What Every Healthcare Leader Should Know, with Dr. Todd Brinton

What every healthcare leader should know is at the heart of this episode featuring Dr. Todd Brinton, Chief Scientific Officer at Edwards Lifesciences and a leading figure in medtech innovation. Dr. Brinton’s journey began in a sixth-grade classroom, where a fascination with the heart sparked a lifelong passion for both medicine and technology. That early curiosity led him to pursue engineering, medicine, and eventually leadership in heart health.

Before becoming a recognized leader, Dr. Brinton faced the same questions many young professionals do—wondering if he belonged, and whether he could move from engineering into medicine. Throughout his career, mentors played a crucial role in helping him find his potential, and setbacks became opportunities for growth. These experiences shaped his approach to leadership, resilience, and innovation in healthcare.

Dr. Brinton discusses lessons learned from building teams, founding companies like Shockwave Medical and BioParadox, and making difficult choices as both a physician and entrepreneur. He shares why honesty and kindness matter in leadership, how to create meaningful mentor relationships, and what it really takes to move ideas from the clinic to the corporate world. The conversation covers why embracing mistakes is essential for progress, why people—not just technology—will define the future of health innovation, and advice for those building their own path in healthcare.

Whether you’re leading a startup, managing a hospital team, or just starting your career, Dr. Brinton’s story offers practical insight for every stage. Hear directly from Dr. Todd Brinton as he joins Christine Winoto for a candid discussion about career pivots, mentorship, and the realities of healthcare leadership, brought to you by the UCSF Rosenman Institute.

For more on healthcare innovation, check out What 2 Billion Data Points Can Tell Us: James Mault on Smarter Care.

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