How to build and grow a $10B MedTech business

From DC to OC: How Politicians Shape the MedTech Landscape

In this Orange Tree MedTech Podcast episode, Scott Johnson speaks with CEO of AdvaMed, Scott Whitaker.  He is widely recognized as a top health care advocate and policy expert with experience across multiple health policy sectors, having worked successfully with diverse stakeholder groups – including hospital, patient and physician groups, regulators, public and private payers, and global trade organizations – to advance medical technology innovation and timely patient access to next-generation treatments and cures. Prior to AdvaMed®, He was chief operating officer of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, and president of the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest biotech conference.  Whitaker also previously served as chief of staff of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) – a cabinet agency with 67,000 employees and a budget of $550 billion – from 2003 to 2005.  As HHS chief of staff, he managed the day-to-day operations of the department; led the department’s activities on all major policy and management issues and initiatives; and served as the top liaison to the White House on policy, management and political matters. He also served as assistant secretary for legislation at HHS from 2001 to 2003.   In this episode we talk about AdvaMed's work in Washington DC, the Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device (RAPID) coverage pathway, what to expect from the Medical Device User Fee Admendment (MDUFA), the Senate passage of legislation restoring programs that jumpstart early stage medtech innovation, and his upcoming engagement at Orange Tree's MedTech CEO Forum.   Tune in for inspiration, strategy, and a glimpse into the minds driving tomorrow's MedTech revolution! Follow The Orange Tree MedTech Podcast: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orangetreemedtech [https://www.linkedin.com/company/orangetreemedtech] Follow Scott Johnson on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-johnson-mba-/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-johnson-mba-/] #Orangecounty #medtech #medicaldevice #oc #orangetreemedtechpodcast

4 MedTech Exits Over $5.2 Billion, 7 Boards, Ray Cohen's Winning Formula for Success

In this Orange Tree MedTech Podcast episode, Scott Johnson speaks with accredited public company director, independent board member and venture partner, Ray Cohen.  Ray has engineered four blockbuster exits totaling over $5.2 billion: Vessix Vascular, Inc. ($425 million), Axonics, Inc. [https://www.linkedin.com/company/axonics/] ($3.7 billion), SoniVie Ltd [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sonivie-ltd/] ($600 million), and Nalu Medical, Inc. [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nalu-medical-inc/] ($533 million)—where he served as CEO or Chair. With seven current board seats spanning cutting-edge startups to established players, Ray's fingerprints are all over the industry's most transformative innovations, from neurostimulation to diagnostics. We dive into what it really takes to build, scale, and cash out in MedTech—raw, no-fluff insights from someone who's done it again and again. In this episode we talk about how he assess MedTech market opportunities, his early failures which taught him about the balance needed to innovate, his best advice to entrepreneurs mitigating capital challenges, the MedTech innovations he sees that will shape the next 10 years, and what he sees as Orange County's biggest MedTech opportunities.   Tune in for inspiration, strategy, and a glimpse into the minds driving tomorrow's MedTech revolution! Follow The Orange Tree MedTech Podcast: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orangetreemedtech [https://www.linkedin.com/company/orangetreemedtech] Follow Scott Johnson on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-johnson-mba-/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-johnson-mba-/] #Orangecounty #medtech #medicaldevice #oc #orangetreemedtechpodcast

How to build and grow a $10B MedTech business

In this Orange Tree MedTech Podcast episode, Scott Johnson speaks with Executive Vice President and President of Medtronic’s Neuroscience Portfolio, Brett Wall. In this episode we talk about his leadership philosophy leading business units that generate over $10B in annual revenue and employ approximately 15,000 employees worldwide, his reflections of leadership lessons learned, the state of MedTech, and Orange County's strategy for becoming a MedTech global leader.  In addition to his current role, Brett also serves as a member of the company’s Executive Committee. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of the legacy Brain Therapies division which is part of the Neuroscience portfolio.  Brett also serves as the Executive Sponsor of the Medtronic African Descent Network — an internal national resource group that focuses on recruitment, engagement, retention and development for employees of African descent.  Prior to the Medtronic acquisition of Covidien, Brett served as Covidien President, Neurovascular and International, where he managed all commercial activities and functions of the business resulting in a doubling of revenue during his tenure.   Tune in for inspiration, strategy, and a glimpse into the minds driving tomorrow's healthcare revolution! Follow The Orange Tree MedTech Podcast: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orangetreemedtech [https://www.linkedin.com/company/orangetreemedtech] Follow Scott Johnson on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-johnson-mba-/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-johnson-mba-/] #Orangecounty #medtech #medicaldevice #oc #orangetreemedtech

