In recent years, there has been a significant trend of physicians transitioning from clinical practice to roles in private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC). This shift is driven by various factors, including the desire to influence healthcare delivery on a larger scale, financial incentives, and the opportunity to leverage their medical expertise in investment decisions. This article explores some notable examples of physicians who have made successful careers in PE and VC, detailing their companies, transitions, and current statuses.
Notable Examples
1. Dr. Tom X Lee
- Company: One Medical
- Transition: Dr. Tom X. Lee, a primary care physician, founded One Medical, a membership-based primary care practice that leverages technology to improve patient care. The company received significant venture capital funding and went public in 2020.
- Current Status: One Medical continues to expand its services and locations across the United States, focusing on providing accessible and high-quality primary care (American Medical Association) (Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians).
2. Dr. Robert Mittendorff, MD, MBA
- Company: Norwest Venture Partners
- Transition: Dr. Robert Mittendorff, an emergency medicine physician, transitioned to a career in venture capital. He is a partner at Norwest Venture Partners, where he focuses on healthcare investments.
- Current Status: Dr. Mittendorff is actively involved in identifying and supporting innovative healthcare startups, leveraging his clinical experience to guide investment decisions (American Medical Association) (Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians).
3. Dr. Vineeta Agarwala, MD PhD
- Company: Andreessen Horowitz
- Transition: Dr. Vineeta Agarwala, a physician and scientist, joined Andreessen Horowitz as a general partner. She focuses on investments in healthcare and bioinformatics.
- Current Status: Dr. Agarwala plays a key role in shaping the firm's healthcare investment strategy, supporting companies that aim to transform healthcare delivery and patient outcomes (American Medical Association) (Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians).
4. Dr. Ali Behbahani
- Company: New Enterprise Associates (NEA)
- Transition: Dr. Ali Behbahani, a physician with a background in internal medicine, joined NEA as a partner. He focuses on healthcare investments, particularly in biopharmaceuticals and medical devices.
- Current Status: Dr. Behbahani is involved in identifying and nurturing high-potential healthcare startups, contributing to the growth and success of innovative healthcare solutions (American Medical Association) (Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians).
5. Dr. Krishna Yeshwant
- Company: GV (formerly Google Ventures)
- Transition: Dr. Krishna Yeshwant, a physician and computer scientist, is a managing partner at GV. He focuses on investments in healthcare and life sciences.
- Current Status: Dr. Yeshwant leverages his dual expertise in medicine and technology to support companies that are at the intersection of healthcare and innovation (American Medical Association) (Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians).
6. Michal Preminger , Ph.D.
- Company: Johnson & Johnson Innovation
- Transition: Michal Preminger transitioned from an academic and business development background to lead Johnson & Johnson Innovation, East North America.
- Current Status: Preminger manages an extensive external R&D portfolio, advancing innovations in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, and medical devices (GrowthCap Advisory).
7. Nader Naini
- Company: Frazier Healthcare Partners
- Transition: Nader Naini has spent three decades at Frazier Healthcare Partners, leading its Growth Buyout practice.
- Current Status: Naini continues to guide significant healthcare investments and serves on multiple boards, highlighting his long-term impact in the sector (GrowthCap Advisory).
8. Regal Healthcare Capital Partners
- Company: Regal Healthcare Capital Partners
- Transition: Regal Healthcare Capital Partners includes physicians among its founders and investors, focusing on healthcare services businesses.
- Current Status: The firm partners with healthcare entrepreneurs to expand services and grow through strategic acquisitions, demonstrating the practical application of clinical expertise in PE (Regal HCP).
These examples illustrate the diverse ways in which physicians are making significant contributions to healthcare private equity and venture capital. By leveraging their clinical expertise and understanding of the healthcare system, these physicians are well-positioned to identify promising investment opportunities and drive innovation in the industry.
Citations:
Lead Consultant, Senior HPB and Multiorgan Transplant Surgeon Aster Integrated Liver Care Team
6 个月This is a welcome step- the only surprise is that it hasn't happened earlier! The lack of domain expertise among investors in healthcare - especially in India- is very striking. Physicians who are at the cusp of translation research are also able to take a long view of technology development and adoption . More value all around!
President and CEO, Society of Physician Entrepreneurs, another lousy golfer, terrible cook, friction fixer
6 个月Check the Slack group for CliniciansWhoVC.
General Partner and Head of Healthcare at B Capital
6 个月Thank you for including me. I believe greater physician involvement across the non clinical healthcare landscape has the potential (not always though) to ensure that all appropriate stakeholders are taken into account and gives the greatest potential to keep the patient and taxpayer at the fore.
Thank you for including me on this list, Rahul Garg (MD, MBA). It’s been an honor to serve innovators and invest in great ideas both at Harvard University and at Johnson & Johnson Innovation. I am a big believer in the power and value of circulation of leaders in different nodes of the ecosystem. The experience and insights that come from operating in these different environments, gaining a deep understanding of the drivers and incentives, and navigating through diverse MOs and constraints, is extremely valuable.