OTW POD

In this episode of the OTW Podcast, TJ Halvorson sits down with Christopher Dodson, MD, sports medicine orthopedic surgeon, Associate Head Orthopedic Surgeon for the Philadelphia Eagles, Head of Orthopedics at Vincera Institute, co-founder of VueFi, and a new member of the Orthopedics This Week Editorial Advisory Board. Dr. Dodson talks about the realities behind a high-volume sports medicine prac...

In this episode, Robin sits down with Dr. Aaron Hofmann, an orthopedic surgeon whose four decades of innovation in large joint reconstruction have shaped the field in ways still felt today. Dr. Hofmann shares his journey from growing up on a small farm in Medina, North Dakota, to becoming a pioneering force in cementless fixation and knee system design. He reflects on how a childhood spent fixing...

In this episode, TJ sits down with Scott Banks and Scott "Mac" McCaig, who are revolutionizing how surgeons understand and visualize joint motion. Scott Banks shares his remarkable 40-year journey from a Cleveland kid whose dad suffered through constant knee pain to becoming a pioneering biomechanics researcher at MIT and the University of Florida, and one of the rare non-surgeon members...

In this episode, TJ sits down with Ben Johnson from 3D Systems, who leads their medical device division and brings a fascinating perspective shaped by his journey from chemical engineering into the cutting edge of additive manufacturing. Ben shares how his early work on drug-eluting stents and transcatheter heart valves led him to discover the transformative potential of 3D printing when he needed...

In this episode, TJ sits down with Dr. Kevin Plancher, a dual board-certified orthopedic surgeon in both sports medicine and hand surgery. His remarkable journey spans from an asthmatic child spending time in ERs to becoming a Harvard-trained physician and globally recognized leader in orthopedics. Dr. Plancher shares how his mentors shaped his relentless drive to push boundaries and his unconvent...

In this episode, TJ Halvorson sits down with Jantzen Cole, a medical device marketing leader whose career bridges engineering, sales, and creative strategy across Wright Medical, Zimmer, AmniOX, Artelon, and Kuros Biosciences. Jantzen shares how resource constraints at startup Artelon forced unconventional thinking—turning authenticity about their journey, including struggles with "10x10 boot...

In this episode, TJ sits down with Dr. Tim Deer, a pioneering pain management physician who has been at the forefront of interventional spine care for over 30 years. Dr. Deer shares his unique perspective on the evolution of pain management, from the early days when treatment options were limited to epidurals, opioids, and major surgery, to today's landscape where minimally invasive procedures...

In this episode, TJ sits down with John Matthews, CEO of InkWell Health, whose journey from leading major orthopedic companies to founding a healthcare startup reveals the evolution of post-operative patient care. John shares his extensive background spanning DePuy, Johnson & Johnson, Wright Medical, and MicroPort, where he witnessed firsthand the seismic shift toward outpatient joint surgery...

We're joined on OTW POD by Douglas Fairbanks, CEO of VISIE, a company that may fundamentally change how surgeons use computers in the operating room. Doug shares his personal journey from medical device sales rep to CEO of one of orthopedics' most innovative startups, revealing how his early life experiences sparked his lifelong commitment to improving healthcare delivery. The conversation...

In this episode, Drue sits down with Lynn Malinoski, a patent attorney and IP strategist whose unique journey took her from pharmaceutical research at SmithKline to becoming global chief IP counsel at Synthes before the Johnson & Johnson acquisition. Lynn shares her unconventional path from initially planning medical school to discovering her passion for patent law, and how her chemistry backg...

We're joined on OTW POD by Albert DaCosta, founder and former CEO of Paragon 28, who completed one of orthopedics' most impressive exits this April, selling to Zimmer Biomet for $1.2 billion. DaCosta shares his remarkable journey from chemical engineering graduate to medical device sales rep to successful entrepreneur, revealing how his Portuguese upbringing and experience with his sister&...

In this episode, Drue sits down with Gary Stevenson, a seasoned venture capitalist and managing partner at Healthpoint Capital, whose 24-year journey in musculoskeletal investing has made him a cornerstone of the orthopedic startup community. Starting as a CPA at Arthur Andersen, Gary transitioned into medical device experience at Abbott Labs and investment banking at Morgan Keegan. He shares what...

Navigating the Fast Track: How BDD and NTAP Can Accelerate Your Medical Device to Market with Carter LonsburyIn this episode, we sit down with Carter Lonsberry, a 20-year industry veteran and consultant specializing in breakthrough device pathways. Carter breaks down the often-confusing world of Breakthrough Device Designation (BDD) and New Technology Add-on Payment (NTAP) - two critical FDA and C...

In this episode, Drue sits down with Dr. Kishore Tipirneni, an orthopedic surgeon from Phoenix, Arizona, whose fascinating journey spans from accidental medical student to serial tech entrepreneur. Dr. Tipirneni shares his unique story of immigrating from India at age four, initially pursuing computer science dreams before being convinced by his father to try medicine, and how that "one-year...

In this episode, Drue welcomes Dr. Brian Blackwood, an orthopedic surgeon from Boulder, Colorado, known for his bold and unafraid voice on industry issues. Dr. Blackwood shares his journey from Montana to medical school, reflecting on how his family's work ethic and football background shaped his approach to surgery and teamwork. He opens up about his personal battle with burnout, the importan...

In this episode, Drue welcomes Dr. John Peloza, an internationally recognized leader in spine surgery, and Brad Niemann, CEO of 4WEB. Dr. Peloza reflects on his journey from the Air Force Academy to the forefront of spine innovation, sharing how mentorship, curiosity, and a passion for technology shaped his career. He recounts working alongside legendary surgeons like Richard Steadman and David Se...

In this episode, Robin Young interviews Dr. Stephen Hochschuler, co-founder of Texas Back Institute (TBI). At 82, Dr. Hochschuler shares his "looking where the puck is going" philosophy that guided his innovative career in spine surgery. He recounts founding TBI with Dr. Ralph Rashbaum in 1977, their pioneering work in disc arthroplasty, and building what became recognized as the premier academic...

In this inaugural episode, Drue sits down with Robin Young, founder of Orthopedics This Week (OTW), for a candid discussion about his remarkable career journey. From his early days as a Wall Street analyst to becoming one of the most respected voices in orthopedics, Robin shares stories about the people, companies, and innovations that have defined the industry.