Innovation doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when leaders intentionally design the systems that allow curiosity, experimentation, and good ideas to survive.

In this episode of the Women in MedTech podcast, host Kayleen Brown sits down with Dr. Rebecca Gottlieb, VP of Advanced Sensor Technologies at Biolinq, to explore what it really takes to build innovation engines inside regulated MedTech environments. From early clinical work with artificial heart patients, to more than two decades of sensor innovation at Medtronic, to leading advanced biosensing platforms at Biolinq, Rebecca explains why curiosity isn’t just a mindset — it’s a leadership strategy.

Kayleen also welcomes Chris Dawson, Head of Biosensing at TTP PLC, to unpack what curiosity looks like in practice: how multidisciplinary teams explore what’s possible, retire risk early, and build systems that support innovation without compromising reliability or regulatory rigor. Thank you to TTP for your support, to learn more visit: https://www.ttp.com.

Before you go, make sure to download your complimentary e-books from TTP today!

1. Rethinking Regulatory Compliance - How to turn regulatory demands in MedTech into development strengths
2. Optimising Bluetooth Connectivity in Implantable Medical Devices
3. Automated Biosensor Testing for the Development of Continuous Health Monitors

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• (00:00:00) - Why innovation systems matter in MedTech
• (00:00:01) - Introducing in-studio guest, Chris Dawson, TTP
• (00:00:02) - What innovation looks like inside multidisciplinary teams
• (00:00:03) - Start of keynote interview with Rebecca Gottlieb, Biolinq
• (00:00:04) - From startup to Medtronic: scaling innovation across environments
• (00:00:05) - Internal venture programs: designing systems for ideas to surface
• (00:00:06) - Leadership as barrier removal, not control
• (00:00:07) - Why Rebecca chose Biolinq: platforms, microneedles, and possibility
• (00:00:08) - Rethinking glucose monitoring for Type 2 diabetes
• (00:00:09) - FDA De Novo clearance and sustaining teams through long timelines
• (00:00:10) - The future of biosensing: DNA-based receptors and new analytes
• (00:00:11) - Leadership reflections and closing: curiosity as an innovation engine

Earned trust becomes leadership capital — and in MedTech, it compounds faster than most leaders realize.

In this episode of the Women in MedTech podcast, host Kayleen Brown talks with Edwards Lifesciences’ Sarah Huoh, Corporate Vice President of Public Affairs, about why trust has to be built and demonstrated long before it can be communicated — and what it takes to earn credibility across patients, policy, and teams.

Kayleen also welcomes Brittany Mai, Marketing Manager at Confluent Medical Technologies, to discuss what trust looks like across the MedTech ecosystem — how strong partnerships get built, how alignment happens across organizations, and why execution depends on credibility that’s earned over time. Thank you to Confluent Medical Technologies for your support. Visit ➡ https://confluentmedical.com/

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Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe

• (00:00:00) - Why trust matters in MedTech
• (00:02:13) - Introducing In-studio guest, Brittany Mai, Confluent Medical Technologies
• (00:17:34) - Start of Keynote Interview with Sarah Huoh, Edwards Lifesciences
• (00:18:31) - Leadership foundations: first job lessons that still show up in the C-suite
• (00:29:32) - Career moves with strategy: how Sarah chose roles that widened her impact
• (00:32:44) - Public affairs as a business function: reputation, policy, and patient trust
• (00:38:30) - “Team of teams” leadership: alignment, execution, and internal credibility
• (00:39:23) - Operating at global scale: keeping 16,000 employees anchored on patients
• (00:42:18) - Patient education as market reality: reducing fear, friction, and confusion
• (00:48:42) - Trust as leadership capital: demonstrated behavior, not messaging
• (01:06:52) - Conclusion: key takeaways on earning trust that compounds

Empathy is more than a leadership trait—it’s a business advantage.
In this season opener of Women in MedTech,host Kayleen Brown talks and Medtronic’s Nina Goodheart, SVP & President of Structural Heart & Aortic talk about Medtronic's focus on women's heart health and make the business case for empathy in MedTech.

