Clinical Investment Insider by Health Board Advisors

Today’s episode is a must-listen if you care about how healthcare actually scales. 

In this conversation, we break down the real difference between being a peak performer and being a resilient leader

And why most founders and investors burn out before they reach their true potential.

If you’ve ever felt:

❌ Stuck between the intensity of your calling and the chaos of execution

❌ Unsure how to move from short-term wins to a cumulative lifetime impact

❌ Frustrated by the "muscular commitment" required to stay in the game

This episode gives you a new framework for leadership that Lorca calls "regenerative."

Today, we’re joined by Lorca Smetana, a resilience expert and regenerative leadership strategist. 

A survivor of the 1986 Mt. Hood mountaineering tragedy, she has spent over 30 years developing tools to help people thrive through mortality and crisis. 

Lorca was an early founder of Angel Flight West and now guides healthcare leadership teams to create the "spaciousness" required to scale.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

✅  Why "cumulative impact" is the most important metric for your healthcare career.

✅  The difference between intensive short-run effort and a sustainable ecosystem of self.

✅  How tools designed for crisis and first responders can fuel powerful leadership growth.

✅  Why intentional design for "lightness and space" is the key to natural organizational scaling.

✅  How to avoid being a "hypocrite of health" by designing resilience into your own leadership.

WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR

👥 Healthcare Founders fighting to keep their teams aligned during rapid growth.

👥 Clinicians & Operators looking for tools to lead without losing their well-being.

👥 Investors who want to de-risk their portfolios by supporting founder resilience.

TIMESTAMPS 

00:00 – The metric of "Cumulative Impact" 

01:54 – Lorca Smetana: From survival to resilience fellowships 

03:15 – Lorca’s biggest win: Building a "Muscular Toolbox" for growth 

05:30 – Why crisis tools lead to the best leadership growth 

07:15 – Training the next generation of resilience masters 

08:20 – Why HBA is a "vetted ecosystem" for aliveness 

10:45 – Conclusion & next steps

RESOURCES FOR CLINICIANS, INVESTORS & OPERATORS

Join the HBA ecosystem where clinicians build legacy, not just resumes.

 You’ll find rooms with vetted leaders, mission-aligned partners, and curated execution paths.

 → Apply to become an Advisor Fellow and start building influence:

👉 www.HealthBoardAdvisors.com/Apply

Participate in curated HBA experiences

Our events are designed for strategic alignment where vetted experts, founders, and capital partners share frameworks, insights, and execution paths that matter.

 → Explore upcoming HBA events: 👉 luma.com/HealthBoardAdvisors

FOR FOUNDERS READY TO SCALE WITH IMPACT

Sharpen your story before capital enters the room

 A great pitch lands results only when it’s clear, credible, and investor-ready. Pitch Practice helps founders refine that story so the right doors open fast.

 → Get pitch-ready: 👉 www.PulsePointPath.com/PitchToYes

Prepare for capital with a system that aligns funders, milestones, and execution

 Capital readiness isn’t guesswork.

It’s knowing who will fund you, why they’ll fund you, and how you’ll hit the milestones that matter.

The Capital Engine gives you that clarity and alignment.

 → Build your capital strategy: 👉 www.CapitalEngine.vc

Today’s episode is a must-listen if you care about how healthcare actually scales without losing its soul. 

In this conversation, we break down the "transition gap"

That means the moment a clinician realizes that their hands can only help one patient at a time.

But their expertise can help millions.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between your clinical calling and your desire for a bigger impact

This episode gives you the permission and the playbook to move into the boardroom.

Today, we’re joined by Shawna Smith, co-founder of Health Board Advisors. 

Shawna has built 56 companies alongside biotech leaders and visionary investors. 

After seeing the system fail from the inside, she now architects the teams and deals that prove you don’t have to sacrifice your well-being to change the world.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN

How to identify the "Internal Signs" of a perfect business alignment.

The difference between being a service provider and a true business owner.

Why clinical anatomy and business "anatomy" are more similar than you think.

The secret to building high-performance teams that actually stick together.

How to use tax-efficient strategies to reinvest in your team’s vitality.

WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR

Clinicians looking to expand their impact from 1-on-1 care to 1-to-many innovation.

