Pepper Talk Vol. 2 - A Live Debate: Doctors & Operators: Who’s Really Running Healthcare?
⚖️ 3 vs 3: Physicians vs. Operators
A Live Healthcare Leadership Debate
Presented by Pepper NYC x Docs in Tech x MarkOne Health
What really happens when clinical priorities meet operational reality?
For one night, we’re putting it on stage.
Join us for a fast-paced 3x3 debate featuring three physicians vs. three healthcare operators tackling the biggest tensions shaping modern healthcare — from incentives and economics to AI and the future of leadership.
Team Physicians:
Iqra Aftab, MD - Rheumatologist AtlantiCare
Rosy Thachil, MD - Cardiologist, Director Cardiac ICU, Elmhurst Hospital Center
Chethan Sarabu, MD - Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Well Cornell Medicine; Director of Clinical Innovation, Cornell Tech
Team Operators:
Brett Neustadt - Head of Solutions and Strategy Carrum Health
Xavier Barnes - Sr Manager - VBC Center of Excellence, Aetna
Hailey Ji - Sr Growth Strategy, Insurance, Humana
Note, all views only represent those of the individuals and not related to their employed companies.
Expect a series of rapid-fire question rounds covering:
Where misalignment begins — trust gaps, cultural differences, and incentive friction
Money & metrics — productivity vs. patient care, RVUs, value-based care, financial pressure
Power & decision-making — who should drive strategy? how should leadership be structured?
What actually works — examples of strong operator–physician partnerships
The future — AI adoption, younger doctors, and what healthcare leadership must look like by 2030