Startup Physicians

Alison Curfman, M.D.
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StartUp Physicians is the podcast for doctors who dare to think beyond the clinic and hospital walls. Hosted by Dr. Alison Curfman, a practicing pediatric emergency physician and successful healthcare startup founder, this series empowers physicians to explore dynamic career opportunities in the healthcare startup world. Dr. Alison Curfman brings a wealth of experience to the mic, having founded and grown a healthcare company that served over 25,000 patients and achieved a nine-figure valuation in just two years. She has worked as a consultant, advisor, and chief medical officer, helping early-stage companies secure major funding and develop innovative clinical models. Now, she’s passionate about sharing the lessons she’s learned to help other physicians thrive in the startup space. Whether you’re looking to launch your own venture, become a consultant, or join a forward-thinking healthcare team, this podcast is your go-to guide. Each episode is packed with actionable advice on topics like personal branding, creating marketable services, and navigating the startup landscape. You’ll also hear from trailblazing physicians and industry leaders in private equity and venture capital, sharing their insights on why physician voices are essential in shaping the future of healthcare. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and build a career that excites and inspires you, StartUp Physicians will show you the way. New episodes drop every Wednesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Visit StartupPhysicians.com for resources, transcripts, and to connect with a community of like-minded doctors. It’s time to reimagine what’s possible for your career—and for healthcare.

  1. 12/17/2025

    Inside the CMO Role at a Pediatric Telehealth Startup with Dr. Lyndsey Garbi

    In this episode of the Startup Physicians Podcast, Dr. Alison Curfman talks with Dr. Lyndsey Garbi, neonatologist, pediatrician, and co-founder/CMO of Blueberry Pediatrics. Lyndsey shares how she went from new attending to startup founder, why she became the “professional naysayer” to protect pediatric safety, and how Blueberry built a scalable, high-quality virtual care model for kids. Alison and Lyndsey explore what children actually need from care, why telehealth can enhance safety when designed well, and how creativity becomes an antidote to burnout for physicians. They also break down what CMO roles look like inside startups and offer practical paths for doctors who want to get involved in digital health or leadership. Whether you’re a pediatrician, a parent, or a physician curious about the startup world, this conversation will open your eyes to what’s possible beyond traditional practice. 00:00 — Welcome & Reconnecting 01:48 — Lyndsey’s Path to Pediatrics & Startups 03:37 — Staying Clinical While Founding 05:05 — Founding Blueberry Pediatrics 07:30 — Building Safe Pediatric Telehealth 08:56 — Challenging Traditional Medical Dogma 11:05 — What Families Really Need in Pediatric Care 12:23 — Telehealth Safety & Continuity 14:08 — “Attending… Now What?” 15:34 — Blueberry’s Model & Quality Measures 19:11 — What a CMO Does in a Startup 22:57 — Pathways Into Startup Roles for Physicians 26:01 — Academia vs. Industry Growth 29:04 — Creativity as an Antidote to Burnout 30:59 — Advice to Pediatricians: Ask for What You Need 32:37 — Closing & Where to Find Lyndsey website: www.blueberrypediatrics.com @blueberrypediatrics on socials

    33 min

  2. 12/10/2025

    Breaking Into Pharma and Biotech as a Physician Leader with Dr. Nerissa Kreher

    In this episode of the Startup Physicians Podcast, Dr. Alison Curfman sits down with Dr. Nerissa Kreher, MD, MBA—a pediatric endocrinologist who transitioned into biotech and pharma and went on to serve as a four-time Chief Medical Officer with multiple IPOs. Nerissa shares how an unexpected career setback opened the door to the pharma industry, what medical affairs and clinical development roles actually look like, and how physicians can build the business and regulatory skill sets needed to thrive in biotech. She explains how to communicate across cross-functional teams, design clinical trials, and navigate both the highs (like successful IPOs) and the lows (like program shutdowns). Alison and Nerissa also dig into imposter syndrome, confidence, humility, and why physicians must embrace learning and ask for help—just like they do in clinical practice. Nerissa also highlights her work developing first-in-human transfer RNA therapies and discusses her coaching program, Pharma Industry MD Coach, which supports physicians exploring industry roles. This episode is packed with tactical insights and mindset shifts for any physician curious about biotech, pharma, or leadership roles beyond clinical medicine. 00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Nerissa Kreher 01:08 – A Career Pivot That Changed Everything 04:01 – Entering Pharma + Early Mindset Shifts 07:14 – Building New Skills Beyond Medicine 11:23 – Clinical Development & Designing Trials 13:59 – Moving Through Companies & Becoming a CMO 16:18 – Handling Setbacks in Drug Development 18:27 – Mindset, Imposter Syndrome & Asking for Help 23:05 – Inside the IPO Experience 28:04 – What She’s Building Now 29:35 – Supporting Physicians Through Coaching 30:57 – Closing Thoughts Pharma Industry MD Coach Website: www.industryMDCoach.com IG: PharmaindustryMDCoach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-industrymdcoach-b501301ba/

