00:00:00 Dr. Jay Shah, a cardiologist and chief medical officer for medical device company OTIA, shares his experiences in medicine and leadership. He completed his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and fellowship in cardiovascular diseases at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Shah built a successful cardiology practice in Portland, Oregon, and was then recruited to the Mayo Clinic to build a complex thoracic aortic disease program. Currently, he leads commercial product strategy and R&D functions at ACA. With a diverse background, Dr. Shah also consults across the healthcare ecosystem while continuing to practice cardiology and residing in Boston, Massachusetts. During the conversation, he reflects on how his experience at MGH opened his eyes to the various paths in the medical field and the opportunities it presented.

00:05:00 Dr. Shah discusses the benefits of training at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and how it opened doors for him in his career as a cardiologist. He compares the experience to a high-level Alumni network, where the camaraderie and recognition last long after leaving the institution. Dr. Shah then shares how his interest in cardiology stemmed from a desire to build long-term relationships with patients and their families, as well as the therapeutic aspects of the field. He also mentions that the opportunities in cardiology are diverse, allowing practitioners to focus on various aspects of the specialty. Dr. Shah explains that what attracted him to cardiology was the fact that many mechanisms of heart attacks have been elucidated, making it a field where complex information can be distilled down into understandable terms for patients. His role as a physician, according to him, is to impart knowledge and help patients empower themselves to improve their health.

00:10:00 Dr. Shah highlights his ability to explain complex medical concepts in simple terms, a skill he has honed over his career. He mentions that people go to physicians for knowledge and answers, and the clarity he provides is appreciated. Dr. Shah admits that he has always had this skill but it has improved with practice. He also shares that he is not particularly skilled in procedures or research but excels in simplifying complex information with empathy and compassion. When asked to explain a heart attack in 30 seconds, Dr. Shah explains that it is usually caused by a sudden loss of blood flow to the heart muscle due to a blockage or clot, leading to cell death. He encourages patients to be proactive about cardiovascular disease, whether genetic or diagnosed through tests, by taking necessary actions to prevent or manage it.

00:15:00 Dr. Jay Shah discusses the importance of both reacting to acute health issues and being proactive in preventing future health complications. He emphasizes that while doctors can provide recommendations and tools, the majority of the responsibility lies with the patient. Dr. Shah encourages a shift in mindset, emphasizing that patients are in charge of their own care and defining their own success in the context of their unique health journey. He acknowledges that this can be a challenging concept for many people to grasp, as the definition of success in healthcare can vary greatly from person to person.

00:20:00 The discussion revolves around the importance of understanding patients as individuals in order to effectively communicate and inspire change. Dr. Shah emphasizes that success in medicine is not just about living a long life or avoiding procedures, but rather empowering patients to make positive changes for themselves. He acknowledges that people respond differently to messages and approaches, requiring physicians to adapt their communication styles accordingly. The essence of medicine, according to Dr. Shah, lies in understanding the human being behind the patient and connecting with them on a personal level. He emphasizes that this is not a one-size-fits-all process and that physicians must be patient and persistent in their efforts to make a genuine connection. The parallels between medicine and finance are also highlighted, as both fields require intentional questioning and an understanding of the individual's unique needs and motivations.

00:25:00 Dr. Shah discusses the importance of understanding and catering to individual patients' emotional needs when delivering medical information. He draws a parallel between this approach and how it might be applied in other industries, such as finance. Dr. Shah then reflects on his career, sharing his experience of joining the Portland Clinic in 2012, initially to start the cardiovascular service line from scratch. He started seeing patients from day one while simultaneously building the necessary infrastructure, including hiring staff, managing costs, and negotiating for equipment. This dual role required him to wear multiple hats, and as he successfully grew the cardiovascular service line, he took on more leadership responsibilities within the clinic, eventually becoming involved in major real estate deals and contracts with health payers. When asked about his fulfillment, Dr. Shah mentions that both aspects of his role were interesting and fun, but the building process held a special significance for him.

