Medsider Mentors
Volume VII
Medtech is a space where bold ideas meet hard realities. But for those who persevere, you can truly change lives. It’s a field full of challenges, from securing funding and navigating regulatory hurdles to scaling new technologies and gaining market traction. It’s also one of the most rewarding areas to innovate in, because the work we do impacts real people.
That’s why we’re excited to bring you Medsider Mentors: Volume VII. These collections are all about learning from medtech entrepreneurs who’ve been in the trenches.
Jason Hannon on Proving Value Before Scaling Big
Jason Hannon’s journey spans law, leadership, and medtech milestones. As COO of NuVasive, he drove the company to remarkable revenue growth, and now, as President and CEO of Mainstay Medical, he’s tackling chronic low back pain with ReActiv8, an implantable neurostimulation system designed to restore spinal stability. Jason shares how early prototype testing can validate groundbreaking concepts without breaking the bank, why clinical trials must prove both patient and economic impact, and the keys to winning over skeptical investors.
Beth Rogozinski on Bringing Silicon Valley to Medtech
Beth Rogozinski, CEO of Oncoustics, has experience in digital health and FDA-cleared therapeutics, which she now applies to tackle liver disease diagnostics with AI-driven, cost-effective ultrasound analysis. Beth shares why early alignment with clinicians, payers, and regulators is critical, how to decide whether FDA clearance adds value to your product, and offers practical strategies for understanding payer ecosystems.
Dr. Bill Hunter on Reducing the Provider Burden in Healthcare
Dr. Bill Hunter, CEO of Canary Medical, is pioneering smart implant technology that turns medical devices into tools for real-time patient monitoring. Known for his role in innovations like the TAXUS drug-eluting stent, Bill now focuses on devices like Persona IQ, which tracks recovery progress after knee replacement surgery. He shares strategies for creating devices that fit seamlessly into healthcare workflows, why empowering patients can alleviate system-wide pressures, and how to focus on practical solutions that improve outcomes without adding complexity.
Dan Nardi on Bringing Treatments Into the Home
Dan Nardi, CEO of Reimagine Care, is bringing high-quality cancer care to patients where they are—at home. Dan has over 20 years of experience in healthcare IT and digital health, including helping scale Livongo to its IPO. Dan shares how to design win-win strategic partnerships, why early adopters are critical to proving ROI in healthcare, and how understanding the shift toward fee-for-value models can help startups position themselves for long-term success. He also offers insights on building the right team, choosing investors wisely, and crafting a business model that works for patients, providers, and payers alike.
Sumit Nagpal on Stage-Appropriate Thinking
From working with Steve Jobs at NeXT to leading Accenture’s global digital health initiative, Sumit Nagpal, founder and CEO of Cherish Health, has honed a talent for solving big problems with simple, scalable solutions. His latest venture, Cherish Health, uses radar-based sensors to monitor health and safety risks at home to offer proactive care for the elderly, frail, and those with chronic conditions. Sumit shares why a “stage-appropriate” framework—whether in funding, strategy, or leadership—is crucial for scaling a startup, how he draws inspiration across industries, why listening and pattern recognition are key to solving healthcare’s toughest problems, and how calculated partnerships can open doors to transformative growth.
Reinhard Krickl on Stripping Complexity for Better Outcomes
Phagenesis’ former CEO Reinhard Krickl has been pivotal in the company’s fight against dysphagia, a condition that impairs swallowing for half of stroke survivors. Under his leadership, Phagenesis developed a neurostimulation system that helps patients regain swallowing function. The device, already adopted across Europe, is now preparing for entry into the U.S. market, bolstered by a $40 million Series D funding round. Reinhard reflects on why simplicity in device design is key to adoption, shares his “market access checklist” for navigating commercialization, and opens up about the tough decision to step down as CEO to position the company for its U.S. launch.
Amar Sawhney on Creating ‘Wow’ Moments in Medtech
Amar Sawhney is a serial entrepreneur and prolific inventor of FDA-cleared products, including surgical sealants and spacers that have reached over 8 million patients worldwide. Currently, as CEO of Instylla, he’s leading the development of liquid embolics that shut down blood supply to tumors. With over 120 patents and a career built on bold solutions, Amar shares how he evaluates risks in medtech, designs clinical trials for success, and chooses the right initial indications for platform technologies. He also explains why startups should focus on creating immediate, undeniable value to pull market demand.
Bryan Lord on Building Momentum Despite Challenges
Bryan Lord calls himself “an entrepreneur trapped in a lawyer’s body.” After starting his career in law, Bryan navigated his way into tech and medtech, ultimately becoming CEO of Pristine Surgical. Today, he’s leading the charge with Summit, a single-use 4K digital arthroscope that simplifies endoscopy. Bryan shares lessons from his journey—how to protect competitive advantages with trade secrets, not just patents; why validating market demand always comes before technology development; and how he focuses on momentum, even in tough market conditions.
Brian Fahey on De-Risking Medtech Startups
When Brian Fahey found himself at the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Program, he discovered a passion for solving real-world healthcare problems. Today, as CEO of Adona Medical, Brian is leading the development of an interatrial shunt for heart failure that combines therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities. Brian shares insights on managing medtech’s three biggest risks: product-market fit, technical feasibility, and clinical validation. He explains how to assess ideas strategically, design smarter clinical trials, and how to approach fundraising with a time-efficient mindset.
