TAG'D: Beyond The Award

Ready to dive into the future of MedTech!?

In this episode of TAG’D: Beyond the Award, Justin Starbird sits down with a good friend, ⁠Steve Everly⁠, Brand Director for MD&M South at Informa.

Join them as they dive deep into ⁠MD&M South in Charlotte⁠, April 22nd–23rd, and why the city isn't just a location, it's the perfect "hot pocket of net new" for the entire southern region.

This show is more than floor space and leads. Steve gets real about the crucial role of human connection in a post-COVID world, the power of mentorship for new engineers, and why face-to-face interaction is still non-negotiable for building trust in the supply chain. Exhibitors, listen up: you need to put your phones down!

Plus, get the inside scoop on the unexpected co-location with ⁠The Battery Show South⁠. It’s a genuine opportunity that literally "fell in their lap" and is poised to spark incredible innovation around medical battery miniaturization.

Tune in for an expert look at cutting-edge trends (AI, smart materials, robotics) and hear why the energy between industry veterans and the next generation of innovators is what Steve is most excited about! This is your preview of the state and future of MedTech!

Season Two of TAG'D: Beyond the Award, kicks off with a new TAG Awards Judge, Debbie Greenway, EVP of FEIG Electronics!

With four decades in tech, Debbie brings a unique blend of executive leadership and a genuine love for innovation. She talks about the real-world impact of RFID technology, from stopping the flow of counterfeit medical devices to enabling healthier patient outcomes through embedded sensors.

Listen (or watch) to hear her insights on seeing the next big thing and helping innovators get their solutions market-ready. Plus, she gives the inside scoop on why awards are fuel, powerful social proof, and essential recognition for the unsung heroes of MedTech, Life Sciences, and BioTech.

Connect with Debbie on Linkedin.

Tune in for and feel her passion for innovation!

In this episode of TAG’D: Beyond the Award, host Justin Starbird sits down with BJ Maack, Senior Director of Healthcare Solutions at Enovis, one of the inaugural winners of the TAG Awards for MedTech 2025!

Discover the incredible story behind MotionMD, the award-winning platform revolutionizing orthopedic practices through automation, transparency, and better patient experiences.

From humble beginnings cutting neoprene braces in the '70s to leading the way in healthcare tech innovation, Enovis is not just making waves—they’re creating better, together. BJ shares how MotionMD was born out of necessity, scaled through vision, and is now empowering clinics nationwide to work smarter, not harder.

🔥 Whether you're a healthcare innovator, a MedTech enthusiast, or just love a good story of transformation, this conversation highlights how purpose-driven technology can truly change the game!

🏆 Celebrate Enovis’s TAG Award win—tune in to hear what’s next for this trailblazing team!

Learn more about Enovis, The TAG Awards, and the rest of the 2025 winners: https://www.tagawards.co/medtech-25/

In this episode of TAG’D: Beyond the Award, host Justin Starbird sits down with Mike Kolberg, VP and General Manager of Codonics—an award-winning MedTech company redefining medication safety in hospitals.

Fresh off their 2025 TAG Award win, Mike shares how Codonics’ Safe Label System is preventing medication errors in the OR, why listening to clinicians is their best R&D tool, and how the company continues to innovate with new solutions like RFID upgrades and in-room drug waste verification. From trade show relationship-building to culture-changing tech, Codonics is proving that the best medtech doesn’t just work—it works with people.

Whether you're in hospital operations, medical device innovation, or simply fascinated by how technology is saving lives, this episode is for you!

Get ready for an inspiring journey on this episode of TAG'D: Beyond the Award! Host Justin sits down with Mat Johnson, the visionary CEO of Althing Clinic, to dive into the revolutionary AIRs System. Hear how this 2025 TAG Award winner for MedTech in the Healthcare category is transforming scalable, preventative health and behavioral risk intervention.

Mat shares the compelling story behind AIRs, from its origins in addressing critical behavioral health challenges in K-12 education to its expansion into supporting veterans, first responders, and senior citizens. Learn how this innovative solution prioritizes agency, privacy, and proactive intervention, empowering individuals to seek the help they need.

Listen to the challenges of building a highly regulated, yet universally accessible, healthcare technology and the profound impact it's having on patient engagement and outcomes. Tune in to understand what it truly takes to build technology that meets people where they are and revolutionizes how we approach public health.

You won't want to miss this conversation about a system that's not just groundbreaking, but life-changing.

TAG’D: Beyond the Award – Featuring Vibrant Gastro’s Asaf Bar

In this episode of TAG’D: Beyond the Award, host Justin Starbird sits down with Asaf Bar, CEO of Vibrant Gastro, winner of the Top Innovator Award at the 2025 TAG Awards for MedTech. Discover how Vibrant is transforming GI care with its revolutionary, FDA-cleared drug-free vibrating capsule that treats chronic constipation through bioelectronic therapy.

