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. Physician Entrepreneurship in Residency: Building a Startup While Training with Dr. Daniella Dennis

    5H AGO

    Physician Entrepreneurship in Residency: Building a Startup While Training with Dr. Daniella Dennis

    Many physicians don’t fully understand the contracts they sign when starting their careers. In this episode of the Startup Physicians Podcast, Dr. Alison Curfman speaks with Dr. Daniella Dennis, an emergency medicine resident at the University of Connecticut and founder of Payscope MD, an AI platform designed to help physicians better understand employment contracts and salary benchmarks. Daniella started building her company during intern year of residency after realizing how complex physician contracts are—and how expensive legal reviews can be for graduating residents. Instead of waiting until the “perfect time,” she leveraged no-code AI tools to build a minimum viable product and start gathering feedback from physicians.   In this conversation, we discuss: Why physician contracts are often difficult to understandHow AI may help physicians identify contract red flagsBuilding a startup while still in medical trainingWhy MVPs and user feedback matter more than perfectionHow physicians can leverage their clinical skills in entrepreneurshipWhy early-career doctors may actually have an advantage in innovation  Dr. Dennis also shares how posting one TikTok video helped her connect with mentors in health tech—and how simply getting started can open unexpected doors. If you’ve ever wondered whether physicians can become founders—or whether it’s “too early” in your career to start something—this episode will challenge that assumption.   CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Daniella Dennis 02:00 – The Idea Behind Payscope MD 05:10 – Building an AI Startup Without a Technical Background 08:40 – Why MVPs and Feedback Matter in Startups 12:30 – Why Early Career Physicians Should Build in Health Tech 17:50 – Advice for Doctors Who Want to Start Something   RESOURCES: Payscope MDStartup Physicians   Connect with Daniella: X: @payscopeMD Linkedln:@GetPayScopeMD Linkedln: @Daniella Dennis www.theresidentfounder.com Instagram: @Daniella_DoubleD

    25 min

  2. APR 1

    5 Foundations Every Physician Founder Needs to Launch a Healthcare Startup

    You already know what’s broken in healthcare. The question is—do you know how to build something that actually fixes it? In this solo episode, Dr. Alison Curfman breaks down the 5 foundations every physician founder needs to go from clinical insight → startup launch. After co-founding a company that scaled to 100,000 patients, raising over $100M across ventures, and working inside private equity evaluating healthcare startups, Alison shares the exact frameworks most physicians were never taught—but need to succeed. If you’ve ever felt stuck between having an idea and knowing what to do next, this episode will give you a clear path forward. In this episode, I discuss: How to validate a healthcare problem before you buildWhat “unit economics” actually means (in plain English)How to build operations that scale quicklySmarter ways to fund your startup without risking your savingsHow to pitch, network, and get early traction  📄 Download the free Physician Founder Framework: 👉 https://StartupPhysicians.com/resources 🎧 Listen on our website: https://www.startupphysicians.com/podcast   Becoming a founder isn’t about leaving medicine. It’s about expanding your impact.   Chapters: 00:00 You know what’s broken in healthcare  02:30 Why most physician founders get stuck  04:00 Foundation 1: Validate the right problem  11:00 Foundation 2: Business model + unit economics  19:30 Foundation 3: Operations that scale  26:00 Foundation 4: Capital strategy  34:00 Foundation 5: Pitch, network, and sell  41:30 What the next 12 months could look like  44:30 Startup Physicians Incubator + next steps

    30 min
  3. Healthcare Venture Capital for Physicians: Advisory Roles, Investing, and Startup Ecosystems with Dr. Daniel Dow

    MAR 25

    Healthcare Venture Capital for Physicians: Advisory Roles, Investing, and Startup Ecosystems with Dr. Daniel Dow

