The Health Innovators Show

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected how healthcare business is done.  But there are constants that never change: a patient (person) who needs care and the whole healthcare system that is (hopefully) designed to take care of the patient in the best fashion. Pre-pandemic healthcare saw quite a bit of disruption from outsiders who saw opportunities to disrupt the system, as-is, and technologies looking to bring in new efficiencies. Opportunities might arise, and pivots might be necessary - and lucrative - if you keep an open mind and remain pragmatic. In today’s episode, Ruchin Kansal shares his thoughts on the changing dynamics of how healthcare does business in a post-COVID landscape. Ruchin brings his experience with pivots - both personal and professional - to life for our listeners. He pairs his knowledge with humor and an abundance of tips and insights on the changing face of healthcare and the opportunities these changes bring to the table.   Here are the show highlights: This is how the pandemic is affecting innovation and healthcare (2:50) The COVID crisis has disrupted the status-quo way of thinking about how healthcare is done in the United States (4:55) Breaking long-standing barriers in telemedicine (5:05) The CEOs of today are the kings of the past: Why leadership might be the key to making changes stick (5:38) This is the new normal in healthcare (6:52) Do you have to pivot your whole business? Heck no! (8:48) Don’t be afraid to leave what was - but do your due diligence (12:50) Not every pivot is a bad pivot (and you don’t need to pivot everything!) (15:55) The “Unicorn Business” and adjusting commercial models (16:49)   Guest Bio Ruchin Kansal is the Founder of Kansal & Company, a consulting firm that coaches transformative leaders and companies in the art of how to find new markets and co-create with investors and entrepreneurs so they can build a better future of healthcare.  Finding “new markets” is old school for Ruchin who is an airforce pilot turned architect turned MBA - he is no stranger to the term “pivot.” Ruchin earned his MBA in Finance and Information Systems from the NYU Stern School of Business and is using his experience and expertise to help others in the business world reach their full potential. In addition to his decades-long career in the industry and his work with Kansal & Company, Ruchin is also co-author of the book Redefining Innovation: Embracing the 80-80 Rule to Ignite Growth in the Biopharmaceutical Industry, which examines the evolution of the biopharmaceutical industry and defines a potential pathway for transforming the industry’s business model via the 80-80 Rule - "Being 80% confident that you will only be 80% right the first time should feel normal." If you want to reach out to Ruchin to learn more about how Kansal & Company might help you, or to simply ask questions, you can reach him at ruchin@kansal3c.com, on the Kansal & Company website at  kansal3c.com or on linked in at Ruchin Kansal.

Many healthcare innovators view the act of pivoting to be a failure in their solution, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, pivoting, the ability to pivot, or the act of remaining open to a pivot while bringing a product to market is pretty much par for the course. And, time and time again, a pivot has meant the difference between success and failure when market demands shift. In today’s episode, Fereydoun Taslimi shares his experience with pivoting a hardware solution into a software homerun in the 1980s. His decision, action, and ultimate success speaks to the importance of remaining flexible and seizing the moment when the market demands change — like they are today with COVID-19. Here are the show highlights: 3 key qualities entrepreneurs need to cultivate in order to successfully identify and navigate opportunities (3:30)  Why the ability to pivot can be critical to your success (6:11) How pandemics and other healthcare related events are shaping the future of healthcare innovation (13:20) Why it’s important to review and update your messaging (17:23) Discussing the