Valendo Health

This blog is the first in a series where we dive in deeper with some of the members of our strategic advisory board here at Valendo Health.

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First up, we have Dr. Robert Gabbay.

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Robert Gabbay, MD, PhD, is Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of the American Diabetes Association and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on innovative models of diabetes care to improve diabetes outcomes and the lives of people with diabetes.

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Throughout his vibrant career he has had many accomplishments as a basic science researcher, developer of patient communication tools, creator of the first broad scale diabetes registry, designer of care management training programs, and leader of one of the largest primary care transformation efforts in the US around the Patient Centered Medical Home.

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Dr. Gabbay has received funding from the National Institute of Health Diabetes, Digestive and Kidneys Diseases (NIDDK), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality(AHRQ), and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation for his care transformation work.

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Valendo Health: Why were you attracted to Valendo Health?

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Dr. Gabbay: I was attracted to Valendo by the promise of making the profession of endocrinology more viable financially to draw more people in, and also to help move towards value-based care which I think is ultimately the solution and where endocrinologists will really be most valued and have the greatest contribution. This is close to my heart because of my previous role running the Joslin Diabetes Center where we struggled with the financial challenges of delivering diabetes care and I fear for my compatriots in the tribe of endocrinologists because it is tough to survive.

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Valendo Health: What about virtual care in diabetes excites you and how do you view telehealth’s place in the world of diabetes care?

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Dr. Gabbay: I think it’s great that Valendo provides this option. I know that one place where I have seen push back is in places that already have a lot of Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. What is telehealth going to do? There is a fear that outsourcing telehealth is going to put practices out of business. We know that only a minority of people with diabetes actually see Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, and it can be challenging to schedule efficiently. Providing a telehealth option Can help improve access.

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Read More:

Valendo Health Advisory Board Series: Q&A with Dr. Robbert Gabbay, MD, PHD