With 39 million Americans suffering from this often-ignored condition, Vibrant’s technology is a game-changer, delivering relief without side effects or medication. Asaf dives into the development journey, clinical success, and the future potential of this platform to address a wide range of gut-brain axis disorders.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about MedTech, patient-centered innovation, and what it takes to bring a disruptive medical device to market.

Join host Justin Starbird on this episode of TAG'D: Beyond the Award, as he sits down with Adrian Mendes, CEO of Perimeter Medical Imaging AI. Perimeter recently earned the prestigious TAG Awards Top Innovator Award in MedTech 2025 for their groundbreaking OCT System with Image Assist AI, recognized for its exceptional contributions to surgical imaging and AI integration.

Adrian walks Justin through the incredible journey of developing this transformative technology. The current OCT System provides surgeons with real-time, unprecedented clarity, enabling them to achieve clear margins in cancer surgeries, particularly in breast cancer, by leveraging advanced imaging to deliver crucial visual information during operations. 

The conversation then shifts to their next-generation product, currently awaiting FDA approval, which takes innovation a step further by integrating artificial intelligence. This AI layer acts as an intelligent assistant, helping surgeons rapidly identify suspicious areas within images and streamline decision-making in the operating room.

Adrian shares the company's ambitious vision for expanding the application of their technology beyond breast cancer to other types of cancers, underscoring the broad impact it could have on patient outcomes. He also conveys the immense excitement surrounding the continuous innovation within the MedTech industry and how Perimeter is at the forefront of this evolution, consistently pushing the boundaries of what's possible in medical imaging and AI. This episode offers a deep dive into the technology, mission, and the clear future of precision surgery.

In this episode of TAG’D: Beyond the Award, host Justin Starbird welcomes Steve Everly, Event Director at Informa Markets, to talk about what makes MD&M East more than just a trade show. 

They dive into the powerful, human element of live events—how shaking hands, exchanging ideas, and nurturing new talent can spark innovation, unexpected partnerships, and real business growth!

Whether you're a veteran exhibitor, a first-time attendee, or someone looking to bring your team to the floor, this conversation explores the true ROI of being present. 

Steve shares why in-person touchpoints matter more than ever, how MD&M is evolving to meet the moment, and why the inaugural TAG Awards will make this year's event even more special.

🎯 What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why 11 to 20 digital touches can't replace a single handshake

• How live events foster mentorship, growth, and meaningful partnerships

• The behind-the-scenes strategy of keeping MD&M East fresh and future-focused

• What inspired The Aebli Group’s journey into the MedTech space

• Why the TAG Awards are a milestone moment at this year’s show

• What’s in store for attendees this May in New York City

📅 Don’t miss MD&M East, May 20–22 at the Javits Center in NYC.

Experience the energy, the innovation, and the people that make this event so special. Come connect, collaborate, and celebrate with industry leaders—and don’t forget to check out the TAG Awards!

🎧 Tune in and discover how events drive visibility, validation, and velocity for bold new ideas.

👉 Learn more and register: www.mdmeast.com

📬 Questions? Reach out to Steve directly: [email protected]

The TAG Awards are here, and we’re thrilled to introduce one of our esteemed judges—Omar Ford, Editor-in-Chief at MD+DI! In this special episode of the TAG'D: Beyond the Award Podcast, host Justin Starbird sits down with Omar to discuss his incredible career in journalism, his passion for medtech innovation, and why he’s excited to be part of the TAG Awards judging panel.

With years of experience covering groundbreaking advancements in medical technology, Omar has seen firsthand what it takes for a company to stand out. As a respected voice in the industry, he brings deep insight, sharp analysis, and an eye for excellence—making him the perfect addition to the TAG Awards team.

In this episode, Omar shares his thoughts on
📍what makes great marketing
📍why authenticity is key in brand storytelling
📍and what he’ll be looking for in this year’s TAG Award winners!

If you want to learn from one of the best in the business and get an inside look at what it takes to win, this is the episode you won’t want to miss!

Tune in now and get ready for an exciting TAG Awards season!

In the latest episode of TAG’D: Beyond the Award, host Justin Starbird welcomes a longtime friend and industry leader, Rick Curtis, Principal of LAMM Dynamics Group, to the TAG Awards judging panel.

Rick’s career spans over two decades in the MedTech space, where he has played a pivotal role in strategic investments, M&A, and the growth of innovative medical device companies.

Rick shares insights from his experience leading businesses, evaluating partnerships, and positioning companies for success. He emphasizes the importance of making strategic bets on cutting-edge science and building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with customers. His leadership at EirMed, where he guided startups through FDA clearance and into full-scale manufacturing, offers a unique perspective on what makes a company stand out in a competitive industry.

As a TAG Awards judge, Rick is excited to support companies that are pushing the boundaries of innovation. He believes that recognition can be a game-changer, helping early-stage businesses differentiate themselves, attract top talent, and gain credibility with investors.

Tune in to hear Rick’s take on industry trends, the value of strategic partnerships, and why the TAG Awards matter for MedTech pioneers. Listen now!