Startup Physicians
StartUp Physicians is the podcast for doctors who dare to think beyond the clinic and hospital walls. Hosted by Dr. Alison Curfman, a practicing pediatric emergency physician and successful healthcare startup founder, this series empowers physicians to explore dynamic career opportunities in the healthcare startup world.
Dr. Alison Curfman brings a wealth of experience to the mic, having founded and grown a healthcare company that served over 25,000 patients and achieved a nine-figure valuation in just two years. She has worked as a consultant, advisor, and chief medical officer, helping early-stage companies secure major funding and develop innovative clinical models. Now, she’s passionate about sharing the lessons she’s learned to help other physicians thrive in the startup space.
Whether you’re looking to launch your own venture, become a consultant, or join a forward-thinking healthcare team, this podcast is your go-to guide. Each episode is packed with actionable advice on topics like personal branding, creating marketable services, and navigating the startup landscape. You’ll also hear from trailblazing physicians and industry leaders in private equity and venture capital, sharing their insights on why physician voices are essential in shaping the future of healthcare.
If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and build a career that excites and inspires you, StartUp Physicians will show you the way. New episodes drop every Wednesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Visit StartupPhysicians.com for resources, transcripts, and to connect with a community of like-minded doctors. It’s time to reimagine what’s possible for your career—and for healthcare.
Episodes
46 episodes
[Re-Release] Rethinking Healthcare: Adapting to the Startup Mindset
In this episode (a replay from earlier this year), we’re diving into how startups think and what we as physicians can learn from their approach to innovation. If you’ve ever wondered how design thinking, rapid iteration, and minimum viable prod...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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18:38
Transforming Pediatric Care Through Innovation with Dr. Janene Fuerch
In this episode of the Startup Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Janene Fuerch, neonatologist, entrepreneur, and Director of the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship. Janene shares how her path in academic medicine une...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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31:32
From ER to Innovation: Building New Healthcare Paths with Dr. Kevin Baumlin
In this episode of Startup Physicians, Dr. Alison Curfman interviews Kevin Baumlin, an emergency physician and Chief Medical Affairs Officer at the Science Center. They discuss the evolving role of physicians in healthcare startups,...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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33:24
The Startup Leap: One Doctor’s Path from Medicine to Product Innovation with Dr. Kieran McLeod
In this episode on Startup Physicians, I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Kieran McLeod, a former emergency physician who made the leap from clinical work in South Africa to building startups in Australia. We first connected on LinkedIn, and...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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44:41
Beyond the Clinic: Building Impact in Pharmaceutical Startups with Dr. Heather Lampel
In this episode on Startup Physicians, I sit down with Dr. Heather Lampel to talk about what it really looks like to move from traditional clinical medicine into the pharmaceutical startup space.Heather shares her story with clarity and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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27:17
Physicians Belong in AI: A Founder’s Path from Academia to Impact with Dr. Shakira Grant
On this episode of Startup Physicians, I interview Dr. Shakira Grant, who shares her remarkable journey from practicing medicine to influencing healthcare policy and AI development. We talk about the importance of health equity and the role phy...
