Startup Physicians

In this episode (a replay from earlier this year), we’re diving into how startups think and what we as physicians can learn from their approach to innovation. If you’ve ever wondered how design thinking, rapid iteration, and minimum viable products (MVPs) could reshape healthcare, this episode is for you. We’ll explore how startups thrive on speed, creativity, and disruption, and why adopting their mindset can empower us to challenge assumptions and drive meaningful change.

I’ll break down the key principles of design thinking, share real-world examples from my experience building care models, and explain how MVPs can save time and resources while delivering impactful results. 

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Welcome and introduction to the startup mindset: Speed, disruption, and innovation.
[2:54] - The five phases of design thinking and why empathy is at the heart of it all.
[4:25] - Exploring the concept of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and its value in healthcare.
[7:42] - The story of creating a clinical care model as an MVP at Imagine Pediatrics.
[9:20] - Challenging assumptions and how questioning “why” can uncover hidden opportunities.
[15:57] - Practical takeaways: Applying design thinking, MVPs, and assumption testing in your work.

Resources:

Check out our services at StartupPhysicians.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, rate, and leave a review. Remember to share this episode with fellow physicians who might be interested in startups. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare! 

In this episode of the Startup Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Janene Fuerch, neonatologist, entrepreneur, and Director of the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship. Janene shares how her path in academic medicine unexpectedly led her to become a leader in healthcare innovation, and how she’s helping other physicians make a broader impact beyond the bedside.

We talk about how physicians can bring incredible value to startups, even without business or engineering backgrounds. Janene explains what it’s really like to go through the Stanford Biodesign Fellowship, how to identify unmet clinical needs, and why humility and collaboration are essential for success in the startup world.

We also dive into her work with Impact One, an organization focused on pediatric and maternal health innovation, and explore how physicians can help shape the future of healthcare technology, instead of just reacting to it.

If you’ve ever wondered how to combine your medical expertise with innovation, entrepreneurship, or leadership, this episode will show you what’s possible.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] – Welcome & Introduction

[02:00] – How Janene Found Her Way into Innovation

[06:00] – What Physicians Bring to Startups

[09:00] – The Importance of Humility and Teamwork

[11:30] – Creating Impact Beyond the Bedside

[15:00] – Driving Pediatric and Maternal Health Innovation

[18:30] – Why Physicians Need to Lead in Tech

[22:00] – Building Skills for Startup Success

[24:00] – Advice for Physicians Exploring New Career Paths

[25:30] – Closing Thoughts & How to Connect

In this episode of Startup Physicians, Dr. Alison Curfman interviews Kevin Baumlin, an emergency physician and Chief Medical Affairs Officer at the Science Center. 

They discuss the evolving role of physicians in healthcare startups, the importance of clinical insight in product development, and the various pathways for aspiring founders and advisors in the healthcare space. 

Kevin shares his career journey, the resources available for startup founders, and the significance of connecting healthcare needs with innovative solutions. 

The conversation emphasizes the collaborative nature of healthcare innovation and the opportunities for physicians to contribute to this dynamic field.

Dr. Kevin Braumlin's LinkedIn Page

Science Center

NSF I-corps 

SBIR Funding

Episode Highlights
[00:00] - Introduction to Startup Physicians and Guest Background
[02:39] - Kevin Baumlin's Career Journey and Transition to Startups
[05:23] - Opportunities for Aspiring Founders in Healthcare
[08:19] - Understanding the Science Center and Its Programs
[10:54] - Navigating Grants and Funding for Startups
[13:55] - The Role of Physicians in Startups and Advisory Positions
[16:57] - Connecting Healthcare Needs with Startup Solutions
[19:37] - The Importance of Clinical Insight in Product Development
[22:36] - Innovative Approaches in Early Cancer Detection
[25:22] - Getting Involved: Pathways for Physicians in Startups
[28:19] - Conclusion and Resources for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

In this episode on Startup Physicians, I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Kieran McLeod, a former emergency physician who made the leap from clinical work in South Africa to building startups in Australia. We first connected on LinkedIn, and this conversation reminded me just how powerful it is when physicians share their ideas publicly.

Kieran walks through his early career, how a failed plan to work on cruise ships turned into field hospital work with Doctors Without Borders, and how the rise of telehealth sparked his interest in startups. He shares what it was like to build his first venture, a smoking cessation app, with no coding experience and a lot of trial and error. We talk about low-code tools, product strategy, and the reality of building something valuable in a crowded space.

