#United States #San Francisco #Cityblock Health #Foodsmart #Dr. Toyin Ajayi

Foodsmart Welcomes Dr. Toyin Ajayi to Its Board of Directors

Foodsmart, a leading provider of telenutrition and foodcare across the United States, has made a significant announcement: Dr. Toyin Ajayi, co-founder and CEO of Cityblock Health, will be joining its Board of Directors. This move emphasizes Foodsmart's commitment to integrate nutritional support into healthcare services, particularly for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Dr. Ajayi, a board-certified Family Medicine physician, possesses remarkable expertise in addressing the healthcare needs of the Medicaid population, aiming to improve patient outcomes while reducing overall healthcare costs. Her experience centers on the value-based care models, which are essential for enhancing the quality of life for underserved communities.

In her new role, Dr. Ajayi expressed her concerns about the challenges faced by patients with complex medical and social needs when accessing nutritional support. She noted that Foodsmart's innovative approach operationalizes foodcare at scale, thereby connecting clinical nutrition with patients' lived experiences. By doing this, Foodsmart aims to foster health equity and achieve tangible health outcomes, especially for high-need populations.

Foodsmart has a vital mission: to embed nutrition directly into healthcare frameworks rather than treating it as an ancillary service. The company collaborates with health plans and providers to offer virtual dietitian consultations, utilizing medical nutrition therapy and providing food benefits that are crucial for healthcare accessibility. Currently, the company is serving over 3 million members nationwide, illustrating its widespread impact across diverse communities.

Kurt Knight, CEO of Foodsmart, highlighted the importance of Dr. Ajayi's experience as Medicaid programs and health plans become increasingly accountable for managing total healthcare costs and health equity outcomes. He believes nutrition should be a core component of these health models, and Dr. Ajayi's expertise will aid in fortifying Foodsmart's partnerships, thereby improving health outcomes while optimizing costs.

Furthermore, Dr. Ajayi is not only recognized for her leadership at Cityblock Health but also holds positions on the Board of Directors of Evolent Health and the National Academy of Medicine. She has been acknowledged as a leader in driving innovative healthcare models that enhance outcomes for populations with complex needs, earning accolades in various prestigious listings such as CNBC's Changemakers and TIME100 NEXT.

Frank Williams, Executive Chairman of Foodsmart, welcomed Dr. Ajayi, praising her trusted voice in the field of value-based care. Her experience is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing Foodsmart’s already comprehensive foodcare platform that caters to both payer and provider partners.

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the integration of foodcare is becoming imperative. Foodsmart employs a model that combines telenutrition, tailored food support, and benefits enablement to boost member engagement and preventative care, particularly among Medicaid patients and those with chronic conditions. This model aligns perfectly with the growing trend where states and health plans are investing in 'food as medicine' initiatives.

With Dr. Ajayi's strategic appointment, Foodsmart is positioned not only for growth but also for making a lasting positive impact on the nutrition and health of populations in need. For more details, visit Foodsmart's official website at www.foodsmart.com.

About Foodsmart

Foodsmart stands as a personalization leader in nutrition, combining advanced technology, telehealth expertise, and the nation's largest network of registered dietitians. Their aim is to assist individuals in adopting healthier eating habits while managing chronic health issues and enhancing overall well-being. By incorporating nutrition care into the healthcare system, Foodsmart enables members, employers, and health plans to realize better healthcare outcomes at reduced costs.