Learning with Rishad

In this episode, I sat down with Ben, an orthopedic surgeon who is making a significant career change after 17 years. He's moving away from his clinical practice to a leadership role at Commons Clinic, a company focused on value-based care. In our conversation, we explored his motivations for this major pivot, the frustrations of the traditional healthcare system, and his vision for a future that seamlessly blends technology with human-centric care. Ben opened up about the "death by a thousand cuts" that he believes leads to physician burnout, highlighting issues like the tedious nature of EMRs and the complexities of regulations. He explained how his personal journey into entrepreneurship gave him a renewed sense of purpose, shifting his focus from treating one patient at a time to impacting healthcare on a broader scale. Our discussion also delved into the roles of AI and robotics in orthopedics, the challenges of implementing value-based care without "cherry-picking" patients, and the critical importance of shared decision-making in the patient-physician relationship. This episode is for anyone curious about the future of healthcare, the reality of physician burnout, and the exciting intersection of technology and medicine. Timestamps 00:07:48 - Ben's personal journey from being a surgeon to a leader in healthcare innovation. 00:11:27 - Ben shares what he'll miss most about being a surgeon and what he's happy to leave behind. 00:13:53 - We discuss if the entrepreneurial spirit is something you're born with or if it can be learned. 00:15:41 - Ben's thoughts on the future of arthritis treatments, beyond what's currently available. 00:18:50 - We talk about why so many doctors are burning out and how Ben managed to avoid it. 00:27:50 - The growing disconnect between doctors on the front lines and hospital administration. 00:30:00 - Ben reveals a major belief he's changed his mind on over the last few years. 00:41:18 - We explore the role of robotics and AI in the field of orthopedic surgery. 00:46:35 - Ben gives his take on a hot topic: Will AI replace doctors? 00:58:02 - We get into the complicated issue of patient liability in a "consumerized" healthcare system.

Join Rishad Usmani in a profound conversation with engineer and investor Ronjon Nag as they explore the very fabric of our existence in an age of rapidly advancing AI. This episode ventures far beyond typical tech talk, diving deep into philosophical questions about what constitutes reality, the elusive nature of consciousness (both human and artificial), the future of work in an era of abundance, and the persistent human drive for tribalism.Ronjon Nag, with his pragmatic engineering perspective, offers fascinating insights into how AI is not just changing technology, but reshaping our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. From the potential for an "aging vaccine" to the unsettling implications of a world where digital truth is easily manipulated, this episode will challenge your perceptions and spark new ways of thinking about humanity's trajectory.In this episode, you will learn:How engineers define reality: Beyond subjective perception, exploring the physical world and mental projections.The elusive nature of consciousness: A deep dive into different theories, from autonomous processes to quantum forces, and whether AI can ever truly achieve it.The "Artificial Consciousness Test": What it would take for a machine to truly feel and understand human concepts.The future of work in an AI-powered world: Will AI usher in an era of abundance where humans no longer need to work? The "lump of labor" theory vs. insatiable human desires.Human tribalism in a globalized world: Why do we cling to groups, and how might companies become the new "tribes" in a shifting power dynamic?The changing nature of truth: How AI's ability to create deepfakes and fake information threatens digital reality and elevates the importance of trusted curators and physical interaction.Moonshot thinking in longevity science: Ronjon's groundbreaking work on an mRNA "aging vaccine" and pan-cancer solutions.Guest Bio: Ronjon Nag is an accomplished engineer, inventor, and investor, with a deep expertise in AI, longevity sciences, and venture capital. His pragmatic approach to complex problems offers a unique lens through which to view the future of technology and its impact on humanity.

In this insightful episode, Rishad Usmani sits down with Niki Santo, co-founder and CEO of Swaza, a Silicon Valley biotechnology startup. Niki shares her compelling personal journey, marked by profound loss and a head injury in 2020, which led her to redefine her life's purpose and pivot into biotech entrepreneurship.Niki Santo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikivsanto/ Swaza: https://www.swaza.life/ Rishad Usmani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishadusmani/ HealthTech Investors: https://www.healthtechinvestors.com/ LearningwithRishad: https://www.learningwithrishad.com/

Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with Tanasi, a physician who has successfully transitioned into the world of venture capital, currently serving as a Venture Partner for Genesis Ventures, focusing on health tech, and as Chair of the board for Halo Health, Canada's physician angel group. We explore his unique journey, the fascinating differences between the Canadian and Greek venture ecosystems, and the crucial mindset shift required to move from the risk-averse world of medicine to the high-upside landscape of startup investing. Tanasi shares invaluable insights on identifying promising teams, the future of AI in healthcare, the evolving field of longevity medicine, and practical advice for physicians looking to enter the startup space.