    32 min

  3. 12/03/2025

    From Pediatric ER Doc to FemTech Founder with Dr. Lara Zibners

    In this episode of the Startup Physicians Podcast, host Dr. Alison Curfman talks with Dr. Lara Zibners, a pediatric emergency physician whose winding career path led her from the chaos of the PEDs ER to the world of women’s health innovation. What starts as light-hearted humor between two ER docs quickly evolves into a powerful conversation about identity, reinvention, and the unexpected paths physicians can take beyond clinical practice. Lara shares her journey from insisting she’d never be a doctor, to practicing in the U.S. and U.K., to ultimately leaving the bedside after a mix of personal, professional, and global circumstances made clinical practice unsustainable. She opens up about her seven failed rounds of IVF, adoption, surrogacy, and the lived experiences that inspired her to co-found a vaginal drug-delivery medtech company—reshaping how women receive progesterone and other therapies. Alison and Lara dive into: The surprising origins of Lara’s medical careerPracticing medicine across two countries and navigating identity as a physicianHow infertility and motherhood shaped her mission in women’s healthThe reality of transitioning out of clinical medicineHow physicians can translate clinical expertise into startup leadershipThe importance of storytelling when raising capital or influencing changeWhy learning, networking, and experimentation matter more than having a perfect planPractical advice for doctors exploring entrepreneurship or seeking a more aligned career pathThis conversation blends humor, vulnerability, and startup strategy—making it essential listening for any physician who’s curious about new career possibilities or the future of women’s health innovation. Connect with Dr. Lara Zibners: Lara's Website: https://www.larazibners.com/Calla Lilly Clinical Care: https://www.callali.ly/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlarazibners/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraz/Podcast: Unstable Vitals - https://www.unstablevitals.com/

    33 min

  4. 11/26/2025

    [Re-Release] Rethinking Healthcare: Adapting to the Startup Mindset

    In this episode (a replay from earlier this year), we’re diving into how startups think and what we as physicians can learn from their approach to innovation. If you’ve ever wondered how design thinking, rapid iteration, and minimum viable products (MVPs) could reshape healthcare, this episode is for you. We’ll explore how startups thrive on speed, creativity, and disruption, and why adopting their mindset can empower us to challenge assumptions and drive meaningful change. I’ll break down the key principles of design thinking, share real-world examples from my experience building care models, and explain how MVPs can save time and resources while delivering impactful results.  Episode Highlights: [0:00] - Welcome and introduction to the startup mindset: Speed, disruption, and innovation. [2:54] - The five phases of design thinking and why empathy is at the heart of it all. [4:25] - Exploring the concept of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and its value in healthcare. [7:42] - The story of creating a clinical care model as an MVP at Imagine Pediatrics. [9:20] - Challenging assumptions and how questioning “why” can uncover hidden opportunities. [15:57] - Practical takeaways: Applying design thinking, MVPs, and assumption testing in your work. Resources: Check out our services at StartupPhysicians.com If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, rate, and leave a review. Remember to share this episode with fellow physicians who might be interested in startups. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare!

    18 min

  5. 11/19/2025

    Transforming Pediatric Care Through Innovation with Dr. Janene Fuerch

    In this episode of the Startup Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Janene Fuerch, neonatologist, entrepreneur, and Director of the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship. Janene shares how her path in academic medicine unexpectedly led her to become a leader in healthcare innovation, and how she’s helping other physicians make a broader impact beyond the bedside. We talk about how physicians can bring incredible value to startups, even without business or engineering backgrounds. Janene explains what it’s really like to go through the Stanford Biodesign Fellowship, how to identify unmet clinical needs, and why humility and collaboration are essential for success in the startup world. We also dive into her work with Impact One, an organization focused on pediatric and maternal health innovation, and explore how physicians can help shape the future of healthcare technology, instead of just reacting to it. If you’ve ever wondered how to combine your medical expertise with innovation, entrepreneurship, or leadership, this episode will show you what’s possible. Episode Highlights: [00:00] – Welcome & Introduction [02:00] – How Janene Found Her Way into Innovation [06:00] – What Physicians Bring to Startups [09:00] – The Importance of Humility and Teamwork [11:30] – Creating Impact Beyond the Bedside [15:00] – Driving Pediatric and Maternal Health Innovation [18:30] – Why Physicians Need to Lead in Tech [22:00] – Building Skills for Startup Success [24:00] – Advice for Physicians Exploring New Career Paths [25:30] – Closing Thoughts & How to Connect

    31 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    From ER to Innovation: Building New Healthcare Paths with Dr. Kevin Baumlin

