Med Tech Gurus

Tom Hickey
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Med Tech Gurus is a podcast dedicated to helping medical device executives stay on the leading edge of their industry. Whether you're looking to grow your sales team, commercialize new devices, set up national accounts, or improve your clinical performances, this podcast is designed to help. Each episode features an interview with a thought leader or practitioner, discussing topics like: sales force, innovation, patient outcomes, emerging technologies, supply chain, group purchasing organizations, device launches, value analysis, biotech, and more.

  1. 6d ago

    The Diagnostic Odyssey: What Healthcare Gets Wrong About Patients

    What does it really mean to put the patient at the center of healthcare innovation? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Stephanie Hunter-Banks of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, a leader in medical learning, patient engagement, and rare disease advocacy. But what makes this conversation truly powerful is that Stephanie doesn't just study the patient journey—she lives it. As a rare disease patient herself, Stephanie brings a deeply personal and professional perspective to how healthcare systems, MedTech companies, and clinicians engage with patients. Her journey—spanning more than two decades without a definitive diagnosis—offers a raw and honest look into what many patients experience but few organizations truly understand. Stephanie shares why scientific innovation alone isn't enough—and how empathy, trust, and meaningful engagement are critical to driving better outcomes. From the challenges of the "diagnostic odyssey" to the importance of resilience, she provides a framework for how healthcare leaders can rethink patient-centricity—not as a buzzword, but as a real partnership. We also explore the role of medical affairs in translating complex science into real-world clinical decisions, the gaps that still exist between providers and patients, and how leaders can build teams grounded in trust, connection, and growth. If you're interested in rare disease, patient engagement, medical affairs, healthcare leadership, or MedTech innovation, this episode delivers a powerful reminder: the future of healthcare isn't just about better technology—it's about better understanding the people it serves.

  2. Jul 22

    Time Is Lives

    In rare disease, time isn't money—it's lives. In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Dr. Rob Freishtat, physician-scientist, former President and Co-Founder of Uncommon Cures, and board member of the Foundation for mRNA Medicines, to explore how clinical trial design is being rewritten for rare and ultra-rare conditions. Traditional randomized, placebo-controlled trials—largely unchanged for decades—are often too rigid, too slow, and too burdensome for patients facing life-threatening conditions. Dr. Freishtat shares why adaptive trial designs, natural history cohorts, and patient-centric approaches are becoming essential to accelerating drug development. We dive into the rise of N-of-1 therapies, mRNA-based treatments, and collaborative models that bring together regulators, academic centers, and industry in ways that were previously unthinkable. From the groundbreaking "Baby KJ" case to emerging ARPA-H initiatives, this conversation highlights a fundamental shift toward truly personalized medicine. Dr. Freishtat also offers practical insights for founders navigating today's capital environment—why smaller, more efficient trials can unlock new funding pathways, and how aligning with mission-driven investors can accelerate both impact and execution. If you're interested in rare disease innovation, clinical trial design, mRNA therapies, personalized medicine, or biotech startup strategy, this episode delivers a powerful look at how urgency is reshaping the future of healthcare.

  3. Jul 15

    The End of 'See One, Do One, Teach One

    What if the future of surgical training doesn't happen in the operating room? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Dr. Danny Goel, orthopedic surgeon, clinical professor at the University of British Columbia, and CEO & co-founder of Precision OS, to explore how virtual reality and AI are transforming surgical education. Today's training environment is under pressure—reduced clinical hours, increasing procedural complexity, and a relentless focus on operating room efficiency are limiting opportunities for hands-on learning. The traditional "see one, do one, teach one" model is no longer enough. Dr. Goel shares how Precision OS is addressing this challenge with immersive VR simulation that allows surgeons to practice procedures on demand, receive objective performance feedback, and improve skills outside the operating room. With over 100+ orthopedic training modules and the ability to capture detailed performance data, the platform is redefining how surgical competency is measured and developed. We explore the shift from subjective evaluation to data-driven skill assessment, the importance of workflow integration for adoption, and how just-in-time training can improve both surgeon confidence and patient outcomes. If you're interested in medical education, surgical simulation, AI in healthcare, virtual reality training, or MedTech innovation, this episode offers a compelling look at how technology is reshaping the future of surgical training.

  4. Jul 8

    Visibility Is the New Currency

    Great technology doesn't win—visibility does. In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Lauren Schafer, Founder of Lakehouse Digital Media, to explore why so many MedTech and life sciences companies struggle to gain traction—not because of weak innovation, but because of weak visibility and storytelling. Lauren works with founders and leadership teams to turn expertise into credibility, helping companies show up where investors, clinicians, and decision-makers are actually evaluating solutions. From LinkedIn thought leadership to modern SEO strategies shaped by AI, her approach focuses on one core idea: if you're not part of the conversation, you're not part of the decision. We dive into why traditional SEO is rapidly evolving, how platforms like LinkedIn and podcasts are becoming primary drivers of discovery, and why long-form, conversational content is now critical for AI search visibility. Lauren also shares practical strategies for repurposing content, maximizing conference ROI, and building a scalable marketing engine through fractional teams. If you're a MedTech founder, healthcare executive, or startup leader looking to break through the noise and accelerate growth, this episode delivers a practical playbook for turning visibility into real business momentum.