Today, I'm joined by Artem Trotsyuk, an AI Fellow at Stanford, for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, especially within healthcare. Our conversation explores the fascinating intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and personal development, highlighting Artem's unique journey from aspiring doctor to a leader in AI ethics and innovation.We discuss how AI learns and adapts, drawing parallels to human "nature vs. nurture," and delve into the critical ethical considerations surrounding AI deployment in healthcare, from mitigating bias to ensuring patient safety. Artem also shares invaluable insights on the entrepreneurial path, particularly for academics transitioning into deep tech, emphasizing the often-underestimated importance of commercialization alongside groundbreaking technical solutions.

In this episode, I sit down with Sumitra, who offers a compelling dual perspective as a practicing physician and a venture capitalist at MedMountain Ventures. We explore his distinctive background, from his early fascination with neuroscience to his experiences in medical school and a notable period involved in political initiatives during his MBA studies. Sumitra provides candid insights into his criteria for evaluating founders, his views on the utility of psychological assessments in venture capital, and how his background in political dynamics informs his investment strategy within the complex healthcare sector. We also discuss the potential ramifications of artificial intelligence on both healthcare delivery and venture capital, the significance of empirical data in assessing opportunities, and Sumitra's personal reflections on ambition, resilience following burnout, and the value of focused, in-depth work. I conclude by sharing valuable advice from Sumitra for physicians considering entrepreneurship or investment roles.MedMountain Ventures (mmv.vc)Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity by Daron Acemoglu and Simon JohnsonMedPic (sales qualification framework)

In this episode, I, Rishad, have a fascinating and in-depth conversation with my friend and fellow innovator, Dr. Neil. We dive into the complex world of AI in healthcare, exploring everything from our personal quests for contentment in this digital age to the very real possibilities and ethical questions surrounding AI-powered diagnosis and prescription. Neil shares his firsthand experiences integrating AI tools into his busy family practice, his candid thoughts on the evolving role of physicians, and crucial advice for those daring to build the future of medicine within the regulatory landscape of AI.

In this episode, we sit down with Josh Lee, Co-founder and CEO of SeamlessMD, a leading platform helping hospitals guide patients through episodes of care. Josh shares his unique journey from medical school to founding a successful healthtech company selling into the complex hospital market. He pulls back the curtain on the realities of healthcare entrepreneurship, from securing those challenging first customers to building a high-performing team and navigating product strategy for scale. If you're interested in healthtech, B2B sales in healthcare, or the founder's path, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Joshua Liu: / joshuapliu SeamlessMD: https://www.seamless.md/ (0:00:16)

In this episode, I interview Ed about his diverse career path. Ed shares insights from his childhood as the son of immigrants in San Francisco, his journey through medicine from primary care to developing health technology, and his recent focus on lifestyle medicine. We discuss how early career experiences, like the introduction of EHRs, shaped his interests, the reasons physicians seek non-clinical roles, and his approach to balancing career ambitions with family and personal well-being. Ed also offers his perspective on the evidence behind lifestyle medicine, the potential of GLP-1 drugs, and the evolving role of physicians in the age of AI.

In this episode I discuss the Canadian venture ecosytem with Meryeme Lahmami, principle at Pender Ventures 00:00 introduction 02:10 First startup, radio frequency for vitals 09:00 Path to venture capital 14:30 Diligence process 18:30 Founder vs market 21:33 Impact of US tariffs 27:12 Is entrepreneurship innate? 30:40 Founder red flags 36:20 Intuition vs structure in investing 43:50 How should we increase early stage healthcare funding in Canada? Meryeme Lahmami: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meryeme-lahmami/ Pender Ventures: https://www.penderventures.com/ Rishad Usmani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishadusmani/ HealthTech Investors: https://www.healthtechinvestors.com/

In this episode I share my vipassana experience and my thoughts on reality.

