Outcomes Rocket

Saul Marquez

The Outcomes Rocket podcast brings you conversations with the healthcare leaders actually building the future of care. Hosted by Saul Marquez, founder and CEO of Outcomes Rocket and a 17 year medical device veteran.

Every episode goes deep with one operator: a health system executive, a medtech commercial leader, a health tech founder, a clinician, an investor. They talk about what they’re building, what broke along the way, and what they’d do differently.

With more than 2,000+ episodes in the archive, this is one of the largest libraries of healthcare leadership interviews anywhere. No fluff, no press release talk. Just people who’ve done the work telling you how they did it.

If you’re responsible for outcomes, revenue, or both, you’ll leave each episode with something you can use this week.

New episodes weekly.

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Thursday · 19 min
Beyond AI Hype: Building Trusted Hospital Robotics with Sultan Mehrabi, CEO of Relay Robotics, and Craig Anderson, Vice President of Innovation at BayCare
What happens when a hospital trusts a robot as much as one of its own team members? In this episode of Outcomes Rocket, Saul Marquez speaks with Sultan Mehrabi, CEO of Relay Robotics, and Craig Anderson, Vice President of Innovation at BayCare, about how autonomous delivery robots are transforming hospital operations through a collaborative innovation partnership. They explain how Relay robots safely transport lab samples, medications, and other critical items, allowing nurses and pharmacy staff to spend more time on direct patient care while maintaining a secure chain of custody and reliable delivery. The conversation highlights that successful healthcare innovation depends less on adopting AI for its own sake and more on solving real workflow problems through close collaboration, user adoption, and continuous improvement. They also discuss why reliability, trust, and seamless integration into hospital infrastructure are essential for autonomous robotics to become accepted by clinicians, patients, and health systems alike. Learn how one health system is using autonomous robotics to improve patient care, reduce staff workload, and redefine what successful healthcare innovation really looks like! Resources: Connect with and follow Sultan Mehrabi on LinkedIn. Follow Relay Robotics on LinkedIn and explore their website! Connect with and follow Craig Anderson on LinkedIn. Follow BayCare on LinkedIn and explore their website!
Wednesday · 12 min
Building the Next Generation of Robotic Surgery with David Fischel, Chairman and CEO of Stereotaxis
What if the next breakthrough in surgical robotics isn't happening in the operating room, but inside the blood vessels? In this episode, David Fischel, Chairman and CEO of Stereotaxis, shares how the company is pioneering robotic endovascular surgery through an integrated platform of robotics, proprietary catheters, and digital technologies. He explains why successful surgical robotics requires an entire ecosystem that seamlessly connects devices, software, imaging, and physician workflows. David also reflects on Stereotaxis' transformation through nearly a decade of investment in research and development, regulatory milestones, and commercialization. Together, we discuss how intelligent robotics could make complex cardiovascular and neurovascular procedures safer, more precise, and more accessible in the years ahead. Tune in to hear how Stereotaxis is redefining robotic intervention, why ecosystem thinking is critical for healthcare innovation, and what the future of intelligent surgery could look like for physicians and patients! Resources: Connect with and follow David Fischel on LinkedIn. Follow Stereotaxis on LinkedIn and explore their website!
Tuesday · 9 min
The Rise of Incisionless Surgery: A New Era for Men's Health with Tom Tamberrino, Chief Commercial Officer of Profound Medical
What if prostate cancer could be treated without a single incision, and patients could be home having dinner with their families the very same day? In this episode, Tom Tamberrino, Chief Commercial Officer of Profound Medical, discusses how the company's MRI-guided TULSA-PRO technology is changing prostate treatment through incisionless, minimally invasive procedures. He explains how focused ultrasound, AI-assisted treatment planning, and real-time MRI guidance enable physicians to treat both prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia while allowing patients to return home the same day. Tom also explores how new Medicare reimbursement is making the technology financially viable for urology practices, potentially expanding access to MRI-guided care outside traditional hospital settings. He concludes by highlighting the importance of men's health advocacy and introducing LetsHuddle.org, a community designed to encourage open conversations about prostate health and mental well-being. Tune in to learn how MRI-guided focused ultrasound, AI-assisted treatment planning, and a patient-first approach are redefining prostate care, and why the future of surgery may involve no scalpel at all. Resources: Connect with and follow Tom Tamberrino on LinkedIn. Follow Profound Medical on LinkedIn and explore their website! Discover the Let’s Huddle website!
