For much of their education, physicians are encouraged to focus on developing clinical and procedural skills, with little formal training in business. For those who aspire to innovate and lead, is an MBA degree a worthwhile investment? In this episode of the Back Table Innovation podcast, Dr. Aaron Fritts explores the relevance and benefits of obtaining an MBA for physicians, joined by guests Dr. Roger Tomihama and Dr. Raj Khalsa.

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SYNPOSIS

The discussion covers various MBA programs, including the Wharton Executive MBA and the Quantic Executive MBA, highlighting their strengths, particularly for mid-career physicians. Drs. Tomihama and Khalsa share their personal experiences with these programs, comparing in-person and online formats. They also explore the advantages of structured learning, networking opportunities, and how an MBA can empower physicians to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and administrative or entrepreneurial roles. This conversation underscores the importance of continuous learning in fostering a more impactful and fulfilling career in healthcare.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

01:34 - Dr. Tomihama’s Wharton MBA Experience

06:10 - Dr. Khalsa’s Quantic MBA Journey

09:39 - Comparing MBA Programs and Networking Opportunities

23:10 - Thoughts on MBA Learning Styles

26:10 - The Language of Business

26:50 - In-Person vs. Online Learning

27:21 - Foundational Knowledge for Startups

28:56 - Applying Business Skills in Healthcare

32:16 - Marketing and Behavioral Psychology

43:52 - Timing and Career Advancement

47:52 - Final Thoughts and Reflections

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RESOURCES

BackTable VI Ep. 230: The Physician's MBA: Is It Worth It, and Where to Start:

https://www.backtable.com/shows/vi/podcasts/230/the-physicians-mba-is-it-worth-it-where-to-start

Are you searching for a more effective and streamlined way to market your specialty practice? In this episode of BackTable Innovation, Dr. Reza Rajebi shares his thoughts on new frontiers in healthcare marketing and his innovative venture, Doctorize.

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SYNPOSIS

Doctorize is a digital platform designed to help specialists market their practices and directly connect with patients. Dr. Rajebi shares his journey from academic to private practice, the challenges he faced in marketing to physicians and patients, and how Doctorize aims to solve these issues by providing digital tools. He emphasizes the importance of educational content, AI-powered data analysis, and a growing professional network. Dr. Rajebi also discusses the role of team support and how Doctorize aims to expand by engaging primary care providers and leveraging social media.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

02:13 - Starting an Entrepreneurial Journey

06:50 - Challenges in Healthcare Marketing

10:51 - The Concept of Doctorize

23:50 - Increasing Physician Involvement

35:59 - Marketing to Patients

42:41 - Support from Physicians and Societies

44:12 - Balancing Entrepreneurship with Clinical Practice

47:41 - Welcoming Discomfort

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RESOURCES

BackTable VI Ep. 201- Jobs: The Good, the Bad and the Snugly with Dr. Reza Rajebi:

https://www.backtable.com/shows/vi/podcasts/201/jobs-the-good-the-bad-the-snugly

Are you curious about the biotechnology startup world? Learn how our guest transitioned from trauma surgeon to entrepreneur in this episode of the BackTable Podcast. Dr. Chris Kinsella, CEO of Watershed Therapeutics and our host Dr. Bryan Hartley discuss the importance of using entrepreneurship to solve clinical needs. Watershed Therapeutics has created a novel bladder drug delivery platform to help women with recurrent urinary tract infections.

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SYNPOSIS

The doctors systematically cover the process of identifying market needs, inventing solutions, bringing a product to the market, and managing risk. They also share examples of successful startup ventures and underscore the importance of perseverance, innovative thinking, and strategic market focus in forging a path to success.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

04:30 - The Birth of a Surgical Trainer

07:04 - Challenges and Innovations in Trauma Surgery

22:06 - Evaluating and Killing Ideas

28:27 - Challenging Assumptions

29:53 - Meeting a Co-Founder

33:07 - Developing the Solution

37:29 - Raising Funds

40:28 - Navigating Regulatory Challenges and Market Expansion

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RESOURCES

Watershed Therapeutics:

https://www.watershedtx.com/

Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship:

https://biodesign.stanford.edu/programs/fellowships/innovation-fellowships.html

Surgical arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation has been a mainstay of dialysis care for multiple decades. What does it take to break into such an established space with a new endovascular medical device? In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Dr. Jeffrey Hull discusses the challenging journey of developing the Ellipsys system for endovascular AVF creation.

