2025 Lecture Series
2025 Lecture Series
2025 Lecture Series

2025 LECTURE SERIES

MEDVENTIONS FALL 2025 LECTURE SERIES

The Medventions Fall 2025 Lecture Series is an educational series designed to equip the next generation of medtech innovators with the knowledge and skills they need to transform healthcare. The Lecture Series offers an excellent opportunity to learn about health technology innovation, how to validate healthcare needs, invent new medical technology products, and plan for their implementation into patient care. There are twelve (12) lectures in the Medventions 2025 Fall Lecture Series. 

Each one-hour lecture is led by experts in the field and provides valuable insights into the medtech innovation process. Select sessions will also feature a 30-minute networking opportunity and a 90-minute hands-on workshop immediately following the lecture. These extended sessions are available exclusively to in-person attendees and include a light meal. Virtual participants will have access to the lecture portion only.

Whether you’re a clinician, engineer, entrepreneur, or student, this series offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow at the intersection of medicine, technology, and innovation.

Earn a Certificate in Medical Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Offered by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, the Medventions Micro-Certificate Program is ideal for individuals seeking to deepen their knowledge and gain practical skills in medical technology innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization.

2025 Lecture Series
ORIENTATION FOR THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Orientation and Kick-off

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 – 4:00PM - 5:00PM

ABOUT THE SESSION

The Orientation and Kick-off Session will provide an overview of the Medventions Certificate Program, including the instructions and guidance for the Capstone Project. 

This session is mandatory for those who are enrolled in the Certificate Program. 

LECTURE 1

Identifying Unmet Clinical Needs: The Foundation of Health Innovation

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 – 4:30PM - 5:30PM
SPEAKER: JONATHAN TOMA

ABOUT THE LECTURE

Successful health innovation begins with a clear understanding of real, pressing clinical challenges. In this session, Jonathan Toma will explore practical methods for identifying unmet clinical needs, often the most overlooked yet critical step in the innovation process. Drawing on case examples and frontline experience, the talk will highlight strategies for observing clinical workflows, engaging with end-users, and framing problems in a way that sparks meaningful, solution-oriented innovation. Whether you’re a clinician, engineer, or entrepreneur, this session will provide actionable insights to help you uncover and articulate opportunities that truly matter in healthcare.

LECTURE 2

The Medtech Innovation Ecosystem in Canada

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 - 4:30PM - 5:30PM
SPEAKER: ARMEN BAKIRTZIAN

ABOUT THE LECTURE

Canada’s medtech industry is evolving, driven by shifts in funding, policy, research translation, and health system priorities. In this session, participants will explore the structure and dynamics of the Canadian medtech innovation ecosystem, with a focus on identifying key opportunities and enablers that support early-stage innovation and scale-up, as well as the challenges that innovators continue to face. The talk will examine how academic institutions, hospital innovation hubs, government programs, and public-private partnerships contribute to a supportive yet complex environment for medtech development. It will also address critical barriers including fragmented procurement processes, regulatory hurdles, and challenges in accessing clinical validation and market entry. Whether you’re looking to bring a new technology to market, form partnerships, or better understand where to begin, this session will offer a clear-eyed view of the forces shaping medtech innovation in Canada today and how to navigate them.

LECTURE 3 + WORKSHOP

Innovation Mindsets & Entrepreneurial Thinking

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 – 4:30PM - 7:00PM
SPEAKER: TO BE ANNOUNCED.

ABOUT THE LECTURE 

To be announced.

LECTURE 4 + WORKSHOP

Market Research & Opportunity Sizing

OCTOBER 2, 2025 – 4:30PM - 7:00PM
SPEAKER: TO BE ANNOUNCED.

ABOUT THE LECTURE

To be announced.

LECTURE 5 + WORKSHOP

Human-Centered Design & Ideation

OCTOBER 9, 2025 – 4:30PM - 7:00PM
SPEAKER: TO BE ANNOUNCED.

