What if the solution to safer surgeries started with a radiologist teaching himself to code?

In this episode of Lightning RX, host Colette Nataf sits down with Dr. Jesse Courtier, pediatric radiologist and founder of Sira Medical, to explore how he turned a reading-room frustration into an augmented reality platform reshaping pre-surgical planning, training, and education.

Jesse shares his journey from anthropology major to self-taught Unity developer, building his first prototype with a HoloLens and YouTube tutorials. What began as a grassroots effort—showing 3D models to surgeons in his reading room has grown into a venture backed by UCSF and 500 Global. Together, Colette and Jesse dive into how Sira Medical is helping surgeons save time in the operating room, improving resident education, and even reducing patient anxiety by making anatomy understandable in 3D.

• Why traditional radiology reports and imaging fail to fully translate complex anatomy
• How AR is helping surgeons reduce OR time by up to 20%
• The surprising impact of 3D models on patient education and anxiety
• Lessons from going through accelerators like UCSF Catalyst and 500 Global
• Why early customer feedback is critical to finding product-market fit
• Tips for healthcare founders on research, outreach, and knowing when “good enough” is better than perfect

💡 Golden Nugget:

“Don’t wait to perfect your product before showing it to people. Get it in their hands, your customers will tell you what matters most.”

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesse-courtiermd
• Website: siramedical.com

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What if your personal journey through end-of-life decisions inspired a business dedicated to guiding families through the hardest choices they’ll ever face?

In this episode of Lightning RX, host Colette Nataf sits down with David Hopkins, co-owner of Assisted Living Locators of Central Florida, to explore how his career in senior living operations and his own family’s experiences shaped his mission to serve as a trusted navigator for families in crisis.

David shares why senior living placement is as much about trust and compassion as it is about logistics, and how he and his co-owner are differentiating their franchise through authentic storytelling, community outreach, and education. From supporting first responders on dementia awareness to rebranding senior living as a place of dignity, David reveals the heart and strategy behind building a healthcare business that truly serves.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why most families encounter senior living in a moment of panic, and how to prepare before a crisis hits
• How Assisted Living Locators builds trust through authenticity, testimonials, and community engagement
• Why dementia awareness training for first responders is critical and how it changes outcomes
• The marketing challenge of speaking to two audiences: seniors and their adult children
• The role of personal storytelling in making healthcare brands relatable and credible

💡 Golden Nugget:

“Know your story and don’t be afraid to share the mistakes alongside the wins. Authenticity is what connects people to your brand.”

Connect with David Hopkins:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidshopkins
• Website: assistedlivinglocators.com/central-florida

Connect with the Show:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• iHeart

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone passionate about healthcare marketing, startup growth, or innovative product launches, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!

What if the pain you’ve lived with for years was never properly diagnosed?

In this episode of Lightning RX, host Colette Nataff sits down with Dr. Nelson Hendler, Chief Medical Officer at DiagnoseMyPains.com, to uncover why misdiagnosis in chronic pain is shockingly common—and how his AI-powered diagnostic platform is helping patients and providers find real answers.

Drawing on his decades of work at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Hendler reveals how rushed doctor visits, unreliable imaging tests, and overlooked patient histories lead to misdiagnosis rates as high as 80%. He explains how his team developed a 72-question online diagnostic tool that achieves 96% accuracy, empowering patients to uncover the true cause of their pain and helping healthcare professionals deliver better care.

Together, they explore real patient success stories, the pitfalls of overreliance on imaging, and lessons every healthcare entrepreneur can learn about market research, credibility, and scaling an innovative solution in a crowded market.

• Why MRIs and CT scans often miss the real cause of pain
• How rushed doctor visits contribute to widespread misdiagnosis
• The AI-powered questionnaire changing pain diagnostics
• Lessons on market research and growth from a physician-turned-entrepreneur
• Why credibility and third-party validation matter more than marketing hype

💡 Golden Nugget:

“Patient history is far more important than imaging when it comes to diagnosis. If doctors don’t take the time to listen, misdiagnosis is inevitable.”

• Website: DiagnoseMyPains.com
• Nelson’s Profile linkedin.com/in/nelsonhendler
• Websites :DiagnoseMyPains.com,PainValidityTest.com

Connect with the Show:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• iHeart

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone passionate about healthcare marketing, startup growth, or innovative product launches, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!