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SYNPOSIS

We trace Dr. Hull’s path from the device's initial conception in 2006, through the first-in-human cases in 2013, to regulatory approval and acquisition by Medtronic in 2020. Dr. Hull highlights the roles of key business mentors, the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration with vascular surgery and nephrology, and the impact of investment. He also shares valuable insights on the benefits of having competitors and selecting a well-thought-out exit strategy. Additionally, we explore deep vein arterialization (DVA) as another application of endovascular AVF creation in the context of peripheral arterial disease.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

03:05 - The Birth of the Percutaneous AV Fistula Creation

15:04 - First-in-Human Cases

17:58 - Navigating the Startup Journey

21:52 - Identifying Mentors and Investors

27:33 - Competition and Criticism

36:43 - Regulatory Hurdles

44:45 - Acquisition by Medtronic

49:14 - Deep Vein Arterialization for Peripheral Arterial Disease

54:40 - Final Thoughts and Advice

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RESOURCES

Avenu Medical:

https://avenumedical.com/

Gracz KC et al. Proximal forearm fistula for maintenance hemodialysis (1977):

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/839655/

Hull JE et al. The Pivotal Multicenter Trial of Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Arteriovenous Fistula Creation for Hemodialysis Access (2018):

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29275056/

Endovascular Today- Update on Percutaneous AV Fistula Creation (2015):

https://evtoday.com/articles/2015-june/update-on-percutaneous-av-fistula-creation

Mallios A, Jennings WC. Percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation with the Ellipsys Vascular Access System-the state of the art (2020):

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8353338/

In a society where discussions about medical malpractice are often concealed from the public eye, this episode of BackTable shines a spotlight on the powerful documentary ‘A World of Hurt: How Medical Malpractice Fails Everyone,’ produced by Viknesh Kasthuri, a fourth-year medical student at Brown University. Released earlier this year, the film explores how the American medical malpractice system harms and disconnects patients and providers through three compelling case studies.

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SYNPOSIS

We delve into Viknesh’s motivations and the process behind creating the documentary, discussing the need for improved provider education on lawsuits, effective communication with patients and legal teams, and strategies for coping mentally and emotionally throughout this intensive process.

Additionally, Viknesh provides a behind-the-scenes look at documentary production, including filming during the COVID pandemic, creating environments for patients and providers to share their stories, and submitting the documentary to film festivals.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

02:40 - Inspiration Behind the Documentary

06:10 - Technical and Legal Aspects of Documentary Production

14:34 - Releasing the Documentary

17:04 - Physician and Patient Responses to Medical Errors

20:27 - Highlighting Communication Resolution Programs

23:04 - Educational Gaps in Medical Training

26:43 - Exploring Systemic Solutions to Management of Medical Errors

30:16 - Final Thoughts and Future Projects

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RESOURCES

A World of Hurt Documentary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09IVcL6pACU

BackTable VI Ep. 77- Doctors and Litigation: The L Word, with Dr. Gita Pensa:

https://www.backtable.com/shows/vi/podcasts/177/doctors-litigation-the-l-word

The L Word Podcast with Dr. Gita Pensa:

https://doctorsandlitigation.com/podcast-2

BackTable ENT Ep. 90- Coaching Physicians Through the Stress of Malpractice Litigation, with Dr. Gita Pensa:

https://www.backtable.com/shows/ent/podcasts/90/coaching-physicians-through-the-stress-of-malpractice-litigation

Michigan Model Communication and Resolution Program:

https://www.uofmhealth.org/michigan-model-medical-malpractice-and-patient-safety-umhs

Superficial venous disease can pose significant management challenges, particularly after patients have exhausted conservative and invasive therapies. This week, our host, Dr. Sabeen Dhand, interviews Dr. Ali Golshan, an interventional radiologist and the founder of SOLVEIN. Dr. Golshan discusses the latest advancements in treating superficial venous disease, highlighting both the benefits and complexities of thermal and non-thermal ablation techniques.

