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S1E4: Fixing Healthcare’s Trust Problem: How Transparency is the Missing Link in Value-Based Care. Rachael Jones & Emily Walker Designed a Solution.
March 27, 2025 · 79 min

What happens when two powerhouse women step away from the corporate playbook to build something the healthcare industry desperately needs?

In this episode of RedefineHER, we sit down with Rachael Jones and Emily Walker, the co-founders of Syntax Health, a groundbreaking platform that’s bringing transparency and trust to value-based care.

With decades of experience in healthcare leadership and analytics, these women aren’t just talking about change—they’re building it.

We dive into:

✔️ Why healthcare’s biggest problem isn’t cost—it’s lack of trust and transparency

✔️ How Syntax Health is redefining value-based care to work for both providers and payers

✔️ The bold risks they took to launch a startup in a male-dominated space

✔️ Why women in leadership need to step out on the skinny branch and take up space

✔️ How to scale a mission-driven company without burnout—hiring slow, building systems, and leading with purpose

Timeline:

000:00 Breaking Barriers in Healthcare Leadership

02:55 The Genesis of Syntax Health

06:09 Understanding Value-Based Care

09:06 The Challenges of Contract Transparency

12:13 Navigating the Healthcare Landscape

15:03 The Role of Community Health Centers

17:54 Women in Leadership: Overcoming Challenges

21:01 Redefining Leadership Traits

23:54 Creating a Collaborative Environment

27:09 The Impact of Syntax on Patient Care

29:57 Decisiveness in Leadership

32:53 Building Trust and Accountability

36:05 The Future of Value-Based Care

43:04 Decisiveness and Flexibility in Leadership

45:08 Learning from Failures: A Leader's Journey

51:14 Hiring for Culture and Expertise

57:25 Maintaining Team Culture and Preventing Burnout

01:08:11 The Importance of DEI in Healthcare Leadership

01:13:15 Future Aspirations for Value-Based Care

Connect with our guests

Website: https://www.meetsyntax.com/ Championing the vital role of CHCs in delivering care to underserved communities: https://www.nachc.org/venture studio driving innovation in healthcare, including Syntax’s early development: https://www.redesignhealth.com/A LinkedIn: Rachel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaelmcjones/ Emily - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyjowalker/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SyntaxHealth

RedefineHER Podcast Credits

Host: Brenda Armstrong - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaarmstrong1/⁠ Producer: Tarryn Long - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarrynlong/⁠ Sponsor: ITEOM Talent Partners search and placement experts | connecting purpose -driven organizations with top-tier talent to create thriving, impactful & diverse teams.

More Details on RedefinHER Podcast:

www.iteomtalent.com/redefineherpodcast

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