Engineering Curiosity into Impact: Dr. Alyssa Abo on Translating Clinical Insight into Innovation

Startup Physicians

When you think about startups and healthcare, it’s easy to feel like those worlds are galaxies apart — but Dr. Alyssa Abo shows us that they’re much more connected than you think. In this episode, Alyssa shares how her journey from engineering school to pediatric emergency medicine led her straight into the heart of healthcare innovation. We talk about embracing curiosity, building medical devices, translating clinical needs for tech companies, and why physicians have so much untapped potential to impact startups without ever needing an MBA or a business degree.

Dr. Alyssa Abo is a pioneering physician executive with over 20 years of experience in MedTech and digital health, recognized for integrating advanced technologies to transform clinical medicine. She pushes the boundaries of innovation by leveraging her medical, technological, and business background to deliver scalable, impactful solutions that drive patient-centered care, improve outcomes, and elevate healthcare globally. Dr. Abo's thought leadership in medical imaging, artificial intelligence, real-world data applications, and pediatric technologies has set new standards across the healthcare ecosystem. Dr. Abo is frequently invited as a speaker, panelist, and podcast guest, to discuss emerging tech and entrepreneurship.

Episode Highlights:

[0:46] Kicking off the conversation with Alyssa Abo’s unique journey from engineering to pediatric emergency medicine.
[2:47] Alyssa’s childhood roots in STEM, tinkering, and how it shaped her career path.
[5:40] Why investing in children is the best investment society can make — and why pediatric care is so close to our hearts.
[8:11] Early career moments: How curiosity around technology led to a prototype, a provisional patent, and real lessons about entrepreneurship.
[10:01] Building a medical device as a resident — and the importance of teamwork and collaboration across fields.
[13:23] Lessons learned about ideas, startups, and why handing off innovations can be just as powerful as founding a company yourself.
[17:00] How ultrasound became Alyssa’s first major foray into healthcare innovation.
[18:16] Becoming an early pioneer in pediatric ultrasound — and why early adopters end up leading the charge.
[21:43] Keeping the patient as the North Star: How Alyssa’s operational mindset changed how tech was used in her hospitals.
[22:33] The real story behind working with industry partners — and why it’s not the "dark side."
[24:55] Why teaming up with companies can fast-track innovation, not compromise it.
[26:31] How pursuing an MBA added to Alyssa’s ability to bridge clinical, engineering, and business worlds.
[29:56] Getting started in startup advising: judging competitions, joining advisory boards, and taking fractional roles.
[32:07] Why physician involvement can mean the difference between a successful health tech company — and a flop.
[34:57] Transferable skills: Why diagnosing and solving problems in medicine makes physicians natural fits for startups.
[37:29] Final thoughts: Stay curious, be brave, and start small. You never know where one idea can lead.

Resources:

• Connect with Dr. Alyssa Abo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-abo-md-mba/
• Dr. Alyssa Abo’s Website: https://alyssaabomd.com/
• Explore our services for physicians at: StartupPhysicians.com

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