During our May 27th meeting, H-E-B representatives will discuss:
Macro trends in food, nutrition, and healthcare
The impact on H-E-B’s customer base
How the organization is responding to meet their customers’ needs
Marty Makary, MD, MPH
Chief Medical Officer, H-E-B
Dr. Makary is a New York Times bestselling author and Johns Hopkins surgeon. His book, The Price We Pay, has been described as “A must-read for every American” by Steve Forbes and “a deep dive into the real issues driving up the price of health care” by Don Berwick. Makary is a frequent medical expert on NBC and FOX News and is a leading voice for physicians, writing for The Wall Street Journal and USA Today.
Dr. Makary was the lead author of the first publications on The Surgical Checklist and later served in leadership with Atul Gawande on the World Health Organization Surgery Checklist project. Makary has published over 250 scientific articles, including articles on organizational culture, vulnerable populations, and opioid prescribing guidelines. As a gastrointestinal surgeon, he is also an advocate for healthy foods and lifestyle medicine.
Dr. Makary has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine and named one of America’s 20 most influential people in health care by Health Leaders Magazine. Dr. Makary speaks frequently on the future of health care and what it means for everyday Americans, business leaders, and health care professionals. His current research focuses on the appropriateness of medical care, health care costs, drug prices, and low-income populations. His book, Unaccountable, was turned into the hit TV medical series The Resident, and his newest book, The Price We Pay, tells the stories of health care’s disruptive innovators and the new movement to restore medicine to its mission.
Monica J. Garza, MPA
Magenta Sales Leader, H-E-B
Monica manages the strategy and plan design for the H-E-B medical plan and works with her team to improve quality of care, cost, and access for H-E-B Partners and their families. Prior to her current role, she was the Health Promotion Manager, leading a team in setting strategies to make H-E-B the destination for Health & Wellness. Her work focused on improving Partners, Customers, and the Communities Health IQ through education and innovation in products, services, and information.
Previously, Monica served as the Director of Community Wellness for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio and the lead organizer for Síclovía—the City of San Antonio’s largest event related to health and physical activity. Monica also managed the Y’s Corporate Membership and Senior Programs and served as Executive Director of the D.R. Semmes Family YMCA at TriPoint from 2009-2012.
Monica earned her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University-College Station and graduated with a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She was named a San Antonio Business Journal “40 under 40” Rising Star. She is also an alumna of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Alexander Briseño Leadership Development Program and the Latina Leadership Institute, which she co-chaired in 2020.
Monica knows first-hand how education can change the path of your life and wants to inspire other young women of color to complete their education. To this end, she serves on the San Antonio Area Foundation Women and Girls Development Fund, sits on the Northeast Education Foundation Board, H-E-B Corporate Diversity Leadership Council, and was elected to the board of the League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area in 2021.
An avid traveler who has visited over 22 countries, Monica is a native San Antonian who is proud to live, work, and play in the near-downtown community.
Heidi Deen
Health Promotion Manager, H-E-B
Heidi Deen, responsible for Business Development focused on healthcare for H-E-B, has been with HEB for 17 years. She studied Nutrition and Business at Texas A&M University. She has held many leadership roles throughout H-E-B such as health and wellness marketing, sales and marketing procurement, store operations, human resources, and employee benefits.
Stacy Bates, MS, RDN, LD, CDE
Nutrition & Health Services, Drug Store Marketing, H-E-B
Stacy Bates is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with over 14 years of experience in nutrition communications, marketing, education, health services operations, and leadership. A dynamic presenter with a diverse background in operations, adult education, clinical dietetics, and nutrition marketing, Stacy brings a broad range of professional experiences to enhance her nutrition and communication skills leading H-E-B’s Nutrition Services Program. H-E-B’s Registered Dietitians play a vital role in impacting the health choices and nutrition literacy of Texans, as one of the largest dietitian-only clinical practice groups. Stacy earned the Progressive Grocer 2016 Retail Dietitian of the Year Award.
As the previous owner of Gruene Nutrition LLC, Stacy has served as a communications liaison and spokesperson offering ways to help individuals and families improve their healthy lifestyles quickly and confidently. Sharing science-based nutrition tips in an approachable, easy-to-digest, manner. Stacy demonstrates with passion how food can enhance health and well-being.
Before becoming a dietitian, Stacy Bates gained valuable experience in food science and marketing through both industry and education. Stacy is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is also a member of the Academy’s Practice Groups on Healthy Aging, Pediatric Nutrition, Diabetes Care and Education, and Women’s Health.
Stacy received her bachelor’s in nutrition science from Texas A&M University and completed her master’s degree in Human Sciences with a minor in Adult Education from Texas A&M University in Kingsville. Stacy currently resides in Cypress, TX with her husband, Colin, and two sons, Luke & Clay.
Moderator: Drew Kahn
Vice President of Trend Management, Humana
Drew Kahn is the Vice President of Healthcare Trend and Innovation at Humana Military. Humana Military, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Humana Inc., partners with the Department of Defense to administer the TRICARE health program for over six million military members, retirees, and their families in the East Region.
In his role at Humana Military, he is responsible for a network of over seven hundred thousand providers, analytics, actuarial services, and alternative payment programs. Drew works in partnership with the Defense Health Agency to develop and test value-based care programs in the Military Health System.
He holds a wide range of experience with a large national health system, including leading several acute-care hospitals and corporate business development functions. Prior to Humana he also served as an Executive-in-Residence with Health Enterprise Partners, a growth equity fund.
Drew graduated from Columbia University with a Master’s in Public Health and from the University of Houston with a Master’s in Business Administration. He attended The University of Texas – Austin for his undergraduate education and Harvard Business School for executive education. Drew is an American College of Healthcare Executives Fellow (FACHE) and a member of the Austin Healthcare Council.
