From Grit to Growth: How the MedAscend Sales Fellowship Is Cultivating the Next Generation of MedTech Sales Leaders

The MedAscend Sales Fellowship is redefining what it means to succeed in the medical device industry. By targeting driven individuals from non-traditional backgrounds and training them with clinical, sales, and leadership expertise, the program fills a critical talent gap and sets a new standard for industry readiness.

The medical device industry is one of the most innovative sectors in healthcare, but it continues to struggle with talent development, especially for early-career professionals seeking structured pathways into sales roles. Startups and smaller MedTech companies in particular face a persistent challenge: how to find sales representatives who are both clinically fluent and commercially confident, while also embodying the leadership capacity needed to grow in fast-paced environments.

MedTech Innovator recognized this need and partnered with a team of leadership and industry experts to launch the MedAscend Sales Fellowship, with an initial focus on building clinical fluency in the neuro space. Funded by the Frederick Gardner Cottrell Foundation, the program is designed to prepare high-potential individuals for immediate placement in medical device sales, blending advanced clinical training, sales process mastery, and purpose-driven leadership development.

The Fellowship is a highly selective, six-month immersive experience designed for people with grit, intelligence, and the desire to lead—even if they don’t come from traditional life sciences backgrounds. Fellows include military veterans, athletes, and high-performing outliers with a passion for healthcare and a drive to excel in high-stakes, high-growth industries.

Program Components

• Advanced Neuroanatomy & Clinical Training
  Fellows gain foundational knowledge in neurovascular anatomy and procedures, positioning them to speak confidently with clinicians and navigate the complexity of the neuro device space.
• Sales Mastery
  Through a structured, process-driven curriculum, fellows learn to challenge customers with fresh perspectives, tailor solutions to meet specific clinical needs, and take ownership of the sales process.
• Leadership Development
  Each fellow is paired with a leadership coach and immersed in a custom development journey focused on adaptability, emotional intelligence, influence, and team dynamics.

Timeline

• Fellows are selected through a national process in partnership with the MTI team and onboarded as a cohort of approximately 8-10 individuals.
• Training includes virtual modules, hands-on learning, expert mentorship, and clinical observation. The most recent cohort participated in hands-on learning in partnership with Q’Apel Medical in Fremont, CA, and Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, GA.
• By the end of the program, fellows are well-prepared to step into junior sales roles—typically working alongside a more senior representative within a shared territory to continue developing their skills and confidence in the field.

Summary of Outcomes

• The pilot cohort launched in 2024 with seven fellows and concluded in March 2025. Placement is currently underway, with two fellows already securing sales roles in the MedTech sector.
• 100% of the fellows would recommend the program to others with a perfect 100 Net Promoter Score. One testimonial read: “Zero to Hero efficiency and quality captured in such a short period of time was just truly incredible.”
• Employers highlight the program’s unique ability to shorten the time-to-value for new sales hires—a critical advantage in competitive markets.

As the Fellowship prepares for Round 2, the team is exploring deeper partnerships with MedTech employers, including opportunities for companies to sponsor fellows or nominate emerging internal talent for the program. The goal is not only to expand access to sales and/or leadership training, but to reshape how the industry approaches early talent development altogether.

About MedAscend

MedAscend, powered by MedTech Innovator, is an initiative developed by a team of industry leaders and leadership development experts working together to address one of the MedTech sector’s most persistent pain points: early-career talent development. In addition to the MedTech Innovator team, the program is led by Steve Neary of Neary Global Solutions and Kristin Harrington of Handled.

To learn more about MedAscend graduates or inquire about joining a future cohort, contact Steve Neary at smneary1775@gmail.com.