In this episode, I sit down with Shelli Pavone, co-founder of Inlightened, a platform built to bridge the gap between healthcare innovators and professionals. Shelli shares her journey through healthcare and startup leadership, and we dive into why startups often miss the mark when they don't meaningfully involve clinicians in the innovation process. We explore how clinician feedback can prevent costly mistakes, why healthcare professionals should be compensated for their input, and how engaging with innovation can reignite a physician’s passion for impacting healthcare. Shelli also highlights how Inlightened simplifies the administrative side of consulting, creating a low-risk, high-value opportunity for physicians to step into the startup space. If you’ve ever wondered how your expertise could shape the future of healthcare—without needing prior consulting experience—this conversation is for you.

Episode Highlights
[00:00] — Introduction to Inlightened and Its Mission
[03:10] — The Disconnect Between Healthcare Innovators and Providers
[05:51] — Building Connections: The Role of Inlightened
[09:01] — The Innovation Lifecycle and Importance of Feedback
[11:53] — Engaging Healthcare Professionals: The Onboarding Process
[15:09] — The Value of Diverse Perspectives in Healthcare Innovation
[18:00] — Opportunities for Physicians in the Innovation Space
[20:52] — Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode, I explore the powerful parallels between clinical care and startup innovation. As physicians, we are expert diagnosticians—trained to identify real problems, design strategic solutions, and build trust under pressure. Our ability to operate in uncertainty, assess risk, collaborate across disciplines, and drive continuous improvement positions us perfectly to thrive in the startup world. I walk through ten key analogies that show how our clinical mindset, from systems thinking to resilience and agility, translates directly into healthcare innovation. If you’ve ever wondered how to apply your skills beyond the bedside, this conversation is for you.

Episode Highlights

[00:00] — Introduction: Why Physicians Are Natural Innovators
[02:30] — Diagnosing Problems in Startups Like Patients in Medicine
[06:00] — Building Strategic Solutions: Treatment Plans to Business Plans
[09:45] — Thriving in Uncertainty and Assessing Risk
[13:00] — The Power of Interdisciplinary Collaboration
[16:20] — Building Trust with Patients and with Startup Stakeholders
[20:10] — Data Collection, Learning Loops, and Agile Iteration
[24:00] — Knowing When to Ask for Help (and Why It Matters)
[27:15] — Resilience Under Pressure: A Shared Skill Across Fields
[30:40] — Systems Thinking: Seeing the Bigger Picture
[34:00] — Continuous Improvement: The Link Between Medicine and Startup Growth
[36:00] — Final Reflections: How to Leverage Your Clinical Skills in Innovation

Summary
This episode, I discuss the growing opportunities for physicians in the startup world and how to successfully transition from clinical roles to entrepreneurial ventures. I share why identifying real healthcare problems, designing thoughtful solutions, and building sustainable business models are critical steps—often without needing large amounts of initial capital. I also walk through some of the common challenges physicians face during this transition and introduce a new incubator program created specifically to support physician-founded startups.

If you're a physician even thinking about what's possible beyond traditional clinical work, this conversation will help you reframe your skills, explore real business opportunities, and approach entrepreneurship with clarity, courage, and purpose.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Introduction to startup opportunities for physicians and why now is the time.
[02:48] How to identify healthcare problems worth solving — and where to start.
[06:43] The critical role of discovery before designing solutions.
[12:49] Building a business model: who pays, how much, and why it matters.
[17:37] Overcoming common challenges: perfectionism, uncertainty, and starting small.
[24:15] Why community and structured support are essential for physician entrepreneurs.
[28:05] An inside look at the new incubator program designed for physician-founded startups.
[31:42] How physicians can create scalable startups that attract venture funding.
[35:00] Final thoughts on building momentum, creating impact, and forging your own path.