OTW POD

In this episode, Drue welcomes Dr. Brian Blackwood, an orthopedic surgeon from Boulder, Colorado, known for his bold and unafraid voice on industry issues. Dr. Blackwood shares his journey from Montana to medical school, reflecting on how his family's work ethic and football background shaped his approach to surgery and teamwork. He opens up about his personal battle with burnout, the importance of seeking mental health support, and his viral stand against the controversial "rep scrubs" policy. The conversation explores his passion for robotics in joint replacement, his views on loyalty and treating industry partners with respect, and his perspective on the broken healthcare system where physician reimbursement continues to decline while administrative costs soar. Together, they discuss the urgent need for doctors to advocate for their value and the critical role they play in healthcare delivery.

In this episode, Drue welcomes Dr. John Peloza, an internationally recognized leader in spine surgery, and Brad Niemann, CEO of 4WEB. Dr. Peloza reflects on his journey from the Air Force Academy to the forefront of spine innovation, sharing how mentorship, curiosity, and a passion for technology shaped his career. He recounts working alongside legendary surgeons like Richard Steadman and David Selby, his role in advancing spine care and minimally invasive techniques, and his perspective on the evolution of interbody cage technology-including the science behind 4WEB’s truss implant design. Brad Nieman discusses his own path from collegiate athletics to medtech leadership, emphasizing the parallels between sports, business, and building high-performing teams. Together, they explore the importance of continuous improvement, the impact of mentorship, and how engineering and biomechanics are transforming spine care.

In this episode, Robin Young interviews Dr. Stephen Hochschuler, co-founder of Texas Back Institute (TBI). At 82, Dr. Hochschuler shares his "looking where the puck is going" philosophy that guided his innovative career in spine surgery. He recounts founding TBI with Dr. Ralph Rashbaum in 1977, their pioneering work in disc arthroplasty, and building what became recognized as the premier academic private practice in spine care. Dr. Hochschuler discusses the importance of surrounding yourself with talented people, current interests in AI and healthcare startups, and his perspective on the evolving landscape of spine treatment.

In this inaugural episode, Drue sits down with Robin Young, founder of Orthopedics This Week (OTW), for a candid discussion about his remarkable career journey. From his early days as a Wall Street analyst to becoming one of the most respected voices in orthopedics, Robin shares stories about the people, companies, and innovations that have defined the industry.