This story is part of a series about founders and experts discovered during the Frontiers Health’s event in Berlin (Germany), where innovative healthcare professionals and disruptive entrepreneurs presented their products, services and ideas. Got a story to tell? Let us know! Email us at [email protected].
The Journey of Dr. Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades:
From Medicine to Digital Health Entrepreneurship
In the rapidly evolving world of digital health, Dr. Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades stands out as a visionary leader and innovator. His journey from a medical doctor to a pioneering entrepreneur in digital health technology is not just inspiring but also a testament to the power of vision and adaptability in healthcare innovation.
Early Life, Career and Education of Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades
Born in Peru to a Greek mother and a Peruvian father, Dr. Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades has always been smart enough to understand the value of taking calculated risks. In 2002, while Jhonatan was still 15 years old, he attended alongside his schoolmates the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which is an annual science fair in the United States of America sponsored by Intel from 1997 to 2019. As a delegation, they managed to get into a Q&A with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1993 laureate; Richard J. Roberts.
Even as a young aspiring scientist back then, he knew he had to take a chance and dare to ask Mr. Roberts to become his mentor. In fact, most youngsters in the room were probably as intimidated as he was by the Nobel Prize laureate.
Certainly, this was a move that required him to get out of his comfort zone. However, the risk of embarrassing himself was worth it considering the other possibility; being mentored by a world renown scientist.
So, right after the Q&A session ended, Jhonatan immediately seized the opportunity to ask Mr. Roberts for his contact details to stay in touch. And luckily, his request was successful and from there began a lifelong mentor-mentee relationship. And to this day, Jhonatan is one of the lucky few founders in healthcare that can genuinely say that they are being mentored by a Nobel Prize laureate in the actual field of their entrepreneurial endeavors.
The truth of the matter is that this small “win” planted an everlasting seed in his young mind, which eventually sprouted a life-changing motto; unless you ask, the answer will always be no. On the other hand, if one just dares to ask, the probability of getting a positive answer significantly increases as a result.
Consequently, armed with many similar experiences, Jhonatan was soon empowered enough to understand how the fear of rejection prevents most people from achieving both social and economic success. It was an evidence to him that there appears to be a complete correlation between risk-taking and rewards. After all, it is George Addair who rightfully once stated;
“Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.”- George Addair
That said, Dr. Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades is very familiar with not only facing, but also, intentionally overcoming his own fears. This growth mindset led him to convince his parents to sign an affidavit of parental consent to allow him to travel to Cuba and study medicine on his own for a sustained period of time. Subsequently, Jhonatan began his career as a medical doctor, earning his degree from the University of Havana. A journey of six years that culminated in his graduation as a physician.
However, his passion for technology and innovation led him to explore the intersection of medicine and digital solutions. This curiosity drove him to further his education, specializing in Occupational Medicine and Digital Health, with certifications from prestigious institutions like Imperial College London. This diverse educational background laid the groundwork for his future professional and entrepreneurial endeavors.
The Rise of Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades in Digital Health
As he navigated the corporate world, Jhonatan quickly distinguished himself by holding executive positions in various Health-tech and Digital Health companies across Europe and the USA. His roles as Business Director, Medical Director, and Chief Medical Officer provided him with invaluable insights into the healthcare industry’s needs and challenges.
Consequently, each position helped shape his understanding of how technology could enhance patient care. Ironically, his time in the corporate world thoroughly prepared him to transition successfully into the business arena as the founder of a digital health startup.
Founding Lapsi Health: A Married Couple’s Vision Comes to Life
Lapsi Health is not just any successful startup born out of its founders desire to raise capital and build wealth. From its inception, it has rather been more of a love affair than a mere business venture. As a matter of fact, the initial idea upon which the company was eventually built came from Diana van Stijn, MD PhD, to whom Jhonatan also happened to be married.
Diana was in the top two swimmers of the Dutch Synchronized Swimming team where she competed in both team and duet categories. As a matter of fact, she represented the Netherlands to multiple world championships and European championships such as the European Synchronized Swimming Champions Cup in Rome, Italy (31 May – 03 June 2007). Topping it all off, she also almost made it to the Olympics. But since she stopped competing at the highest level as an athlete, she has been a dedicated founder, Physician and a PhD holder.
However, it is in 2021, while driving together in their family car that Diana voiced the idea and throughout the conversation, they both realized it was something they would love to make happen.
Bringas Dimitriades (CEO), Diana van Stijn (Chief Medical Officer) and Rodrigo Alvez (CTO)
The following months, the married couple put in the work, juggling raising two daughters at the time while holding professional careers, they still managed to build the initial strategy for the company together as founders.
Nevertheless, they both realized later on that in order to successfully turn Diana’s idea into a viable business, they needed various sets of specialized skills which they did not have.
Therefore, Diana and Jhonatan both agreed to bring in two additional co-founders to assume the roles of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). And soon after, another position was created for the Head of Engineering, which completed the strategic positions that were identified as missing within the initial strategy.
