The Beat

Beyond Wellness: John Harrison on How WebMD Is Building Cultures of Holistic Well-Being

Episode Summary

Employee well-being delivers real results only when technology and human support are integrated, personalized, and embedded into company culture. In this episode, John Harrison, President and General Manager of WebMD Health Services, explores the shift from one-size-fits-all wellness to holistic well-being, integrating digital tools, AI-driven personalization, and human coaches. He emphasizes the importance of partnerships, interoperable ecosystems, and leadership advocacy in fostering a seamless user experience and cultivating a culture of health. John highlights the measurable impact of these programs on health risk reduction, engagement, and cost management, utilizing tools such as personalized recommendations, preventive screening reminders, and support for caregiving, financial stress, and women’s health. Looking ahead, he envisions a deeper integration of AI and human intervention to provide timely, highly personalized support across emerging focus areas, such as brain health. Tune in and learn how integrated tech-and-human strategies transform well-being into performance, retention, and competitive advantage.

Episode Notes

About John Harrison:

John Harrison is a seasoned digital marketing and client experience leader with over 20 years of experience shaping innovative brand, product, and business strategies. As president and general manager at WebMD Health Services, he leads initiatives that help organizations build cultures of well-being, improving health and happiness across millions of lives.

Known for his blend of creative vision and operational discipline, John has led high-performing teams at companies such as WebMD, Webtrends, and Yesmail Interactive, delivering measurable growth and client success for Fortune 1000 organizations. His expertise spans customer experience leadership, P&L management, M&A strategy, and organizational development.

Based in Portland, Oregon, John is recognized for his ability to inspire teams, navigate change with clarity, and translate complex business challenges into purposeful, people-centered solutions. He holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Oregon, a background that fuels his strong communication and leadership style.

Things You’ll Learn:

• Holistic well-being replaces generic wellness by integrating digital tools with human services to enhance overall well-being. This approach personalizes support to each employee’s goals, risks, and life context.
• Partnerships and interoperability are crucial because employees require a seamless experience. Disjointed handoffs create gaps that cause people to disengage.
• Leadership advocacy and employee champion networks turn initiatives into culture. When leaders participate in and communicate effectively, programs earn trust and adoption.
• Outcomes, not optics, define success. Measuring year-over-year health risk reduction and cost impact separates true results from “check the box” efforts.
• The next leap is AI plus people working in sync. Timely digital nudges paired with human guidance unlock personalization and reach at scale.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow John Harrison on LinkedIn.
• Follow WebMD Health Services on LinkedIn and visit their website.