Celebrating Medtronic’s Big Win & the Decade-Long Journey to Transform Hypertension Care

Winning top recognition at the inaugural TAG Awards for B2B Innovation is a monumental achievement, and Medtronic’s groundbreaking work in renal denervation showcases exactly why! 

In the latest episode of TAG’D: Beyond the Award, host Justin Starbird sits down with Gabe Lazarus, Vice President of Marketing for Renal Denervation at Medtronic, to explore the decade-long journey behind their award-winning innovation.

Affecting over a billion adults globally, hypertension remains one of healthcare's most pervasive challenges. Medtronic's FDA-approved Symplicity system delivers a novel device-based procedure to lower blood pressure, offering hope to thousands who struggle with traditional medications and lifestyle changes. 

In this transparent discussion, Gabe opens up about the grit required to stay committed over ten years, the challenge of breaking through traditional treatment inertia, and the key strategies for securing regulatory and payer alignment.

Key highlights from the episode include:

• A Decade of Persistence: How a mission-driven team navigated early clinical setbacks to rebuild credibility through rigorous trial data and global registries.
• Fostering an NVD (Never Been Done) Culture: Internal strategies Medtronic uses to empower change agents and celebrate out-of-the-box innovation.
• Real-World Patient Impact: Inspiring real stories of patients taking control of their health and getting their lives back.

Gabe’s insights on humility, pressure-testing ideas, and staying true to your core mission offer invaluable lessons for anyone looking to drive meaningful innovation and transform patient outcomes.

Catch the full conversation on your favorite streaming platform or watch the video on YouTube, and join us in congratulating Medtronic on their well-deserved TAG Award victory!