Watch | “Social Care in the Digital Age”: AI, SDoH Tech, & Interoperability
Last week we continued the conversation about the state of the modern safety net, in partnership with the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas-Austin. “Social Care in the Digital Age”, season 3, episode 3 of American Compassion: The Safety Net Podcast LIVE is available now! This episode features leaders who are actively working to improve the experience of poverty and social care through technology and innovation.
American Compassion Season 3, Episode 3: Social Care in the Digital Age
Jaffer Traish, Chief Operating Officer at Findhelp, was joined by Emily Barey, Vice President of Nursing at Epic, Sherri Greenberg, Assistant Dean and Professor of Practice at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and Amy McCarthy, Chief Nursing Officer at Hippocratic AI. The conversation, moderated by Rebecca McInroy, highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, interoperability, and digital platforms in building a modernized social service landscape and using technology to manage data, empower individuals, and enhance the human experience of care.
The promise and peril of technology
The panelists discussed the significant challenges within the American safety net. They focused particularly on the fragmentation of services and the burden placed on patients to navigate complex systems. Amy highlighted how many healthcare services remain siloed, making it difficult for individuals to access the care and resources they need after hospital discharge. She emphasized the potential of AI-powered solutions to bridge these gaps, while Sherri likened the rapidly changing landscape as another industrial revolution, and expanded on the promise and risks of technology.
“Technology has promise and peril. And what I have endeavored to do is to see how technology can actually assist us in our daily lives, including keeping the human in the loop.”
Sherri Greenberg
Assistant Dean and Professor of Practice
The LBJ School of Public Affairs
Jaffer and Emily then delved into interoperability—the challenge of digitizing and integrating the social safety net. They explained how secure data-sharing across healthcare and social care organizations can streamline access to resources and improve patient outcomes. By implementing standardized frameworks and privacy-conscious technology, individuals can receive the right support while maintaining control over their personal data.
“That’s part of the secret sauce here is how do we get everybody coordinated when they’re on different types of technologies or maybe no technologies… it’s important to know that there are just so many connections and handoffs that have to be made reliably to really pull it all together for the person and the larger plan.”
Emily Barey
Vice President of Nursing
Epic
The importance of trust and transparency
The panelists discussed the importance of transparency, trust, and maintaining a human element in AI and other technologies. They cited examples like using AI to identify healthcare, post-discharge, and emergency needs efficiently, and using technology to streamline resource allocation.
Jaffer suggested a gradual approach to AI integration, ensuring human oversight in decision-making. Sherri emphasized that AI should assist but not replace human judgment. Emily added that AI adoption in healthcare remains cautious, with organizations focusing on education and practical applications like summarization tools to support, rather than replace, human expertise.
“You want to make sure that data that you’re putting in is accurate, that it’s reflective of your population. And again, being transparent about all of those things and ensuring that, especially as we ease healthcare into the use of AI and technology, that we emphasize the humanity that still remains… It’s going to be a human that’s holding the hand of a patient.”
Amy McCarthy
Chief Nursing Officer
Hippocratic AI
The discussion closed with how the panelists gauge success in this difficult endeavor. All agreed that people need care that enables them to remain in their communities, and accounts for their individual needs. Additionally, they described the importance of measuring outcomes that are important to the people being served.
“We’re working to use technology to bring dignity to that experience, protecting their privacy, ensuring they know who’s using their information and how, and really changing the experience of finding and accessing the help that people need.”
Jaffer Traish
Chief Operating Officer
Findhelp
Missed the live recording? Watch “Social Care in the Digital Age” now or listen to it on your preferred podcast platform.
Join us on March 26 for the next episode!
You’re invited to join the last live recording session of American Compassion on UT-Austin’s campus. Register today to claim your free spot! Hear directly from our featured experts and innovators, and enjoy a light lunch following the discussion.
March 26, 2025 | “Who’s Doing It Best?” In this episode, hear insights from panelists who are creating modern solutions.
Catch up on the conversation by listening to previous Season 3 episodes:
- Nov. 13, 2024 | “What Happens Now?” After the results of the US presidential election, we explore what the outcome means for social care and the future of the safety net — for the next four years, at least. Findhelp SVP Glen Chambers joined a panel featuring documentary filmmaker and educator Paul Stekler, Nursing practitioner leader and advocate Barbara Chapman, and BGR Group Chairman and CEO Bob Wood.
- Sept. 18, 2024 | “The Broken U.S. Safety Net” We kicked off season 3 with a big picture look at the modern safety net. We asked questions like how did we get here, what’s broken, and what are the biggest challenges to getting help? Findhelp Founder and CEO Erine Gray joined a panel featuring Professor Maninder “Mini” Kahlon of Dell Medical School, Turning Point Center Founder Isha Deselle, and Dr. Pritesh Gandhi, Chief Community Health Officer for Walmart.
