From Chaos to Order

From a humble beginning, simply observing doctors perform intricate image-guided procedures, to leading cutting-edge technological advancements in the vascular space, Sean Morris is a problem-solver with a genuine passion for improving lives.

Starting off selling medical devices for a budding company, AngioDynamics, Sean was inspired by doctors working in interventional radiology. However, his interest didn't just stop at observing. 

As the company grew, so did Sean's responsibilities. From medical device sales and sales management covering seven states, he moved up the ranks in the company through various roles, including product development, sales training, and marketing. Eventually, he became the Global Vice President of Marketing, overseeing three divisions.

“It wasn't merely a ladder of positions; it was a transformation fueled by learning, trial, and error. I learned a lot, got my face kicked in reading marketing books, old school stuff. It was like death by a thousand cuts," he reflects on his growth. He eventually found himself promoted to running the Peripheral Vascular Division, reporting to the board and CEO.

Behind this ascent, Eamonn Hobbs, the founder of AngioDynamics, was a guiding light. Sean sees Hobbs as his biggest mentor to this day, crediting Hobbs’ belief in him as a key driver of his success. Hobbs' trust was not just in words but also in deeds, always putting Sean in positions that challenged him to grow and take on more responsibility.

Sean's personal journey also played a crucial role in his career transitions. A promise to his wife to return to St. Louis after three years led to him moving on from AngioDynamics in 2009. This shift gave birth to ventures like Veniti, which was acquired by Boston Scientific in 2018.

As a passionate innovator whose heart is in creating pragmatic, mechanical solutions for clinical problems, Sean’s work with Amplifi now particularly stands out. The company, while still in its pre-clinical phase, promises a groundbreaking method to dilate veins for dialysis patients.

The preferred access for such patients is an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, linking a vein and artery. A larger initial vein diameter greatly improves AV fistula success, enhancing hemodialysis. Drawing inspiration from a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), Amplifi’s innovative solution uses an extracorporeal blood pump, mimicking a dialysis machine, to rapidly dilate the forearm's vein in days, offering physicians a stronger site and higher AV fistula success.

Key Learnings From Sean’s Experience

• The responsibility in a startup ultimately rests on the CEO’s shoulders — nothing is going to get done unless you do it. While this may seem daunting, embracing simplicity can be strategic to effectively tackle unpredictability. On top of that, seeking guidance from mentors and not being afraid to ask for help are important virtues for growth.

• Placing human-centric design, clinical data, empathy, and personal relations at the center of a venture is the key to providing true value to end-users.

• Engage potential acquirers and investors early on — not necessarily to sell or raise funds immediately but to understand if your startup's vision aligns with their long-term goals. Early feedback helps refine your pitch for the future.