    Physicians are increasingly exploring careers beyond traditional clinical practice, and venture capital is one path that allows doctors to help shape the future of healthcare innovation.  In this episode of the Startup Physicians Podcast, Dr. Alison Curfman sits down with radiologist and healthcare venture leader Dr. Daniel Dow to discuss how physicians can transition into the startup and venture capital ecosystem. After more than a decade in clinical radiology, Dr. Dow began exploring new ways physicians could influence healthcare innovation. Through startup accelerators, mentorship, and venture investing, he discovered the enormous need for clinical insight within the healthcare startup world. Today, he serves as Chief Innovation Officer at Healthcare Shares, a venture capital community focused on bringing together physicians, healthcare operators, founders, and investors to support healthcare startups with both financial capital and intellectual capital.   In this conversation, we explore: • Why physicians are underrepresented in healthcare startups  • How doctors can become advisors, mentors, or investors in early-stage companies  • The difference between traditional venture capital and community-driven models  • Why many healthcare startups fail — and how physician involvement can improve success  • How physicians can begin exploring venture capital and startup investing   If you’re a physician curious about healthcare startups, venture capital, or non-clinical career paths, this episode offers a practical and inspiring starting point. As Dr. Dow explains, physicians bring unique expertise that startups desperately need — and becoming involved in innovation can help doctors reclaim autonomy, purpose, and impact in healthcare.   CHAPTERS: 0:00 Introduction and Meeting at the HLTH Conference 1:15 From Radiologist to Healthcare Innovation 4:20 Discovering Startup Accelerators and New Physician Career Paths 7:45 Why Physicians Are Underrepresented in Healthcare Startups 11:30 How Venture Capital Works in Healthcare 15:45 The Healthcare Shares Model: Investing With Intellectual Capital 20:00 Advisory Roles vs Investor Roles for Physicians 23:30 Why Venture Capital Bets on Founders 27:50 How Physicians Can Get Involved in Healthcare Startups 29:00 Advice for Physicians Exploring Non-Clinical Careers      RESOURCES: HLTH ConferenceHealth Wildcatters AcceleratorHealthcare Shares Heather Fork Career Coaching for Physicians Columbia Business School Venture Capital Program

    27 min

  4. MAR 18

    From Allergy Practice to Startup Acquisition with Dr. Payel Gupta

    What happens when a physician decides not to follow the traditional path? In this episode of the Startup Physicians Podcast, Dr. Alison Curfman sits down with Dr. Payel Gupta, a board-certified allergist and immunologist who took a series of bold, intentional risks — from global health sabbaticals to becoming a health tech co-founder — ultimately leading to a successful startup acquisition. Dr. Gupta shares her journey from traditional clinical training to co-founding a telemedicine company in the allergy space during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as consulting turned into a co-founder role (after she boldly suggested they needed a physician at the table). The company partnered directly with a pharmaceutical manufacturer to deliver FDA-approved allergy immunotherapy via telemedicine — and was later acquired by LifeMD in 2022. This conversation is a masterclass in: Why physicians are uniquely positioned to succeed in startupsHow to take calculated career risks without sacrificing financial securityThe real-world MBA you gain by building a companyWhat value physicians bring to product, marketing, compliance, validation, and payer strategyHow to leverage LinkedIn to land consulting and advisory opportunitiesWe also dive into imposter syndrome, physician risk tolerance, and the two beliefs that can fundamentally change your career trajectory: Physicians are exceptional problem solvers.There are countless ways for doctors to create income and impact.If you've ever wondered whether there’s more beyond traditional clinical practice — this episode will expand what feels possible.   Resources & Links: Partners in Health, Dr. Paul Farmer's Social Justice Health Care Organization: https://www.pih.org/Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder: https://www.tracykidder.com/mountains-beyond-mountains.htmlConnect with Dr. Payel Gupta on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/payel-gupta-md-facaai-4b178411Listen to her podcast: The Itch (All About Allergies & Asthma): https://www.itchpodcast.com/about-the-showLearn more about the Startup Physicians Launchpad (Advisory & Consulting Program): https://www.startupphysicians.com/launchpadExplore the Startup Physicians Incubator (For Physician Founders): https://www.startupphysicians.com/incubator  CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Payel Gupta 01:30 – Global Health Sabbatical & Meeting Paul Farmer 05:00 – Taking Early Career Risks 07:00 – COVID, Pregnancy & A Career Pivot 09:30 – Becoming a Health Tech Co-Founder 11:30 – Telemedicine + Pharma Direct-to-Consumer Model 13:00 – Startup Acquisition in 2022 14:30 – Why Physicians Struggle with Risk 16:00 – The Two Beliefs That Change Everything 20:30 – The Physician Value in Health Tech 24:30 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 27:00 – How to Use LinkedIn for Consulting Opportunities 29:30 – Launchpad & Incubator Opportunities

    31 min

  5. MAR 11

    How to Create Opportunity in Health Tech as a Physician Entrepreneur with Dr. Alex Mohseni

