1) What is Prime Path MedTech?
Prime Path Medtech is a Medical Device consulting firm. And while we specialize in Reguatory, Quality and Clinical Research, I find that we are more of a “start-up” partner for clients. Since our core business is related to startups and we are staffed by engineers, we are just problem solvers. We approach all client projects with a solution-oriented mindset. We are always focused on how we get our products/projects to patients every day.
2) What about Prime Path MedTech work and impact makes you the most proud?
I love innovation and start up companies. And more than that my team and I thrive on getting exciting products for design to patient. Therefore, every single product we can help bring to market is what I am proud of.
While most of our clients have complex products that work in life critical disease states and we all think that “feels” like important and meaningful work. And, of course, it is. However, as we can all relate, these are the types of products that we hope our family members never have to use.
At one point, we had a client that needed a 510k on a “less” complex and “less” risky device and we did the project and the company became successful and their product was commercially launched. Soon after the launch, my daughter came to me and asked if we could use this product on her. And I said “Sure”. It was such an interesting moment for me, because the product really positively impacted my daughter’s life and yet it was such a simple device. For me, it really hit home that good products can really affect patients’ lives, regardless of the complexity or “lifesaving” aspect of the product.
And that as a company we should always remember this lesson for all the products we help bring to market. It was such a great experience for me.
3) What is on the horizon for Prime Path MedTech? What is something exciting people can expect to see from the organization in the near future?
While our regulatory, quality and project management business is growing nicely, we have been really focused on our Full-Service Clinical Research Business (CRO). As engineers, we have been focused on efficiency and cost reduction in clinical study space. We are very focused on technology and applying that to create cost savings in this space. Clinical studies are so expensive, and we really want to bring the cost down since this translates directly to commercial prices and the ability of smaller companies to get their products to market.
4) Tell us about your professional journey in the healthcare industry. How did you first get involved and what were some of the key moments that led you to starting Prime Path MedTech?
When I graduated from Texas A&M as a biomedical engineer, I happened to fall into a role in a small start-up medical device company. That experience in a start-up environment really shaped my career. The opportunity to do so much and for the company to ultimately become wildly successful was great. Over the years, I just kept moving from one start up to the next, a stint at BSC, and back to start up roles.
About 7 years ago, after the last start up was sold, I was thinking about retiring and doing something else. And at that moment a friend of mine called and asked me to join this start-up company. I was not interested in full time work so I started helping him on the side.
From this original client, Prime Path Medtech organically grew from “word of mouth” and the next thing I knew we had a growing, thriving company.
And what I learned about myself along the way, is that I just love the helping people aspect of our role. I love helping move projects along or help our younger employees grow their skills. It just feels like the right balance of challenge and giving back to the community that was so beneficial to my life.
5)What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a leader and how did you navigate it?
Remote work is probably one of the more difficult aspects we have all been trying to balance as leaders. We all understand the intrinsic value of remote work, and we also understand the value of in-person work. The hard part is finding the right balance. We feel like every day presents new complexities to how the manager and employee work together and clearly how other employees work together in teams.
Prime Path Medtech is committed to remote work because we do place a focus on the right talent. We like our current balance, but it is difficult and new for all.
Constant and consistent check-ins, taking the time to make real connections with our employees and clients on a personal level. Video chats and in-person/on-site meetings sprinkled in. As well as a focus on productivity and results. This is how we have been able to find our current balance.
6) Outside of your career, what are some of the favorite ways to spend your time?
Team sports, I love watching college football and really any college team sports. I have season tickets for Texas A&M football and while it isn’t the smoothest experience in terms of our ability to lose in heartbreaking fashion, I find it a great way to spend my fall weekend with my closest 100,000+ friends.
Other than that, I adore time with my family and grandkids. Watching them all grow up is so rewarding.
7) What do you appreciate most about being part of the Medical Alley community?
The community! Who couldn’t love the helpfulness, resources, mentoring nature of the whole Medical Alley community? We work all over the country and there are many other cities with organizations like Medical Alley and without a doubt the people in this community make Medical Alley special. Frankly, at every interaction, you can literally feel how much they care and how passionate they are about ultimately helping patients on every level.
8) As healthcare continues to evolve, where do your see the biggest opportunity for growth to drive efficiency for your company and consumers?
Cost. Healthcare is just too expensive; we all know it. The last couple years with the new technologies (AI, etc.) there are clearly some real and now practical ways to reduce costs, increase speed to market, and improve the safety of products. At all times, one could say this is the best time to be in this industry. However, I really feel like there is so much progress that can be made on the cost front. This is the most exciting thing for me.
9) How can the Medical Alley community rise to face those changes and challenges?
Medical Alley does such a great job with resources, creating/sponsoring trainings, and bringing groups together. This work is fantastic and with the speed of innovation today, this will only become more and more valuable over time. The pace of innovation in product, regulatory agencies, and development is intense. Medical Alley’s role in keeping track and pace with these changes and provides resources, networking and training for all of this is invaluable to the whole community.
