Beyond Cadavers: Synthetic Tissue Is Changing Surgical Training Forever with CEO Adam Clark | Ep. 27
Thu Nov 13 2025
On this episode, host Steph Pliha sits down with Adam Clark, CEO of IMRA Surgical. A surgical training company advancing hyper realistic synthetic tissue and progression-based learning to replace animals and cadavers.Adam shares his journey from the military to J&J, Medtronic, and Intuitive, why VR plus synthetics beats single-episode learning in cadaver labs, and how global adoption of robotic surgery is accelerating in the UK, Japan, India, and beyond. You’ll hear the 'Sim to Synthetics' model, how reusable torsos with single-use hydrogel cartridges work, and why building an A-player culture matters in medtech startups. If you care about surgical outcomes, ethics, and training to proficiency, this one’s for you. 00:00 Intro to Adam Clark01:12 From Military to Medtech Leadership06:16 The DaVinci Aha Moment and Intuitive Year07:24 Moving to Australia and Founding Mission08:49 Replacing Animals and Cadavers with Synthetics12:18 Progression-Based Learning and Proficiency Models15:27 Sim to Synthetics Framework Explained17:18 Cost, Travel, and Efficiency Benefits for Hospitals19:53 Reusable Torsos and Hydrogel Cartridges20:59 Team, R&D, and Clinical Validation Roadmap29:45 Global Shift to Robotic Surgery in 10 Years (UK)32:00 Startup Realities, Fundraising, and Hiring A-Players37:15 Pathways, Promotions, and Culture Building41:58 Books, Mentors, and Leadership Mindset48:26 Outro and CTA
Learn More about Guest Speaker - Adam Clark and IMRA Surgical:website: imrasurgical.comlinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-clark-3312714
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I'm Steph Pliha, Founder & Principal of Tribe Agency with 20+ years in leadership. After building multiple 7-figure businesses, I now help entrepreneurs transform their brands from nouns to verbs. My Make your Brand a Verb™ Framework has helped countless businesses dominate their markets through strategic positioning and marketing that delivers real results.📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephpliha/
BUSINESS INQUIRIES:
hello@tribeagency.org
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On this episode, host Steph Pliha sits down with Adam Clark, CEO of IMRA Surgical. A surgical training company advancing hyper realistic synthetic tissue and progression-based learning to replace animals and cadavers.Adam shares his journey from the military to J&J, Medtronic, and Intuitive, why VR plus synthetics beats single-episode learning in cadaver labs, and how global adoption of robotic surgery is accelerating in the UK, Japan, India, and beyond. You’ll hear the 'Sim to Synthetics' model, how reusable torsos with single-use hydrogel cartridges work, and why building an A-player culture matters in medtech startups. If you care about surgical outcomes, ethics, and training to proficiency, this one’s for you. 00:00 Intro to Adam Clark01:12 From Military to Medtech Leadership06:16 The DaVinci Aha Moment and Intuitive Year07:24 Moving to Australia and Founding Mission08:49 Replacing Animals and Cadavers with Synthetics12:18 Progression-Based Learning and Proficiency Models15:27 Sim to Synthetics Framework Explained17:18 Cost, Travel, and Efficiency Benefits for Hospitals19:53 Reusable Torsos and Hydrogel Cartridges20:59 Team, R&D, and Clinical Validation Roadmap29:45 Global Shift to Robotic Surgery in 10 Years (UK)32:00 Startup Realities, Fundraising, and Hiring A-Players37:15 Pathways, Promotions, and Culture Building41:58 Books, Mentors, and Leadership Mindset48:26 Outro and CTA Learn More about Guest Speaker - Adam Clark and IMRA Surgical:website: imrasurgical.comlinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-clark-3312714 🎁 FREE RESOURCES TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS: ✨Brand Brief Template: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandbrief ✨Entrepreneur Checklist:https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/30daye-checklist ✨Automated Marketing:https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/automatedmarketing ✨15 Strategic Investor Slides: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/getfunded 🚀 LAUNCH AND BRAND YOUR BUSINESS WITH ME! 30 Day Entrepreneur Course: https://30dayentrepreneur.tribeagency.org/ Brand Masterclass: https://tribeagency.myflodesk.com/brandmasterclass 🎙️ SUBSCRIBE TO LEADR. PODCAST: Latest interviews with innovators and industry leaders: https://tribeagency.org/leadr-podcast CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL: 📱Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tribeagency1/ 📱Twitter/X: http://x.com/TribeAgency1 📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephpliha/ 📱YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@makeyourbrandaverb ABOUT ME: I'm Steph Pliha, Founder & Principal of Tribe Agency with 20+ years in leadership. After building multiple 7-figure businesses, I now help entrepreneurs transform their brands from nouns to verbs. My Make your Brand a Verb™ Framework has helped countless businesses dominate their markets through strategic positioning and marketing that delivers real results.📱LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephpliha/ BUSINESS INQUIRIES: hello@tribeagency.org #MakeYourBrandAVerb #BrandStrategy #StartupMarketing #SmallBusiness #Branding #MedtechMarketing #BusinessTips #LeadrPodcast #Medtech #Startups