# An "Empathy First" Approach to Chronic Illness Among Vulnerable Populations

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/healthcare-it-today-interviews-307487/an-empathy-first-approach-to-chronic-illness-among-vulnerable-populations
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/healthcare-it-today-interviews-307487/an-empathy-first-approach-to-chronic-illness-among-vulnerable-populations.md
Podcast: [Healthcare IT Today Interviews](https://stenobird.com/podcast/healthcare-it-today-interviews-307487)
Published: 2026-04-27T13:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/heathcareittodayinterview/episodes/An-Empathy-First-Approach-to-Chronic-Illness-Among-Vulnerable-Populations-e3hsf8f
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/2c6f3bc4/podcast/play/118422223/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-3-14%2F422023540-44100-2-1d7e17ed1b90e.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/healthcare-it-today-interviews-307487/episodes/an-empathy-first-approach-to-chronic-illness-among-vulnerable-populations
Duration seconds: 776

## Resource

You always know an interview is special when it gives you the chills as you listen to the stories. That was my experience when I met with 86Borders at the recent HIMSS conference. 86Borders counsels people in vulnerable populations who disproportionately suffer from chronic health conditions. These people face multiple barriers, such as in cost, transportation, and time commitments. Furthermore, they often have an "inherent distrust of the health care system," according to Co-Founder and CEO Dan McDonald. A vivid example of the impact 86Borders can have was offered by VP of Quality Lauren Barca, who summed up their approach as "empathy first." A 51-year-old woman had missed her mammograms for nine years, burdened by working multiple jobs and taking care of children and grandchildren. An 86Borders care coordinator engaged with her, explained the importance of mamm0grams, and set her up to take one that turned up a treatable cancer. 86Borders then helped her navigate the health care system and go into remission. Learn more about 86Borders: https://www.86borders.com/ Healthcare IT Community: https://www.healthcareittoday.com/

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## Transcript

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