How does a physician’s clinical experience become the blueprint for systemic change? What does it take to pivot from the exam room to the C-suite of a health tech company? This episode is a masterclass for any physician who believes the healthcare system is broken and wants to be part of building the solution.
We're joined by
Dr. Melissa Welch, Chief Medical Officer of
Sprinter Health, a physician innovator whose 40-year career provides a playbook for turning clinical insights into scalable, tech-powered solutions. Dr. Welch’s journey is a powerful example of how physicians can drive meaningful change from outside the traditional clinic walls.
In this conversation, Dr. Welch charts her unscripted career path, from her formative years at San Francisco General Hospital during the AIDS epidemic to a pivotal role at Health Catalyst. It was there she learned to leverage data and technology to improve quality outcomes—a skill set that became critical for her next chapter. She shares the core insight that has driven her entire career: simply building a clinic isn't enough if systemic barriers prevent patients from accessing care.
This realization ultimately led her to Sprinter Health, where she now leads the clinical vision for a truly innovative care delivery model. Dr. Welch breaks down how Sprinter is solving the “last mile problem” by deploying a unique W2 workforce of phlebotomists trained as community health workers. Supported by sophisticated logistics and virtual clinical oversight, this team delivers comprehensive, “one-and-done” preventative care visits directly in patients’ homes. Dr. Welch offers an insider’s look at how this model works, why it’s a game-changer for health equity, and provides actionable advice for the next generation of physician innovators who want to build the future of healthcare.
About Our Guest:
Dr. Melissa Welch is the Chief Medical Officer of Sprinter Health and a physician innovator with a 40-year career dedicated to designing and leading new systems of care. She leverages her deep experience in public health and community-based clinics to break down structural barriers to access. Her journey has taken her from frontline clinical work in San Francisco to executive roles at InnovAge and Health Catalyst, culminating in her current mission to redefine in-home care delivery with a scalable, tech-forward approach.
Timestamps:
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00:00) Introduction to Physician Innovators
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01:52) From Clinician to Public Health Leader: Dr. Welch’s Origin Story
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08:29) An Early Insight: Identifying Systemic Barriers to Care
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10:58) The Tech Pivot: How Health Catalyst Shaped a Data-Driven Perspective
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13:06) The Innovator's Mission: Why Dr. Welch Joined Sprinter Health
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15:58) Inside the Innovation: What is a Sprinter Health Visit?
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21:03) The Workforce Model: Solving the Last Mile with a W2 Community Team
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22:45) Scaling Innovation: The Technology Powering Sprinter Health
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24:49) The Physician Innovator's Playbook: Advice for the Next Generation
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26:40) Final Thoughts: Why the Future of Healthcare is in the Home