challenges healthcare and healthcare innovators face now, and in the future (20:45) Why taking time out to think about all the pivot scenarios to determine a path forward can be critical to success (22:18) How maintaining a strong, optimistic outlook is a valuable asset for all entrepreneurs (28:42) Guest Bio Fereydoun Taslimi is Founder and CEO of SensorsCall, developer of CareAlert — a non-intrusive AI device that extends senior independence while giving caregivers peace of mind. A seasoned industry figure, Fereydoun has worked in technology fields ranging from computer development in the 1970s, hardware and software in the 1980s, interactive voice response and voice recognition, right up to AI driven IOT healthcare devices used in today’s market.  Fereydoun received his bachelor degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of London King’s College and his Masters in computer science from Georgia Tech. If you want to reach out to Fereydoun to learn more about SensorsCall or CareAlert, or to simply ask questions, you can reach him at www.sensorscall.com, or via email at fereydoun@sensorscall.com.‍

There’s never an easy answer when it comes to product adoption, finances, or navigating a disrupted market. But when the market’s as volatile as it has been lately, it can be downright scary. One of our core beliefs is that the more knowledge you have, the better decisions you will make. David Huizenga has seen a lot. He’s worked in just about every industry that healthcare innovation touches, from biochemistry to financial backing to patents and solutions. His unique experience and insight is a guiding light in the face of a growing storm. In this episode, David speaks openly and candidly about the role COVID-19 has played in Moterum Technologies’ product launch, roll-out calendar, and how the company has had to conduct business over the past two months. Here are the show highlights: The #1 most important thing you can say to lead and motivate your team during uncertain times (14:01)  Use this trick to instantly “recharge” yourself when you’re feeling tired and unmotivated (14:27) Why now is the worst time to scale your healthcare business and what to do instead (23:15)  If your business doesn’t demonstrate this, it might not make it into the post-pandemic world (25:33)  Why trying to make reactive changes in your healthcare business backfires on you (26:37)  How to prevent your business from being one of the many that will have to close its doors forever (27:37)  3 key trends about what the post-pandemic healthcare system will look like (29:00)  The “Prohibition Brewery” tactics that will help your business survive and thrive after the pandemic (33:04)  I've spoken with dozens of health innovators, and nearly everyone is trying to figure out their best pivot strategy. But they don't know what to change, how to pivot, or if their new pivot strategy is the right move. So I went into overdrive putting together a clear, actionable 5-step worksheet that will help you quickly define your most viable and profitable pivot path through the COVID crisis. And I’m giving it to you for FREE — no strings attached at https://www.Legacy-DNA.com/Pivot Guest Bio David Huizenga is the founder and CEO of Moterum Technologies Inc., a medical device company in stroke rehabilitation. He is an expert in translating groundbreaking science into realistic commercial opportunities. Over the last 5 years, he has focused his efforts on the unique needs of the neural rehabilitation patient.  Previously, David was CEO and cofounder of Tao Life Sciences LLC, an early stage life sciences technology development and investment company, which successfully monetized over half of its portfolio. David has been on the founding team of numerous life science companies, and has involvement in successful acquisitions and exits. Mr. Huizenga serves on numerous corporate and non-profit boards. ‍If you’d like to learn more about Moterum Technologies and the solutions David and his team have developed, you can reach out to him via email at dehuizenga@moterumtechnologies.com or on their website at moterum.com/.