August 6 · 13 min
AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement for MedTech Expertise with Mike Stuedemann, Co-Founder and Principal Consultant at agilityIRL
Move faster without losing focus: why medtech innovation must balance agility, regulation, and patient needs. In this episode, Mike Stuedemann, Co-Founder and Principal Consultant at agilityIRL, discusses how medical device companies can use agile techniques to accelerate product development while maintaining FDA compliance. He explores the regulatory challenges surrounding AI-enabled devices, particularly as technologies continue to learn and evolve after launch. Mike also explains how AI can support quality and regulatory teams by identifying potential risks, flagging requirements for review, and reducing manual work without replacing human expertise. Finally, he shares why personalized medicine, responsible data use, and practical applications of "boring AI" can drive more meaningful innovation while keeping accessibility, affordability, and patient outcomes at the center. Tune in to learn how agile development, human oversight, and patient-centered innovation can help medtech companies navigate a rapidly changing industry! Resources: Connect with and follow Mike Stuedemann on LinkedIn. Follow agilityIRL on LinkedIn and explore their website. Listen to the Take5 IRL podcast here.
August 5 · 18 min
ASC Insights: Making Advanced Monitoring More Accessible For Surgery Centers
Advanced patient monitoring becomes more practical for ASCs when innovation is integrated, scalable, and built around real outpatient workflows. In this episode, Blake Tatum, Vice President of US Commercial for Medtronic Acute Care and Monitoring, and Mike Lessick, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Patient Monitoring, and Life Support for Mindray North America, discuss how their expanded partnership is helping ambulatory surgery centers access hospital-level monitoring technology in a simpler, more affordable way. They explain how Medtronic technologies, including Nellcor™ SpO2 monitoring, Microstream™ capnography, BIS™ brain monitoring, and INVOS™ tissue oximetry, can be integrated into Mindray’s ASC-focused monitoring platform. Blake highlights how the partnership reduces complexity, enables faster access to innovation, and provides ASCs with flexible options to scale technology over time. Mike shares how a single integrated platform can reduce cognitive load for clinicians, streamline purchasing and training, and support stronger connectivity with electronic medical records. Tune in to learn how integrated monitoring partnerships can help ASCs improve efficiency, support clinical quality, and prepare for the next wave of outpatient care. Resources: Connect with and follow Blake Tatum on LinkedIn. Follow Medtronic on LinkedIn and discover their website! Follow Mindray on LinkedIn and discover their website!
August 4 · 29 min
When Success Starts to Feel Misaligned: How Leaders Can Recognize Drift and Return to Clarity with Kristi Huber
Burnout often does not happen all at once. For many leaders, it starts with small moments of drift away from their vision, voice, values, and vitality. In this episode, Kristi Huber, Founder of Perspective Shift Consulting, discusses how leaders can recognize and prevent leadership drift before it leads to burnout. Drawing from her own lived experience, she explains why high achievers are especially vulnerable to overcommitting, losing alignment, and operating on autopilot. Kristi introduces the Radical Clarity Compass as a practical framework for helping leaders and teams pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most. The conversation explores how greater self-awareness and intentional leadership can create healthier, more sustainable success. Tune in to hear how intentional pauses, clearer priorities, and stronger alignment can help leaders return to clarity, energy, and purpose! Resources: Connect with and follow Kristi Huber on LinkedIn and visit her website. Follow Perspective Shift Consulting on LinkedIn and explore their website.