Kayleen also welcomes Beth Harrison Meyer, SVP of Global Marketing at Aptyx, to unpack what empathy looks like inside companies and why it’s critical to innovation and culture. Thank you to Aptyx for your support. Visit ➡ https://www.aptyx.com

Referenced in this episode:
– Medtronic’s Letter to My Mother campaign: https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/c/patients-caregivers/pan-cardiovascular/letter-to-my-mother.html
– Kayleen’s article in Medical Design & Outsourcing: https://www.medicaldesignandoutsourcing.com/medtronic-nina-goodheart-cardiovascular-deaths-women-rwe-smart-trial/

Enjoy this episode? Follow Women in MedTech → https://women-in-medtech.castos.com/subscribe and subscribe on YouTube → https://YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to catch every conversation.

Access the full DeviceTalks Podcast Network → https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe

• (00:00:00) - Empathy to Self, Empathy to Ecosystem
• (00:02:45) - The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship
• (00:05:30) - Building the Aptyx Culture of Collaboration
• (00:10:15) - Insights into the Keynote Interview with Nina Goodheartt
• (00:17:00) - What Empathy Looks Like in Product Development
• (00:22:15) - Designing for Equity: Who Are We Not Treating Yet?
• (00:27:10) - The Business Case for Empathy in MedTech
• (00:28:17) - Start of Interview with Medtronic's Nina Goodheart
• (00:36:30) - Using AI to Advance Health Equity (The ALERT Study)
• (00:49:30) - Medtronic's Letter to My Mother: Women’s Heart Health Awareness
• (00:55:15) - Redefining Leadership — Empathy as Smart Business

**Season Two has rebranded to "Women in MedTech With Kayleen Brown**

In the final episode of MedtechWOMEN Talks season one, we are joined by YJ Oh, SVP US Sales, Marketing and Commercial Operations at Edwards Lifesciences, who takes us through the intricate process of medical device commercialization.

Starting with her unique entry into the medtech industry, YJ shares her comprehensive journey from sales to global marketing, emphasizing the significant role of upstream marketing in shaping product development and downstream efforts in executing commercial strategies.

In the discussion, YJ highlights the criticality of understanding market needs right from the inception of a product idea, ensuring that every development phase aligns with customer insights and real-world applicability. She provides a glimpse into the key collaborations across various departments and touches on the essential feedback mechanisms in place, ensuring devices meet the stringent requirements and expectations set forth by both regulatory bodies and the end-users, primarily physicians. Her insights extend into the strategic considerations for global market penetration, discussing how different regulatory landscapes affect the accessibility and success of medical devices across borders.

TL;DR – Key Takeaways:

1. The integration of market insights from the beginning is crucial for successful medical device commercialization.

2. Collaborative efforts across various functions are vital to address the comprehensive demands of product development.

3. Strategic global considerations are imperative to navigate varying regulatory and market conditions effectively.

Thank you to our season one sponsors Aptyx, Catalyze Healthcare, Confluent Medical Technologies, and Cretex Medical!

Thank you for listening!

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Enjoy this podcast? Follow Women in MedTech with Kayleen Brown on all major podcast players: https://women-in-medtech.castos.com/subscribe + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode.

Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe

**Season Two has rebranded to "Women in MedTech With Kayleen Brown** In the latest episode of MedtechWOMEN Talks, Rebecca Whitney, SVP, Global Spine President, ZimVie dives deep into what it takes to bring innovative medical solutions to market in a large medtech OEM, weighing the benefits of internal product development against strategic external partnerships. ​ The episode shines a light on the diligent process behind medical device product development, taking into consideration global market nuances, regulatory challenges, and the balance between in-house innovations and external collaborations. Whitney underscores the value of rigorous review stages, which sometimes require difficult decisions like ceasing investment in long-term, costly projects. Key Takeaways: - Tough decisions, like halting a project, are necessary for the betterment of patient care and resource allocation. - Product development incorporates feedback from patients, surgeons, and salesforces to ensure that solutions are practical and market-appropriate. - Strategic external partnerships can optimize development by leveraging outside expertise, allowing large medtechs like ZimVie to focus on their core strengths. Thank you to our season one sponsors Aptyx, Catalyze Healthcare, Confluent Medical Technologies, and Cretex Medical! https://aptyx.com/ https://catalyzehealthcare.com/ https://confluentmedical.com/ https://www.cretexmedical.com Tune in and subscribe to DeviceTalks on all major podcast channels and follow youtube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode. Thank you for listening!