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SYNPOSIS

Dr. Golshin introduces SOLVEIN, his innovative medical device designed to address these challenges. The conversation also includes practical tips for managing patients with venous insufficiencies, along with insights into the entrepreneurial journey involved in developing a new medical device.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

02:02 - Defining Superficial Venous Disease

05:43 - Diagnostic Techniques and Imaging

08:29 - Current Treatment Options for Venous Insufficiency

20:07 - Introducing SOLVEIN

29:42 - FDA Approval Pathway

33:37 - Advice for Aspiring Medical Entrepreneurs

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RESOURCES

Dr. Ali Golshan’s Practice:

https://www.beachwellnessmd.com/

Dr. Samir Shah and our host, Dr. Aaron Fritts, discuss upcoming disruptions in radiology due to artificial intelligence (AI), including AI's role in making healthcare more accessible and affordable.

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SYNPOSIS

Dr. Shah outlines his career trajectory, from his interventional radiology (IR) training to his entry into teleradiology. He describes his first encounter with AI through natural language processing for encoding radiology reports. Currently, he serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Qure AI, a platform that utilizes deep learning to aid in diagnosing medical conditions from pathology and radiology imaging. He emphasizes that AI will streamline medical workflows by automating patient summaries, image recognition, and cancer detection. These changes are particularly crucial in today's healthcare environment, which emphasizes productivity. The discussion also explores the benefits and challenges of integrating AI into modern radiology workflows and the learning opportunities it presents for trainees.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast

03:12 - Dr. Shah’s Professional Journey

17:59 - Starting the CMO Role at Qure AI

20:42 - Mainstream Integration of AI

30:39 - Qure’s Mission and Global Impact

37:20 - Early Cancer Detection

46:18 - Training Radiologists in AI

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RESOURCES

BackTable Innovation Ep. 7- Viz.AI: Improving Access to Stroke Care using AI

with Dr. Chris Mansi:

https://www.backtable.com/shows/innovation/podcasts/7/vizai-improving-access-to-stroke-care-using-ai

BackTable Innovation Ep. 29- Artificial Intelligence & Imaging: Present & Future with Aidoc Founder Elad Walach:

https://www.backtable.com/shows/innovation/podcasts/29/artificial-intelligence-imaging-present-future-with-aidoc-founder-elad-walach

BackTable Innovation Ep. 68- Transforming Radiology with Workflow Solutions

with Dr. Woojin Kim:

https://www.backtable.com/shows/innovation/podcasts/68/transforming-radiology-with-workflow-solutions

BackTable Innovation Ep. 73- AI in Medicine: Navigating the New Frontier with Confidence

with Dr. Matthew Lungren:

https://www.backtable.com/shows/innovation/podcasts/73/ai-in-medicine-navigating-the-new-frontier-with-confidence

Qure AI: https://www.qure.ai/

Dr. Samir Shah’s email:

[email protected]

NightHawk Radiology:

https://www.nighthawkradiology.com/

vRad Teleradiology:

https://www.vrad.com/

Radiology Partners:

https://www.radpartners.com/

AI Doc:

https://www.aidoc.com/

Subtle Medical:

https://subtlemedical.com/

Dr. Aditya Bagrodia sits down with Elie Toubiana, founder and CEO of ScribeMD.ai, to discuss the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical documentation.

