(snāk oil) n.
1. A worthless preparation fraudulently peddled as a cure for everything that ails a person.2. A product that has been proven to not live up to the vendor’s marketing hype.3. Speech or writing intended to deceive; humbug.
I am a big fan of Direct to Consumer (DTC) testing*, believing that allowing consumers the [...]
Gaga (gä’gä’ 
adj.
1. Afflicted with or exhibiting irrationality and mental unsoundness 2. Completely absorbed, infatuated, or excited
OK, it was bound to happen. After more than a year of dithering, whispering, false (advertising) missteps, and hinting, it looks like we are going to get our first glimpse of “Google Health” (will the real Google Health [...]
Prostitution (prŏs‘tĭ-tū‘shən) n.
The act or practice of engaging in questionable work for hire.
The act or an instance of offering or devoting one’s talent to an unworthy use or cause.
I couldn’t help the title - with all the Paris Hilton stuff in the news - you just have to wonder what people will really [...]
Summit (sŭm’ĭt) n.
The highest point or part; the top.
The highest level or degree that can be attained.
A conference or meeting of high-level leaders, usually resulting in a call to action
As mentioned previously, I was fortunate to visit with the Matthew Szulik, the CEO of Red Hat last fall. We discussed a wide [...]
Trust (trŭst) n.
Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
The condition and resulting obligation of having confidence placed in one.
Something committed into the care of another; custody or charge.
With a small and growing family, I have had the privilege to see more Disney movies than should [...]
Scapholunate Advanced Collapse (SLAC)
1. Refers to a specific pattern of osteoarthritis and subluxation which results from untreated chronic scapholunate dissociation or from chronic scaphoid non-union;2. Degenerative changes occur most often in areas of abnormal loading; typically involves the radial-scaphoid joint initially, followed by degeneration in the unstable lunatocapitate joint, as capitate subluxates dorsally on lunate.
OK, [...]
Underwear (ŭn’dər-wâr’ n.
Clothes worn next to the skin, beneath one’s outer clothing.
Clothes that typically cover private areas to avoid exposure.
On Tuesday night, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Athenahealth private party at Uptown Cajon in New Orleans. The restaurant is owned by a cousin (Vinny?) of one of the senior sales executives [...]
Equity (ĕk’wĭ-tē) n.
1.The state, quality, or ideal of being just, impartial, and fair.2. Justice applied in circumstances covered by law yet influenced by principles of ethics and fairness.
The second profile in my ongoing review of vanguard Health 2.0 companies spotlights Utah-based HealthEquity. The company was founded in 2003 by my medical school [...]
Prevention (prĭ-věn’shən) n.
1. The act of preventing or impeding
2. A hindrance; an obstacle3. A “preventive“
My tour of the Health 2.0 companies begins by focusing on the “Prevention Experience.” Earlier this month, a new company with lots of big name healthcare people announced to world (via the Wall Street Journal) that they would like [...]
Crossover Healthcare