Fast-forward to 2024, Dr. Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades is no longer just one of the two initial co-founders of Lapsi Health, he is also the company’s acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO). As the CEO, he is leading the development of innovative sound-based technology for digital biomarkers, which has the potential to revolutionize health diagnostics and monitoring.
This ambitious project reflects his commitment to making healthcare more accessible and efficient worldwide. Lapsi Health leadership team’s growth mindset has led to the company to be granted three patents and six others are currently pending (no patent rejection so far).
According to Jhonatan, Lapsi Health is a market developer;
“I firmly subscribe to the notion that it is important to design the experience way before you even start building the technology itself.”- Dr. Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades
And this is exactly what Lapsi Health did, it created its own market at a time where its intended target audience did not even know they needed such technology.
A Holistic Approach to Healthcare Innovation
As a business leader in his field, what truly sets Jhonatan apart is his holistic approach to healthcare innovation. He understands that true progress comes from bridging gaps—between technology and medicine, different healthcare systems, and innovators and practitioners.
His work as a visiting Professor of Digital Health at Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, along with advisory roles at organizations like Medscape, showcases this commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
And his most recent public intervention as a thought leader in the healthcare space was at non other than the prestigious Frontiers Health, one of the premier global health innovation events, with a special emphasis on digital therapies, breakthrough technologies, healthcare transformation, investments, and ecosystem development.
During his speech at Frontiers Health as a panelist to discuss the Future of Telehealth, Jhonatan received a standing ovation from the whole auditorium while holding his cutting-edge technological device called Keikku, which is clinically validated and FDA cleared.
Keikku’s hardware is not just a sleek, modern design; it is also an advanced software that enables healthcare professionals and tech enthusiasts to step into the future of auscultation with its cutting-edge app.
Continuous Learning: The Key to Dr. Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades’ Success
Dr. Bringas Dimitriades’ journey is also marked by continuous learning and adaptation. From re-certifying as a physician in four countries to mastering four languages, he embodies the idea that growth and flexibility are crucial in the rapidly evolving field of digital health.
This dedication to lifelong learning, may it be through one-on-one mentorship with savvy scientists such as Richard J. Roberts or through his own company’s product development, not only enhances his own expertise but also inspires those around him.
Recognition in the Digital Health Space
Jhonatan’s efforts have certainly not gone unnoticed. His work has been featured in prominent publications like Yahoo! Finance, TechCrunch.com and EU Startup News, solidifying his status as a thought leader in digital health.
And when he is not busy getting featured in leading digital magazines, the healthcare innovator is often the special guest on leading podcasts on Spotify to discuss the future of the Med-Tech industry. However, for him, the real reward lies in the potential impact of his innovations on patient care worldwide.
His ability to connect with audiences wherever he speaks about Lapsi Health’s mission is a testament to his ever growing influence not only as a market developer, but even more importantly, as a trendsetter within the med-tech industry.
“The mission of Lapsi Health is to democratize the natural language of your body, regardless of who you are and where you are.“- Dr. Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades
Balancing Innovation and Personal Passions
Perhaps what’s most inspiring about Jhonatan’s story is how he balances his professional pursuits with personal passions. A former singer who still enjoys karaoke, Dr. Bringas Dimitriades reminds us that innovation often comes from unexpected places. He told EU Startup News that he has been singing all his life and even used to sing in a small band where he played the guitar, the mandolin as well as the laúd.
He was also in the Salsa dancing team of his university. All these artistic passions helped him maintain diverse interests, which in turn contributed to fueling his creativity in professional endeavors, allowing for a well-rounded approach to life. Furthermore, Jhonatan told EU Startup News that he is no longer the only singer in his immediate family as his daughter also caught the singing bug.
“My daughter is also a good singer. We sing together sometimes. We love it.” – Dr. Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades
Looking Ahead: The Future of Digital Health
As Jhonatan continues to lead Lapsi Health toward new frontiers in digital biomarkers, his journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring healthcare innovators everywhere. His journey is a great reminder that with a clear vision, perseverance, and a willingness to cross boundaries, one can truly make a lasting impact on global healthcare.
Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades
In compendium, in a world where healthcare faces unprecedented challenges, leaders like Dr. Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades offer hope and a sense of direction. Through his ground breaking work and executive leadership as CEO at Lapsi Health, he is not just developing new technologies such as Keikku, iLo or Lapsi Air; he is paving the way for a future where healthcare is more accessible, efficient, and personalized than ever before.
Ultimately, Jhonatan’s journey from medical student in Cuba to digital health pioneer in the Netherlands serves as either a roadmap or a definitive blueprint for those who dare to dream of creating a better, healthier world for all.
This article was brought to you by Frontiers Health, which is one of the premier global health innovation events, with a strong focus on digital therapies, breakthrough technologies, healthcare transformation, investments, and ecosystem development. Frontiers Health is hosted and powered by EVERSANA.
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