August 4 · 7 min
Start Earlier Than You Think: A Proactive Approach to MedTech Quality with Joseph McGonnigal, Account Manager at Rook Quality Systems
Start earlier than you think: why proactive quality and regulatory planning can save medtech companies time, money, and costly remediation. In this episode, Joseph McGonnigal, Account Manager at Rook Quality Systems, discusses how medtech companies can build stronger quality management systems and better prepare for regulatory submissions. He explains how AI can help teams lay the foundation for high-quality documentation, while emphasizing that experienced professionals remain essential to review outputs, address technical details, and ensure compliance. Joseph also explores the growing regulatory complexity surrounding software-as-a-medical-device, AI-enabled technologies, and de novo submissions. Finally, he shares why startups should document decisions early, establish quality processes from the outset, and avoid waiting until regulatory issues become costly problems. Tune in to learn how early documentation, expert guidance, and proactive quality management can help medtech companies move toward regulatory approval with greater confidence! Resources: Connect with and follow Joseph McGonnigal on LinkedIn. Follow Rook Quality Systems on LinkedIn and explore their website!
July 30 · 17 min
Why MedTech Must Stop Using New Technology to Build Old Solutions with Anekant Jain, Manager, Polymer Technologies at EOS
From generic implants to patient-specific solutions: how additive manufacturing is expanding what is possible across medtech. In this episode, Anekant Jain, Manager, Polymer Technologies at EOS, discusses how industrial additive manufacturing is transforming healthcare by enabling the production of customized implants, prosthetics, dental devices, and other patient-specific technologies. He explains why additive manufacturing extends far beyond traditional 3D printing, requiring scalable production, qualified materials, reliability, and repeatable outcomes. Anekant also explores how advances in sensors, materials, and manufacturing are creating more responsive prosthetics with haptic feedback and stronger integration with the human body. Finally, he examines the barriers to broader adoption, including qualification processes, reimbursement, cost, and access, and explains why the industry must rethink what is possible rather than simply reproducing traditional solutions. Tune in to learn how additive manufacturing, customization, and cross-industry collaboration are pushing the boundaries of medical innovation! Resources: Connect with and follow Anekant Jain on LinkedIn. Follow EOS on LinkedIn and explore their website at eos.info.
July 28 · 12 min
From Portfolio to Pipeline: Caitlin Mayer's Playbook for Modern MedTech Growth
What separates companies that consistently grow from those that simply launch products? In this episode, Caitlin Mayer, Senior Director of U.S. Marketing for Medtronic's Acute Care & Monitoring business, shares the go-to-market principles that have helped her team build stronger customer partnerships, align cross-functional teams, and accelerate growth through portfolio-based marketing. Drawing on real-world experience leading commercialization strategies in one of healthcare's fastest-growing care settings, Caitlin explains why today's customers expect more than products. They expect solutions that improve workflows, deliver economic value, and solve meaningful operational challenges. She also shares the planning process her team uses to unite marketing, sales, clinical, and product teams around a single business objective, creating the alignment needed to execute consistently and drive measurable results. What you'll learn: 1. Why portfolio selling creates stronger customer partnerships than product-centric selling. 2. How customer insights should shape positioning, segmentation, and go-to-market strategy. 3. How cross-functional alignment creates better execution and measurable business results. 4. A practical framework for moving from product launches to sustainable revenue growth. About Caitlin Mayer: Caitlin Mayer is the Senior Director of U.S. Marketing for Medtronic's Acute Care & Monitoring business. With more than 15 years of experience in healthcare marketing, she specializes in customer-centered go-to-market strategy, cross-functional alignment, and building commercial programs that drive measurable growth. Resources: • Connect with Caitlin Mayer on LinkedIn • Follow Medtronic on LinkedIn • Explore the Medtronic website
July 23 · 9 min
Why FDA Guardrails Still Matter in a Fast-Moving MedTech Industry with Suzanne Levy Friedman, Partner at Honigman
As AI and software become embedded in more medical technologies, companies must balance the pressure to innovate quickly with the responsibility to protect patients. In this episode, Suzanne Levy Friedman, Partner at Honigman, discusses how medical device and digital health companies can navigate evolving FDA regulations and bring products to market more efficiently. She explains how regulatory counsel helps organizations determine whether products fall under FDA oversight, distinguish wellness technologies from regulated devices, and build effective commercialization strategies. Suzanne also explores the growing tension between rapid innovation, particularly in AI, and the FDA's responsibility to protect public health. Finally, she shares how clearer regulatory guidance and early legal involvement can help manufacturers avoid costly setbacks and better operationalize compliance. Tune in to learn how early regulatory planning can help medtech companies innovate responsibly, reduce risk, and bring valuable technologies to patients more efficiently! Resources: Connect with and follow Suzanne Levy Friedman on LinkedIn. Follow Honigman on LinkedIn and explore their website. Contact Suzanne at sfriedman@honigman.com.
