Ep. 8: Dr. Tara Bishop of Black Opal Ventures on the Importance of Innovation in Healthcare

Show Notes:Even as a primary care physician, Dr. Tara Bishop always knew she wanted to do something to improve healthcare beyond seeing patients. For her, that meant moving from her medical practice into the health innovation ecosystem, becoming Chief Clinical Officer at health insurance startup Surest, and most recently launching her own venture fund.With a background in engineering, Dr. Bishop sees huge potential in innovative technologies that drive value for payers, providers, and patients. She is now the Founder and Managing Partner of Black Opal Ventures, an investment firm focusing on early-stage health technology companies. Black Opal invests in tech within four areas: prevention and diagnosis, delivery of care, drug discovery and development, and data.Looking to fill care gaps, Dr. Bishop believes tech will continue to integrate into modern healthcare.Today’s episode covers traditional medicine versus consumer health, Black Opal Ventures’ investment thesis, and how startups are helping translate evidence into care.Timestamps:0:33: Dr. Bishop’s transition into the private sector5:03: Traditional medicine versus consumer health8:26: Coverage of lifestyle interventions12:30: Cohort studies15:13: Translating evidence to care18:27: Black Opal Venture’s investment thesis22:29: Intellihealth’s obesity care model29:27: Advice for aspiring physician-investors/entrepreneurs32:23: Future opportunities in health technologyResources Discussed:* Nurses’ Health Study* British Doctors Study* Harvard Happiness StudySubscribe to Healthy Returns Today! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nolanshah.substack.com