The 2016 MedTech Boston 40 Under 40 Healthcare Innovators

Andrew Schutzbank, MD, MPH
Vice President, Product at Iora Health.
Science runs in Andrew Schutzbank’s blood. Growing up the son of a PhD in organic chemistry and a speech pathologist, Schutzbank knew that he wanted to pursue a career in science. He also knew that he had a knack for business. “It was very clear to me at a young age—selling candy and soda and running a poker game in first grade recess—that I also had a hustling side, a people side,” says Schutzbank. “Pure pursuit of knowledge itself would never hold me entirely.”

In college, Schutzbank set his sights on becoming a doctor. He attended medical school at Tulane and afterwards went to work at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Primary Care Internal Medicine.

Later his mentor Rushika Fernandopulle brought him on as the Assistant Medical Director at Iora Health, a startup hoping to revolutionize primary care. “Prior to working with Rushika, I was a crazy person who had grandiose ideas on how primary care was the key to improving the health of our population and health care system,” says Schutzbank. As the 3rd member of the Iora team, Schutzbank had a chance to try to make these ideas a reality.

Now as the the Vice President of product at Iora Health, Schutzbank’s first concern is to help his patients solve their problems. Second is to build a trusting relationship.

“With that trusting relationship, we can both help people improve their lives and help them minimize their exposure to the health system,” he said. “We combine a spirit of service with great technology to make sure that we are keeping our promises and giving great advice while keeping our patients and their unique lives in the focus of our clinical work.”

Schutzbank attributes Iora’s ability to improve their patients’ lives to “a little creativity and a little courage, supported by a great team and technology.”