If you’re a physician wondering whether you can actually contribute in tech or startups, this episode makes the answer pretty clear. You can. And you should.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] – How we met on LinkedIn

[04:40] – Emergency medicine, field hospitals, and a shift toward tech

[08:15] – Starting Baiguai (and learning the hard way)

[16:20] – Building without knowing how to code

[27:40] – Moving to Australia to go all-in on health tech

[33:50] – Why clinicians matter in product, ops, and safety

In this episode on Startup Physicians, I sit down with Dr. Heather Lampel to talk about what it really looks like to move from traditional clinical medicine into the pharmaceutical startup space.

Heather shares her story with clarity and honesty. From her roots in clinical genetics to navigating an entirely new industry. We talk about what surprised her, what challenged her, and how she kept learning along the way. One thing that stood out: Heather never stopped investing in relationships. Her network, she says, became her lifeline through the transition.

She also makes a powerful case for why physicians are deeply valuable in pharma. From clinical insights to patient advocacy, she shows that our voices matter and that representation isn’t optional if we want to build a better system.

This conversation is about possibility, but also about preparation. It’s a must-listen for anyone considering a leap into industry, or simply wondering what else is out there.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Introduction to Pharmaceutical Startups
[00:58] - Heather's Journey from Clinical Practice to Startups
[03:52] - Navigating the Learning Curve in Pharma
[07:26] - Building Skills and Value in the Pharmaceutical Industry
[11:02] - Exploring Different Roles in Pharma
[13:14] - Mission and Impact in the Pharmaceutical Field
[14:29] - Transitioning into Pharma: Options for Physicians
[16:18] - Finding Opportunities in the Pharmaceutical Space
[20:08] - Addressing Misconceptions about Pharma
[23:34] - The Importance of Physician Representation in Pharma
[24:34] - Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Physicians

On this episode of Startup Physicians, I interview Dr. Shakira Grant, who shares her remarkable journey from practicing medicine to influencing healthcare policy and AI development. We talk about the importance of health equity and the role physicians must play in shaping AI tools that serve all populations effectively. Shakira reflects on her time in Congress, the challenges of integrating AI in clinical care, and why diverse voices are essential in the development process. She encourages physicians to embrace innovation and step into roles where we can use our expertise to drive meaningful change in healthcare outcomes. 

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Introduction to Dr. Shakira Grant's Journey
[02:46] - Transitioning from Medicine to Policy
[05:39] - The Intersection of AI and Health Equity
[08:40] - Challenges and Opportunities in AI Development
[11:28] - The Role of Physicians in AI Innovation
[14:13] - Founding CROSS: Bridging Healthcare and AI
[17:05] - Practical Involvement of Physicians in AI Projects
[19:58] - The Importance of Diverse Voices in AI Development
[23:05] - Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Innovators

One of our most requested episodes — revisiting how Dr. Harris translated frontline insight into healthcare innovation at scale. 

Ever wondered how a physician can transition from clinical care to founding a successful digital health startup? In this episode of Startup Physicians, I sit down with Dr. Bronwyn Harris, a pediatric cardiologist turned healthcare innovator. From her early days in biomedical engineering to pioneering a digital health startup that was later acquired by Apple, Bronwyn shares her incredible journey navigating the intersection of medicine, technology, and entrepreneurship.

We talk about the lessons she learned in Stanford Biodesign, the challenges of building a healthcare startup from scratch, and how she leveraged her clinical expertise to create a groundbreaking asthma monitoring tool. Plus, we dive into the evolving world of wearable medical devices and how clinicians can contribute to the future of health tech. If you're curious about blending medicine with innovation, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Bronwyn Harris is a pediatric cardiologist who clinically practices part-time at Stanford. She also has a background in biomedical engineering and has been working in the digital health space for the past decade with a range of experiences from starting her own company to working at Apple. She is currently Chief Transformation Officer for CareEvolution, a health software company with a one-stop digital research platform. Bronwyn is passionate about using patient-generated health data to empower patients and overall improve clinical care. 

Episode Highlights:

[1:26] Introduction to Dr. Bronwyn Harris and her unique career path.

[5:48] How her background in biomedical engineering shaped her approach to medicine.

[9:20] Early experiences with medical device research and home monitoring solutions.

[11:30] The power of design thinking in healthcare innovation.

[19:16] How Stanford Biodesign changed her perspective on medical innovation.

[22:49] Founding her digital health startup and the challenges of early-stage entrepreneurship.

[27:48] The unexpected path that led to an acquisition by Apple.

[30:01] The mindset shift from clinical medicine to the startup world.

[33:24] The future of wearable devices in healthcare and why clinicians should take notice.