Founders who need to understand the "People" side of scaling a healthcare startup.

Investors seeking to understand the "Human Capital" that de-risks a deal.

RESOURCES FOR EXPERTS & INVESTORS

Explore upcoming Health Board Advisors events: 📅 View all events: https://luma.com/HealthBoardAdvisors

Apply to become an Advisor Fellow: 👉 https://HealthBoardAdvisors.com/Apply

RESOURCES FOR STARTUPS

Pitch Practice - Hot or Not: https://pulsepointpath.com/pitchtoyes

HealthTech Impact Award: https://HealthTechImpactAward.com

Actively Raising Capital? https://CapitalEngine.vc

TIMESTAMPS 

00:00 – The advice for clinicians seeking legacy. 

02:15 – Transitioning from service provider to business owner. 

04:40 – Why clinicians are actually built for business leadership. 

06:30 – Lessons from building 56 companies. 

08:20 – The "People Expert" approach to high-performance teams. 

12:10 – How to reinvest in wellness to drive revenue.

To explore HBA’s ecosystem and join an ecosystem where clinicians build legacy, not just resumes, visit 👉 www.HealthBoardAdvisors.com/Apply

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Today’s episode is a must-listen if you care about how healthcare actually scales. 

In this conversation, we break down the "human in the loop" problem and why most founders and investors are still treating technology like a magic wand instead of a tool.

If you’ve ever felt:

  •  Stuck between clinical intuition and rigid hospital systems

  •  Unsure how to move from "expert" to "advisor" or "investor"

  •  Frustrated by the "slap AI on it" approach to innovation

This episode gives you a masterclass in behavioral science, ethical innovation, and the power of multidimensional growth. 

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Natanya Wachtel, a behavioral scientist featured by Forbes and HBR who helps Fortune 500 companies understand how humans actually decide and change.

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IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN

  •  Why "bedside manner" and connection are statistically more powerful than some surgical interventions.

  •  The "Check yourself before you wreck yourself" rule for AI in healthcare.

  •  Why not all investment money is "good money" for a growing startup.

  •  How to build a "HBA puzzle piece" team where clinician, operator, and investor skills actually click.

  •  The secret to "Harvard to Hood" innovation: why we need to listen to more than just the formally educated.

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TIMESTAMPS 

00:00 – Creating legacy beyond the bedside 

05:15 – What traumatic brain injury taught Natanya about identity 

09:20 – The ethics of AI: Who is watching the store? 

12:30 – Why "not all money is good money" for founders 

16:40 – What makes the HBA Mastermind different? 

21:30 – Announcing a new CEO: A lesson in "asking for help"

_____________________________

RESOURCES FOR CLINICIANS, INVESTORS & OPERATORS

Join the HBA ecosystem where clinicians build legacy, not just resumes.

You’ll find rooms with vetted leaders, mission-aligned partners, and curated execution paths.

 → Apply to become an Advisor Fellow and start building influence: 👉 www.HealthBoardAdvisors.com/Apply

Participate in curated HBA experiences

Our events are designed for strategic alignment where vetted experts, founders, and capital partners share frameworks, insights, and execution paths that matter.

 → Explore upcoming HBA events: 👉 luma.com/HealthBoardAdvisors

_____________________________

FOR FOUNDERS READY TO SCALE WITH IMPACT

Sharpen your story before capital enters the room

A great pitch lands results only when it’s clear, credible, and investor-ready. Pitch Practice helps founders refine that story so the right doors open fast.

→ Get pitch-ready: 👉 www.PulsePointPath.com/PitchToYes

Earn recognition that unlocks visibility and trust

The HealthTech Impact Award highlights founders whose solutions are ready for real adoption and investment, not just buzz.

→ Apply for the Impact Award: 👉 www.HealthTechImpactAward.com

Prepare for capital with a system that aligns funders, milestones, and execution

Capital readiness isn’t guesswork. It’s knowing who will fund you, why they’ll fund you, and how you’ll hit the milestones that matter. The Capital Engine gives you that clarity and alignment.

 → Build your capital strategy: 👉 www.CapitalEngine.vc

Today’s episode is a must-listen if you care about how healthcare actually scales beyond the operating room.

