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From Frailty to Function: Jason Johanning’s Mission to Automate Patient Assessments
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What if the strongest predictor of surgical success wasn’t age or diagnosis—but frailty? And what if assessing frailty could be automated at check-in, providing doctors with critical insights before they meet the patient?
In this episode of Lightning RX, host Colette Nataf sits down with Dr. Jason Johanning, vascular surgeon and founder of Vital IT System, to explore how his company is transforming frailty assessments from outdated pen-and-paper methods into automated, billable tools integrated with EMRs.
Jason shares how his work in surgical services earned the 2023 Eisenberg Award, why existing methods weren’t enough, and how his passion for biomechanics and technology led to the creation of a Class I FDA-registered device now on the market. He also opens up about navigating early product development in India, pivoting back to the U.S. for faster progress, and leveraging Nebraska’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to raise a pre-seed round.
From concept to commercialization, Jason reveals the persistence and passion it takes to bring a healthcare product to life—and why both are non-negotiable for founders.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why frailty is the strongest predictor of surgical and recovery outcomes
- How Vital IT System automates grip strength, walk speed, and physiological measures
- The challenges of replacing century-old methods with modern tech
- Why local manufacturing can be a scaling advantage in today’s market
- Lessons learned from shifting development from Bangalore to Nebraska
- How to approach pre-seed fundraising in medtech without giving up too much equity
- Why persistence and passion are the true keys to healthcare innovation
💡 Golden Nugget:
“Keep the passion, be persistent, and get to the end of the line.”
Connect with Jason Johanning:
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jjohanning
Connect with the Show:
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colettenataf
- Website: lightning.media
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!
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