July 22 · 14 min
What Medtech Leaders Need to Know About AI Adoption with Danny Chu, VP of High Tech at Globant
In fast-moving technology markets, innovation only creates value when companies can connect it to real business outcomes and bring people along through change. In this episode, Danny Chu, VP of High Tech at Globant, shares what he is seeing at the intersection of AI, robotics, and medtech from the floor of DeviceTalks in Boston. He discusses how minimally invasive technologies are reshaping care delivery and why AI represents a major inflection point for both service providers and customers. Danny explains that successful adoption requires more than advanced technology, emphasizing change management, human safety, and measurable business outcomes such as revenue growth, cost reduction, and operational efficiency. He also highlights the importance of modeling edge cases before scaling automation and maintaining a people-first approach throughout technology transformation. Tune in to learn how leaders can approach AI and robotics with a stronger focus on people, outcomes, and long-term adoption. Resources: Connect with and follow Danny Chu on LinkedIn or reach out via email. Follow Globant on LinkedIn and explore their website.
July 21 · 21 min
Improving Care, Cost, and Throughput Through Clinical Decision Support with Dr. Brian Fengler, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of EvidenceCare
Better clinical decisions require more than evidence; they also require the right information inside the physician’s workflow at the moment it matters. In this episode, Dr. Brian Fengler, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of EvidenceCare, explains how clinical decision support helps health systems improve patient care while addressing operational and financial challenges. He discusses how EvidenceCare integrates directly into EHR workflows to guide physicians, reduce administrative burden, improve revenue capture, and increase visibility into utilization and costs. Brian also explores how the BetterCare platform supports the patient journey through AdmissionCare, CareGauge, and Care Insights by providing real-time feedback on care variation and performance. Finally, he shares his perspective on how AI and ambient documentation are reshaping physician workflows and enhancing the patient experience. Tune in to learn how actionable data, workflow integration, and physician engagement can help health systems deliver better care while improving efficiency and financial performance! Resources: Connect with and follow Dr. Brian Fengler on LinkedIn. Follow EvidenceCare on LinkedIn and explore their website. Listen to the BetterCare Podcast here
July 20 · 8 min
From Data Silos to Smarter Medical Device Manufacturing with Seth Rowan, Director of Business Development at Harmac Medical Products
Medical technology is evolving faster than many manufacturers can adapt to, and falling behind can now happen in months rather than years. In this episode, Seth Rowan, Director of Business Development at Harmac Medical Products, discusses how AI, data integration, and digital transformation are reshaping medical device manufacturing. He explains why clean data is essential for successful AI adoption, how manufacturers can identify bottlenecks before they grow, and why companies need scalable manufacturing partnerships to bring single-use medical devices from design through commercialization. Tune in to learn how manufacturers can turn rapidly changing technology into practical solutions without losing sight of execution, quality, and scale. Resources: Connect with and follow Seth Rowan on LinkedIn. Follow Harmac Medical Products on LinkedIn and explore their website!
