What happens when you stay open to new people, new ideas, and unexpected doors? For Professor Michael Vallely—Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Clinical Professor, Med-Tech Investor, and Entrepreneur—openness has led to a career that spans continents, innovations, and industries.

With more than two decades and thousands of complex cardiac cases in Australia and the U.S., Michael has pioneered “first-in-man” procedures and helped shape the future of heart surgery. He’s held senior roles at The Ohio State University and Mount Sinai Hospitals, is currently Professor at Macquarie University, and practices cardiothoracic surgery in the public and private sector across Sydney.

As founder and Chief Medical Officer of Sydney Heart Valve, Michael is leading the development of next-generation transcatheter heart valve technologies—delivering minimally invasive options for patients with structural heart disease.

In this episode, Michael shares his journey to building a dynamic portfolio career. Together, we explore:

How openness to people and opportunities transformed his journey

Whether you’re a clinician, innovator, or simply curious about the intersection of medicine, technology, and personal growth, this conversation is for you.

After each episode, our Mentors give an additional hour of their time to mentor a listener. We do this because we believe real growth happens through connection, learning, and paying it forward.

Share this episode on your socials with #medtechmentorpodcast and tell us what stuck with you—whether it was a story, an idea, a question, or just a moment you enjoyed. You’ll go in the running for an exclusive one-on-one mentoring conversation with Michael Vallely. Don’t miss your chance to connect—subscribe and share today!

References & Further Reading:

In support of May Mental Health Month- Crystal sits down with Tommy Herschell, founder of “Find Ya Feet,” a grassroots movement making waves in mental health and wellbeing across Australia.

Tommy shares his deeply personal journey, from his own struggles to becoming a passionate advocate for helping others find their footing in life.

Together, Crystal and Tommy explore the power of vulnerability, the importance of honest conversations, and practical ways to support mental health- both in and out of the workplace.

Tommy discusses how “Find Ya Feet” empowers young people, professionals, and communities to build resilience, foster connection, and embrace their authentic selves with workshops that make a proper difference.

Listeners will come away with actionable insights on:

Tommy’s story is a reminder that we all have the strength to “find our feet”- no matter where we start. If you’re interested in bringing Tommy’s message to your organisation, head to Find Ya Feet’s website to learn more about his corporate workshops and programs.

We are so grateful to have Tommy on the show for a heartfelt conversation that we hope will leave you inspired to find ya feet and help those around you find theirs.

Please, sharing is caring, please like and share this episode across your channels with #findyafeet and #medtechmentor podcast to enter to win the 1-hour mentoring session with Tommy. 🫶🏻

Tired of the same old approach to mentorship? We ditch the formalities with Omar Khateeb, CEO & Founder of Khateeb & Co, [https://khateebandco.com/] OmniCreator [https://app.omnicreator.club/#create], Creator and Host of The State of MedTech Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/om/podcast/state-of-medtech/id1597688404], and the go-to guru for the latest trends in medtech.

A master at leveraging unconventional strategies, Omar reveals the power of social media and finding mentorship everywhere. He's sharing his approach that will help you turn any interaction into a goldmine of insights.

Here's what you'll get from this episode:

✨ Straight-talk advice on harnessing the power of informal mentorship

✨ Actionable tips for using social media to grow your MedTech startup's sales pipeline- without ever stepping into a hospital

✨ Omar's unique framework for asking questions that unlock genuine, impactful advice you can use right away

As a thank you to our listeners who like & share with #medtechmentorpodcast we've got two amazing giveaways!

🎁 60% discount code for Khateeb & Co's sales course to help you transform your sales game with Omar's strategy

🎁 30 day free trial of OmniCreator, the all-in-one, AI enabled LinkedIn content creation platform

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights to take your game to the next level!

Ready to launch your medtech venture but feeling lost in the world of finance? This episode of MedTech Mentor is your roadmap to success! Join us as we welcome Nicky Agahari, Founder & CEO of Australis Scientific. Nicky, a seasoned entrepreneur with a global perspective, will break down the complexities of entrepreneurial finance and equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate the fundraising landscape.

In this information-packed episode, you'll gain insights on:

This episode is more than just information; it's an opportunity to:

Don't miss this chance to win a one-hour mentoring session with Nicky himself by sharing this episode with #medtechmentorpodcast

Former trampoline champion Patrick Cooper shares how he flipped into a new passion: healthcare! This episode of the MedTech Mentor Podcast features Patrick's inspiring journey. We explore his incredible career as a six-time international trampoline champion and Australian Team Captain. But a life-changing experience in Africa sparked a new passion for healthcare.

Patrick dives into the challenges and rewards of starting from scratch in a new field, leveraging his strengths to make an impact. He also shares the power of mentorship and how a chance encounter led to a pivotal role at Stryker which set the foundation for his career.

This episode is packed with takeaways for anyone considering a career change or looking for guidance on developing as a leader. Other topics discussed;

This episode is packed with takeaways for anyone considering a career change. Patrick's story reminds us to embrace new opportunities and chase your passions, even if it means diving head first!

Associated links:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode, we welcome James Hamet, CEO of Vistim Labs.

James is an accomplished Medtech Entrepreneur and Electrical Engineer committed to making a difference by creating neurotechnologies that improve patient lives and wellbeing.

Growing up with parents who are both Neurologists, James has a passion for the brain and all things neuroscience. He eventually combined this unique perspective with his education in electrical engineering. From an early age, James demonstrated remarkable ingenuity, creating inventions like mind-controlled wheelchairs—straight out of a Marvel movie!