Resources:

• Checkout the asthma tool created by Dr. Harris: https://www.asthmatool.com 
• Dr. Bronwyn Harris’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cardiac-related-wearable-features-overview-bronwyn-harris-ngxwc/ 

Checkout our services at StartupPhysicians.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast, rate, and leave a review. Don’t forget to share this episode with fellow physicians who might be interested in startups. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare! See you next time.

Originally released in March 2025, this episode with Dr. Paige Bhansali remains one of our most downloaded and discussed conversations and we're bringing it back for anyone who missed it.

What if you could break out of the traditional physician career path and create a role that blends clinical care with entrepreneurship and innovation? In this episode, I sit down with my friend and colleague, Dr. Paige Bhansali, a pediatrician with an incredible journey through consulting, healthcare startups, and value-based care. Paige has carved out her own unique path in medicine—balancing residency, an MBA, and a startup career—all while maintaining her passion for improving pediatric healthcare.

Dr. Paige Bhansali is the Head of Clinical Strategy and Operations at Playground Pediatrics, a fast-growing value-based pediatric practice focused on delivering the highest quality of care for children. She is a practicing pediatrician and Assistant Professor at Lurie Children’s in Chicago. Prior to medical school, she started her career in strategy consulting at the Boston Consulting Group where she worked with providers transitioning to value-based reimbursement models. She’s had the privilege to work for several value-based care organizations focused on underserved populations including the Commonwealth Care Alliance, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, and Imagine Pediatrics. She has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University, medical degree from the University of Michigan, and a master of business administration from Harvard Business School. 

Episode Highlights:

[0:45] - Welcome to the episode! Meet Dr. Paige Bhansali and hear about her unique background in healthcare startups.

[1:39] - From childhood inspiration to pediatrics—Paige’s journey into medicine and her early exposure to healthcare.

[5:50] - How Paige took an unconventional approach during her medical training to explore startup opportunities.

[9:00] - The power of saying yes—how she turned the pandemic into an opportunity for professional growth.

[12:27] - The serendipity of networking: how one connection led Paige to her work with Imagine Pediatrics.

[14:31] - Using clinical expertise to shape early-stage startups—Paige’s role in analyzing claims data and building innovative care models.

[19:32] - Why physicians' skills in critical thinking, research, and data analysis are invaluable to healthcare companies.

[24:53] - How Paige balanced residency, an MBA, startup work, and becoming a new parent—and what she learned along the way.

[26:14] - Do you need an MBA to break into healthcare startups? Paige shares her thoughts on building business skills in different ways.

[28:27] - Exploring alternative career paths: how physicians can contribute to startups while still practicing medicine.

[30:23] - What’s next? Paige shares her current work at Playground Pediatrics and her mission to transform pediatric value-based care.

On this episode of Startup Physicians, I sit down with Dr. CK Wang, a medical oncologist who made the leap from clinical practice into the tech world. We talk about his transition from traditional oncology to leading roles at IBM Watson Health and Coda, where he’s working on some of the most exciting applications of AI in healthcare.

CK shares candid reflections on what it really takes to move from the clinic to the boardroom, including the challenges of stepping into unfamiliar territory and the mindset shifts that helped him thrive. We explore how clinical expertise plays a critical role in product development, why more physicians are needed at the table in tech, and how we can bring physician voices into spaces like sales, strategy, and innovation without losing our identity in the process.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible beyond clinical medicine or how to bring your medical lens into startups and AI, this conversation is full of insight, clarity, and real-world advice.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Introduction to CK Wang's Journey
[02:37] - Transition from Clinical Practice to Innovation
[05:20] - The Role of Clinicians in Tech
[08:10] - Supporting Sales and Product Development
[11:02] - Embracing a Growth Mindset
[13:27] - Navigating Financial Discussions in Healthcare
[16:08] - The Value of Clinical Knowledge in Business
[18:58] - Conclusion and Future Opportunities

On this episode of Startup Physicians, I talk with Dr. Anurag Gupta about his journey from being an emergency physician to founding Tembo Health, a company dedicated to supporting older adults, especially those living with dementia. He shares the role that curiosity has played in his entrepreneurial path, the importance of networking, and his perspective on the ongoing debate around pursuing an MBA. Dr. Gupta also highlights the value of maintaining optionality in career decisions and encourages physicians to step into leadership roles to drive healthcare innovation. 

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - The Journey of an Entrepreneurial Physician
[09:12] - Navigating Medical and Business Education
[18:28] - The Importance of Networking and Relationships
[27:46] - Building Tembo Health: A Mission-Driven Venture
[31:30] - Advice for Aspiring Physician Entrepreneurs