Until retiring as Chairman/CEO of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals in 2002, I had spent my medical career inside the world of healthcare financing and delivery. For the last fifteen years, however, I have pursued an interest in healthcare innovation, specifically bringing new solutions to patients and consumers that they either don’t get now from the medical care system or get incompletely or inadequately when they do. A particular goal has long been to find ways to help consumers manage their chronic illnesses after they’ve been diagnosed and medical treatment started. That’s when the consumer becomes his or her primary provider, and needs support to make critical lifestyle changes in order to slow the course of the illness and avoid more serious complications.

When I met Eugene Lee, I was immediately struck by his intelligence, enthusiasm, willingness to consider new approaches that could build on digital technologies, and his overriding practicality in figuring out how to get there from here. The basic idea of Motiv8 grew out of our conversations. It is because of Eugene’s leadership and team he’s assembled, and the deep understanding he has developed in the field of behavior change that I am so excited about Motiv8. And the problem he’s tackling is a really big one too>

It is especially gratifying to be a part of this important effort to tackle the long-standing Gordian Knot in healthcare, encouraging people to change behaviors that contribute to their disease and prevent them from living healthy and fulfilling lives.

For relaxation I like to work in my vegetable garden and our olive orchard on our small ranch. Whenever I get the chance, you’ll find me fly fishing on some river or lake or ocean somewhere in the world I read constantly, enjoy writing, and play the piano for my own pleasure. My greatest joy is to travel with my wife, Stephanie, to visit our children (4) and grandchildren (9) throughout the year.