The Medical Alley Podcast (Presented by MentorMate)

On this episode of the Medical Alley Podcast, host Ben Wagner sits down with the leaders of Mobius Medical — co-founder Stefan Czyniewski and VP of clinical operations David Pomfret — for a behind-the-scenes look at the regulatory and clinical strategies shaping the future of medtech innovation.  From early feasibility studies in Australia, to scaling operating in the United States, the conversati...

In this episode of the Medical Alley Podcast, host Bobbie Dressen sits down with National Geographic photographer and filmmaker David McLain for a powerful conversation ahead of his keynote at the 2026 Medical Alley Annual Celebration on May 21st.  Drawing from his decades of work — from documenting the world's longest-living populations in the Blue Zones , to capturing the realities of under...

What does it take to bring a medical device from idea to reality — faster, smarter, and with less risk? In this episode of the Medical Alley Podcast, Ben Wagner sits down with Jeff Kelly, Chief Commercial Officer at Forj Medical, a newly formed CDMO built from the combination of Intricon and Minnetronix.  Jeff shares how the medtech landscape is shifting, from fragmented supply chains to fully int...

In this episode of the Medical Alley Podcast, host Ben Wagner speaks with Dr. Connie Delaney, dean of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, about the science, compassion, and leadership at the heart of nursing. Together, they discuss Dr. Delaney’s path into nursing and academia, the growing workforce challenges facing the profession, and how innovation—including artificial intelligence—ca...

MedTech companies are navigating a new reality: more data, more tools, and more pressure to engage customers and teams in smarter, more efficient ways. But with no clear playbook, many are struggling to keep up. In this episode of the Medical Alley Podcast, Ben Wagner sits down with Salesforce’s Larry Davis to unpack how engagement is evolving across the industry, and where AI is beginning to make...

What does it mean to lead a health system where every decision shapes the future of a child and their family? In this episode of the Medical Alley Podcast, Medical Alley President and CEO Roberta Dressen sits down with Dr. Emily Chapman, President and CEO of Children’s Minnesota, to explore leadership in a moment of profound change for healthcare. Dr. Chapman shares her journey from child life spe...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we dive into one of the most urgent challenges facing our industry — our workforce. From shortages across clinical roles to the growing demand for skilled digital and technical talent, the strength of our future healthcare system truly depends on the people who power it. To help us unpack the issue, we welcome Dr. Sally Saba , president of the Medtroni...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we’re recognizing Alzheimer’s Awareness Month with three special guests: Dr. Brandy Matthews (VP, Global & US Medical Affairs, Alzheimer's Disease at Eli Lilly and Company), Dr. Ronald Petersen (Neurologist, Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center), and Robert Freeman (VP, Public Policy, Alzheimer’s Association, MN-ND Chapter). In the...

On September 30, Medical Alley hosted Women in Health Leadership, bringing together an extraordinary group of leaders for connection, reflection, and growth. The featured speaker was Sheri Dodd , CEO of Tactile Medical .  Sheri is a seasoned executive with vast experience in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and digital health sectors. She is widely respected for her insight, integrity, and pers...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we welcome Informa Markets Senior Editor Amanda Pedersen . Amanda has been covering the medical device industry since 2006, examining trends and innovations with a deep understanding of the medtech landscape.   We also discuss MD&M Midwest 2025 taking place in Minneapolis on October 21 and 22. If you're planning to attend, register with the pr...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we're joined by two leaders from Sonex Health , a company that's pioneering minimally invasive ultrasound-guided procedures that really are changing the landscape of orthopedic care—Bob Paulson (President and CEO) and Dr. Darryl Barnes (Founder and Chief Technology Officer). We talk about the inspiration behind Sonex Health, the innovations s...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, Dr. Cornelius Thiels (Associate Chair of Innovation) and Dr. Kyle Ettinger (Director of Innovation) from the Mayo Clinic Department of Surgery preview the upcoming Beahrs Surgical Innovation Summit. Gain behind-the-scenes insight into the department’s pioneering work, including how they're leveraging AI, robotics, data-driven decision-making, and...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we're diving into the rapidly evolving world of contract manufacturing with Jesse Jensen , VP of Operations at Switchback Medical.  Switchback Medical is pushing the boundaries of innovation and growth in medtech. From trends in vertical integration and process innovation to global expansion strategies, including a recent expansion into Costa Rica...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we go beyond logos and taglines to explore what brand strategy really means in today’s healthcare landscape. From building trust in an oversaturated market to defending your message in the age of AI-driven misinformation, this conversation gets to the heart of what it takes to create a brand that lasts. Joining us is Kathleen Hustad , founder of Bloom4...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we’re spotlighting a powerful, community-driven event that’s redefining what healthcare access can look like— Live Your Healthy Lyfe .  Joining the conversation are two of the event’s driving forces: Teto Wilson (Founder of Live Your Healthy Lyfe and owner of Wilson’s Image Barbers & Stylists) and Adriene Thornton (Director of Health Equity at Chil...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we welcome Jessica Mogilka , Executive Vice President at JLL. The conversation explores the intersection of real estate and innovation with Jessica sharing her insight and expertise into how the spaces we build drive care, research, and technology.  Send us a message! Follow Medical Alley on social media on LinkedIn , Facebook , X and Instagram . 

