MedTech Trailblazers
Allan Will is one of the founding architects of the medtech industry. Raised by parents who were outspoken supporters of equality and human rights, his desire to help people, passion for science, and business acumen came together in an early job helping Abbott Labs expand into interventional medicine. Just five years later, he was leading DVI, one of the first atherectomy companies, from a 16-person team to a 600-person powerhouse. With a leadership style marked by a patient-centric focus, high expectations, relentless questioning, and an emphasis on authenticity, he helped bring forth...
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Allan Will is one of the founding architects of the medtech industry. Raised by parents who were outspoken supporters of equality and human rights, his desire to help people, passion for science, and business acumen came together in an early job helping Abbott Labs expand into interventional medicine. Just five years later, he was leading DVI, one of the first atherectomy companies, from a 16-person team to a 600-person powerhouse. With a leadership style marked by a patient-centric focus, high expectations, relentless questioning, and an emphasis on authenticity, he helped bring forth...
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Sam Conaway is the president of U.S. Cardiology Sales for and the chair of the company’s Close the Gap program, which seeks to eliminate treatment disparities in underserved populations. He has been recognized as one of the most influential Black executives in corporate America (SAVOY Magazine), and in healthcare (BlackDoctor.org), and was the first recipient of the ’s "Pulse-Setter Leader Award" for his commitment to advancing health equity. Sam’s road to these achievements, however, was littered with obstacles that could easily have been roadblocks. Sam grew up poor, in a rough...
info_outlineMedTech Trailblazers
Sam Conaway is the president of U.S. Cardiology Sales for and the chair of the company’s Close the Gap program, which seeks to eliminate treatment disparities in underserved populations. He has been recognized as one of the most influential Black executives in corporate America (SAVOY Magazine), and in healthcare (BlackDoctor.org), and was the first recipient of the ’s "Pulse-Setter Leader Award" for his commitment to advancing health equity. Sam’s road to these achievements, however, was littered with obstacles that could easily have been roadblocks. Sam grew up poor, in a rough...
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Kendal Whitlock is a problem solver. In her current position as the Head of Digital Optimization, RWE Clinical Trials for Walgreens Boots Alliance, she is working to make it possible for all patients to participate in medical research, regardless of where they live, through decentralized clinical trials and enabling digital technologies. In this second episode of a two-part interview with Andrew Cleeland, CEO of Fogarty Innovation, Kendal describes her career path, explains Walgreens' "game changing" approach to clinical trial recruitment, and reflects on learning from failure and being true...
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Kendal Whitlock is a problem solver. In her current position as the Head of Digital Optimization, RWE Clinical Trials for Walgreens Boots Alliance, she is working to make it possible for all patients to participate in medical research, regardless of where they live, through decentralized clinical trials and enabling digital technologies. Kendal’s journey has always been about leveraging her passion for scientific evidence with her desire to be a bridge between that information and the communities and people who need it. Shaping her path has been a series of influential mentors – from her...
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In this second of two parts, serial innovator and entrepreneur Mir Imran rejoins Andrew Cleeland, CEO of Fogarty Innovation, to discuss his reluctant path through medical school, the inspiration that led him to develop the first automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator, how he views innovation and chooses problems to solve, and the stories behind the founding of Ventritex and Rani Therapeutics. Mir has spent 40 years developing and commercializing breakthrough medical technologies that have saved millions of lives. He has founded more than 20 life science companies including Ventritex,...
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Mir Imran has an insatiable interest in unsolved clinical problems and a relentless entrepreneurial drive. The result has been a 40-year career developing and commercializing breakthrough medical technologies that have saved millions of lives. Mir has helped shape the medical device industry, founding more than 20 life science companies including Ventritex, Cardiac Pathways, Percusurge and most recently, Rani Therapeutics. Most of these startups have been acquired by larger companies or gone public. In this episode, Mir joins Andrew Cleeland, CEO of Fogarty Innovation, to share the insights...
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World-renowned physician, venture capitalist and prolific entrepreneur, John Simpson, MD, rejoins Andrew Cleeland to discuss the impact he's had on the future generation of medtech innovators. Credited with inventing and commercializing the first over-the-wire balloon catheter used for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and helping to create the field of interventional cardiology, John also founded and successfully exited numerous companies, including Advanced Cardiovascular Systems (ACS) and Devices for Vascular Intervention (DVI), which were both acquired by Eli Lily;...
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A husband, father, world-renowned physician, venture capitalist and prolific entrepreneur, , MD, has helped revolutionize the field of cardiology via his innovations. Credited with inventing and commercializing the first over-the-wire balloon catheter used for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and helping to create the field of interventional cardiology, John also founded and successfully exited numerous companies, including Advanced Cardiovascular Systems (ACS) and Devices for Vascular Intervention (DVI), which were both acquired by Eli Lily; CVIS, acquired by...
info_outline“In addition to the vast impact his inventions have had, I believe Paul’s multifaceted legacy will be kept by his influence on the innovators of today and generations well into the future." The iconic Paul Yock, MD, joins Andrew Cleeland as he provides a glimpse into his stellar career as an accomplished physician, innovator and educator.
Paul is the Martha Meier Weiland Professor of Medicine, founding co-chair of Stanford’s department of bioengineering and founder of the Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign. He is known for his inventions that have improved care for millions of people around the world, including the Rapid Exchange stenting and balloon angioplasty system and the Smart Needle.
Resources: Fogarty Innovation: www.fogartyinnovation.org MedTech Trailblazers podcast: www.medtechtrailblazers.libsyn.com Paul Yock, MD, bio: www.profiles.stanford.edu/paul-yock Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign: www.biodesign.stanford.edu