It’s taken a global pandemic to jumpstart the telehealth industry and showcase the value, convenience, and importance of bringing strong, viable, and scalable technology solutions to the market. And now that the spotlight’s been cast, there’s no going backwards. One might not think of disease detection and quantitative science as services that can be deployed via telehealth and a customer/member focused concierge solution, but Jo Bhakdi of Quantgene would argue that with you. His company built a product around advanced cancer detection using deep genomics and AI technologies and delivers that product in a package that bypasses the traditional healthcare payer system and offers a more affordable solution directly to the customer. And, when COVID-19 hit, Jo’s team was able to envision how a COVID-based solution could be offered to its members in a seamless pivot. In this episode, come hear Jo Bhakdi’s thoughts on the future of telehealth and concierge medicine, how to approach a successful market pivot, and the importance for health innovators to understand the “investor’s triangle” when bringing healthcare innovations to market.  Here are the show highlights: 5 crucial ingredients you must have to develop effective and disruptive healthcare technology (17:33)  This causes more healthcare innovations to die than anything else… (18:39)  The case for healthcare innovators to be ruthlessly selfish (20:05)  Why shrinking your addressable market can prevent your healthcare innovation from a premature death (25:24)  The “Investor’s Triangle” method for pitching investors that skyrockets your chances of getting investments (29:46)  Here’s how you can easily gain the upper hand when talking to potential investors (33:20)  Why you should celebrate the chaos of the current crisis (49:40)  I've spoken with dozens of health innovators, and nearly everyone is trying to figure out their best pivot strategy. But they don't know what to change, how to pivot, or if their new pivot strategy is the right move. So I went into overdrive putting together a clear, actionable 5-step worksheet that will help you quickly define your most viable and profitable pivot path through the COVID crisis. And I’m giving it to you for FREE — no strings attached at https://www.Legacy-DNA.com/Pivot Guest Bio Jo Bhakdi is the founder and CEO of Quantgene. Launched in 2015, Quantgene works on the theory that most diseases can be detected far earlier by employing quantitative science and a new level of precision into medical practice.  Jo holds a Masters in Economics and Psychology from Tubingen University, one of Germany’s leading academic institutions, with a focus on financial theory and statistics. Prior to Quantgene, Jo began his career at WPP and Omnicom, where he held Strategy and Executive Director positions. ‍If you’d like to learn more about Quantgene and the solutions Jo and his team have developed, you can reach out to him on Twitter at @jobhakdi, email at jb@quantgene.com, or on quantgene.com and chooseserenity.com.

Hila Goldman-Aslan and her partners entered the start-up arena in an environment that encouraged healthcare innovation, actively sought out young minds and fresh ideas, and then deepened their support with funding.  The result: a fully functional AI imagining analysis solution that’s currently being used on the frontlines of today’s pandemic. In an industry that sees a nearly 95% failure rate for adoption, DiA Imaging Analysis may have had a supportive boost, but it took ingenuity, tenacity, and an understanding of the importance of relationship building to confidently present their solution to some of the biggest players in the healthcare technology industry - and then successfully bring it to market. In today’s episode, Hila recounts her company’s path to adoption, and the pivot they made to adjust for the COVID-19 pandemic. Our listeners will enjoy her candor and passion for healthcare innovation.  Here are the show highlights: The trick for partnering with big corporations like IBM and GE (6:01)  Why it’s foolish to think your product needs to be polished and perfect before pitching it to investors (9:04)  How to save millions of dollars on features and functionality that nobody wants (11:46)  Why it’s easier than you think to get in front of the right people at any company (14:30)  Tweaking this one little thing will help your product sell like hotcakes (20:15)  How the pandemic will make unusual ideas like AI more palatable (23:28) The reason physicians should celebrate AI instead of fearing it (26:15)  Why aggressively trying to sell backfires on you and what to do instead (33:58)  I've spoken with dozens of health innovators, and nearly everyone is trying to figure out their best pivot strategy. But they don't know what to change, how to pivot, or if their new pivot strategy is the right move. So I went into overdrive putting together a clear, actionable 5-step worksheet that will help you quickly define your most viable and profitable pivot path through the COVID crisis. And I’m giving it to you for FREE — no strings attached at https://www.Legacy-DNA.com/Pivot Guest Bio: Hila Goldman-Aslan is CEO and Co-Founder of DiA Imaging Analysis, a company that uses AI-based technology to help make ultrasound analysis smarter and more accessible to everyone in the healthcare field.  Holding a Master of Law (LLM) from Tel Aviv University, specializing in Commercial Law and a dual bachelor's degree in Law (LLB) and Business Administration (BBA), Hila knows how to get things done. Her determination and passion has served her well on her journey through the med-tech landscape and helped fuel DiA’s successful launch into the AI market. If you’d like to discuss the application possibilities of AI in imaging, or have additional questions or insights you’d like to discuss with Hila, you can reach at hila@DiA-Analysis.com or by visiting DiA Imaging Analysis at DiA-Analysis.com.

