Maureen shares her perspective on what inspired her to join EO Care's advisory board, why she sees cannabinoid-based symptom management as an important emerging area of care, and where she believes the greatest opportunities exist to improve outcomes for patients.
1. Throughout your career, you've evaluated many innovations in healthcare. What initially stood out to you about cannabinoid-based symptom management as an emerging area of care?
EO Care approached cannabinoid-based symptom management differently than anything I had seen before. During my time at Blue Cross Blue Shield, I spent a lot of time thinking about pain management and exploring ways to reduce reliance on opioids. When I learned about EO Care's clinically guided approach to cannabinoids, I immediately saw the potential.
Too often, individuals are left to figure out products, dosing, and expectations on their own. EO Care brings clinical expertise, personalization, and ongoing support to a space that has historically lacked that level of guidance. It struck me as a thoughtful, evidence-driven solution that addresses a real and growing need for patients seeking better options for symptom management.
2. Where do you see the greatest unmet needs in symptom management today, particularly for patients living with chronic or complex conditions?
One of the biggest gaps in care exists between clinical appointments. Those undergoing cancer treatment or managing chronic conditions often face symptoms every day that affect how they live, work, and spend time with the people they care about.
What I've come to appreciate about EO Care is that the company is focused on helping patients achieve personal goals that matter to them, whether that's taking a walk, spending time with family, or simply feeling well enough to enjoy daily life. By providing ongoing support that complements a patient's broader care team, EO Care helps address a critical piece of the symptom management journey.
3. How can companies effectively balance innovation with the need for rigorous clinical validation?
In healthcare, innovation needs to demonstrate meaningful outcomes. I've been impressed by EO Care's commitment to measurement from the beginning.
The team actively tracks patient-reported outcomes, evaluates symptom improvement, and measures progress toward personal goals. They also look at broader healthcare impacts, such as reducing emergency room visits and decreasing reliance on medications like opioids. This data-driven approach is essential because health plans and providers need evidence that a solution is truly making a difference for patients.
4. What opportunities exist for cannabinoid-based symptom management programs to demonstrate value to health plans?
The opportunity is significant as regulatory pathways, provider interest, and value-based care models continue to evolve. Programs such as ACO REACH, LEAD and EOM are creating space for evidence-based symptom management, while broader federal movement on cannabis rescheduling is prompting health plans to evaluate where clinically guided cannabinoid care may fit.
For health plans, the value is a model that improves patient experience, supports providers, and helps reduce avoidable costs tied to unmanaged symptoms. EO Care brings clinical oversight, education, and outcomes measurement to an area where patients are often left to navigate products, dosing, and THC levels on their own, helping make cannabinoid-based therapies safer, more structured, and more effective.
5. What advice do you have for your peers about navigating cannabinoid care conversations?
I approach these conversations with curiosity and a focus on education. Interest in cannabinoid-based care continues to grow among both patients and providers, but many people are still looking for trusted information and clinical guidance.
Organizations should focus on connecting patients with evidence-based programs that provide personalized recommendations, ongoing support, and coordination with broader care plans. The goal isn't simply access to products. It's ensuring patients have the guidance and structure needed to use these therapies safely and effectively.
Bonus: Why are you passionate about your role as an advisor for EO Care?
What motivates me is EO Care’s focus on giving patients more options during difficult healthcare journeys, especially when better symptom management can meaningfully improve quality of life.
I’m also passionate about advancing cannabinoid care in a thoughtful, clinically guided way. Patients benefit most when they have personalized recommendations, ongoing support, and structure rather than navigating products on their own. EO Care brings that rigor and expertise to cannabinoid-based symptom management, and I’m excited to support that mission.
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