You've all spent plenty of time seeing orthopaedic implants used in their final form. But where do these things come from? And how are they made? What you see in the ORis a polished implant, but behind that device is a hidden, high-stakes journey where one broken link in the chain can delay care and alter outcomes.
In this episode, Gary Thomas, SVP of Manufacturing at Onkos Surgical, takes us inside the unseen world of medical device manufacturing. We uncover fragile supply chains that threaten timelines, the quiet revolution of robotics in production, and the myths and limits of 3D printing. This is the untold race that transforms raw material into survival, and it’s happening long before a surgeon ever makes an incision.
5 Sept 2025
Episode 8: Value Analysis
Every dollar, device, and decision in healthcare is shaped by a committee most people never think about: the value analysis committee. In this episode, supply chain leader Angelique Beslic and industry veteran Mark Copeland pull back the curtain on how these groups operate, from balancing cost, quality, and outcomes to navigating physician preferences and vendor relationships. They reveal why value analysis has become so influential, where it’s headed in the era of value-based care, and what it takes for suppliers, big or small, to stand out.
If you’ve ever wondered why some products move forward while others stall, or how purchasing decisions ripple all the way to patient outcomes, this conversation will changethe way you see the healthcare system and your role in it.
22 Aug 2025
Episode 7: Surgeon Reimbursement
Surgeon Reimbursement isn’t just about cutting checks; it’s about understanding the hidden economy that drives surgical decisions. In this episode, Dr. Arjun Saxena, orthopedic surgeon and physician partner at the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, takes us inside the complex world of surgeon pay structures.
We uncover how RVUs actually work, the role ofancillary revenue streams, and the game-changing differences between hospital employment and private practice. These aren’t just numbers; they influence career paths, patient care, and even how your products are evaluated. If you want to navigate the surgical space with confidence, this is the intel the textbooks won’t give you. Listen now!
8 Aug 2025
Episode 6 - Marketing
Is marketing just the team that makes flyers and books dinners? Not even close. In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Michael Rhee, a veteran marketing leader in the orthopedic industry, to unpack the real power and complexity of marketing within MedTech. From shapingproduct roadmaps before R&D sketches a single concept to driving launch strategies and guiding resource allocation, marketing is everywhere and often overlooked.
We dive into why marketers so often become top executives, how upstream and downstream roles work in real life, and what sales teams often misunderstand about the people behind the scenes. Spoiler: if you're not building bridgeswith marketing, you’re missing big opportunities.
25 Jul 2025
Episode 5: Reimbursement
What happens when a brilliant medical device gets regulatory approval but no one will pay for it? That’s the reality for countless innovations that overlook one critical factor: reimbursement. In this eye-opening episode, Jo Devers, partner at JD Lyman, breaks down the true meaning of reimbursement and why it’s far more complex than most realize. From coding and coverage to payment and policy, you'll learn how each piece impacts market success and whyunderstanding reimbursement early in product development can make or break your entire business. Whether you're in sales, product development, or raising capital, this conversation is packed with essential insights that will shifthow you think about getting your product not just approved, but actually adopted. Don’t launch without hearing this!
11 Jul 2025
Episode 4 - R&D
What if the biggest barrier to medical innovation isn’t science, but everything around it? In this episode, veteran R&D leader Kyle Lapin unpacks the hidden friction behind getting orthopedic devices from sketch to surgery. He exposes why most ideas never make it, how red tape quietly kills progress, and why solving the right problem is more radical than inventing the next “big thing.” We move a fictitious product through the development process, highlighting the frequent pitfalls of being first to market, and discuss how packaging failures have led to the bankruptcy of entire companies. This isn't just a technical chat; it’s an inside look at the human, strategic, and systemic challenges that shape what actually reaches patients.
27 Jun 2025
Episode 3 - Clinical
Clinical affairs expert Erin Mundstock explains the nuances of clinical evidence in orthopedics, highlighting the importance of understanding different types of studies and their credibility for sales professionals in this interview.
13 Jun 2025
Episode 2: Quality
Travis Christman and Joe Majewski explore quality control in MedTech, discussing communication gaps, FDA audits, and the shared responsibility for ensuring medical devices meet patient needs in this interview with Patrick.
30 May 2025
Episode 1 - Regulatory
Christine Scifert and Al Nanni explore regulatory affairs in the MedTech industry, explaining the FDA's approval process and its impact on medical device development in this interview episode.
16 May 2025
Introduction – What’s this show all about?
The Growth Plates podcast introduces its mission to equip orthopedic sales professionals with comprehensive industry knowledge, moving beyond sales tactics to foster a deeper understanding of the MedTech landscape.
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