Being able to identify a need or problem in the healthcare industry takes creativity and knowledge.  A career on the clinical side helps. And an advanced business degree will send you into a whole new world of insights. But how do those insights help a health innovator navigate today’s disruptive COVID-economy and what might the future hold for an industry that’s stuck on pause?    In this episode, we talk with David Pearlstone, CEO of DICOM Director, about his involvement on both sides of the healthcare innovation equation: from the operating room to the boardroom.  David speaks with candor and experience as he regales our listeners with insights, tips, and personal anecdotes. Here are the show highlights: How unsatisfied clinicians can regain control of the hospitals and healthcare industry (5:17)  The case for using the profit motive to inspire better healthcare solutions (8:54)  How telehealth will eliminate up to 40% of doctor visits in the post-pandemic world (10:19)  The exact moment when you should leave the healthcare industry to help more people (20:03)  Why this economy is nothing like the economies of 2008 or 1929 (27:30)  The real (and slightly nefarious) reason doctors won’t refill prescriptions over the phone (32:59)  I've spoken with dozens of health innovators, and nearly everyone is trying to figure out their best pivot strategy. But they don't know what to change, how to pivot, or if their new pivot strategy is the right move. So I went into overdrive putting together a clear, actionable 5-step worksheet that will help you quickly define your most viable and profitable pivot path through the COVID crisis. And I’m giving it to you for FREE — no strings attached at https://www.Legacy-DNA.com/Pivot Guest Bio: David Pearlston is a surgical oncologist and CEO of DICOM Director, offering advanced solutions in medical imaging using full-3D holographic CT scan imaging in augmented and virtual reality, secure cloud storage for imaging, and quick, simple image sharing. As a lifelong learner, David stepped outside of his comfort zone as a physician, earned his business degree, and entered the world entrepreneurial startup ecosystem and he has not looked back. His unique insights into the clinical and business sides of healthcare brought him to DICOM Director and fuels his charge toward the future of healthcare innovation. If you’d like to reach out to David to learn more about DICOM, you can contact him at David.pearlstone@dicomdirector.com, on LinkedIn at DICOM Director, Facebook at DICOM Director, or on their website at dicomdirector.com.

As the pandemic continues, we’re finding out, more and more, how deep the roots of disruption from shelter-in-place orders and the upheaval of the national (and international) marketplace go. Innovators are now struggling to ask the hard questions: When do I scale back? When do I scale up? How can I ensure my company survives this turbulent and unpredictable market? All valid concerns and, unfortunately, there are no one-size-fits all answers. But what if you could pick the brain of an innovator whose company is poised to not only weather the disruption, but hit the ground running once it all quiets down to a “new normal?” What if you could access his decades of innovation experience in fields that cross the service continuum, including telecommunications and healthcare? You would. And you can. On this week’s episode, we have Eran Sofir, an innovation powerhouse who brings his experience in telecommunications, utilities, retail, and healthcare innovation. He speaks openly and candidly about current market conditions, while also offering his take on what the future might hold.  Here are the show highlights: The counterintuitive secret that the smartest investors don’t want you to know about investing (9:46)  How the pandemic has forced healthcare providers to finally take telehealth seriously (15:07)  Why smaller nursing home facilities gain a bigger advantage from telehealth than larger facilities (15:43)  How the pandemic will shift the financial trends in healthcare more than anything else in the last decade (17:21)  The biggest advantage healthcare innovators have right now thanks to the pandemic (18:15)  Here’s how to ease the adoption for your innovation after the crisis ends (26:08) The biggest opportunity you have right now that sets you up for easy sales when the crisis ends (31:34)  Why customer feedback