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MIDP Third Year Students

MIDP Students Participate in First Pitch Contest of the Year

While the MIDP's IDEA Lab class is 3 months long, the business model developed there is an ongoing process. Entering pitch contests and learning from seasoned entrepreneurs is part of this process. Vanderbilt's Center for Entrepreneurship offers Firestarter sessions that are a low-pressure environment where students from all corners of Vanderbilt can pitch their early-stage startup ideas. Student teams are given 5 minutes to describe their concept and then are questioned by local entrepreneurs and given feedback. The MIPD's involvement in these Vanderbilt led programs has strengthened our physicians-in-training's ability to to develop concrete products and viable solutions. It gives them practice in defending their inventions and selling their product as well as themselves. Our third year students, Dr. Pulak Goswami, Dr. Eden Maloney and Dr. Dennis Zhou had the opportunity to pitch their business model for 4D Healing, a company with the mission of empowering patients to understand, innovate and take ownership of their health conditions.

Dr. Reed Omary Addresses Climate Change and New Year's Resolutions

MIDP Director and Chair of the Department of Radiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center has long been an advocate of changing our behavior for the health and benefit of our planet's climate. In the month of January, Dr. Omary served as a guest columnist for the Tennessean and detailed his ideas and encouragements for health care worker making the commitment to climate change awareness and its impact on their patients. Compassionately worded with an insider's eye to the nuances of encouraging patients and co-workers, Dr. Omary has made communicating about sustainability a well-received mission. With a three part "health care starter pack" consisting of educating others, asking questions, and embedding awareness into daily management practices, Dr. Omary shared something he does best, giving information and listening to others. Please take the time to read his linked article and also the corresponding podcast.

January Forum

Dr. Ivana Thompson Speaks about Reproductive Justice

Ivana Thompson, MD, MSCI, FACOG spoke to the MIDP on January 19th. Her experience with reproductive rights and the future of these issues was impactful and informative. Her insight into the lives of families and women is both unique and personal. Her talk, entitled Reproductive Justice: The Start of a Conversation, covered the history and future of reproduction in America. With specific court cases and research studies that have impacted our country over the years, Dr. Thompson's talk generated thoughtful conversation amongst the MIDP students and leadership.

Expected Value begins I-Corp

Last year's IDEA Lab class, consisting of Dr. Adam Hetzler, Dr. Hunter Sceats and Dr. Emily Thomas, successfully applied for and received an I-Corp grant after a successful pitch season and honing of their product, Expected Value. Expected Value is a re-admissions risk prediction model that allows for the efficient and equitable distribution of resources. The concept deploys advanced predictive models and unique data streams to improve patient health outcomes, lower costs, increased revenue, and improved quality metrics to ensure healthcare equity. Targeted towards hospitals that are accepting more re-admission risk or have large penalties, this business concept helps identify at-risk patients to prevent avoidable re-admissions and improve care. With a total of $52,300 in funding, an I-Corp grant is a way to accelerate the economic and societal benefits of academic research. We wish our fourth-year students good luck as they interview for residencies and launch their company!

Photography by Dr. Trent Rosenbloom

The MIDP is always glad that despite the cold in Nashville, Associate Director, Dr. Trent Rosebloom is willing to brave the elements and take beautiful photos! Thanks to Dr. Rosenbloom for contributing the photography in this issue of The Catalyst.