In this conversation, we break down the "one patient at a time" bottleneck.

And why even the most brilliant clinicians need a business mindset to create a lasting legacy.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between your clinical calling and the desire to make a global impact.

Or if you’re unsure how to partner with industry without losing your professional soul.

This episode gives you a real path forward.

Today, we’re joined by 𝐃𝐫. 𝐀𝐥 𝐅𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐲, a leading functional neurosurgeon at Northwell Health. 

With over 900 deep-brain stimulation (DBS) procedures under his belt.

An 80% success rate in treating treatment-resistant depression, 

He is a titan in the neuromodulation space.

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IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN

💡 Why treating patients individually isn't enough to change the healthcare system.

💡 The "Business of Research": How to partner with hospitals and industry to scale your ideas.

💡 How Dr. Fenoy blends 20 years of surgical expertise with strategic advisory roles.

💡 The importance of an "ecosystem" over a standard professional network.

💡 How to identify valid investment and philanthropic opportunities in neuro-innovation.

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WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR

Clinicians ready to expand their impact through advisory or board roles.

Investors looking for vetted insights into functional neurosurgery and clinical trials.

Operators interested in how to successfully integrate research into hospital business models.

_________________________________

RESOURCES FOR EXPERTS & INVESTORS

Explore upcoming Health Board Advisors events: https://luma.com/HealthBoardAdvisors

Apply to become an Advisor Fellow: https://HealthBoardAdvisors.com/Apply

_________________________________

RESOURCES FOR STARTUPS

Pitch Practice: https://pulsepointpath.com/pitchtoyes

HealthTech Impact Award: https://HealthTechImpactAward.com

Capital Readiness: https://CapitalEngine.vc

_________________________________

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Advice for clinicians moving to the boardroom.

01:54 – Meet Dr. Al Fenoy: 900+ DBS procedures and counting.

03:00 – Why the clinical side isn't enough for a global legacy.

04:30 – Lessons from 20 years in neuromodulation.

06:50 – Why Dr. Fenoy joined the HBA ecosystem.

08:45 – The next phase: Advisory and industry expansion.

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𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧:

➤ Sharpen your story before capital enters the room

 A great pitch lands results only when it’s clear, credible, and investor-ready. Pitch Practice helps founders refine that story so the right doors open fast.

 → Get pitch-ready: 👉 𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡.𝐜𝐨𝐦/𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐬

➤ Earn recognition that unlocks visibility and trust

 The HealthTech Impact Award highlights founders whose solutions are ready for real adoption and investment, not just buzz.

 → Apply for the Impact Award: 👉 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝.𝐜𝐨𝐦

➤ Prepare for capital with a system that aligns funders, milestones, and execution

 Capital readiness isn’t guesswork. It’s knowing who will fund you, why they’ll fund you, and how you’ll hit the milestones that matter. The Capital Engine gives you that clarity and alignment.

 → Build your capital strategy: 👉 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞.𝐯𝐜

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑴𝑩𝑨 𝑰𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝑬𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉: 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎

To explore HBA’s ecosystem and join an ecosystem where clinicians build legacy, not just resumes, visit healthboardadvisors.com/apply 

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Why social capital, execution, and strategic networks define healthcare impact beyond the clinic.

In this episode of Clinical Investment Insider, we sit down with Dr. Val Torres, co-founder and COO of Health Board Advisors, to explore how clinicians can extend their impact beyond the bedside. 

Dr. Torres shares lessons from his journey from medicine to investment, board leadership, and global digital health innovation. 

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁:

✔️ Stuck in the "clinical lane" while wanting to make a broader impact

✔️ Unsure how to leverage your expertise in the boardroom

✔️ Frustrated by "vanity" leadership roles that lack real accountability

This episode gives you the blueprint for building what lasts. 

Dr. Val Torres shared how he moved from saving lives at the bedside to building global ecosystems for innovation.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀:

💡Influence in healthcare isn’t about what you know, it’s about who knows your work, trusts your execution, and will build with you.

💡Real authority comes from execution, accountability, and collaboration, not vanity board seats or credentials.

💡When physicians shape innovation from the start, adoption accelerates and workflows actually work.

💡High-performance ecosystems require vetting. Excellence disappears when standards don’t exist.

