Interview with Dr. David Albert
Guest
Founder of AliveCor
Dr. David Albert is a multifaceted individual — a physician, scientist, inventor, serial entrepreneur, YouTube sensation, and even an adventurous surfer. His academic journey led him from Duke University, where he completed both engineering and medical graduate studies, back to his roots at the University of Oklahoma. He already had several licensed inventions when he decided to stake it all on a new cardiovascular device. The gamble led him to found AliveCor, now a frontrunner in personal electrocardiograms (ECGs) under the renowned Kardia brand.
Close your eyes and imagine the scene with me. You’re at Grandma Betty’s house for a family gathering. Suddenly, Grandma Betty begins to experience chest pain. She’s had some issues with her heart in the past. But could this be it? Could Grandma Betty really be having a heart attack? Your normal reaction would be to call 911, right? Not this time. Instead, you simply pull out your iPhone and use AliveCor’s ECG app to detect Grandma’s heart rhythm. And thankfully, her heart appears to be normal this time.
No, this isn’t a science fiction story. The iPhone ECG app is real…and very close to a FDA approval. In this interview with Dr. David Albert, we learn about his incredible journey in bringing the ECG app to market.
Interview Highlights with Dr. David Albert
The amazing story of how AliveCor’s iPhone ECG app helped save a man’s life while on an airplane!
What is the iPhone ECG app and how does it actually work?
Two disruptive features of the iPhone ECG app: Cloud and Cost
The roller coster ride Dr. Albert experienced in his pursuits to develop the ECG app.
Five key lessons you can learn from Dr. Albert’s experiences: 1) Be stubborn; 2) Use sounding boards; 3) Protect your IP; 4) Stay patient; and 5) Make a demo.
Where does Dr. Albert’s interest in gadgets come from? Hint: It’s personal.
Dr. Albert’s advice for ambitious doers: 1) Believe in your ideas; 2) Don’t be afraid to swim against the stream.