    In this episode of Startup Physicians, Dr. Alison Curfman interviews Kevin Baumlin, an emergency physician and Chief Medical Affairs Officer at the Science Center.  They discuss the evolving role of physicians in healthcare startups, the importance of clinical insight in product development, and the various pathways for aspiring founders and advisors in the healthcare space.  Kevin shares his career journey, the resources available for startup founders, and the significance of connecting healthcare needs with innovative solutions.  The conversation emphasizes the collaborative nature of healthcare innovation and the opportunities for physicians to contribute to this dynamic field. Dr. Kevin Braumlin's LinkedIn Page Science Center NSF I-corps  SBIR Funding Episode Highlights [00:00] - Introduction to Startup Physicians and Guest Background [02:39] - Kevin Baumlin's Career Journey and Transition to Startups [05:23] - Opportunities for Aspiring Founders in Healthcare [08:19] - Understanding the Science Center and Its Programs [10:54] - Navigating Grants and Funding for Startups [13:55] - The Role of Physicians in Startups and Advisory Positions [16:57] - Connecting Healthcare Needs with Startup Solutions [19:37] - The Importance of Clinical Insight in Product Development [22:36] - Innovative Approaches in Early Cancer Detection [25:22] - Getting Involved: Pathways for Physicians in Startups [28:19] - Conclusion and Resources for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

    33 min

  7. 11/05/2025

    The Startup Leap: One Doctor’s Path from Medicine to Product Innovation with Dr. Kieran McLeod

    In this episode on Startup Physicians, I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Kieran McLeod, a former emergency physician who made the leap from clinical work in South Africa to building startups in Australia. We first connected on LinkedIn, and this conversation reminded me just how powerful it is when physicians share their ideas publicly. Kieran walks through his early career, how a failed plan to work on cruise ships turned into field hospital work with Doctors Without Borders, and how the rise of telehealth sparked his interest in startups. He shares what it was like to build his first venture, a smoking cessation app, with no coding experience and a lot of trial and error. We talk about low-code tools, product strategy, and the reality of building something valuable in a crowded space. If you’re a physician wondering whether you can actually contribute in tech or startups, this episode makes the answer pretty clear. You can. And you should. Episode Highlights: [00:00] – How we met on LinkedIn [04:40] – Emergency medicine, field hospitals, and a shift toward tech [08:15] – Starting Baiguai (and learning the hard way) [16:20] – Building without knowing how to code [27:40] – Moving to Australia to go all-in on health tech [33:50] – Why clinicians matter in product, ops, and safety

    44 min

  8. 10/29/2025

    Beyond the Clinic: Building Impact in Pharmaceutical Startups with Dr. Heather Lampel

    In this episode on Startup Physicians, I sit down with Dr. Heather Lampel to talk about what it really looks like to move from traditional clinical medicine into the pharmaceutical startup space. Heather shares her story with clarity and honesty. From her roots in clinical genetics to navigating an entirely new industry. We talk about what surprised her, what challenged her, and how she kept learning along the way. One thing that stood out: Heather never stopped investing in relationships. Her network, she says, became her lifeline through the transition. She also makes a powerful case for why physicians are deeply valuable in pharma. From clinical insights to patient advocacy, she shows that our voices matter and that representation isn’t optional if we want to build a better system. This conversation is about possibility, but also about preparation. It’s a must-listen for anyone considering a leap into industry, or simply wondering what else is out there. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Introduction to Pharmaceutical Startups [00:58] - Heather's Journey from Clinical Practice to Startups [03:52] - Navigating the Learning Curve in Pharma [07:26] - Building Skills and Value in the Pharmaceutical Industry [11:02] - Exploring Different Roles in Pharma [13:14] - Mission and Impact in the Pharmaceutical Field [14:29] - Transitioning into Pharma: Options for Physicians [16:18] - Finding Opportunities in the Pharmaceutical Space [20:08] - Addressing Misconceptions about Pharma [23:34] - The Importance of Physician Representation in Pharma [24:34] - Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Physicians

    26 min
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5
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9 Ratings

About

StartUp Physicians is the podcast for doctors who dare to think beyond the clinic and hospital walls. Hosted by Dr. Alison Curfman, a practicing pediatric emergency physician and successful healthcare startup founder, this series empowers physicians to explore dynamic career opportunities in the healthcare startup world. Dr. Alison Curfman brings a wealth of experience to the mic, having founded and grown a healthcare company that served over 25,000 patients and achieved a nine-figure valuation in just two years. She has worked as a consultant, advisor, and chief medical officer, helping early-stage companies secure major funding and develop innovative clinical models. Now, she’s passionate about sharing the lessons she’s learned to help other physicians thrive in the startup space. Whether you’re looking to launch your own venture, become a consultant, or join a forward-thinking healthcare team, this podcast is your go-to guide. Each episode is packed with actionable advice on topics like personal branding, creating marketable services, and navigating the startup landscape. You’ll also hear from trailblazing physicians and industry leaders in private equity and venture capital, sharing their insights on why physician voices are essential in shaping the future of healthcare. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and build a career that excites and inspires you, StartUp Physicians will show you the way. New episodes drop every Wednesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Visit StartupPhysicians.com for resources, transcripts, and to connect with a community of like-minded doctors. It’s time to reimagine what’s possible for your career—and for healthcare.

Information

  • Creator
    Alison Curfman, M.D.
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Startup Physicians
  • Show Website
    Startup Physicians