00:30:00 In this section of the podcast episode with Dr. Jay Shah, he reflects on his experience managing a team at The Portland Clinic, where he found the people to be the most exciting aspect of building a successful department. He started with a small team and grew it to 15, creating a high-functioning team that surpassed expectations despite having a minimal budget. Dr. Shah attributes this success to the team's ability to upskill and innovate without many restrictions. He also mentions that medical schools and universities don't teach business aspects of medicine, and he's working to help impart this knowledge onto future generations. Dr. Shah learned team management skills on the go, making mistakes and learning from them, and his team's open communication and quick problem-solving led to their success.

00:35:00 Dr. Jay Shah discusses his experience at the Portland Clinic and how its nimble size and innovative culture allowed for constant improvement and growth. He recalls how employees would collaborate to solve problems and how the organization's lack of entrenched mentality contributed to its success. Dr. Shah then shares how he was offered a dream job at the prestigious Mayo Clinic but found the creative freedom and innovation he experienced at Portland Clinic to be lacking within the larger organization's set methods and expectations. Despite enjoying his time at Mayo Clinic and learning valuable skills, he ultimately felt stagnated and sought out a smaller company where he could wear more hats, be more disruptive, and continue to grow.

00:40:00 Dr. Shah discusses his role as Chief Medical Officer at ET, a Swiss medical device startup focused on continuous blood pressure monitoring. Unlike his previous experiences in healthcare, his day-to-day responsibilities at ET are multifaceted, including commercialization, business development, partnerships, strategy, fundraising, product design, and regulatory affairs. Dr. Shah emphasizes the importance of physician innovators and leaders in medical device startups, as they bring real-world experience and help ensure solutions are relevant to the healthcare industry's needs. The conversation highlights the complexity of startups and the evolving role of healthcare professionals in these organizations.

00:45:00 The discussion revolves around high blood pressure as the most common chronic disease globally, with poor control rates despite available knowledge on managing it. Dr. Shah emphasizes the need for innovative solutions to modify this widespread disease, particularly through continuous monitoring and data analysis. He introduces the concept of analyzing patterns and trends in complex data sets, which can lead to a deeper understanding of blood pressure and health outcomes. The future of blood pressure management, according to Dr. Shah, involves the development of new metrics and insights based on this foundational data. The company he represents aims to be a leader in this field by focusing on data creation and delivery, rather than just hardware, and aspires to make a significant impact on a global scale.

00:50:00 Dr. Jay Shah discusses the complexities of blood pressure and its relationship to cardiovascular disease. He emphasizes that one-time readings may not accurately represent an individual's risk, as factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and continuous patterns are essential to understanding blood pressure. Dr. Shah believes that continuous monitoring technology, which is already available in some markets, will be the future of blood pressure discovery. This device, which can be recommended by physicians or purchased over the counter, will provide valuable data for personal management and future recommendations. Dr. Shah is currently working with ACA on this technology and plans to continue this work in the coming year. Additionally, he aims to broaden his message to help physicians and medical students explore various career paths in medicine.

00:55:00 In this section of the podcast episode "The Intersection of Medicine & Leadership" with Dr. Jay Shah, he discusses the need for physician leaders and innovators in various sectors of healthcare and his efforts to inspire and guide physicians towards non-clinical careers. Dr. Shah has been providing advice to physicians and is particularly focused on medical education and early career development. He aims to make it more common for medical students and residents to understand the importance of business and finance skills in their careers and to explore opportunities beyond clinical practice or research. Dr. Shah believes that the traditional options for physicians are limited, and many are leaving the practice of medicine due to dissatisfaction. He wants to help physicians understand their potential and provide them with resources to shift and transition into new roles. He also emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and business classes within medical education as a starting point. However, he views this as just one component of a more holistic approach to empowering physicians to be agents of change in healthcare.

01:00:00 Dr. Shah expresses his appreciation for the opportunity to share his insights and wishes Nate success in his personal growth as a provider. Nate reciprocates the sentiment and hopes for a future opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Shah. Both guests express gratitude for each other's time and the engaging conversation they had.