  5. Jul 1

    Why Telehealth Isn't Just a Video Call

    Access to care remains one of healthcare's biggest challenges—especially in physical therapy, where patients often travel hours for a single appointment. In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Dr. Ashok Gupta, founder and CEO of TheraNow, a rapidly growing virtual physical therapy platform that has treated more than 70,000 patients nationwide through a network of over 400 therapists. Ashok's journey began on the front lines as a physical therapist working in rural communities and VA hospitals, where he repeatedly saw patients abandon treatment simply because access to care was too difficult. That experience led him to ask a bold question: if mental health therapy can be delivered virtually, why not physical therapy? In this conversation, Ashok shares how TheraNow built a telehealth platform that works inside healthcare workflows—not outside them. We explore why many virtual care startups fail, how AI-powered clinical documentation can improve therapist productivity, and what it takes to scale a digital health company while partnering with major health systems. Ashok also discusses achieving Joint Commission accreditation, integrating with complex EHR environments, and building operational infrastructure that supports both clinicians and patients. If you're interested in telehealth innovation, digital health startups, AI in healthcare, physical therapy, or healthcare workflow design, this episode offers practical insights on building virtual care platforms that actually work.

  6. Jun 24

    Robots Are Coming to the Cath Lab

    What if the future of interventional cardiology isn't just better devices—but robotic precision? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Dr. Philippe Bencteux, founder and president of RoboCath, a pioneering company developing robotic platforms designed to transform cardiovascular and neurovascular interventions. A neuroradiologist turned entrepreneur, Dr. Bencteux launched RoboCath after witnessing how access to specialized vascular expertise can determine whether patients live or die—particularly in hospitals lacking advanced interventional capabilities. His vision: bring robotic precision and eventually remote care to life-saving endovascular procedures. We explore the evolution of RoboCath's robotic systems, including the R1 platform, which demonstrated more than 98% technical success in multicenter studies, and the company's next-generation system now entering first-in-human trials for coronary artery disease. Dr. Bencteux shares how robotics can dramatically improve physician safety by reducing radiation exposure and physical strain in the cath lab, while also increasing procedural precision and enabling more complex interventions. If you're interested in robotic surgery, interventional cardiology innovation, digital health, AI-driven medical devices, or the future of remote healthcare, this episode offers a fascinating look at how robotics could reshape the next era of cardiovascular treatment.

  7. Jun 17

    Data Isn't Strategy

    AI can analyze data faster than any human—but strategy still requires judgment. In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Joe Luminiello, Founder and CEO of RCG Intel, a competitive intelligence firm operating at the intersection of healthcare, biopharma, and AI-driven decision making. With more than 40 years of life sciences leadership experience—including helping launch Takeda's Canadian business and leading a 650-person commercial organization responsible for over $1B in annual sales—Joe brings a unique perspective on what separates data from real strategic insight. Joe explains why many life sciences companies struggle to translate information into action. While AI can rapidly analyze clinical data, market signals, and competitive activity, it cannot replace the contextual intelligence that comes from human conversations with physicians, key opinion leaders, and frontline healthcare professionals. We explore how commercial teams can avoid the common disconnect between product development and market strategy, why cross-functional communication is critical for successful product launches, and how companies can use AI to enhance—not replace—human decision-making. If you're a MedTech founder, biotech executive, investor, or commercial leader navigating AI, competitive intelligence, and product commercialization, this episode offers powerful insights into turning data into strategy and strategy into execution.

  8. Jun 10

    Why Most Radiology AI Fails

    AI can detect lung nodules in milliseconds—so why hasn't radiology been transformed? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Khan Siddiqui, radiologist, serial entrepreneur, and CEO of HOPPR, to unpack why most AI tools in medical imaging struggle to survive beyond pilot studies. Dr. Siddiqui explains that detection isn't the real problem—workflow is. As imaging volumes surge and radiologist shortages intensify, AI must deliver measurable ROI in time savings, reporting efficiency, and reduced cognitive load. Tools that add clicks or increase reading time simply won't scale. We explore HOPPR's AI-native platform, which accelerates model development, enables local fine-tuning, and integrates AI directly into existing clinical workflows. Khan also shares powerful lessons on fundraising, identifying "hair-on-fire" customers, building A-player teams, and scaling innovation responsibly in regulated healthcare environments. If you care about AI in healthcare, radiology innovation, or moving from hype to real-world adoption, this episode delivers practical insight from one of the field's pioneers.

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5
out of 5
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About

Med Tech Gurus is a podcast dedicated to helping medical device executives stay on the leading edge of their industry. Whether you're looking to grow your sales team, commercialize new devices, set up national accounts, or improve your clinical performances, this podcast is designed to help. Each episode features an interview with a thought leader or practitioner, discussing topics like: sales force, innovation, patient outcomes, emerging technologies, supply chain, group purchasing organizations, device launches, value analysis, biotech, and more.

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Hickey
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    353
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Thomas Hickey 2019
  • Show Website
    Med Tech Gurus