Geeta Nayyar, MD initially wanted to be a teacher, but then decided “science is the answer to everything” and became a doctor. Today she is the recently-appointed Executive Medical Director at Salesforce and gets to do both, which is her dream come to life.
Geeta’s parents were both MDs and her two brothers are both in the healthcare field (and one is in medical school as a start to a 2nd career), so becoming a doctor was somewhat pre-ordained. She started her own medical training at the age of 17 and continued to fall in love with science, though soon encompassed healthcare IT into her definition of the field.
While believing that “science is the answer to everything, even emotion,” Geeta decided to get an MBA after watching the business of healthcare fail patients who needed so much more than what was traditionally provided. While there, she observed the roll-out of the hospital’s first electronic medical record system and became enamored by the potential for technology to change medicine. This lead to becoming one of the first chief medical officers at a tech company, AT&T. But it was a role ahead of its time.
Geeta went on to spend time at a startup, at a physician organization and at Greenway, the electronic medical records company, and now has found her way back to a large tech company targeting healthcare: Salesforce. But this time, she feels like a real difference can be made, especially in light of the pandemic, noting that her parents, now in their 70s and still practicing physicians, are performing virtual visits.
A recognized force of nature in health IT, we are so happy to welcome Geeta to the show. To listen to the show, please use the audio player below or find it on the Connected Social Media website or on iTunes.
We are grateful to Manatt Health for sponsoring today’s episode of Tech Tonics. Manatt Health integrates strategic business consulting, public policy acumen, legal excellence and deep analytics capabilities to better serve the complex needs of clients across America’s healthcare system. Together with it’s parent company, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, the firm’s multidisciplinary team is dedicated to helping its clients across all industries grow and prosper.
Toni Brayer says
Terrific interview. “What problem are we trying to solve?” With that as focus, tech can follow. We failed with EHR and we continue to fail because it isn’t satisfying the end user (doctors, patients). She gets it. Thanks.
Lisa Suennen says
Hi Toni, Geeta definitely “gets it.” An inspiration to many. Lisa
Dee Shaw says
Love these podcasts! Such interesting and bright speakers.
Lisa Suennen says
Thanks Dee! If you feel so inclined, please add a review on iTunes! Lisa