MedTech Fundraising in 2026: Turning Investor No's into Yes's

In this Orange Tree MedTech Podcast episode, Scott Johnson speaks with Tom Shehab MD MMM, Managing Partner at Arboretum Ventures. Tom draws upon his extensive healthcare experience as a physician and healthcare executive to identify medical device and health IT companies.  He currently serves as a board director for Avation Medical, Boomerang Medical, Motif Neurotech, SonarMD, Virtual Incision and led Arboretum’s investment in nVision Medical, which was acquired by Boston Scientific in 2018.  At ArborMetrix, an Arboretum portfolio company, he led the development of the clinical strategy as Chief Medical Officer during a major product launch.  Prior to joining Arboretum in 2014, Tom served as a member of Arboretum’s Technical Advisory Board. He practiced medicine for 15 years as a gastroenterologist serving as Chair of Medicine at Integrated Health Associates (IHA), a multi-specialty group consisting of 300+ providers, and as Chief of Staff at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for more than 1,000 physicians.    In this episode we talk about his journey as a gastroenterologist to Managing Partner, his experience at Arboretum Venture leading healthcare-focused VC funding, the playbook for all entrepreneurs early-to-growth-stage capital, and his strategy for navigating regulatory hurdles and building strategic partnerships to thrive in Orange County's world-class medical device ecosystem.   Tune in for inspiration, strategy, and a glimpse into the minds driving tomorrow's healthcare revolution!    Follow The Orange Tree MedTech Podcast: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orangetreemedtech [https://www.linkedin.com/company/orangetreemedtech] Follow Scott Johnson on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-johnson-mba-/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-johnson-mba-/] #Orangecounty #medtech #medicaldevice #oc #orangetreemedtech

Public CEO. VC. Board Director. Builder. Paul LaViolette.

In this Orange Tree MedTech Podcast episode, Scott Johnson speaks with Paul LaViolette, CEO and Co-Chairman at Pulse Biosciences.   Paul LaViolette brings forty years of experience in global medical technology, operating leadership and investing.  Paul A. LaViolette has been a director and Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pulse Biosciences  since August 2024. Mr. LaViolette brings forty years of experience in global medical technology, operating leadership and investing. He is currently the Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of SV Health Investors LLC, a specialist healthcare fund management company. Previously, Mr. LaViolette held various positions during his fifteen years with Boston Scientific Corporation ("BSC"), including Chief Operating Officer, President, Cardiology and President, international. While at BSC, he integrated dozens of acquisitions and led extensive product development, operations, and worldwide commercial organizations. Before BSC, he held marketing and general management positions at C.R. Bard Inc. and various marketing roles at Kendall, Inc. Mr. LaViolette currently serves on the board of directors of Edwards Lifesciences, a global leader of patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring, and he has served as the chairman of the board for Asensus Surgical, Inc., Misonix, Inc., and Thoractec, each a public company, and on the boards of several other early and growth stage private medical companies. Additionally, Mr. LaViolatte served on the board and was the chairman of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association and on the board and executive committee of the Advanced Medical Technology Association. Mr. LaViolette received his bachelor's degree in Psychology from Fairfield University and earned his MBA from Boston College.)   In this episode we talk about his 40 year journey in MedTech leadership, the biggest lessons he learned in launching companies and product development, his thoughts on the three biggest challenges for MedTech in 2026 and how to overcome them, the Orange County medical device industry and how it can thrive for future generations.   Tune in for inspiration, strategy, and a glimpse into the minds driving tomorrow's healthcare revolution! Follow The Orange Tree MedTech Podcast: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orangetreemedtech [https://www.linkedin.com/company/orangetreemedtech] Follow Scott Johnson on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-johnson-mba-/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-johnson-mba-/] #Orangecounty #medtech #medicaldevice #oc #orangetreemedtech