In this episode of Tech It To The Limit, hosts Sarah Harper and Elliot Wilson revisit generational myths in digital health and reveal why age isn’t the real barrier to adoption. Through their new game, Fact Check Fever, and a deep dive into the Capability-Motivation-Context (CMC) framework, they show how design, usability, and trust matter far more than birth year. From busting stereotypes to exploring how health systems can design with users, not for them, it’s a witty, insightful look at the future of inclusive, human-centered innovation.

Key Takeaways

• Generational myths don’t hold up: Boomers use portals, Gen Z cares about privacy, and every group struggles with clunky design, not just “digital natives.”

• Design trumps demographics: Adoption isn’t about age, it’s about usability, accessibility, and human-centered design.

• Follow the CMC framework: Capability, motivation, and context, not birth year, to predict whether people engage with health tech.

• Health equity requires intention: Neutral AI does not exist; equity has to be actively built into technology.

• The biggest unifier isn’t age: A diagnosis, condition, or shared health journey brings people together across generations more than labels like Boomer or Gen Z.

In this episode:

• [00:00:13] Welcome & episode introduction
• [00:00:55] Recap of Mayo Clinic live show
• [00:02:36] Looking ahead to HLTH: speakers, tracks, and the health tech “fashion week” vibe
• [00:05:08] Conference tracks & awards
• 00:07:13] Launching Fact Check Fever: busting myths on portals, EHR burnout, Gen Z TikTok habits, and more
• [00:07:37] Fact Check Fever: generational myths & data
• [00:19:24] Break for fake sponsor: Patient Portal Plus Plus
• [00:20:44] Sincere segment: CMC framework for health tech adoption
• [00:22:24] Deep dive: CMC framework explained
• [00:31:17] Designing with, not for, users
• [00:35:31] Break for fake sponsor: Bias Focals
• [00:37:14] Spicy Nugs: co-host lightning round
• [00:46:41] Closing thoughts, HLTH call-to-action, and Elliot’s health tech haiku

Resources

Tech It To The Limit Podcast

• Website
• Apple Podcast

Sarah Harper

• LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbethharper

Elliott Wilson

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewelliottwilson

In this episode of Tech it to the Limit, Dr. Rachel Harrington (NCQA) joins hosts Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson to unpack how digital tools are reshaping healthcare—and why equity must be part of the equation. From fixing biased data to evolving HEDIS and designing with communities, it’s a sharp look at the future of human-centered, tech-powered care.

Key Takeaways

• Start with the right data: If we don’t ask the right questions and reflect real diversity, we’re guessing, not solving.
• Co-create with communities: Don’t design for people—design with them to build solutions that actually work.
• Go beyond broad stats: Break down the data to see what different groups really need.
• Tackle the root causes: Health isn’t just about doctors—it’s about housing, food, transport, and more.
• Act, don’t just assess: Finding problems is easy. Solving them takes real action.

In this episode:

• [00:00:00] Welcome to Tech it to the Limit
• [00:01:43] Insights from the Mayo Clinic AI Summit
• [00:04:05] Segment spotlight – “Guess That Quality Data Acronym”:
• [00:11:05] Conversation with Dr. Rachel Harrington, NCQA: advancing equity through data and measurement
• [00:26:15] Collaborating across sectors: the importance of community-based partnerships
• [00:27:12] Stratification and the role of data transparency in identifying quality gaps
• [00:27:44] Transitioning to HEDIS: why equity must be embedded in quality measurement
• [00:29:15] The impact of race and ethnicity stratification in performance metrics
• [00:32:13] Aligning incentives across payers, providers, and systems for greater accountability
• [00:39:12] Designing for equity: avoiding bias in digital health tools through inclusive development
• [00:42:57] A call to action: how digital health leaders can make equity core to their strategy
• [00:46:02] Final reflections and key insights

Our Guest

Dr. Rachel Harrington is the Assistant Vice President of Health Equity at the NCQA, where she leads the Equity and HEDIS initiative. With a Ph.D. in pharmacy systems and a background in regulatory science, health economics, and public policy, Rachel has a wealth of experience in healthcare data, quality improvement, and social determinants of health. Her work ensures that healthcare systems deliver equitable, effective care for all communities.

Resources

Dr. Rachel Harrington

• NCQA
• Dr. Rachel Harrington
• We Ask Because We Care campaign

Tech It To The Limit Podcast

• Website
• Apple Podcast

In this episode of Tech It to the Limit, Sarah Harper and Elliott Wilson chat with Elizabeth Boudreau, ex-AWS exec and co-founder of Practical Acceleration. They kick off with a satirical “SnoreSense” pitch, then dive into real talk on building meaningful healthcare tech, covering equity, trust, and designing for life’s seasons. Honest, smart, and full of heart—don’t miss it.

Key Takeaways

• Tech equity starts at the margins. Building inclusive digital health solutions means designing first for the communities most often left out. Not only is it ethical, it's a smart strategy.

• Startups need soul and structure. Elizabeth encourages founders to reject burnout culture and instead design businesses that align with their energy, values, and the season they’re in.

• AI needs boundaries and trust. Success in health tech is about more than algorithms; it’s about solving real problems, with real people, in ways that build confidence and connection.

• Talk to the people you're building for. Your user knows what’s broken. You just have to ask. Assume less. Ask more. Build better.

In this episode:

• [00:00:00] Introduction: July birthdays, post-Pride recovery, and co-host reunion in NYC
• [00:02:37] Startup satire: “Snore Sense” pitch parody AI pillows, shame graphs, and FDA awareness
• [00:08:18] Interview with Elizabeth Boudreaux, Co-Founder of Practical Acceleration
• [00:11:30] What is tech equity? Designing with, not just for, underserved communities
• [00:16:50] AI hype cycle: The danger of black box solutions in healthcare
• [00:18:00] The future of tech that disappears—ambient voice and reconnection at the bedside
• [00:19:55] Women in tech: Navigating leadership, equity at home, and saying yes to the unknown
• [00:26:07] A day in the life of a founder: Lists, calendars, and no such thing as “typical”
• [00:30:04] Redefining success: Building companies that match your life stage
• [00:35:35] Behind the scenes: Putting HIPAA data in the public cloud for the first time
• [00:40:50] Founder advice: Talk to your user, challenge your assumptions, solve real problems
• [00:45:12] Wise Nuggets: Career truths, growth seasons, and the ROI of building slow

Guest

Elizabeth Boudreau is co-founder of Practical Acceleration, a firm that helps health tech companies scale with purpose. A digital transformation leader, she previously drove U.S. healthcare strategy at AWS, launching its first consumer diagnostics product during COVID-19.

With a career built on innovation and inclusion, Elizabeth has led HIPAA-compliant cloud projects, championed techquity, and advised both startups and governments. Her mantra: success isn’t about the grind, it’s about building a life that works.

Resources

Elizabeth Phillips Boudreau

• Practical Acceleration
• Elizabeth Boudreau

Sarah Harper

• Sarah Harper

Elliott Wilson

• Elliott Wilson
• Flying Pig Consulting