Building Better Health Through Neighborhood Connections with Darin Buxbaum

This episode’s Community Champion Sponsor is Ossur. To learn more about their ‘Responsible for Tomorrow’ Sustainability Campaign, and how you can get involved: CLICK HEREEpisode Overview: The degradation of community ties across America has created an unprecedented health crisis, impacting millions of lives. Our next guest, Darin Buxbaum, is addressing this epidemic as co-founder and CEO of Wider Circle. Drawing from personal experience and deep healthcare expertise, Darin is pioneering an innovative approach that connects health plan members with trusted neighbors to create lasting, supportive communities. Previously founding successful healthcare ventures and recognized among the top 40 Innovators Under 40, Darin brings unique insights to community-driven health improvement. Join us to discover how Wider Circle's peer support model is revolutionizing healthcare delivery, reducing costs, improving outcomes, and most importantly, giving people a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. Let's go!Episode Highlights:Inspired by his grandmother's isolation after losing her spouse, Darin founded Wider Circle to combat loneliness through community connectionThe company matches engaged and less engaged health plan members in peer groups to build trust and encourage preventive careResults show $115 monthly cost savings per member, fewer hospitalizations, and 50% lower member attrition ratesProgram serves both Medicare and Medicaid members across generations, from maternity groups to senior support servicesCommunity "ambassadors" drive engagement by supporting peers and checking on absent members, especially in rural areasAbout our Guest: Darin Buxbaum is the co-founder and CEO of Wider Circle, a company focused on building communities to improve health and quality of life through trusted connections. Previously, he was co-founder and VP of Product at Oration, an insurance tech company, enabling self-insured employers’ major reductions in prescription drug spending. He also founded HourGlass Technologies where he served as president and CEO for over five years, and also drove the development of a new medical-device technology. Darin was recognized as one of the top 40 Innovators Under 40 in the Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry, and currently sits on the Forbes Business Council. Wider Circle was also named to the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America for 2024. Darin graduated Summa Cum Laude from Duke University and earned an MBA from Stanford University. Darin remains active with Stanford as a contributor and mentor to the BioDesign course and textbook.Links Supporting This Episode:Wider Circle Website: CLICK HEREDarin Buxbaum LinkedIn page: CLICK HEREWider Circle LinkedIn page: CLICK HEREMike Biselli LinkedIn page: CLICK HEREMike Biselli Twitter page: CLICK HEREVisit our website: CLICK HERESubscribe to newsletter: CLICK HEREGuest nomination form: CLICK HERE