The Pandemic Challenge: DaVita’s Bold Business Move in Declining a $250 Million Offer

**Title: DaVita CEO Javier Rodriguez Discusses the Importance of Preventive Care, Hiring Caregivers, A.I., and Leadership**

**Subtitle 1: Addressing the Growing Issue of Kidney Disease**
Kidney disease is a widespread issue affecting millions of Americans, with over 30 million individuals living with some form of this chronic illness. DaVita, a Fortune 500 healthcare company, specializes in providing treatment to those with kidney problems or kidney failure. DaVita’s CEO, Javier Rodriguez, joins the hosts of Fortune’s Leadership Next podcast to shed light on the scope of kidney disease and the company’s goal to transform into a holistic kidney care provider.

**Subtitle 2: Shifting Focus from Treatment to Prevention**
DaVita currently operates nearly 3,000 outpatient dialysis centers across the United States. While dialysis is vital for individuals with kidney failure, Rodriguez emphasizes the importance of prevention in addressing kidney disease. Unlike many healthcare providers that primarily deal with the disease after it has become irreversible, DaVita aims to shift its focus towards preventive strategies and facilitating transplants. Rodriguez highlights the need for collaboration with healthcare payers and government agencies to identify individuals with kidney disease before their condition worsens.

**Subtitle 3: Overcoming Incentive Misalignment in Healthcare**
The podcast hosts raise a crucial question regarding the economic model of healthcare and DaVita’s incentive to find and treat individuals with kidney disease early on. Currently, DaVita’s revenue is primarily generated through the provision of treatment for patients with kidney failure. However, Rodriguez expresses his commitment to shifting the economic incentives in healthcare towards preventive care and earlier interventions. DaVita has adopted a bundled treatment approach to streamline services and reduce costs, enabling more investment in preventive measures.

**Subtitle 4: Tackling Healthcare Staffing Shortages**
In addition to discussing kidney disease, Rodriguez addresses the challenge of hiring caregivers in a low unemployment environment. DaVita, like many other healthcare organizations, faces staffing shortages, particularly for positions such as nurses and technicians. Rodriguez highlights the need for innovative approaches to attract and retain talent in the healthcare industry, including offering competitive wages, flexible schedules, and opportunities for career growth.

**Subtitle 5: Harnessing the Power of A.I. in Healthcare**
Artificial intelligence (A.I.) is a significant topic of conversation in the healthcare industry, and DaVita is no exception. When asked about A.I., Rodriguez emphasizes its potential to detect and predict the progression of kidney disease. By leveraging A.I. algorithms and monitoring technologies, DaVita aims to identify patients at risk and intervene early on to slow down the progression of the disease. Collaborating with payers and government agencies, DaVita is actively involved in demonstration projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of A.I. in preventive care.

**Subtitle 6: Leadership Insights from Javier Rodriguez**
Javier Rodriguez’s journey from being born in Mexico to becoming the CEO of DaVita provides valuable leadership insights. Rodriguez’s authenticity and thoughtful approach to healthcare are evident in his vision for the future of the industry. He highlights the importance of continuous innovation, collaboration, and investment in patient-centered care. Rodriguez also shares a compelling story of a patient named Jack, who added a shot of eponymous liquor to every round of dialysis. These personal anecdotes showcase the human side of healthcare and the impact it can have on patients and their families.

By focusing on preventive care, addressing incentive misalignment, tackling staffing shortages, harnessing A.I., and embracing strong leadership, DaVita CEO Javier Rodriguez demonstrates how healthcare organizations can navigate the changing landscape of the industry and provide better care for patients with kidney disease.