Bijan Salehizadeh enrolled at Columbia Medical School with the goal of becoming a hotshot cardiac surgeon. Just a few years later, he'd traded the operating room for the boardrooms of venture capital, where he became known as one of Silicon Valley's smartest health care investors. Now the managing director of Arlington, Va.-based NaviMed Capital — the rare "V.C. in D.C." — Bijan joined POLITICO's Dan Diamond to discuss how he fell into this career and how investors evaluate opportunities (starts at the 2:10 mark), how he got pitched by a young Elizabeth Holmes, founder of a then-fledgling Theranos (10:30), whether digital health is delivering on its promise (25:00), and more. Also: Check out the lightning round that start at 41:35. We’d appreciate your help: Please share PULSE CHECK and rate us on your favorite podcast app! Have questions, suggestions or feedback? Email [email protected].

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