Welcome back to the Halo Health Podcast! In this episode, host Rupen, an oncologist and Halo Health fellow, sits down with Dr. Norm Silver, a seasoned pediatrician turned entrepreneur and the CEO of QDoc.

Dr. Silver shares his inspiring journey from practicing physician to founding QDoc, a virtual healthcare platform designed to provide equal access to quality medical care for all, regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status. He delves into the challenges of starting a healthcare startup, the importance of finding trustworthy partners, and the steps he took to validate and build QDoc from the ground up.

Learn how Dr. Silver balances multiple ventures—including establishing the first urgent care clinic outside a hospital in Manitoba and creating a penicillin allergy clinic—while maintaining his medical practice and family life. He also offers valuable advice for physicians with entrepreneurial ideas, emphasizing the importance of mission, values, and company culture.

Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with lessons on mission-driven entrepreneurship, building a successful startup, and making a real difference in healthcare access.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction to the Halo Health Podcast and Guest Dr. Norm Silver

[00:41] Introducing Dr. Silver, CEO of QDoc

[01:16] Dr. Silver's Background and Journey into Entrepreneurship

[02:21] The Birth of QDoc and Its Mission for Equal Healthcare Access

[03:28] What is QDoc? Overview of the Virtual Healthcare Platform

[06:07] Starting QDoc: Finding a Co-Founder and Identifying Gaps

[07:54] Engaging with Startup Incubators and Validating the Idea

[10:01] Building the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for QDoc

[11:42] The Importance of Trust and Complementary Skills in Partnerships

[13:21] Seeking Advice from Experienced Entrepreneurs

[14:49] Risk Tolerance and Working for Free in Startups

[17:15] Previous Ventures: Preparing for QDoc

[23:35] Balancing Entrepreneurship, Practice, and Family Life

[25:39] The Importance of Company Mission, Values, and Culture

[30:50] Investing with Mission: Involvement with Halo Health

[36:30] Advice for Physicians with Entrepreneurial Ideas