Show notes
This episode I’m joined by my friend and former co-consultant Dr. Rebecca Miksad. Rebecca is a powerhouse—Harvard-trained oncologist, health economist, startup executive, and now Chief Medical Officer at Color. We go deep into how she made the leap from academia to startups, how she navigated uncertainty and mentorship, and why your clinical skills are more transferable than you think.
If you're a physician who's even thinking about what else is possible beyond traditional medicine—this one’s for you. Rebecca shares how to talk about your skills in business terms, what it's really like working at a startup, and how to find your footing in a world that feels totally new. I promise you’ll walk away with a fresh dose of courage, clarity, and a few laugh-out-loud moments, too.
Dr. Rebecca Miksad is a physician-scientist and nationally recognized leader in oncology, healthtech, and data science. As Chief Medical Officer at Color Health, she leads clinical strategy for innovative cancer care solutions, including screening, diagnostics, and survivorship programs. Previously, she built the Strategic Affairs and Research teams at Flatiron Health, helping shape real-world data standards and FDA guidance. With over 100 scientific publications, Dr. Miksad continues to care for patients at Boston Medical Center, where she is an Associate Professor. She holds an MD from Cornell and an MPH from Harvard.
Episode Highlights:
4:26We nerd out over early academic research and how her MPH training shaped her next career steps.
6:00Why her ideas were “too big for an R01”—and how that pushed her to explore other options.
10:58We dive into the reality of startup uncertainty, equity, and redefining mentorship.
16:36Breaking down “transferable skills” for physicians—what you actually bring to the table.
19:50Learning to speak tech: scrums, sprints, and agile product teams for docs new to startups.
30:58Our own mini-community of consulting docs and how peer support changed the game.
35:32Virtual care, prevention, and the future of cancer treatment for working adults across the U.S.
Resources:
- Connect with Dr. Rebecca Miksad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-miksad
- Learn more about Color Health: https://www.color.com
- Explore our services for physicians at: StartupPhysicians.com
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast, rate, and leave a review. Don’t forget to share this episode with fellow physicians who might be interested in startups. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare! See you next time.
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