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31:35
[Re-Release] From Pediatric Cardiologist to Health Tech Innovator with Dr. Bronwyn Harris
One of our most requested episodes — revisiting how Dr. Harris translated frontline insight into healthcare innovation at scale. Ever wondered how a physician can transition from clinical care to founding a successful digital health...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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40:11
[Re-Release] Startups, Strategy, and Serendipity: Navigating Healthcare Innovation with Dr. Paige Bhansali
Originally released in March 2025, this episode with Dr. Paige Bhansali remains one of our most downloaded and discussed conversations and we're bringing it back for anyone who missed it.What if you could break out of the traditional phy...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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35:27
Say Yes Before You’re Ready: A Physician's Path from Medicine to Tech with Dr. C.K. Wang
On this episode of Startup Physicians, I sit down with Dr. CK Wang, a medical oncologist who made the leap from clinical practice into the tech world. We talk about his transition from traditional oncology to leading roles at IBM Watson Health ...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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30:38
A Physician’s Leap from ER to Startup: Curiosity, Clarity, and Impact with Dr. Anurag Gupta
On this episode of Startup Physicians, I talk with Dr. Anurag Gupta about his journey from being an emergency physician to founding Tembo Health, a company dedicated to supporting older adults, especially those living with dementia. He shares t...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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34:00
From Inspiration to Impact: A Physician’s Journey to Scalable Solutions with Dr. Manju Dawkins
In this episode on Startup Physicians, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Manju Dawkins, founder of Thimble Health, a company transforming how we manage the physical and emotional stress of needle procedures. Manju shares her journey as a...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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31:33
From ICU to AI: How One Physician Made the Leap from Clinical to Startup Leadership with Dr. Darren Klugman
In this episode of Startup Physicians, I sit down with Dr. Darren Klugman — a pediatric cardiac intensive care physician who made the leap into health tech innovation. Together, we explore the critical role physician insight plays in s...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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31:19
From ER to CEO: How One Physician Built a Med Device Company by Solving What Others Ignored with Dr. Liz Clayborne
In this episode of Startup Physicians, Dr. Liz Clayborne shares her journey from being a medical resident to becoming the CEO and founder of Nasaclip, a medical device company focused on addressing the common issue of nosebleeds. She discusses ...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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32:39
Mini Episode: 3 Things You Can Do Now
In this episode, I share three actionable steps for physicians who are curious about stepping into the startup world. First, I talk about the importance of self-discovery., getting clear on your motivations, values, and what truly drives your i...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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14:53
Mini Episode: 3 Mistakes to Avoid
In this mini episode, I break down the three most common mistakes I see physicians make when stepping into the startup world and how to avoid them. I talk about why it’s so important to understand your real value, what it takes to adopt a true ...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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12:32
From Clinic to Cutting Edge: How Physicians Can Lead in AI and Innovation with Dr. Mark Allen
In this episode on Startup Physicians, I talk with Dr. Mark Allen about his journey from medicine into the tech industry and the transformative role AI is playing in healthcare. Mark shares the challenges he’s seen in adopting new technologies,...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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35:01
No MBA Needed: A Pediatrician’s Path to VP in Health Tech with Dr. Jennie Berkovich
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jennie Berkovich to explore how physicians are navigating non-traditional career paths, especially within telehealth and evolving care models. Jennie shares her journey from pediatric hospitalist to teleheal...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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34:06
From Function to Value: Why Startups Pay for Physician Expertise
In this episode on Startup Physicians, I break down how physicians create measurable business value for startups. Clinical expertise doesn't just improve care, it drives revenue growth, cost efficiency, and risk reduction. Most of us were never...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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25:57
The 7 Startup Functions Physicians Can Support
In this episode, I talk about how physicians can add real value to startups without leaving clinical practice. I break down seven core functions where we already have a competitive edge: product design, marketing, business development, clinical...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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32:06
Breaking the Mold: How a Practicing Physician Became a Startup Insider with Dr. Gina Clark
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Gina Clark to explore her unique journey from medicine into venture capital. Gina shares what it’s like to be a physician stepping into the role of a limited partner, how she evaluates and supports early-sta...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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27:49
Beyond the White Coat: Building a Startup Career from Private Practice with Dr. Payal Adhikari
In this episode of Startup Physicians, I sit down with Dr. Payal Adhikari, a pediatrician who made the leap from private practice into the startup world. We talk about what it takes to step into non-clinical roles and how networking, self-belie...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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32:01
Design Is Deconstruction First: Why Your Life, Business, and Startup Idea Need a Blank Page
In this conversation, I explore the intersection of design, business, and personal fulfillment—especially through the lens of healthcare innovation. I believe the best solutions often come from deconstructing problems, not just reacting to them...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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18:48
Think Like a Founder: A Venture Lens for Startup-Minded Physicians with Christopher Poole
In this episode on Startup Physicians, Chris Poole and I discuss the challenges and insights related to building startups in the healthcare sector. We emphasize the importance of starting with a clear problem, understanding unit economics, and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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32:43
Rethinking Risk: What Startups Miss Without Physicians at the Table with Isaac Edrah
What happens when clinical expertise meets data-driven financial modeling? In this episode, Dr. Alison Curfman sits down with Isaac Edrah, a healthcare actuary and founder of Paramean Solutions, to explore how physician insight can dramatically...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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30:52
From Tragedy to Traction: How Clinical Rigor Built a National Pediatric Innovation Movement with Dr. Dave McSwain
When a devastating clinical moment sparks a career in innovation, what happens next? In this powerful episode, Dr. Alison Curfman is joined by her longtime collaborator and friend, Dr. Dave McSwain — CMIO at UNC Health and co-founder of the nat...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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30:31