How Disruptors Defy the Odds with Dr. Imamu “Mu” Tomlinson
Release Date: 09/09/2025
Bright Spots in Healthcare
In this episode of Bright Spots in Healthcare, recorded live at the HLTH 2025 conference in Las Vegas, Eric Glazer sits down with Scott Arnold from Tampa General Hospital, one of the nation’s leading academic health systems, to explore their ambitious digital transformation journey. The conversation dives deep into how TGH built a unified digital foundation across a large, geographically dispersed system, enabling them to scale AI solutions that deliver measurable impact on operations, patient care, and the clinician experience. Scott shares his blueprint for modernizing a major health...
info_outlineBright Spots in Healthcare
In this Bright Spots in Healthcare episode, host Eric Glazer brings together health system leaders transforming how care continues beyond the hospital stay—using digital coordination, subspecialization, and AI-enabled virtual care to reduce readmissions and improve patient experience. Our guests include: Matthew Sakumoto, MD, Medical Director, Connected Care Clinic, and Regional Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Sutter Health Sean O’Grady, President of Acute and Ambulatory Operations, Endeavor Health Sarah Schenck, MD, Executive Director, Center for Virtual Health, ChristianaCare ...
info_outlineBright Spots in Healthcare
In this Bright Spots in Healthcare episode, host Eric Glazer sits down with three leaders reshaping one of healthcare’s most overlooked — yet mission-critical — functions: provider credentialing. Credentialing is the quiet infrastructure of trust in healthcare. When it’s done right, patients get timely access to high-quality care, providers get paid faster, and health plans stay compliant. When it fails, backlogs grow, compliance risk skyrockets, provider satisfaction plummets, and member access suffers. Joining Eric for this discussion: Sandra Clarke, Former CFO & COO, Blue...
info_outlineBright Spots in Healthcare
In this episode of Bright Spots in Healthcare, we explore how human-centered design can uncover breakthrough solutions already hiding in plain sight. Dr. Kristian Olson, Vice President of Design Impact at Mass General Brigham and leader of the Springboard Studio, shares how slowing down to understand problems leads to faster, more effective innovation. The conversation dives into: The four pillars of effective healthcare innovation: design research, prototyping, supported implementation, and impact measurement How "stupidest ideas" exercises and question storming unlock creative solutions...
info_outlineBright Spots in Healthcare
Host Eric Glazer convenes senior leaders from Humana, Noom, and Blue Shield of California to explore how payers are integrating GLP-1 therapies into comprehensive cardio-metabolic care strategies. The conversation outlines how digital, behavioral, and clinical interventions can align to deliver sustainable outcomes, lower costs, and strengthen member engagement. Panelists share real-world playbooks on scaling GLP-1 programs responsibly—balancing access, affordability, and long-term adherence through consumer-centric design and data-driven clinical support. 📘 What You’ll Learn How...
info_outlineBright Spots in Healthcare
In this Bright Spots in Healthcare episode, host Eric Glazer brings together an all-star panel of leaders who are reshaping the future of Medicaid and social care. Our guests include: Vanita Pindolia, Vice President, Medicare Star Ratings, Emergent Holdings (BlueCross BlueShield Michigan) Jason Merola, MD, Chief Medical Officer, MVP Health Care Charlotta Eriksson, Lead Director, National VBC Partnerships (Specialty), Aetna Mary O’Connor, MD, Chief Medical Officer & Co-Founder, Vori Together, they explore: How Medicare Advantage plans are embedding Stars, CAHPS, and adherence...
info_outlineBright Spots in Healthcare
GLP-1 therapies are transforming pharmacy benefits, and Express Scripts is leading the way. Harold Carter, PharmD, SVP of Trade Relations, joins host Eric Glazer to discuss how one of the nation’s largest PBMs is navigating this disruptive moment in healthcare. Harold shares how Express Scripts is: Capping costs of GLP-1 therapies to expand patient access while keeping plan spending predictable. Redesigning funding models to strike a balance between affordability, predictability, and outcomes. Leveraging digital tools and AI to reduce friction in the member experience and support...
info_outlineBright Spots in Healthcare
In Part Two of our special HLTH 2025 series, Bright Spots in Healthcare host Eric Glazer continues his conversation with Rich Scarfo, President of HLTH, to explore how the event has become a true growth engine for healthcare solution providers. Rich shares why HLTH is more than a conference - it’s a platform intentionally designed to foster meaningful connections, drive measurable ROI, and accelerate innovation across the ecosystem. He breaks down how Market Connect and Investor Connect differ from traditional conference networking, best practices for making the most of those high-value...
