This week, we continue our Nashville Healthcare Sessions podcast series with another conversation about the role of retail in healthcare, this one with Kroger Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marc Watkins.Dr. Watkins was on stage at Sessions with Dr. Kevin Ban of Walgreens. Seeing the leaders of two major retail healthcare organizations sitting side by side discussing the future of their sector was emblematic of the collaborative spirit present throughout the conference. Two competitors in firm agreement that there is plenty of work – and opportunity – for everyone.In this conversation Watkins talks about food as medicine, continuing to reshape the conversation about health to better include conversations about prevention, and his approach to leadership and team building.Key points:

You can’t out-train a bad diet. Health isn’t just medicine, it must include healthy eating and lifestyle choices. This isn’t news to anyone, but Kroger Health has put that idea at the center of its brand and messaging and operations when it comes to positioning the organization in the constellation of retail health providers.

Improving health requires a coalition of the willing. The only way we’ll help people live healthier lives and reduce today’s unsustainable healthcare spending is by having everyone – everyone! – at the table. This includes payers, regulators, lawmakers and providers of all types.

Changing our approach to healthcare means reframing the discussion. Money spent on healthcare is money not spent somewhere else. According to Watkins, “Businesses can’t flourish if you’re just worried about taking care of your healthcare costs. Communities can’t flourish.”

Leadership requires authenticity. Watkins himself works to be accessible, transparent and receptive. At the organizational level, this translates into frequent listening sessions to hear from employees (associates) and learn what’s important to them.

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