is even more important today than before the pandemic hit (39:26)  The trick for hiring the top experts for product development without blowing through your burn rate (40:24) How to create a loyal and rabid following in the midst of the pandemic (42:04)  I've spoken with dozens of health innovators, and nearly everyone is trying to figure out their best pivot strategy. But they don't know what to change, how to pivot, or if their new pivot strategy is the right move. So I went into overdrive putting together a clear, actionable 5-step worksheet that will help you quickly define your most viable and profitable pivot path through the COVID crisis. And I’m giving it to you for FREE — no strings attached at https://www.Legacy-DNA.com/Pivot Guest Bio Eran Ofir is the CEO and Founder of Somatix, a provider of wearable-enabled RPM (remote patient monitoring) software for healthcare. Eran has a proven history of success in driving business growth and innovation, and building strong business relationships. His expertise working in industries from telecommunications to retail to healthcare gives him a unique perspective on what does and does not work when delivering technology-based solutions and providing customers with the value-driven services they’re looking for. Eran holds an MBA in finance and marketing and a BSc in electrical and electronic engineering from Tel Aviv University. If you want to reach out to Eran to learn more about Somatix’s solution, or to simply ask questions, you can reach him at www.somatix.com, or via email at info@somatix.com or erano@somatix.com.‍

Healthcare innovators are used to challenges when it comes to securing the funding necessary to bringing their solutions to market — but in today’s COVID-economy, those challenges have grown exponentially. Innovators have questions: What are their options for funding? Should they pivot their messaging? How can they stay relevant? Can going lean carry them through the crisis? In an economy full of unknowns, Kelli Murray brings her expertise and voice of reason to the table in a candid talk about today’s outlook and the future of healthcare innovation in the country. In this episode, Kelli touches on her experience on the funding side of healthcare innovation and offers our listeners her tips, insights and expertise.  Here are the show highlights: How the pandemic reveals if you actually have a product-market fit or not (5:14)  The “G-word” that you need to practice during the crisis to ensure your business thrives after the crisis ends (7:21)  Developing this during the pandemic is way more valuable to the long-term health of your business than making sales (7:52)  Does your business rely on face-to-face communication? Here’s how to “mimic” that interaction during quarantine… (13:15)  The trick to build a loyal and rabid following while helping people without blowing through your entire budget (16:08)  The easy way to create a massive impact in people’s lives doing nothing more than pressing “dial” on your phone (18:56)  How to continue to raise money when the economy crashes and the future is uncertain (22:11)  Tough questions you must ask yourself about your business in the midst of the pandemic (37:26)  I've spoken with dozens of health innovators, and nearly everyone is trying to figure out their best pivot strategy. But they don't know what to change, how to pivot, or if their new pivot strategy is the right move. So I went into overdrive putting together a clear, actionable 5-step worksheet that will help you quickly define your most viable and profitable pivot path through the COVID crisis. And I’m giving it to you for FREE — no strings attached at https://www.Legacy-DNA.com/Pivot Guest Bio: Kelli Murray is the Founder and CEO of MedSpeaks.com, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Health Innovators, and Managing Partner of Other Streets Advisors.   Kelli has dedicated her career to helping those in the healthcare community improve performance and strengthen their bottom lines. Kelli has leveraged her expertise in the healthcare field to assist startups and health innovators with understanding how to navigate the complex and high-touch industry and provide a bridge to private investment and collaboration in public and private sectors. If you would like to reach out to Kelli you can reach her by email at kelly@otherstreets.com or by visiting LinkedIn at MedSpeaks or MedSpeaks.com.

