She’s a NJ-based practicing board-certified internal medicine doctor who’s held key executive roles for major insurance and pharma companies alike. Before Oscar, she was the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services for New Jersey, managing a $3.8 billion budget and 1600 employees. Today, she’s working to bring a new kind of insurance to the state. Meet Poonam, Oscar’s New Jersey Market Medical Director.
You have a pretty mind-blowing career trajectory. Tell us a little about what got you on this path.
My dad was a diplomat, and from the time I was very small he instilled in me the idea that I would one day be a physician. Having traveled to so many Third World countries, he understood what a noble profession it was to be able to heal others, especially those who were frail and most vulnerable. I never separated myself from that identity growing up; that was just who I was. As a physician, I’ve been so proud of every experience and every new opportunity I have. Each job has helped me think about innovative approaches and new models of healthcare delivery, as well as how to foster a positive culture of learning and growth around these things. For me, my profession is my life. It’s not just a part of my day. No matter where I am, some part of my brain is always creatively thinking about ways to positively impact our healthcare environment.
How did you first connect with Oscar?
I’d heard of Oscar and the vision that they had from a lot of people. When I was introduced to the team and found out that they were looking to launch in New Jersey, the connection seemed inevitable. I knew I was the right fit in the winning team at Oscar.
How would you describe the healthcare market in New Jersey?
The New Jersey market is a microcosm of what’s happening in the country. It’s one of the most diverse states, but it’s also one of the most fragmented, with healthcare costs much higher than the rest of the country in some key areas. Yet at the same time, there’s a lot of innovation happening. It’s the pharmaceutical hub to many of the largest pharma companies. But so much is also going on with physician and hospital alignment and new healthcare delivery models. I truly believe that this is an amazing place when it comes to being at the forefront of change.
What do you see as Oscar’s role in all of this?
We’re putting the tools in the hands of the consumer so they can make informed decisions and be in charge of their own health. What I especially love is Oscar’s understanding that healthcare can be delivered in different ways. We’re bringing care to members through telemedicine, for instance. And we’re working with members and doctors at the point of care—not months later, when the bills arrive—to ensure the highest quality, lowest cost experience. And supporting almost ever initiative is the real-time data we use, which creates a very flexible, very agile platform. We are making healthcare simple, transparent and easy to navigate.
What’s your own day-to-day like? (And how do you stay healthy and sane as you go?)
A lot of my job is making sure that people are aware of who we are and what we’re trying to do—that we champion change and that we’re offering a different and better solution than the big, traditional insurance company. Much of this involves listening, and getting to the root of what the needs are so we can meet them. I’m a huge people person, so I love this part of my job. I really think that this kind of social contact that is intellectually engaging is one of the things that keeps me healthiest, too.