Meet the team

At VitalTalk, we are passionate about transforming the way healthcare professionals communicate with patients and their families during critical conversations. Our team is comprised of experts in communication, healthcare, technology, and education. Together, we leverage our diverse backgrounds and experiences to create training programs that empower clinicians, foster empathy, and enhance the quality of patient care.

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Board of Directors and Strategic Advisors

Robert M. Arnold, MD is the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman Chair in Palliative Care and Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Clinically active in palliative care, he has published extensively on end-of-life issues and serves on several editorial boards. His research focuses on technology-driven educational interventions to enhance communication and improve patient care in serious illness contexts.

James A. Tulsky, MD, FACP, FAAHPM is the Poorvu Jaffe Chair of the Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Chief of the Division of Palliative Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is committed to transforming palliative care through innovative research and advocacy, ensuring compassionate, patient-centered care.

Anthony L. Back, MD is Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. He earned his MD at Harvard University and is triple-board certified in hospice and palliative medicine, medical oncology, and internal medicine. His awards include the American Cancer Society Pathfinder in Palliative Care Award and the American Society of Clinical Oncology Walther Cancer Foundation Award.

Lizza Miller, PhD is a psychologist and entrepreneur. She pioneered web surveys in healthcare at Stanford and the University of Washington, demonstrating their effectiveness in improving patient outcomes. As a founder and executive coach, she supports high-performing teams and fosters peer networks for leaders through her initiative, Vitality Collective, promoting collaboration and sustainable growth.

Tessie October, M.D., M.P.H., is a pediatric critical care and palliative medicine physician with degrees from the University of Washington and Columbia University. Currently serving as a medical officer at the NIH, she manages an extensive pediatric critical care research portfolio and continues to provide clinical services at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, contributing to advancements in pediatric healthcare.

Naveen Rajkumar is a Seattle-based Business and Technology executive, currently serving as the CEO of ISOutsource and a board member for multiple organizations. With over 24 years of experience, he focuses on innovation and empowering diverse teams, helping businesses thrive through strategic technology solutions and fostering development in emerging leaders to create lasting impact in their industries.

Staff

Want to join the team?

We are always looking for ambitious, enthusiastic and entrepreuneurial people to join our team. If this sounds like you, drop us a line with what you can bring to our company that sets you apart from anyone else.

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Meet our faculty

Meet our faculty, whose expertise and commitment drive our mission of improving healthcare communication and fostering compassionate patient-centered care.

see our faculty