    What if the skills that made you a great physician are the exact skills that can launch your next career? In this episode of Startup Physicians, Dr. Alison Curfman sits down with emergency physician turned founder and startup executive, Dr. Alex Mohseni, to unpack how doctors can break into health tech, innovation, and leadership — without waiting for permission and without going back for another degree.  Alex shares how he went from exporting EMR data in his emergency department to becoming a Chief Innovation Officer, startup medical director, and founder of ClinX Academy. His journey proves a powerful point: you can just start. Inside this conversation, we cover: Why physicians freeze when the career path isn’t linearHow to create startup opportunities instead of applying onlineThe abundance mindset that unlocks doorsHow to evaluate health tech companies strategicallyWhy community physicians are massively undervalued in innovationHow understanding Medicare Advantage, ACOs, and risk models makes you indispensableThe difference between vanity advisors and real clinical valueWhy you don’t need an MBA to become a healthcare executiveHow to wake up excited about your work againThis episode is for physicians who: Feel stuck in traditional clinical rolesWant to explore startups, health tech, or ventureAre curious about CMO or medical director rolesWant to create impact beyond the bedsideAre ready to think bigger about their careerThe healthcare system is changing rapidly. AI, digital health, and value-based care are reshaping everything. Physicians who understand both clinical care and business strategy will define the future. If you’ve been waiting for permission — this is it.   References: Search for Startups: exa.ai Clinx Academy: ClinxacademyNon-Clinical Physician Jobs & Physician Side Gigs | ClinX. Use code ALISON for 10% off.   Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Alex Mohseni 01:30 – From Emergency Medicine to Innovation 03:40 – Solving Problems Without Formal Training 07:00 – Escaping the Linear Physician Career Path 10:00 – Abundance Mindset in Business 13:30 – How Startup Opportunities Actually Happen 17:00 – Using Regulation to Predict Market Trends 19:30 – Why Startups Are So Energizing 21:00 – How to Break Into Health Tech 24:00 – Why Community Physicians Are So Valuable 28:00 – Creating Your Own Opportunity 30:30 – What Is ClinX Academy? 33:00 – If You’re Waking Up With Dread 35:00 – Final Encouragement for Physicians

    33 min

  6. MAR 4

    Escaping Burnout and Building SuperDoc Tech with Dr. Marissa Caudill

    Career transitions are not failures — they’re expansion. In this episode of the Startup Physicians Podcast, Dr. Alison Curfman sits down with child psychiatrist turned tech founder Dr. Marissa Caudill, co-founder of SuperDoc Tech, to talk about career reinvention, physician entrepreneurship, and building scalable systems that actually work. Marissa shares her nonlinear journey: From MD-PhD and academiaTo private practice ownerTo employed psychiatrist at KaiserTo launching a parent-focused brandTo co-founding a HIPAA-compliant tech platform for physiciansAlong the way, she learned a hard truth many physician founders discover: being excellent at medicine doesn’t mean you’re equipped with the backend systems needed to grow a business. We discuss: Why career transitions are normal (and necessary) for physiciansThe “Valley of Despair” in entrepreneurship — and how to push throughWhy most doctors build chaotic tech stacks that don’t talk to each otherHow an all-in-one CRM platform (based on Go High Level) can simplify marketing, scheduling, automation, and patient communicationThe power of community and done-with-you support when learning something newIf you’ve ever: Considered leaving your W-2Felt overwhelmed by tech and marketingWanted to scale beyond 1:1 clinical workStruggled with burnout inside your own businessThis episode is for you. Because you don’t need to abandon medicine to build something bigger — you need better systems, better support, and the willingness to feel like an intern again. 🔗 Learn more about SuperDoc Tech: superdoctech.com/startupphysicians  🎟️ Use code PODCAST50 for 50% off your first 3 months. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction  01:00 – Marissa’s Nonlinear Career Path  03:45 – Burning Out in Private Practice  06:45 – Why She Left Kaiser  09:15 – Normalizing Physician Career Transitions  13:45 – The Emotional Cycle of Change  17:00 – From Course Creator to Tech Founder  21:45 – What SuperDoc Tech Actually Does  25:30 – Why Most Physician Tech Stacks Fail  29:00 – Real Client Wins  31:00 – Final Takeaways

    29 min

  7. FEB 25

    How a Geriatrician Built a Global Health Tech Startup Without Leaving Medicine with Dr. Michael Fang