Today, James and his team at Vistim Labs are on a mission to help Dementia Specialists diagnose patients faster by anticipating which diagnostics will identify the right diagnosis (within the first patient visit) with their innovative AI-powered screening diagnostic tool.

In this episode, we delve into a range of topics, including:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

We're thrilled to present the second part of this episode on the MedTech Mentor Podcast. Welcome back Nicholas Trpezanovski, Founder of NJT MedTech Solutions

Nicholas shares the second part of his incredible journey - from the uncertainty of the beginning to thriving business owner. He provides invaluable insights into overcoming the challenges of entrepreneurship, navigating uncertainty, and trusting your instincts.

Nicholas reminds us to lean on your trusted advisors – you're never alone on this entrepreneurial path. With a wealth of knowledge from his diverse experiences, Nicholas offers pertinent advice on thepower of saying "no" rather than saying "yes"

We are grateful to Nicholas for his time and wisdom, and we can't wait for you to enjoy this insightful conversation!

🚀 Please don’t forget, Nicholas will be generously donating an hour of his time to for a 1:1 mentoring session to one of our listeners who like and share on social media with the #medtechmentorpodcast Don't miss this outstanding opportunity to spend quality time with a leader like Nicholas, it's an opportunity not to be missed!

Get ready to gain insights that will have a lasting impact on your journey. Tune in now! 🎧

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

We are excited to bring you this episode of the MedTech Mentor Podcast, welcome Nicholas Trpezanovski, Founder of NJT MedTech Solutions

NJT MedTech Solutions is an upcoming medtech consultancy supporting start-ups and small and medium medtech businesses to grow and prosper This episode was recorded back when Nicholas had just founded NJT MedTech Solutions in mid 2022. Prior, Nicholas had a remarkable track record as Lead of Corporate Accounts, Government Affairs and Distribution for Baxter International, Head of Corporate Accounts and Government Affairs at Hillrom and held several senior positions at Synthes and Johnson & Johnson.

Nicholas’s incredible journey takes us from his roots as a nuclear medicine scientist to founding his own medtech consultancy - a testament to his drive and determination

Nicholas inspires us to approach our career not as a rigid upwards ladder but as a flexible lattice, encouraging us to break free from our comfort zones and explore new horizons. Don’t underestimate the power of that first step - even a casual coffee chat can lead to life-altering opportunities. With a wealth of experience from the medtech industry, Nicholas offers invaluable advice on the importance of building personal connections throughout your extended social network.

Nicholas is a treasure trove of knowledge, generously sharing his wealth of insights. He is a cherished member of the MedTech Mentor Village, and we are confident that you will find his conversation as enlightening and enjoyable as we did.

Keep an eye out for Part II on Nicholas's reflections 1 year later

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of the MedTech Mentor Podcast, we welcome Judith Mitchell, CEO of Next Science.

Next Science is a company pioneering technology to combat the rising problem of antimicrobial resistance. Prior to joining Next Science in 2017, she was President of Depuy Synthes APAC where she led the Orthopaedics Division of J&J. She was also the President of Asia Pacific for Synthes GmbH, the world leader in Orthopaedic trauma care. Prior to joining Synthes in 2004, she held several senior positions at Cochlear Limited in Product Development, Global Marketing and Education.

Judy shares how she started her MedTech journey, a happy accident of geographical convenience. She was a single-mum trying to balance family and a career, and secured her first position with General Electric as an Administrator. What happened thereafter is a testament to her natural talent and drive, as well as the blue sky within medtech.

Fast forward, and this year Judy celebrates her 40th year of service. Judy discusses how the mission and purpose to improve the lives of patients is what kept her in an industry that demanded a 24/7 pursuit of continuous improvement. Familiar with the tough decisions, she shares stories of some of her hardest calls and lessons learned, and how those experiences keep her focused on what’s important, the patient- that is the north star, that is how decisions get made.

Judy has this beautiful knack of being able to bring the "human into the room", and she is always there to help. Undoubtedly, if you spend any amount of time with Judy, she’ll ask you that exact question, “How can I help?” which is where the title of this episode comes from.

I am such a tremendous fan of Judy and am not not shy to say I truly soaked every moment of our time in the studio together... She carries the conversation! Her story and sage advice made a marked impact on me, and I hope that you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Please don’t forget, Judy will be generously donating an hour of her time to for a 1:1 mentoring session to one of our listeners who like and share on social media with the #medtechmentorpodcast Don't miss this outstanding opportunity to spend quality time with a leader like Judy, it's an opportunity not to be missed!

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this edition of the MedTech Mentor Podcast, we welcome Sabeen Shaikh, a healthcare executive, board member, thought leader, and public speaker with over 15 years of experience in the industry.

Sabeen's present-day purpose shows up with her very own consultancy, Crescent Strategy, and she currently sits on various boards with the aim to help others realise their commercial ambitions by creating effective go-to-market strategies that take these amazing technologies to the next level. To date, she has worked with over 300 start-ups and is sincerely passionate about opportunities that push innovation forward in the Asia Pacific region.

Sabeen’s been part of my village for a few years now, and I’ve always found her experience to be so unique and her perspective enlightening. She has an uncanny ability to understand both sides of his ecosystem, the new and the established, and she’s always rooting for the Underdog… which I love.

In this conversation, we explore how she cultivated this mix of experiences, and as a result, uncovered a new nickname, the MedTech Double Agent, which is where the title of this episode comes from.

I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did and find it insightful to just what opportunities exist if you are willing to take a risk and live outside your comfort zone!

Topics discussed:

1. Career building

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is produced by PodStream Studies and hosted by ZenCast.fm