TÜV SÜD's Hannah Rounsville and Jessica Schmidt discuss practical strategies to extend device lifespan, improve reprocessing methods, and minimize waste—while maintaining patient safety and meeting regulatory requirements. They also share valuable insights into optimizing Instructions for Use (IFU) to incorporate resource-efficient practices that enhance device sustainability. By implementing...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we welcome Dr. Taha Kass-Hout , Global Chief Science and Technology Officer at GE HealthCare. With a combination of clinical insight and technology experience, Dr. Kass-Hout has a uniquely expert perspective on AI’s impact in the healthcare arena. Dr. Kass-Hout talks about how GE Healthcare is embedding AI into clinical workflows, the improvement of pa...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we present a recent webinar focused on how AI can improve patient engagement, enhance operational efficiency, and navigate key challenges like data privacy, algorithmic bias, and compliance. Featuring Life Link III 's Kolby Kolbet, MSN, RN, FACHE, CMTE, FAASTN and MentorMate 's Josh Marquart . Send us a message! Follow Medical Alley on social...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we’re excited to welcome a remarkable leader as part of Mental Health Awareness Month— People Incorporated CEO Jill Wiedemann-West. As the CEO of one of the largest non-profit mental healthcare providers in Minnesota, Jill has invaluable insight into the state of mental health access. In this conversation, she shares her thoughts on how technology is s...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we talk with Denny Royal , Head of Global Design at MentorMate.  Denny shares his insight and expertise on many topics-du-jour including how to build digital tools that are ethical and inclusive, how AI is shifting delivery of care, where traditional models are falling short, and what it takes to build responsible, human-focused tech in a rapidly evolv...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we talk with Lifecore Biomedical  President and CEO Paul Josephs . With more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Paul has seen the landscape transform in almost every way possible. In this conversation, he discusses how Lifecore Biomedical is responding to the ever-changing tariff situation, how the company is innovating in the...

On this episode of The Medical Alley Podcast, we have a conversation with Courtney Jones , Director of Commercial Development at Nu-Tek BioSciences . As the only completely animal-free peptone manufacturing site in the United States, Nu-Tek BioSciences is paving the way for sustainable and effective drug development. Courtney dives into the work Nu-Tek BioSciences is doing, its new manufacturing f...

It's not always easy to focus on the "why" of work when it's an early morning, dreary Minnesota day, or end of a particularly long week.  But for Elizabeth Allen , CEO of Children's Cancer Research Fund, finding that why is always a bit easier.  In her words, "These kids deserve the best of me, and I can really make a difference here. They deserve me to work hard.&quo...

Recorded live at the Medical Alley 2025 Summit! Ash Shehata is a highly experienced healthcare professional at the cutting edge of information technology (IT) advances in the sector. In a career spanning over 25 years, Ash has worked for some of the world’s leading IT and consulting firms, using technology to drive improvements such as telemedicine, e-commerce, membership systems, customer service...