Episode 8

Burnout and Boundaries: Redefining Work-Life Integration for the Post-Pandemic Era

Guests: Shahram Ebadollahi, PhD

Air Date: 2/16/2026 8 am ET

How do you move beyond the "AI hype" to achieve real-world ROI in one of the world's most complex industries?

In this episode of Forces of Change, hosts Dr. Mikah Sellers and Annie Graziani sit down with Shahram Ebadollahi, a pioneer who has shaped the landscape of healthcare technology. From his time as the founding employee of IBM Watson Health to serving as the first Chief Data and AI Officer at Novartis, Shahram has spent his career at the intersection of scientific innovation and global implementation.

Shahram shares a critical, eye-opening insight: technology only accounts for roughly 20% of the challenge in AI deployment. The remaining 80%—and the true barrier to success—lies in transforming organizational workflows, aligning human incentives, and managing the cultural shifts required to make technology "stick."

In this episode, we dive into:

The Implementation Gap: Why being "enamored with technology" often leads to failure, and how to pivot toward real-world business and societal impact.

AI in the Boardroom: Are corporate boards and executive committees properly geared to ask the right questions about AI readiness?

The Paradox of Purpose: Navigating the collision between shareholder returns and the altruistic goal of democratizing healthcare through AI.

Designing for Adoption: How to rethink internal incentives and workflows to become "good recipients" of new technology.

A Methodical Approach: Moving away from "flashy gadgets" toward a measured, systematic strategy for healthcare transformation.

Whether you are a healthcare leader, a board member, or a technologist, this conversation is a masterclass in bridging the gap between AI’s vast potential and the realities of organizational change.