How One Text Message Turned This Doctor into Medtronic's CMO

What happens when a text from a stranger changes your career?In this episode of First in Human, I sit down with Dr. Austin Chiang, Chief Medical Officer at Medtronic and one of the most influential physician voices on social media. We unpack his remarkable journey—from practicing gastroenterologist to becoming the first CMO of Medtronic’s endoscopy business, a role created specifically for him.Austin shares:- How he built credibility on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok long before most doctors embraced digital platforms.- The rise of misinformation in healthcare and why physicians need to lead online.- What he’s learned inside one of the world’s largest medical device companies about innovation, commercialization, and the people behind medtech.- The challenge of balancing ethics, transparency, and influence while shaping the future of healthcare.- Why AI, digital health, and hybrid careers are redefining medicine for the next generation of doctors.If you’ve ever wondered how clinicians break out of the traditional path, bridge the gap between medicine and technology, or use social media to impact public health, Austin’s story is both inspiring and practical. Austin's Twitter: https://x.com/AustinChiangMDAustin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinchiangmd/ Austin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinchiangmd/ Follow along at firstinhumanpodcast.com or subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.