What happens when you launch a product just weeks before a pandemic hits? You learn to pivot, and pivot well, or you risk getting lost in the noise of COVID-19. Innovators who are used to in-person interactions with clients and prospects face a new challenge in the new COVID economy: being unable to utilize tried-and-true outreach. This poses many problems. Not only do you have to rethink how to get your message out, but now you have to get creative in order to get your message heard while trying to navigate digital options you might not be familiar with. However, what may seem insurmountable at first glance, becomes navigable with a little creativity and a bit of priority-shifting.  In this episode, MedRock founder and CEO Tony Rocklin tells us about his experience launching a product at the dawn of COVID-19 and how he’s using creative solutions to get his message heard and place his company in a stronger position when the post-COVID shift occurs.  Here are the show highlights: Why unplanned marketing tactics trump planned marketing tactics (9:57)  The trick for spending more time with your family, engaging your audience, and growing your business at the same time (10:27)  How to not have your business crumble before your feet when the pandemic takes you from 50 clients per day to 4 clients per day (13:27)  Bootstrapped hacks for raising money without giving up equity in your business (16:44)  2 reality-altering changes that will happen as we move into a post-pandemic world (20:44)  How to position yourself as a leader in your field — especially if it makes you queasy with discomfort (26:32)  The “journal method” for creating content that instantly eliminates your natural insecurities (27:57)  I've spoken with dozens of health innovators, and nearly everyone is trying to figure out their best pivot strategy. But they don't know what to change, how to pivot, or if their new pivot strategy is the right move. So I went into overdrive putting together a clear, actionable 5-step worksheet that will help you quickly define your most viable and profitable pivot path through the COVID crisis. And I’m giving it to you for FREE — no strings attached at https://www.Legacy-DNA.com/Pivot   Guest Bio Tony Rocklin is the CEO of MedRock, a company that designs and manufactures medical devices and sports medicine products that “get people moving and keep people moving.” Leveraging his 21 years experience as an orthopedic and sports physical therapist, Tony recognized an opportunity to fill a physical therapy need and designed HipTrac and HotRock, just two of the products developed by MedRock for use in rehabilitation sports performance-enhancement and personal well-being.   In addition to his credentials as a CEO and physical therapist, Tony is also the father of two and a husband who’s learning to balance work life and home life with healthy, positive approaches. For more information, reach out to Tony on Medrock.com

Being a pulmonologist and critical care physician gives Dr. Sandeep Jain unique insight into how our healthcare system works — and where some of its failings may be lurking.  After nearly 25 years working in a healthcare setting, Dr. Jain recognized a need for a better, less distracting way to facilitate quality communication between teams of doctors. That’s when he developed his ListenMD app. And it was the pandemic crisis that alerted him to additional patient needs that could be met by making adjustments and additions to his innovative solution. In this episode, Dr. Jain explains the process of development he’s gone through to bring ListenMD to fruition, how the pandemic inspired him to pivot and make adjustments to his solution, and the future of healthcare in a post-COVID culture.   Here are the show highlights: How the pandemic has forever changed medicine (17:41)  A surprising way the pandemic has improved healthcare (5:51)  The easy way to manage 40+ patients and their doctors without endless distractions (9:40)  How to capitalize on all the silver linings from the pandemic (16:49)  Why inferior products trump superior products and how to reverse that (13:31)  The sneaky way insurance companies sabotage the doctor-patient relationship with telemedicine (21:32)  Why telemedicine isn’t as effective as it could be and how to improve it (20:50) How to “tweak” your product to make it more effective for the pandemic (10:33)  Biggest challenges facing doctors and health innovators after the pandemic (32:52)  I've spoken with dozens of health innovators, and nearly everyone is trying to figure out their best pivot strategy. But they don't know what to change, how to pivot, or if their new pivot strategy is the right move. So I went into overdrive putting together a clear, actionable 5-step worksheet that will help you quickly define your most viable and profitable pivot path through the COVID crisis. And I’m giving it to you for FREE — no strings attached at https://www.legacy-dna.com/pivot Guest Bio Dr. Sandeep Jain is the CEO and Founder of ListenMD, a HIPAA compliant messaging app that intelligently delays a message per sender’s request, enabling efficient, less intrusive communication among doctors. He’s also a Pulmonologist and Critical Care doctor, which puts him on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Jain has practiced in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area since 1996 and splits his time between working in Intensive Care units and in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. If you would like to reach out to Dr. Jain to learn more about his app or to get involved, you can do so by visiting Listenmd.com or downloading the application ListenMD Doctor, which is physician facing, or ListenMD, which is patient facing. Both applications are free of charge during the current pandemic crisis.