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Enjoy this podcast? Follow Women in MedTech with Kayleen Brown on all major podcast players: https://women-in-medtech.castos.com/subscribe + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode.

Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe

**Season Two has rebranded to "Women in MedTech With Kayleen Brown**

In this episode of MedtechWOMEN Talks, Christina Hawley, Sr. Director, of Clinical Operations at May Health helps to unravel the clinical trial process for medical devices, emphasizing the non-linear path from early feasibility to pivotal trials and post-market studies; and delves into the meticulous process of gaining FDA approval and even the nuanced differences between clinical affairs and regulatory affairs. ​

TL;DR – Key takeaways:

1. Close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including R&D, regulatory, quality, and marketing, is key to the success of clinical trials.

2. Clinical trials must consider the specific regulatory requirements of the targeted geographical markets.

3. There is no standardized approach to any of the different clinical trials, each must Tune in to gain insights into the complex and surprisingly creative world of clinical research in the medical device industry.

Thank you to our season one sponsors Aptyx, Catalyze Healthcare, Confluent Medical Technologies, and Cretex Medical!

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Enjoy this podcast? Follow Women in MedTech with Kayleen Brown on all major podcast players: https://women-in-medtech.castos.com/subscribe + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode.

Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe

**Season Two has rebranded to "Women in MedTech With Kayleen Brown**

In the latest episode of MedtechWOMEN Talks, Nicole Osmer, Founder & CEO at Health+Commerce, shares her expertise on the role of branding, media relations, and public relations in the medical device product development cycle from the perspective of “The Publicist.”

In the episode, Osmer shares the significance of establishing a strong brand right from a company's inception. Attention to detail in messaging, brand presence, and even the subtleties like an area code on a contact page are pivotal. A central theme revolves around structuring communication effectively through traditional and emerging media channels to make significant market impacts. Osmer's insights on press releases, direct media outreach, and the role of digital platforms offer valuable takeaways on modern medtech marketing. The episode covers not only the 'what' but also the 'how' of successful medtech communications.

TL;DR – Key takeaways:

1. Establishing a strong brand from the early stages and maintaining it throughout the lifecycle of a medtech company is crucial for lasting success.

2. Clear, concise messaging and being prepared for media opportunities with key story elements is essential in PR and branding.

3. Press releases remain a relevant tool for communication, especially when they are concise, impactful, and include a compelling headline.

4. Collaboration across various company functions, such as marketing, clinical teams, and investor relations, is integral to a coherent communication strategy.

Thank you to our sponsors Aptyx, Catalyze Healthcare, Confluent Medical Technologies, and Cretex Medical for providing vital support.

Thank you for listening!

***

Enjoy this podcast? Follow Women in MedTech with Kayleen Brown on all major podcast players: ⁠https://women-in-medtech.castos.com/subscribe⁠ + Follow us on ⁠YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks⁠ to ensure you never miss an episode.

**Season Two has rebranded to "Women in MedTech With Kayleen Brown**

In the latest episode of MedtechWOMEN Talks, Vivian Golfin, MD, Senior Associate at Intuitive Ventures, shares her expertise on the role of venture capitalists in the medical device product development cycle from the perspective of "The Venture Capitalist."

In the episode, Dr. Golfin discusses the significance of early engagement with venture capital firms for startups and how Intuitive Ventures acts as a strategic partner rather than just a financier. She emphasizes the detailed due diligence process, focusing on understanding the risks and potential of medical device startups. Key topics include the importance of milestones like first-in-human trials, early pilot results, and the necessity of feedback in the development process. Dr. Golfin also addresses the evolving role of AI and ML in medical devices and the importance of data diversity. Her insights highlight the need for proactive communication, networking, and leveraging AI for health equity. Thank you to our sponsors Aptyx, Catalyze Healthcare, Confluent Medical Technologies, and Cretex Medical for providing vital support.

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Enjoy this podcast? Follow Women in MedTech with Kayleen Brown on all major podcast players: ⁠https://women-in-medtech.castos.com/subscribe⁠ + Follow us on ⁠YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks⁠ to ensure you never miss an episode.

Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at ⁠https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe⁠