Q&A with Frank Jaskulke: Healthcare Innovation in Minnesota and Beyond

In this special feature, we sit down with Frank Jaskulke, the esteemed Vice President of Intelligence at Medical Alley, to navigate through the transformative journey of one of the world's largest and most innovative healthcare ecosystems—Minnesota's very own Medical Alley. Over two decades, this beacon of healthcare innovation has not just grown but evolved into a powerhouse of medical advancement and collaborative success. With Minnesota standing proudly as a longstanding epicenter for healthcare innovation, we're eager to dive deep with Frank. He'll share insights on Medical Alley's impressive growth, the pivotal trends shaping the future of healthcare, and the synergistic power of collaboration across industries. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global force in health innovation, get ready to explore the heart of Medical Alley through Frank's experiences and visions for a healthier tomorrow.

How has Medical Alley evolved since you joined the organization? 

Over nearly 20 years, a lot! The Medical Alley community has grown, diversified, and evolved. And so has the company. We went from a staff of 4 to 18, from 450 to 800 partner companies, and from serving mostly the Twin Cities and Rochester to serving the whole state of Minnesota, the surrounding region, and increasingly a global partner base. But one thing hasn't changed – the commitment to our founder's vision that this place, known as Medical Alley, will be and be known as the epicenter of health innovation and care.

What do you consider to be Minnesota's greatest strength in healthcare innovation? 

The commitment of so many to constantly innovate in every aspect of healthcare – delivery, payment, and technology. This community is not content with the status quo.

What opportunities have you seen for collaboration between healthcare organizations and other industries during your time at Medical Alley? 

There is so much all of us can learn from other sectors. We've been fortunate to count FedEx as a partner for over ten years – they bring insights from many industries to improve supply chains. Insights that proved invaluable during the pandemic and today will help with the transition to greater care at home.

What initiatives has Medical Alley implemented to encourage greater collaboration among its member organizations? 

 In addition to events, 1-1 introductions, and roundtables, we recently added a digital platform, Medical Alley Connects. With Connects, we facilitate 1-1 virtual meetings among partners with common interests. So far, we've had groups for HR, regulatory, sales, marketing, and digital health CEOs and are planning many others.

What do you believe will be the most significant trend in healthcare over the next five years?

The movement of care closer to the patient – homecare, telecare, virtual care. It will matter less where the clinic is and more where the patient is. Companies are already pioneering in the space, and I anticipate many more.

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