Transcript

0:00 Introduction and childhood 2:34 Pursuing a bachelors in arts 5:46 From arts to business and AI 12:30 Thoughts on “Hire slow, fire fast” 14:25 How to avoid bad hires 20:30 Thoughts on remote work 24:55 If you could change one thing about Canadian healthcare, what would you change? 27:10 With infinite funds, what would you build in healthcare? 30:28 How do we deal with AI errors and drift? 34:45 Should AI be explainable? 37:45 Why aren’t hospitals innovative?

Chris is a urologist, senior partner and Linivan advisory group. He completed his bachelors and M.D. at Queens University and his MBA at Wilfred Laurier. He previously ran clinical trials, has been a practicing urologist for 17 years and routinely advises medical startups. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-borth-md-mba-219a8383/ Rishad Usmani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishadusmani/

It was a pleasure speaking with Neil, we talk about: 1. Introduction 2. AI chatbots for Healthcare 3. The liability problem with AI and medicine 4. The reimbursement problem with AI and medicine 5. Should we require explainability for AI clinical adoption 6. Can AI be conscious and should it have rights? 7. Should human creations be valued more than AI creations? 8. Future of physicians and AI in healthcare Neil Naik: / neil-naik Rishad Usmani: / rishadusmani

It was a pleasure speaking with Dr. Sohaib Siddiqui, he was very forthcoming with sharing several great insights from his experiences as an entrepreneur and investor. We talk about - His journey to running a family office fund - What he looks for in GPs - What he looks for in founders - Upcoming tailwinds in healthcare investing - Charm vs aptitude in predicting founder success - Can outsiders innovate in healthcare - His contrarian opinion in healthcare Sohaib Siddiqui: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sohaib-siddiqui-49284180/ Kettlebeck Ventures: https://www.kettlebeckventures.com/ Rishad Usmani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishadusmani/ HealthTech Investors: https://www.healthtechinvestors.com/

Spencer is the Vice Chair of Medicine and the Lead Informatics Physician at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I and very thankful to him for sharing his insights and thoughts on healthcare with me. We talk about: - The future of electronic health records - Opportunities for AI in healthcare - How to fix physician burnout - His thoughts on purpose - Explainability in AI - Value based care Spencer Dorn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerdorn/ Rishad Usmani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishadusm... HealthTech Investors: https://www.healthtechinvestors.com/

Karim is a deep thinker and I have been lucky to have several insightful conversations with him about all things healthcare. I am excited to share some of these with you. He previously was the CEO and co-founder of Mednow, raising $44 million and taking it public at a $150 million market cap. Correction: Karim meant to say Mckesson acquired Rexall and not RemedyRx Mednow: https://mednow.ca/ Karim: https://x.com/KarimsRealm Rishad: / rishadusmani HealthTech Investors: https://www.healthtechinvestors.com/

Sahir Ali is a the founding general partner of Modi Ventures, an early stage venture fund investing in tech-bio startups. He is also an LP in multiple funds including Draper Associates and Khosla Ventures. He is an accomplished entrepreneur and investor. We discuss his path to launching a venture fund, founder selection, decision making and more!Rishad Usmani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishadusmani/Healthtech Investors: https://www.healthtechinvestors.com/ Sahir Alir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahirzeeshan-ali/Modi Ventures: https://www.modivc.com/2:10 Why launch a venture fund?5:40 Hyper vs diligence7:40 Product vs founder11:34 Niche down or shotgun approach 14:40 Single gene mutation therapeutics 19:10 LP relationships24:00 Decision making framework28:10 Portfolio construction 37:40 What is the ideal emerging manager?45:30 Process vs outcomes, incentives49:40 Digital therapeutics52:52 Momentum investing57:35 Structure vs intuition1:01:55 First mover advantage1:06:40 War time vs peacetime ceo1:10:10 What's different about healthcare1:11:30 Can an outsider be successful in healthcare?1:14:40 What is your contrarian truth?1:18:40 Is VC a game of picking the best founders or making them?1:22:40 Intelligence vs consciousness 

Key takeaways: Selling a product or interviewing for a job isn’t about you, its about the customer, the user and the company respectively. Identify the world as it is, recognize the incentives and levers in place. After doing this, the path you should follow will be easier to pick. The easiest way to build a product is to build something for your past self. Books mentioned: Good to great by Jim Collins: https://a.co/d/8JGAoUx Naval Ravikants Almanac: https://a.co/d/ijoCcEv Rishad Usmani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishadusmani/ HealthTech Investors: https://www.healthtechinvestors.com/