Signals Group

Signals is where the world learns about the ideas, innovations, and investments shaping the future of kidney care. We leverage media and research to move the field forward. We are joined by over 20,000 monthly readers in 55 countries, including many world class teams from industry, academia, government, and beyond.

Learn more at signalsfs.com

Founder

Various Companies

I work closely with emerging healthcare technology companies and product innovation teams to provide guidance, product insights, research, and storytelling support across commercialization, customer discovery, and go-to-market planning. I love working with early-stage startups, incubators, and accelerators to support companies through initial discovery and 0 to 1 product building across areas like nephrology, metabolic health, mental health, digital health, drug development, biotech, and biomarkers.

Select Collaborations:
→ Care delivery platform reimagining transplant-first CKD pathways
→ AI-enabled mental health screening tool for veterans with trauma and PTSD
→ Enterprise AI platform for early-stage screening in primary care and nephrology
→ Transplant-focused waitlist and referral management platform for patients
→ Workplace mental health app using AI to prevent burnout in high-stress roles
→ Mixed reality CPR and critical skills training company for frontline professionals

Advisor

Redesign Health

Joined RH Advise, a formalized network for Redesign Health's internal teams and operating companies to tap into for expertise, guidance and advice across all stages of the company creation process. I supported several companies through the early stages of problem validation, customer discovery, product sprints, market research, go-to-market strategy, evidence generation and early commercial efforts for companies operating across health and medtech, including patient engagement, education, training, dialysis, transplant, immersive technology and media segments.

IKONA

Co-founded IKONA, a healthcare learning company developing immersive education and training solutions for patients and frontline care teams. Served as CEO from day one, leading market validation, customer discovery, business development, partnerships, and fundraising. Secured backing from the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, and NVIDIA. Under my leadership, IKONA was named a Top 200 EdTech Startup in the GSV Cup (2022, 2023) and deployed in 250+ dialysis clinics nationwide, improving patient education, staff training, and home dialysis adoption.

Developed and commercialized VR-based learning experiences, integrating evidence-based learning science to enhance knowledge retention and patient confidence. Partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop AI-driven predictive models for identifying home dialysis candidates. Published multiple peer-reviewed papers in leading clinical and industry journals and served as Principal Investigator on federally funded research. Led capital raises, secured clinical pilots, and executed go-to-market strategies in the complex healthcare ecosystem.

Co-Founder & CEO

Principal Investigator

Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship

Served on the board of Health+, an AI-powered workplace mental health startup and member of the 2024 MIT delta v NYC accelerator cohort. Participated in four structured board meetings to guide product development, go-to-market strategy, and fundraising plans. Advised the founding team on refining its B2B2C subscription model, prioritizing user insights from 150+ interviews, and preparing for Demo Day. Health+ launched a working AI prototype with 300 beta users during the program and secured strong interest from enterprise HR and wellness leaders in New York's finance sector.

Board Member

On Deck

Selected for the inaugural On Deck Health Fellowship (ODH1), a curated community of healthcare founders, operators, and innovators building the future of health. Later, my company IKONA was accepted into On Deck Accelerator (ODX1), the first cohort of On Deck’s venture accelerator backing high-potential, venture-scale startups across industries. Supported by On Deck’s global network of investors, operators, and experts, I gained access to capital, mentorship, and a deep community of builders at the earliest stages of company growth.

Founder Fellowship

National Science Foundation (NSF)

Served as Principal Investigator (PI) on IKONA's Phase I research grant from the National Science Foundation. Led scientific, technical, and clinical teams towards research and commercial milestones. Also served as Entrepreneurial Lead during the national I-CORPS Program cohort (W22).

FundRx

Supported diligence and commercial strategy for immersive technologies and chronic care pathways.

Venture Partner

BMO Capital Markets

Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) equities trader, responsible for managing risk, execution, and P&L for a sell-side firm in New York. Focus areas included emerging technologies (AR, VR, AI), internet (FAANG, ADRs), and new media businesses (streaming, studios, platforms).

