are actively working in the Medicaid space, we invite you to complete our membership form
On Tuesday, October 22, HealthTech 4 Medicaid (HT4M) hosted the panel “Innovating for the Future: Pediatric Care Transformation in Medicaid,” which explored the evolving landscape of pediatric innovation within Medicaid. Moderated by HT4M’s CEO & Executive Director, Adimika Arthur, the panel featured experts Faith Polkey, M.D., MPH, CEO of Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, Inc.; Ivor Horn, MD, MPH, Board Member at Boston Children’s Hospital; Jennifer Magaziner, VP of Digital Health at Boston Children’s Hospital; Travis Gayles, Chief of Health of Hazel Health; and two youth representatives, Kimberly Moreno and Fatima Magallon, both Rancho High School graduates and Hazel Health ambassadors. Together, they highlighted the critical role of innovation in shaping the future of Medicaid pediatric care.
The session emphasized both the challenges and opportunities in advancing equitable healthcare for Medicaid-covered youth. Dr. Polkey emphasized that “kids need us to listen to them,” underscoring the importance of centering children’s voices to deliver equitable, effective, meaningful solutions.
Panelists explored how technology—spanning AI and telehealth—can serve as powerful tools to bridge access gaps and improve outcomes for vulnerable pediatric populations. As Travis Gayles noted, “innovation is one of the most effective tools to leverage equity and increase access.” Kimberly Moreno observed that while technology has improved access, it often diminishes physical connection with providers, potentially reducing engagement and authenticity among younger patients. Fatima Magallon emphasized the lack of awareness among vulnerable groups about the available resources and innovations. Dr. Horn advocated for innovation that “works in people’s life flow, not how people fit into systems flow,” emphasizing a collaborative approach that prioritizes holistic support for children, families, and community trust.
The event also spotlighted innovators actively making an impact in Medicaid pediatric care, offering attendees an opportunity to connect with leaders such as: Kaakpema “KP” Yelpaala, Faculty Director of InnovateHealth Yale at Yale School of Public Health; Daniel Zakowski, CEO of Ready, Set, Food!; Eden Klein, Chief Technology Officer at Imagine Pediatrics; Hafeezah Muhammed, CEO of Backpack Healthcare; Josh Golomb, CEO of Hazel Health; Lauren Philips, Senior Vice President of Healthcare at Ready, Set, Food!; Mariza Hardin, Co-founder of Zócalo Health; Steven Moyo, CEO of Welfie.
If our values align with yours, and you are actively working in the Medicaid space, we invite you to complete our membership form