July 16 · 12 min
Adoption, Not Technology, Is the Real Healthcare Challenge with Nayan Patel, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Transformation and Digital Health at Neteera
Touchless patient monitoring is making it easier to track patient health without adding more burden to clinicians. In this episode, Nayan Patel, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Transformation and Digital Health at Neteera, discusses how contactless patient monitoring can bridge care gaps and alleviate nurse burnout. Drawing on his extensive background as a healthcare CIO, Nayan emphasizes that new technology must actively solve workflow bottlenecks rather than adding tasks to a clinician's plate. He explains how Neteera's FDA-cleared, camera-free radar technology continuously tracks vital signs like heart and respiratory rates directly through bedding and clothing. Ultimately, by seamlessly integrating these passive alerts into daily routines, health systems can predict patient deterioration days in advance and smoothly transition toward virtual care models. Tune in to learn how touchless monitoring could shape the future of patient care! Resources: Connect with and follow Nayan Patel on LinkedIn. Follow Neteera on LinkedIn and explore their website.
July 15 · 15 min
Usable Data Is the Key to Usable AI in Healthcare with Stan Schneider, CEO of Real-Time Innovations
AI and robotics are creating new possibilities in healthcare, but turning prototypes into real-world systems takes reliable data, timing, and production-ready infrastructure. In this episode, Stan Schneider, CEO of Real-Time Innovations, explains how RTI powers intelligent distributed systems across healthcare, robotics, autonomous vehicles, defense, and other highly regulated industries. He discusses why RTI acts as the "nervous system" for physical AI, connecting algorithms, sensors, and actuators to deliver the right data at the right time. Stan also explores why high-quality, usable data is the foundation of safe and effective AI, particularly in healthcare and robotics. The conversation covers FDA certification, production readiness, integrating AI into clinical workflows, and why human judgment remains essential in care decisions. Tune in to hear how RTI is helping healthcare innovators move from promising prototypes to real-world intelligent systems! Resources: Connect with and follow Stan Schneider on LinkedIn. Follow Real-Time Innovations on LinkedIn and explore their website!
July 14 · 24 min
Beyond Technology: Solving Real Clinical Problems with Robotics with Yossi Bar, CEO and Founder of LEM Surgical
Hard tissue robotics may be ready for a major leap forward, but only if the industry stops treating surgical robots as single-purpose robotic arms. In this episode, Yossi Bar, CEO and Founder of LEM Surgical, explores the next evolution of surgical robotics and why hard tissue innovation is just getting started. Drawing on nearly two decades in medical devices, he explains why hard tissue robotics has trailed soft tissue robotics and why system architecture matters more than hardware alone. Yossi breaks down the difference between a robotic arm and a true surgical humanoid, highlighting the roles of vision, proprioception, and multi-tool operation. He also shares how AI and humanoid-inspired, general-purpose robotic platforms could expand clinical capabilities and shape the future of surgery. Tune in to hear why the best part of surgical robotics may still be ahead! Resources: Connect with and follow Yossi Bar on LinkedIn. Follow LEM Surgical AG on LinkedIn and explore their website.
July 13 · 5 min
Why Embedded Recruiting Is Becoming Essential for Scaling Medtech Companies with Joe Solari, Managing Director at ZRG Partners, and Lori Prehar, Managing Director of Embedded Recruiting at ZRG
Robotics and automation are accelerating across healthcare, but scaling innovation still depends on having the right people in place. In this episode, Joe Solari, Managing Director at ZRG Partners, and Lori Prehar, Managing Director of Embedded Recruiting at ZRG, discuss how robotics, automation, and AI are transforming medtech, healthcare operations, and talent strategy. Joe explains how robotics can improve efficiency, reduce clinician burnout, and help healthcare organizations scale as automation expands. Lori shares why embedded recruiting has become an effective solution for companies navigating uncertain hiring needs and growth plans. They also explore the opportunities and risks of AI, including its impact on recruiting, compliance, security, and robotics. Tune in to hear how robotics, automation, AI, and flexible recruiting models are shaping the future of healthcare growth! Resources: Connect with and follow Joe Solari on LinkedIn Connect with and follow Lori Prehar on LinkedIn. Follow ZRG on LinkedIn and explore their website!