info_outlineBright Spots in Healthcare
In this first episode of a special two-part series, Bright Spots in Healthcare host Eric Glazer sits down with Rich Scarfo, President of HLTH, to explore how one of the most influential healthcare events in the world continues to evolve. With HLTH 2025 taking place this October 19–22 in Las Vegas, Rich reveals what’s new this year—from immersive zones on AI and diagnostics, to physician and nurse engagement programs, to the expanded startup pavilions and Investor Connect opportunities. He also shares a blueprint for payers, providers, pharma, and innovators on how to get the most value...
info_outlineBright Spots in Healthcare
In this episode of Bright Spots in Healthcare, we explore The Next Frontier in Self-Funded Benefits. Don Antonucci, CEO of Providence Health Plan and Ali Diab, CEO of Collective Health share how their new partnership is reshaping the employer-sponsored benefits landscape. The conversation dives into: Why aligning provider and member needs is essential for a truly seamless healthcare experience How transparency and simplicity can unlock smarter healthcare decisions The role of innovation and technology in reducing complexity for both employers and employees How strategic partnerships can...
info_outlineWhat does it really take to challenge the status quo in healthcare, and win? Dr. Imamu “Mu” Tomlinson, CEO of Vituity and author of Less Than One Percent: How Disruptors Defy the Odds, joins host Eric Glazer to share hard-won lessons on leadership, resilience, and breaking barriers.
In this energizing conversation, Mu discusses:
- How to turn “you can’t” into the fuel that drives innovation.
- Why being disagreeable, optimistic, and relentless are the core traits of true disruptors.
- Lessons healthcare can borrow from sports icons like Steph Curry and leaders in entertainment.
- Why moments of victory - not defeat - are the best opportunities to spark lasting change.
You’ll come away with a fresh perspective on leadership, culture, and how to build teams that defy expectations and achieve more.
About Dr. Imamu (Mu) Tomlinson:
Imamu Tomlinson, MD, MBA, is the Chief Executive Officer at Vituity, a physician-led and -owned multispecialty partnership. With decades of clinical leadership and practice management experience, Dr. Tomlinson brings deep operational and clinical knowledge to foster Vituity’s mission to be at the heart of better care.
In his role, Dr. Tomlinson oversees Vituity’s 500+ communities, focusing on clinical and cultural integration, and strategies that improve patient satisfaction and drive operational efficiency. Since his appointment as CEO in 2017, Vituity has doubled its footprint.
Additionally, during his tenure, Dr. Tomlinson formalized two disciplines within Vituity to support improved patient care: an innovation team, including the appointment of the organization’s first Chief Innovation Officer, and a community impact initiative. He also champions physician engagement initiatives, including fellowship programs and innovation grants, to further empower Vituity’s healthcare providers to deliver exceptional care and collaborate across the care continuum.
Prior to Vituity, Dr. Tomlinson was the Chief of Staff for the Adventist Health Central Valley Network, where he continues to practice as an emergency physician. He previously served as Medical Director for Adventist Health's Hanford and Selma Emergency Departments. At Adventist Health, he spearheaded an effort to create the network's Department of Emergency and Diagnostic Medicine and later served as the department’s chair.
Outside of his work at Vituity, Dr. Tomlinson is devoted to making a difference in his local community through the 24/7 Foundation, which works with kids in the Central Valley Youth to inspire mental toughness, athletic competition, and resilience through basketball.
Dr. Tomlinson is the author of Less Than One Percent: How Disruptors Defy the Odds. In this book, he thoughtfully explores the lives of those who dare to defy the odds and disrupt a world of contradictions. Through vivid narratives and deep insights, he reveals powerful strategies for challenging the status quo and driving transformative change.
About Bright Spots Ventures:
Bright Spots Ventures is a healthcare strategy and engagement company that creates content, communities, and connections to accelerate innovation.
We help healthcare leaders discover what’s working, and how to scale it. By bringing together health plan, hospital, and solution leaders, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that lead to measurable impact. Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and go-to-market strategy work, we surface and amplify the “bright spots” in healthcare, proven innovations others can learn from and replicate. At our core, we exist to create trusted relationships that make real progress possible. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com.