2024 EY Healthcare Entrepreneur of the Year: Eric Reimer’s Journey to Innovating Kidney Care
In the fast-evolving landscape of healthcare innovation in nephrology, few individuals capture the spirit of entrepreneurship and purpose like Eric Reimer, CEO of Healthmap Solutions and the recipient of the 2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Life Sciences and Health. This prestigious recognition honors leaders who redefine industries and positively impact lives through innovation, perseverance, and strategic insight. Eric’s journey provides a masterclass in identifying untapped opportunities in healthcare, building transformative solutions, and driving change that matters in the realm of chronic kidney disease management and kidney disease prevention.
A Remarkable Achievement: The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award
The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award is a hallmark of excellence in business leadership, recognizing those who stand out for their ingenuity and impact. Eric’s selection process was nothing short of rigorous. As he recounted, the journey began with an invitation from Ernst & Young, a testament to Healthmap Solution’s stellar reputation and his leadership in innovative renal care. “We have no business relationship with Ernst & Young,” Eric clarified, “but they had followed my career and were impressed by our work in value-based kidney care.”
From regional finals in Florida and Puerto Rico to a national stage, Eric faced hours of interviews with independent judges, including past winners. They delved into Healthmap Solution’s financials, spoke with stakeholders, and scrutinized the company’s model and impact. The exhaustive vetting process underscored the credibility of the award and made the honor even more meaningful. “It felt like a lifetime achievement award,” Eric reflected. “But really, it’s a corporate-wide acknowledgment of the incredible work our 600+ mission-driven employees are doing in personalized kidney treatment.”
HealthMap Solutions: A New Direction for Kidney Care
Healthmap Solution’s stands at the forefront of addressing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), serving over 150,000 patients through innovative renal care. This pioneering company blends kidney care technology and human expertise to provide proactive, personalized care. At the heart of its model are nurse advocates—trained professionals who guide patients through their treatment plans and collaborate with their physicians to improve clinical outcomes. By focusing on early-stage CKD patients, Healthmap Solution’s aims to slow disease progression and prevent costly and debilitating dialysis treatments.
Eric’s decision to pivot Healthmap Solution’s towards kidney care wasn’t incidental—it was strategic. The company initially operated as a technology and actuarial consulting firm, but Eric and his leadership team saw a larger opportunity in kidney health mapping. “Rather than empowering others to address healthcare gaps, we decided to focus on a single space ourselves,” he explained. The choice to specialize in kidney care stemmed from its historical neglect. Most healthcare companies concentrated on acute issues like dialysis rather than preventative measures for earlier stages of CKD, overlooking the potential of digital health for CKD management.
Innovation Rooted in Insight
Eric credits much of Healthmap Solution’s success to Joseph Vattamattam, the company’s president, who identified kidney care as a critical area for healthcare innovation in nephrology. Joe’s insight came from years in healthcare management, where he noticed that leaders often overlooked CKD due to its complexity. Unlike dialysis, CKD encompasses multiple comorbidities, including heart disease and diabetes. “To truly impact dialysis costs, you have to go backwards,” Eric emphasized, “and manage CKD patients at earlier stages using advanced CKD risk assessment tools.”
Healthmap Solution’s approach leverages technology, including machine learning and predictive analytics, to create customized care plans for patients, considering their unique needs and circumstances. For instance, stage 3 CKD patients often receive care from primary care physicians rather than nephrologists. Recognizing this, Healthmap bridges gaps between specialists, PCPs, and patients, ensuring comprehensive management of comorbidities and improving the overall patient experience.
This nuanced strategy yields impressive results in slowing disease progression. Eric shared that under Healthmap’s care, about 30% fewer patients advance to dialysis or require renal replacement therapy. Beyond financial savings for health plans and reduced healthcare spend, this approach transforms lives by sparing patients from the grueling demands of dialysis and significantly improving clinical outcomes.
Balancing Technology and Human Touch
One of Healthmap’s core innovations lies in its balanced use of kidney care technology and human capital. Eric describes their model as “people empowered by technology.” Rather than relying solely on apps or in-home visits, Healthmap tailors interventions based on individual needs, incorporating telehealth for kidney patients when appropriate. Some patients benefit from digital reminders to take medications, while others require in-person support. This flexibility ensures efficiency and effectiveness in population health management.
“Technology is a tool, not a replacement,” Eric said. “It’s about determining the best touchpoint, timing, and medium to change behavior and enhance the patient experience.” This personalized approach extends to the provider side as well. Healthmap collaborates closely with physicians, respecting their pivotal role in patient care and reinforcing their efforts through innovative renal care solutions.
Overcoming Barriers to Preventive Care
One of the more surprising insights Eric shared was the underutilization of nephrologists among CKD patients. Even at stages 4 and 5, only about 60% of patients see a specialist. This highlights a critical gap in care that Healthmap is addressing through early identification and intervention. By engaging patients earlier and emphasizing collaboration with PCPs, Healthmap is redefining kidney care as a proactive, team-based effort.
Yet, as Eric noted, achieving meaningful change in healthcare isn’t easy. Preventive care often involves upfront investments with delayed financial returns. For Healthmap, targeting stages 3-5 CKD provides a clear return on investment by reducing costly hospitalizations and dialysis rates, ultimately lowering total medical costs. Expanding to earlier stages, while ideal, would require creative solutions to sustain the model financially, potentially involving partnerships with Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Leadership Lessons from a Seasoned CEO
Eric’s leadership journey spans multiple organizations, including three high-growth, private-equity-backed healthcare companies. His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders reflects the wisdom of these experiences:
- Embrace Iteration: “Building a company is rarely linear,” Eric said. “You have to adapt, pivot, and be prepared for setbacks.” Flexibility and resilience are critical traits for leaders navigating dynamic markets and implementing value-based kidney care solutions.
- Lead by Example: Eric emphasized the importance of embodying core values. “You have to walk the walk,” he said. “Your hiring, promotions, and culture should reflect what you truly value in delivering personalized whole-person care.”
- Invest in People: Mentorship is a priority for Eric, who spends significant time guiding high-potential employees. “It’s my favorite part of the job,” he said. “Providing feedback and support helps individuals—and the organization—thrive in delivering innovative renal care.”
- Stay Mission-Driven: For Eric, success isn’t just about profits—it’s about impact. By focusing on patient outcomes and sustainable care models, HealthMap has created a lasting legacy in kidney care and chronic kidney disease management.
The Future of Kidney Care Innovation
As healthcare evolves, companies like Healthmap Solutions demonstrate the transformative potential of innovative, patient-centered models in kidney health management. By addressing chronic conditions with a blend of technology and personalized care, Eric Reimer and his team are setting new standards for what’s possible in value-based kidney care. Their work not only improves lives but also challenges the industry to think differently about prevention, cost management, and long-term outcomes.
The company’s success in reducing hospital admissions and emergency department visits for polychronic patients has made it a leader in the field. Healthmap’s focus on member engagement and care transitions has resulted in more planned dialysis starts and fewer complications for patients requiring renal replacement therapy.
The 2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award isn’t just a recognition of Eric’s leadership—it’s a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and innovation in healthcare. As Eric succinctly put it, “At the end of the day, you can tell members and providers anything you want to. But if you don’t change actual behavior, you’re really not making a difference.” It’s this commitment to meaningful change and slowing disease progression that defines his journey—and makes Healthmap Solutions a company to watch in the evolving landscape of kidney care technology and personalized kidney treatment.