Equities Trader - Tech, Media, & Telecom (TMT)

US Navy

Naval Officer

Co-Founder & CEO at IKONA

Tim Fitzpatrick is a (mostly) New York-based founder, writer, and advisor focused on advancing kidney health. He founded Signals Group, a media and strategic advisory firm with a flagship newsletter read by over 15,000 providers, policy makers, advocates and industry leaders in 50 countries. Signals explores the ideas, innovations, and investments shaping kidney care—from digital health and devices to policy and payments. He previously co-founded IKONA, a VR-based education and training company focused on CKD and ESKD backed by public and private investors and recognized as a top EdTech company globally. Tim has co-authored 8 publications at the intersection of neuroscience, learning, and healthcare applications. Before founding IKONA, Tim served in the U.S. Navy and later worked as an institutional equities trader in New York, covering emerging technologies and media. His experience as a patient in the Navy and VA health system inspired his commitment to solving hard problems in healthcare.

Most (kidney) doctors were never trained to use genetics in their everyday practice. But that’s changing, fast. A recent study shows 1 in 5 patients with kidney disease has a genetic cause, and when testing is done, nearly half of those patients see a change in their diagnosis or treatment plan. 

Yet the majority are never tested.

That's a significant gap we need to address, and genetic counseling sits at the center of this shift. It helps patients understand what they're facing and what their results mean: for their treatment, their families, and their future.

In our latest Signals KOLs conversation, Dr. Andrew Lazar of University Hospitals in Cleveland shares how genetic testing is reshaping diagnosis, connecting patients to trials, and revealing the impact of APOL1 variants on kidney health and disparities.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬

1. 𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐋1 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬. About 30% of African Americans on dialysis carry two APOL1 risk variants that dramatically increase the chance of kidney failure. Understanding this gene is key to closing one of the most persistent gaps in kidney health equity.

2. 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Large studies like RenaCARE and datasets like Renasight IQ are showing how genetic profiles intersect with real-world treatments. Findings suggest that certain drugs, such as SGLT2 inhibitors, may offset genetic risk where others fall short.

3. 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭. Breakthroughs are on the horizon, but progress depends on participation. Clinicians and researchers must reach communities most affected by genetic kidney disease and build the trust needed to move discoveries into treatments.

4. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲. Just as cancer care became personalized through molecular profiling, kidney medicine is entering its own genetics revolution. It's one that will redefine how we diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent kidney failure.

5. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐨𝐰. Genetic insights are already transforming care. Dr. Lazar shared how one test uncovered a rare inherited condition and gave a family clarity and peace of mind after decades of uncertainty. For many patients, genetics is no longer a research tool; it’s an essential part of their care journey.

Find our full conversation here:
🧬 https://lnkd.in/ekX7yyMF

***
I'd love to hear from you.

Have you used genetic testing in your clinical practice, or seen it impact a patient’s life? Has it impacted yours?

Share your stories, tips, or questions for Dr. Lazar and others who are using these types of testing tools to change kidney care.

And if you're sharing any lessons or research done in this space at Kidney Week, please drop a comment below! 👇🏻

Tim Fitzpatrick

CEO and co-founder of IKONA Health, a company changing the delivery and measurement of learning across health care, inspired by my patient experiences in the Navy and VA. I also host a biweekly show called T-Minus 10 about the future of education in healthcare.

IKONA is a learning technology company powering education in kidney care, where I work with a brilliant team of clinicians, patients, scientists, storytellers and designers to make learning more effective and accessible. We're making learning visible and measurable at scale, starting with kidney care.

T-Minus 10 is the show with 10-minute takes on the future of education in healthcare. Each episode I have a guest who shares their work, challenges, optimism and stories from the frontlines. T-Minus 10 is part of the Slice of Healthcare network and sponsored by IKONA Health. 🌎 Audience: clinician educators, patients, 0 to 1 builders, 1 to n scalers, intrapreneurs and system innovation teams.

Signals From [Space] is our chance to dig deeper into a single topic or theme covered on T-Minus 10. From care model innovation and community building to emerging technology and health equity, today's frontiers are tomorrow's realities, and the people we meet and learn from on T10 will ultimately be the ones who help us get there. You'll get Signals on a new [Space] every other week. 🌎 Audience: clinician educators, patients, health tech builders, intrapreneurs and health executives.

IKONA is backed by the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, StartUp Health, ODX1 and NVIDIA, and earned recognition as an Elite 200 EdTech startup globally in the 2022 GSV Cup.

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