Startup Physicians

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.

Are you a physician considering a career pivot or wanting to explore opportunities outside traditional medicine? In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Johnston, a career branding expert and founder of The Briefcase Coach, who has helped hundreds of executives, including myself, navigate career transitions. We explore practical strategies to optimize your LinkedIn profile, craft a compelling executive resume, and build a personal narrative that opens doors. Sarah and I also dive into the mindset shifts necessary to step into new roles, from overcoming self-doubt to embracing your transferable skills. 

Sarah Johnston, a former healthcare recruiter and industry "insider," is dedicated to empowering talented high-achievers by equipping them with the necessary tools to succeed in their job search. Driven by her passion for empowering professionals, Sarah founded the Briefcase Coach, a renowned global executive branding firm. Operating worldwide, the Briefcase Coach has successfully served clients in all 50 states and across six continents. Sarah was recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in the career space in 2019 and acknowledged among HR Weekly's Top 100 Most Influential People in HR. Furthermore, Balance Careers named Sarah's resume writing firm as the "best" for experienced executives. JobScan named Sarah a "top follow" in 2019, 2020, and 2022. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Georgia.

Episode Highlights:

[0:44] - Introducing Sarah Johnston and my journey to career clarity with her help.
[2:40] - Sarah’s background as a recruiter and her transition to building a global resume writing firm.
[4:46] - Why physicians struggle to identify and market their transferable skills.
[8:52] - The value of reframing “failure” and using data to tell a compelling career story.
[9:59] - Why LinkedIn is essential for physicians and how to overcome the “ick factor.”
[15:54] - Crafting a LinkedIn headline: Using keywords to align with your career goals.
[19:47] - Leveraging opportunities within your current job to build skills for a future pivot.
[23:13] - Volunteer work and side gigs: A pathway to gain experience and open doors.
[28:19] - The long-term career impact of stepping out of your comfort zone.

Resources:

Sarah Johnston’s Website: The Briefcase Coach

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.

In this episode, 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! 

Today, we’re exploring the many ways physicians can break into the startup world and make an impact. Whether you’ve considered founding a company, consulting for innovative health-tech startups, or joining an advisory board, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you get started.

I’ll share why startups are hungry for our clinical expertise, how our perspective is essential for designing smarter and safer healthcare solutions, and why now is the perfect time for physicians to get involved. From understanding the role of AI in healthcare to leveraging our skills to build better care models, this episode will inspire you to think differently about your career and the future of healthcare.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Opening thoughts: Why startups need physicians and the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare.
[4:00] - The unique skills physicians bring to the table and how they align with startup needs.
[6:23] - Different pathways into startups: Founders, CMOs, advisors, and consultants.
[11:46] - Real-world examples of impactful startup roles, including AI and population health models.
[14:32] - Exploring fractional and interim roles for flexibility and impact.
[21:33] - Why the startup ecosystem is ideal for physicians looking to drive meaningful change.
[28:55] - Practical takeaways: How to start your journey into the startup world.

Resources:

Checkout 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! 

Welcome to the very first episode of Startup Physicians! I’m Alison Curfman, and I’m so thrilled you’re here. This podcast is for physicians who are curious about diving into the dynamic world of startups—whether you’re considering launching your own company, consulting for innovative health-tech initiatives, or just exploring new opportunities. In this episode, I share my personal journey, from practicing pediatric emergency medicine to co-founding Imagine Pediatrics, a company that’s revolutionizing care for high-risk children on Medicaid. We’ll also discuss why physicians are uniquely equipped to lead healthcare innovation and how you can get started in this exciting space.

Join me as I recount the moments that shaped my career, from spearheading telemedicine projects to navigating the challenges of scaling a startup. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your clinical expertise into meaningful change, this episode will inspire and empower you. Plus, I’ll give you a sneak peek into what’s coming up in future episodes as we build this community of mission-driven, startup-savvy physicians. Let’s dive in and reimagine healthcare together!

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Introduction to the podcast and my journey from pediatric emergency medicine to the startup world.
[3:38] - The case that inspired my passion for telemedicine and innovation in pediatrics.
[4:49] - Building Imagine Pediatrics from an idea to a scalable, impactful company.
[9:06] - The pivotal role of private equity in turning our vision into reality.
[11:48] - Launching a startup during a whirlwind year: the challenges and triumphs of our early days.
[17:31] - Why now is the time for physicians to step into the startup space and how to get involved.

Resources:

Checkout 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! 

Are you a physician wondering if there’s more to your career than the hospital or clinic walls? Welcome to StartUp Physicians! I’m Dr. Alison Curfman, your host, and I’m here to help you explore how doctors like us can break into the exciting world of healthcare startups. In this trailer episode, I’m sharing my journey—how I built a healthcare company that grew to serve over 25,000 patients, reached a nine-figure valuation, and completely transformed my career.

This podcast is your roadmap to navigating the startup space as a physician. Whether you’re thinking about launching your own company, becoming a consultant, or joining a cutting-edge team, I’ll provide the insights, tools, and connections you need to succeed. Each week, I’ll bring you tips on personal branding, creating marketable services, and advice straight from leaders in private equity, venture capital, and healthcare startups.

If you’re ready to make a lasting impact beyond patient care, tune in and join me on this exciting journey. The first episode drops on January 15—subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And don’t forget to visit StartupPhysicians.com for resources and to join our community of innovative doctors. I can’t wait to help you take the next step in your career!

Timeline Highlights:

• [0:01] - Dr. Alison Curfman introduces the podcast and its mission.
• [0:30] - The power of physician expertise in shaping healthcare innovation.
• [1:00] - Dr. Curfman’s startup journey: from founder to helping others succeed.
• [1:40] - What listeners can expect: tips, strategies, and real-world stories.
• [2:20] - Why physician voices are vital in healthcare startups.
• [2:50] - Subscribe and join the community to start your journey.

Links & Resources:

• Visit StartupPhysicians.com for resources and transcripts.
• Follow StartUp Physicians on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, be sure to follow, rate, and share. Let’s shape the future of healthcare together!