At Pearl Health, value-based care isn’t just about changing how healthcare is delivered — it’s about building the right team to support that change. Ben Csukor, who works on our Performance Operations team, is part of that effort, helping design the services and systems that support providers where our technology leaves off.
We sat down with Ben to talk about his role, what motivates him, and why the people at Pearl — with all their curiosity, quirkiness, and gifs — keep him inspired to do great work
How would you describe what you do — to, say, a friend or a family member?
I usually try to change the subject! But broadly, I’d say I work on the service extension side of the Pearl platform. We help primary care providers succeed in value-based care arrangements by building services to fill the gaps our technology isn’t designed to address.
How about if you were talking to a first grader?
We help doctors take care of their patients. And we build tools and services to make that easier.
What brought you to Pearl in the first place?
I was working at a health plan startup while I was in grad school, and as I was finishing up, I started looking for the next thing. I had worked with Stephen Porter — who was leading recruiting at the time — and he reached out about a growth opportunity.
It wasn’t quite the right fit, but I started learning more about Pearl, and eventually found a role that felt aligned. From my first conversations with the team — Lauren Prial, the hiring manager, and others — it just felt like a group of people I wanted to work with and learn from. And that still holds true.
How would you describe the people at Pearl?
Curious, thoughtful, and quirky in the best way. Everyone’s really good at what they do and genuinely cares about doing it well — and doing it together. You can feel it in the way people collaborate.
Also, there’s definitely some strong nerd energy here. Especially at Team Summit [Pearl’s weekly all-hands meeting]. It’s like everyone tries to outdo each other with their references — it’s hilarious and very Pearl.
What keeps you excited about the work you’re doing here?
The team. I really love the people I get to work with. I just came back from paternity leave, and while the dedicated time with my family was a huge gift, I was genuinely excited to get back to working with my friends.
There’s also something energizing about working with a team this committed and capable. The vision might evolve — it’s healthcare, it’s a startup — but the people and the purpose keep me grounded.
What helps you stay centered through change?
My own commitment to working in healthcare is a big part of it. I try to keep sight of the bigger picture and how the work we’re doing connects to that.
Also, I think this team is uniquely good at riding the wave of shifting priorities. There’s a flexibility and sense of “we’re in this together” that makes it easier to navigate.
Have you seen your work directly impact patients or providers?
One example that stands out is a patient texting program we launched last year. It sends automated messages to patients after they’ve been discharged from the hospital, reminding them to follow up with their doctor.
Sometimes patients actually respond to the texts — even though we don’t expect them to. We’ve seen messages like, “Thanks, I’ll call now,” and then later we’ll see that patient scheduled for a follow-up visit. It’s small, but it matters. We know those moments help reduce readmissions and improve outcomes. And it takes work off the practice’s plate — they don’t have to spend time tracking down that patient.
It’s a good reminder that even small, behind-the-scenes efforts can make a meaningful impact.
How would you describe value-based care to someone unfamiliar?
It’s about shifting the focus from doing the most — i.e., from a focus on volume — in healthcare to doing the right things at the right time for the people who need it most.
And that applies to how we work at Pearl. You need a clear direction and well-set intentions, but you also need to be able to adapt, collaborate, and stay open to change. That’s when the best work happens.
What’s your approach to working in-office vs. remotely?
It’s evolved. I started out coming in 3–4 days a week, but with the commute and life — especially after becoming a parent — it’s worked better for me to be remote most of the time. That flexibility has been huge.
That said, I love this team, so I’m always happy to come in when it makes sense. There’s nothing like grabbing lunch or having a face-to-face conversation with someone you really enjoy working with.
Do you have a favorite Pearl memory?
Making birthday cards for Kopko [Pearl’s CEO] with a few teammates before Team Summit. We poured an unreasonable amount of creative energy into [the slides], and they were… definitely absurd. But it was also just fun.
What I appreciated most is how much Kopko leaned into it. Not every CEO would be totally fine being publicly made fun of in birthday card form. It speaks to the low-ego leadership culture here.
Any work habits or tools you swear by?
Keyboard shortcuts. 100%. Making them muscle memory saves so much time — especially when you’re working from multiple setups, without a dedicated workspace.
Command + Tab is your friend.
Whether he’s building scalable programs or bringing just the right gif to a Slack thread, Ben brings warmth, rigor, and heart to the work he does. He’s a core part of how we show up for providers — and a big reason Pearl feels like a team you want to be part of.
Interested in joining the Pearl team? We’re currently hiring across various departments and roles. Check out opportunities on our Careers Page.