    In this episode of Startup Physicians, Dr. Alison Curfman sits down with Dr. Michael Fang, a practicing geriatrician and serial entrepreneur, to explore how physicians can build impactful healthcare startups—without leaving clinical medicine. Michael shares his journey from traditional medical training to founding multiple healthcare technology companies, beginning with something deceptively simple: an Excel spreadsheet tracking social factors affecting elderly patients. Long before “social determinants of health” became a buzzword, Michael identified how caregiver availability, nutrition access, and home support predicted hospital readmissions with striking accuracy. That insight led to a startup that ultimately scaled to serve over 7 million patients internationally, helping health systems allocate resources more effectively—years before U.S. reimbursement models caught up. Throughout the conversation, Michael breaks down why physicians are uniquely positioned to be entrepreneurs, how curiosity fuels innovation, and why you don’t need to learn to code or get an MBA to build meaningful solutions. He also explains how entrepreneurship can actually reduce burnout, offering physicians a renewed sense of agency and creativity. Finally, Michael introduces Ryze Health, a company designed to support independent medical practices by making healthcare benefits more affordable and accessible—reinforcing his broader mission to democratize healthcare. This episode is a must-listen for physicians who: See broken systems and want to fix themAre curious about entrepreneurship but don’t know where to startWant to build alongside medicine, not abandon it Chapters 00:00 – Physician to Entrepreneur (Without Planning It) 02:51 – Seeing the System Break in Real Practice 03:35 – Predicting Readmissions With an Excel Sheet 05:56 – Social Determinants of Health Before It Had a Name 09:48 – Why Physicians Are Built for Entrepreneurship 12:30 – You Don’t Need to Code (Or Get Another Degree) 14:39 – Finding Startup Partners Outside Medicine 15:34 – Practicing Medicine While Building Companies 19:22 – Entrepreneurship as Burnout Prevention 20:10 – The Secret Weapon: Physician Curiosity 22:37 – Asking “Why” Inside Broken Systems 24:36 – Introducing Rise Healt 27:10 – Why Independent Practices Matter 29:03 – A Call to Physicians Ready to Build Resources Mentioned Rise Health: RyzehealthEmpowering Independent Physicians | Ryze Health Insurance & Practice BenefitsStartup Physicians: StartupphysiciansStartUp Physicians | Physician Entrepreneurship, Consulting & Leadership

    32 min

  8. FEB 18

    Why Doctors Make Exceptional Founders (And How to Start Small) with Dr. Osama Hashmi

    What does it really take for a physician to build a successful health tech company—without abandoning clinical medicine? In this episode of Startup Physicians, Dr. Alison Curfman sits down with Dr. Osama Hashmi, dermatologist, entrepreneur, and CEO of Empiricus, to unpack his unconventional journey from pre-med student to multi-time founder. Osama shares how early exposure to healthcare policy, liability, and system inefficiencies sparked a deeper curiosity—not just about treating patients, but about changing the systems that shape patient care. In this episode, we explore: Why understanding the problem matters more than understanding technologyHow Osama started his first company before medical school—with no entrepreneurial backgroundThe myth that physicians must quit medicine to build startupsWhy starting with manual solutions often leads to better technology laterThe difference between services-based businesses and tech startupsHow Empiricus is rethinking physician–pharma communicationWhy founders bring optimism to a healthcare system facing rapid changePractical, low-risk ways physicians can explore entrepreneurship todayThis conversation is especially valuable for physicians who feel curious—but unsure—about business, startups, or innovation. Osama breaks down complex ideas into approachable, actionable insights and reminds us that you don’t need to be technical, fearless, or all-in to get started. “Entrepreneurship doesn’t mean leaving medicine. It means using business as a tool to solve real problems.” Chapters: 00:00 – From Med School Dreams to System-Level Questions 02:55 – Why Business & Capital Drive Real Change in Healthcare 04:35 – Starting a Company Before Medical School 06:45 – How Physicians Actually Get Started in Entrepreneurship 08:40 – Physicians Are Closer to the Real Problems Than Anyone Else 10:55 – Start Manual, Then Add Technology 14:55 – Services vs Tech: Choosing the Right Business Model 15:25 – The Vision Behind Empiricus & DocUpdate 17:30 – Free E-Prescribing & Physician-Centered Tools 19:00 – Why Physician Communities Matter More Than Ever 21:05 – Founders Think Differently About the Future of Medicine 24:45 – You Don’t Have to Quit Medicine to Be an Entrepreneur 26:20 – Practical Advice for Doctors Curious About Startups 28:10 – Building Teams vs Being the Best Individual Performer Resources & Links Impiricus – Ethical pharma–physician engagement ImpiricusHomeDocUpdate App – Free e-prescribing & physician tools (iOS & Android) DocupdateHomeConnect with Dr. Osama Hashmi – LinkedinOsama Hashmi MD MPH - Impiricus | LinkedInStartup Physicians Programs & Community – startupphysicians.com

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Startup Physicians
  • Show Website
    Startup Physicians

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