💡Learn how to identify impressive-on-paper leaders who don’t cut through complexity—and how to avoid roles that drain impact.

💡Aligned physicians, operators, and founders create multiplier outcomes that no solo effort can achieve.

💡A rigorous vetting process ensures the ecosystem stays actionable, selective, and built for winners.

____________________________________

𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑

➤ Clinicians ready to expand their impact through advisory or board roles.

➤ Investors looking for vetted insights into Healthcare AI, digital health solutions, and LATAM markets.

➤ Operators interested in how to successfully integrate research into hospital business models.

Health Board Advisors Why Competence Beats Titles in Healthcare Leadership

Whether you’re exploring your first healthcare investment, evaluating a board role, or ready to scale capital with influence, Clinical Investment Insider shows you the path from seed to scale.

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𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗦 

00:00 – Advice for clinicians seeking legacy 

01:30 – Introduction to Dr. Val Torres 

02:20 – Why an MBA hit like a truck 

03:30 – Evolving with the AI revolution 

04:40 – Regrets from a "vanity" board role 

06:50 – Building global innovation ecosystems 

10:15 – Why HBA vets for competence, not just titles

____________________________________

𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧:

➤ Sharpen your story before capital enters the room

 A great pitch lands results only when it’s clear, credible, and investor-ready. Pitch Practice helps founders refine that story so the right doors open fast.

→ Get pitch-ready: 👉 https://𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡.𝐜𝐨𝐦/𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐬

➤ Earn recognition that unlocks visibility and trust

 The HealthTech Impact Award highlights founders whose solutions are ready for real adoption and investment, not just buzz.

 → Apply for the Impact Award: 👉 https://𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝.𝐜𝐨𝐦

➤ Prepare for capital with a system that aligns funders, milestones, and execution

 Capital readiness isn’t guesswork. It’s knowing who will fund you, why they’ll fund you, and how you’ll hit the milestones that matter. The Capital Engine gives you that clarity and alignment.

 → Build your capital strategy: 👉 https://𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞.𝐯𝐜

𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 clinical "𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀" 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Startups want your credentials. They want your MD and PhD next to their logo. But they rarely want your actual advice.

This is "Advisory Theater." And it’s why so many healthcare innovations fail to scale.

Inside Health Board Advisors, we’re changing the script.

We don't believe in "ceremonial" roles. We believe in clinical truth.

If you’re a Clinician who’s tired of being ignored: 

💡 Stop lending your name without authority. 

💡 Start aligning your capital with your expertise. 

💡 Join the room where your voice actually shapes the outcome.

The future of healthcare won’t be built by people who just talk in theory.

It will be built by Clinicians who lead from the boardroom.

Are you ready to move from the sidelines?

Follow us on:

▶️ YouTube: https://YouTube.com/@HealthBoardAdvisors

📲 LinkedIn: https://LinkedIn.com/Company/Health-Board-Advisors

Today’s episode is a must-listen if you care about how healthcare actually scales.

We’re breaking down the clinical execution gap—and why most Clinician advisors are treated as "window dressing" on pitch decks while their real expertise goes ignored.

If you’ve ever felt like your insight is being sidelined, or you’re tired of seeing "innovation" that doesn't actually work in a clinical setting, this episode is your wake-up call.

We move beyond the bedside and into the boardroom to discuss how Clinician leaders are reclaiming their influence.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN

• Why clinical truth is the ultimate filter for healthcare venture success.
• How to spot "Advisory Theater" before you lend your name to a startup.
• The blueprint for moving from a healer to a strategic clinical investor.
• How to evaluate healthcare startups for real-world adoption, not just hype.
• Why aligned capital is the only way to protect your reputation and your returns.

WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR

• Clinicians ready to transition into advisory, board, or investor roles.
• Founders who need to understand why clinical credibility is their biggest hurdle.
• Investors looking to de-risk their healthtech portfolio using clinical truth.

RESOURCES

• Join the HBA Mastermind: Collaborate with CXOs, Clinicians, and investors. Register here
• Apply for the Advisor Fellowship: Get matched with vetted startups. Apply here
• Founders: Get capital-ready and matched to the right funds. Visit Capital Engine