Say Yes Before You’re Ready: A Physician's Path from Medicine to Tech with Dr. C.K. Wang

On this episode of Startup Physicians, I sit down with Dr. CK Wang, a medical oncologist who made the leap from clinical practice into the tech world. We talk about his transition from traditional oncology to leading roles at IBM Watson Health and Coda, where he’s working on some of the most exciting applications of AI in healthcare.

CK shares candid reflections on what it really takes to move from the clinic to the boardroom, including the challenges of stepping into unfamiliar territory and the mindset shifts that helped him thrive. We explore how clinical expertise plays a critical role in product development, why more physicians are needed at the table in tech, and how we can bring physician voices into spaces like sales, strategy, and innovation without losing our identity in the process.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible beyond clinical medicine or how to bring your medical lens into startups and AI, this conversation is full of insight, clarity, and real-world advice.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Introduction to CK Wang's Journey
[02:37] - Transition from Clinical Practice to Innovation
[05:20] - The Role of Clinicians in Tech
[08:10] - Supporting Sales and Product Development
[11:02] - Embracing a Growth Mindset
[13:27] - Navigating Financial Discussions in Healthcare
[16:08] - The Value of Clinical Knowledge in Business
[18:58] - Conclusion and Future Opportunities

In the free Physician Founder Roadmap webinar, we’ll share how physicians can begin evaluating their ideas and understand what it takes to bring them to market.

Mark your calendar for October 22 at 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET and join us for the webinar!

Create a venture-ready concept pitch in just 45 minutes! Join our free AI session designed for practicing physicians, where we guide you through the concept-assessment process used in the Startup Physicians Incubator.
 
Download the guide, open it with Claude, and you'll end up with a one-page pitch ready to share with an advisor, investor, or selection committee.

A six-month program that takes a practicing physician’s idea to an investor-ready company. Cohort 2 starts January 2027.