ABOUT THE LECTURE

To be announced.

LECTURE 6 + WORKSHOP

Intellectual Property Strategy & Patent Search

OCTOBER 16, 2025 – 4:30PM - 7:00PM
SPEAKER: TO BE ANNOUNCED.

ABOUT THE LECTURE

To be announced.

LECTURE 7 + WORKSHOP

Value Proposition, Business Models & Early Pitching

OCTOBER 23, 2025 – 4:30PM - 7:00PM
SPEAKER: TO BE ANNOUNCED.

ABOUT THE LECTURE

To be announced.

LECTURE 8 + WORKSHOP

Regulatory Strategy & Device Classification

OCTOBER 30, 2025 – 4:30PM - 7:00PM
SPEAKER: TO BE ANNOUNCED.

ABOUT THE LECTURE

To be announced.

LECTURE 9

R&D, Risk Management & Clinical Strategy

NOVEMBER 6, 2025 – 4:30PM - 5:30PM
SPEAKER: TO BE ANNOUNCED.

ABOUT THE LECTURE

To be announced.

LECTURE 10 + WORKSHOP

Reimbursement & Health Economics

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 – 4:30PM - 7:00PM
SPEAKER: TO BE ANNOUNCED.

ABOUT THE LECTURE

To be announced.

LECTURE 11

Venture Finance & Funding Models

NOVEMBER 20, 2025 – 4:30PM - 5:30PM
SPEAKER: TO BE ANNOUNCED.

ABOUT THE LECTURE

To be announced.

LECTURE 12

Marketing, Sales & Go-To-Market Strategy

NOVEMBER 27, 2025 – 5:30PM - 6:30PM
SPEAKER: TO BE ANNOUNCED.

ABOUT THE LECTURE

To be announced.

PRESENTATIONS

Final Venture Pitch Presentations & Feedback

DECEMBER 4, 2025 – 4:30PM - 5:30PM

ABOUT

To be announced.

MISSED A LECTURE? BROWSE OUR ARCHIVED LECTURES

John Doe

Commercialization Professional Research Mentor

Ahmed managers the Sunnybrook Medventions training program. He also manages the networking, outreach, and training programs at INOVAIT, a Sunnybrook-led pan-Canadian network in image-guided therapy and artificial intelligence. Ahmed is an enthusiastic clinical entrepreneur who brings more than 11 years of lived experience in healthcare innovation, health science research, and technology commercialization. Ahmed holds an Adjunct Lecturer appointment at the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto. Ahmed earned his MD degree from Cairo, Egypt and holds an MBA in healthcare management and technology innovation from Schulich School of Business, York University.

Jane Smith

Technology Innovation Industry Leader

Ahmed managers the Sunnybrook Medventions training program. He also manages the networking, outreach, and training programs at INOVAIT, a Sunnybrook-led pan-Canadian network in image-guided therapy and artificial intelligence. Ahmed is an enthusiastic clinical entrepreneur who brings more than 11 years of lived experience in healthcare innovation, health science research, and technology commercialization. Ahmed holds an Adjunct Lecturer appointment at the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto. Ahmed earned his MD degree from Cairo, Egypt and holds an MBA in healthcare management and technology innovation from Schulich School of Business, York University.

Dr. Ahmed Nasef

Program Lead, Sunnybrook Medventions

Ahmed managers the Sunnybrook Medventions training program. He also manages the networking, outreach, and training programs at INOVAIT, a Sunnybrook-led pan-Canadian network in image-guided therapy and artificial intelligence. Ahmed is an enthusiastic clinical entrepreneur who brings more than 11 years of lived experience in healthcare innovation, health science research, and technology commercialization. Ahmed holds an Adjunct Lecturer appointment at the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto. Ahmed earned his MD degree from Cairo, Egypt and holds an MBA in healthcare management and technology innovation from Schulich School of Business, York University.