Breakout Sessions
The GLP-1 Drug Speedway:
A Diabetes and Weight Loss Traffic Jam
GLP-1’s are an effective tool in helping Type II diabetics control blood sugars and lose weight. New versions of the drugs are being approved for weight loss in non-diabetic patients. Weight loss drugs are expected to generate $100 billion in annual sales by 2030. While effective, employers, health insurance carriers and advisors are all watching the growth in GLP-1’s for weight loss and its impact on pharmacy spend.
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Kim Haywood, Pharm.D.
Lead Director of Clinical Innovation & Specialty Client Solutions
CVS Health -
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Miriam Sullivan
Vice President of Pharmacy
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care -
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EJ Russo - Moderator
Director of Sales
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
A Successful Journey: Tuning-Up PTO and Leave Programs
Taking extended time off to care for oneself or a loved one, or to grieve a loss, is paramount to employee well-being and to maintain productivity in the workplace. This session explores proven ways that employers can supportively intervene towards preventing the need for extended leaves of absence or reducing the overall duration. We will also look at innovative ways employers can support the grieving process, which is multifaceted. Expert panelists will share insights on effectively managing chronic illness, evolving solutions to address mental health and addiction, and exploring new perspectives on bereavement support.
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Kyle Daquanna
Director, Strategic Partnerships
Empathy -
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Kristin Matthews
Chief Clinical Officer
KGA -
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Daniel Zainulbhai
Chief Business Dev. Officer
Goodpath -
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Tom DeSimone - Moderator
Principal
Mercer
Accelerating Women Worker Retention Woes: Caregiving and Beyond
In 2023, the average day care cost in the US increased 9% over the prior year. Increases in care costs disproportionally affect women and their ability to stay in the workforce. Unaffordable or inaccessible childcare, along with other caregiving, are the top reasons women change jobs or leave the workforce altogether. This phenomenon affects women in many ways including their emotional and mental health and economic empowerment.
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Sharon Hidalgo
Vice President
Segal -
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Amanda Hemm
Director of Parent Experience
Parento -
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Liz Spath - Moderator
Senior Principal | Relationship Manager & Lead Strategist
Mercer
Innovation Pit Stop:
Revving your Retirement Benefits
Retirement is one of life’s significant transitions; virtually everything changes. Employees spend almost all their working lives preparing for the financial needs of not working. But have they planned to be ready for their season of life when they have the freedom to choose what they want to do and when they want to do it? How can employers support this planning and give tools to those nearing retirement to help them create a plan and transition to this new state of living?
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Nan Ives & Lisa Stornaielo
Co-founders
The Future of You -
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Tom Wilson
President
Wilson Group, Inc. -
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Ann Dexter - Moderator
Vice President, Human Resources
GBH
Steering to Limit Financial Impact: Approaches to Managing Bio-Similar and Gene Therapy Treatments
Bio-similar and gene therapy are terms bantered about when talking about new trends in healthcare. However, they are quite different in their approach and cost structure. The regulatory process for bio-similar development is shorter and less costly than its biologic counterpart. The increased development of bio-similar treatments is expected to generate overall savings in healthcare costs. Gene therapy uses genetic material to prevent, treat and can potentially cure diseases. But gene therapies are typically very expensive. This session will help clarify the differences between bio-similar and gene therapy solutions.
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Mary Beth Erwin, MPH, RPh
Chief Pharmacy Officer
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts -
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Kim Haywood, Pharm.D.
Lead Director of Clinical Innovation and Specialty Client Solutions
CVS Health -
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Tiffany L. Pierce, M.D., M.S.
New England Market Medical Executive
Cigna -
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Jessica Chaput - Moderator
Senior Director of Pharmacy Sales
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Who’s in the Driver Seat?:
Customizing Benefits for Differing Needs by Age and Sex
Research shows that a worker’s gender and age impact their benefit choices. Workers over age 35 typically want richer retirement benefits than younger workers who would like more time off. Women tend to want more flexibility around their work schedules than men. How do you ensure you have benefits that meet the needs of both genders at different ages? What trending benefits help younger employees potentially building families versus employees whose needs change as they age?
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Brent Atkins
Senior Vice President of Growth
Progyny -
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Jameson Fauver
Vice President of Business Development
Kashable -
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Will Porteous
Chief Growth Officer
Maven Clinic -
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Jannine Versi
Co-founder & CEO
Elektra -
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Orlagh Pawlyk - Moderator
Senior Account Executive
Cigna
