Show notes
What does it take to turn a problem you see in clinical practice into a healthcare startup?
Dr. Alison Curfman sits down with two physician founders from the Startup Physicians Incubator, psychiatrist Dr. Divya Krishnamoorthy and dermatologist Dr. Mason Henehan, to explore how they're transforming everyday challenges in patient care into scalable healthcare solutions.
Dr. Krishnamoorthy is building Syntonia Health, a platform designed to better understand medication adherence and treatment effectiveness between mental health appointments. Dr. Henehan is developing Formulary Flow, a tool that helps clinicians navigate insurance requirements and treatment pathways.
Together, they share what they've learned about transitioning from physician to founder, developing sustainable business models, pitching their ideas, and finding the right mentorship and community.
What You'll Learn:
- How physicians can identify opportunities for healthcare innovation
- Why clinical expertise is valuable when building a startup
- How to move from a product idea to a sustainable business model
- The importance of mindset, mentorship, and feedback in entrepreneurship
- How physician founders can create impact beyond their individual practices
Whether you're exploring a healthcare startup idea or already building a company, this conversation offers a look at what it takes to bring a physician-led innovation to life.
⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00Introduction: Meet Two Physician Founders
01:21Dr. Divya Krishnamoorthy's Journey and Syntonia Health
03:35Turning Clinical Problems Into Startup Opportunities
05:03Dr. Mason Henehan's Journey and Formulary Flow
07:58Why Physician Expertise Matters in Healthcare Innovation
10:03The Mindset Shift From Physician to Founder
12:41Translating Clinical Skills Into Entrepreneurship
14:24Learning to Build and Scale a Healthcare Business
16:15Executive Coaching, Feedback, and Founder Growth
19:03Building a Sustainable Startup Business Model
21:35Learning to Pitch a Vision
22:39Balancing Innovation With Patient Safety
23:58Why Community and Mentorship Matter
27:47Creating Scalable Impact Through Sustainable Businesses
29:22The Value of a Physician Founder Network
31:55Final Reflections and Founder Resources
32:40Meet the Founders and Explore the Incubator
33:06How to Apply to the Startup Physicians Incubator
🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS
Explore the Startup Physicians Incubator:
https://www.startupphysicians.com/incubator
Connect with Divya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-krishnamoorthy-md-fapa-35723325/
Syntonia Health: https://syntoniahealth.com
Connect with Mason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mason-henehan-md/
Formulary Flow: https://formularyflow.com
Free Resources for Physician Founders: https://www.startupphysicians.com/resources
Learn more about the Startup Physicians Podcast and other ways physicians can get involved in healthcare innovation: https://www.startupphysicians.com/
Subscribe to the Startup Physicians Podcast for conversations about physician entrepreneurship, healthcare innovation, medical startups, and building a career with broader impact.
#PhysicianEntrepreneur #HealthcareStartups #PhysicianFounder #HealthcareInnovation #StartupPhysicians