July 9 · 13 min
Why People Are the Real Competitive Advantage in the Age of AI with Mike Silverstein, Managing Partner of Healthcare IT and Life Sciences at Direct Recruiters
In an AI-driven market, technology may be easier to replicate, but the right people remain a true competitive advantage. In this episode, Mike Silverstein, Managing Partner of Healthcare IT and Life Sciences at Direct Recruiters, discusses what healthcare companies often get wrong when building their teams. He explains why leaders should value grit over impressive résumés, how passive candidates can strengthen an organization, and why healthcare requires patience, resilience, and industry understanding. Mike also shares how beginning his recruiting career during the 2008 financial crisis helped him develop the relationships and determination needed to navigate future challenges. He emphasizes that lasting success comes from authenticity, meaningful networks, and consistently putting people first. Tune in to learn how healthcare organizations can build teams capable of thriving through uncertainty, technological change, and continued industry disruption. Resources Connect with Mike Silverstein on LinkedIn. Follow Direct Recruiters on LinkedIn and explore their website. Email Mike at mike@directrecruiters.com
July 9 · 23 min
Playing Nicely with Friends: How to Make Choices on Portfolio Co-positioning with Lumanity’s Jakub Kaczor, VP, Strategy Consulting, and Peter Smith, SVP, Strategy Consulting
Pharma portfolios can create powerful opportunities, but without clear positioning, brands can end up competing with each other. In this episode, Lumanity’s Jakub Kaczor, VP, Strategy Consulting, and Peter Smith, SVP, Strategy Consulting, discuss the complexities of portfolio positioning in the pharmaceutical industry. The guests explain that while a focused R&D strategy drives commercial growth and sustained innovation, it also creates a paradox where a company's own assets can end up competing against each other in the same disease area. To mitigate internal rivalry and maximize commercial potential, they advise companies to begin co-positioning early and follow a structured planning process, grounded in market reality. Ultimately, achieving portfolio success requires overcoming brand egos through a collaborative mindset, establishing clear governance under a dedicated portfolio owner, and designing strategies that anticipate the future competitive landscape. Tune in to learn how pharma teams can reduce internal competition, improve customer clarity, and build stronger portfolios that serve both patients and commercial goals! Resources: Connect with and follow Jakub Kaczor on LinkedIn. Connect with and follow Peter Smith on LinkedIn. Follow Lumanity on LinkedIn and explore their website! Learn more about this series we're doing with Lumanity here: https://lumanity.com/commercialization-podcasts/
July 8 · 14 min
From Data-Rich to Data-Actionable: Solving the Medical Device Data Dilemma with Etienne Nichols, MedTech Guru at Greenlight Guru
Medical technology is moving quickly, and the companies that succeed will be the ones that stay connected, think strategically, and solve the right problems. In this live episode from DeviceTalks Boston, Etienne Nichols, MedTech Guru at Greenlight Guru and host of the Global Medical Device Podcast, discusses the major shifts shaping the medical device industry. He shares insights on global regulatory harmonization, tougher funding conditions, the growing role of AI, and why data strategy matters more than ever. Etienne also explains why companies need to understand their true user population, challenge assumptions in product development, and prepare for a future where medical devices work together as connected systems. Tune in to learn how medical device companies can navigate change, use data more strategically, and build solutions that better serve users and the broader healthcare ecosystem! Resources: Connect with and follow Etienne Nichols on LinkedIn. Follow Greenlight Guru on LinkedIn and explore their website. Listen to the Global Medical Device Podcast here.

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