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SYNPOSIS

Their conversation covers the capabilities and benefits of using an AI-driven medical scribe that ensures HIPAA compliance, reduces physician burnout, and enhances patient interactions. Elie also shares his insights about the technology’s adaptability across various medical fields. Finally, Dr. Bagrodia and Elie discuss ethical considerations surrounding applications of AI in other aspects of healthcare, such as medical workup and diagnosis.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

06:00 - How ScribeMD AI Works

14:14 - Integration with EMR

20:31 - Legal Considerations with AI Technology

26:34 - Cost Implications of AI Scribes

38:46 - Future of AI in Medical Diagnosis

41:45 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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RESOURCES

ScribeMD.ai

https://www.scribemd.ai/

In this episode of the BackTable Innovation Podcast, host Dr. Bryan Hartley interviews Dr. Stephen Pomeranz, founder and CEO of ProScan Imaging, co-founder of Medality (formerly MRI Online), and a pioneering radiologist in MRI technology. This is the second part of a two-episode series on ProScan.

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SYNPOSIS

The doctors discuss the growth and evolution of ProScan Imaging, including Dr. Pomeranz’a personal journey to becoming an entrepreneur, as well as business strategies that have led to ProScan’s success. Dr. Pomeranz describes the business’s unique physician-owned structure, which allows physicians to team up and directly invest in tangible assets of technology and real estate. Additionally, a core principle of ProScan’s business has been an emphasis on service excellence, which has been made possible by recruitment of hospitality leaders.

Overall, this episode highlights the importance of high-quality patient care, learning from other industries, and the significance of finding mentors and the right business model for aspiring physician entrepreneurs.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast

04:58 - Service Excellence and Scaling Up

12:09 - Technology Investment Opportunities for Physicians

21:37 - Teaching within the Private Practice Sphere

27:40 - Job Flexibility and Investment Opportunities Within ProScan

35:14 - Advice for Early Stage Entrepreneurs

38:19 - Future Endeavors for ProScan

43:18 - Episode Summary and Final Thoughts

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RESOURCES

BackTable Innovation Episode 75- ProScan’s Path: Medical Expertise to Business Success Part 1:

https://www.backtable.com/shows/innovation/podcasts/75/proscans-path-medical-expertise-to-business-success-part-1-with-dr-stephen-j-pomeranz

ProScan Imaging:

https://proscan.com/

MRI Total Body Atlas by Stephen J. Pomeranz:

https://www.amazon.com/Total-Body-Atlas-Stephen-Pomeranz/dp/1882576063

Medality:

https://medality.com/

This episode of the Back Table Podcast features Dr. Stephen Pomeranz, a trailblazing radiologist who shares his journey from taking over a struggling medical practice to founding ProScan Imaging, one of the leading imaging centers in the country.

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SYNPOSIS

Dr. Pomeranz discusses his early motivations for entering the field of radiology, his initial opportunity to learn about MRI in its early stages, and his unexpected but rewarding path to starting his own imaging company. He recounts obstacles of overcoming professional challenges, including dealing with resource limitations and navigating financial risks, during his mission to provide more patient-centered and efficient care.

Dr. Pomeranz also describes how he built networks based on his connections with radiologists all over the world, non-physician providers trained in radiology, and business partners. We end by discussing Dr. Pomerantz’s philanthropic efforts, his perspective on the integration of AI, and the importance of a growth mindset in transforming patient care.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

01:03 - Dr. Pomertanz’s Early Career and MRI Education

09:30 - Quality Patient Care with Independent Practice

13:22 - The Beginning and Expansion of ProScan

19:42 - Thoughts on the Future of Radiology

23:42 - Integrating Non-Physician Providers in Radiology

28:50 - Structured Training Within Radiology Practices

34:21 - Philanthropic Endeavors and Reflections

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RESOURCES

ProScan Imaging:

https://proscan.com/

MRI Total Body Atlas by Stephen J. Pomeranz:

https://www.amazon.com/Total-Body-Atlas-Stephen-Pomeranz/dp/1882576063