CASE STUDY
Medtronic – Driving change in women’s health through focus group insights
Published Date – 25 March 2024
The challenge
In early 2024, Medtronic advanced its commitment to health equity by completing the SMART Trial, a pivotal study evaluating the efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) technology for patients with a small aortic annulus and symptomatic, severe native-aortic stenosis. This condition disproportionately affects women, and the SMART Trial reflected that reality by enrolling an unprecedented 87% women participants. These results presented a unique opportunity not only to showcase Medtronic’s progress in addressing sex-based disparities in cardiovascular disease but also to shape future research that better serves women’s health.
Ahead of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2024 Annual Scientific Sessions, Medtronic was eager to understand how to effectively communicate its findings within both the provider and patient communities. They also wanted to explore how to increase women’s engagement in future cardiovascular research. Recognizing that genuine insights from women in cardiology were essential, Medtronic partnered with Women As One to convene the right voices.
The Women As One solution
Medtronic needed to hear from experienced women cardiologists, leaders in the field with the clinical expertise and patient-focused perspectives to offer actionable, strategic insights. Women As One drew from its global network of over 2,600 women physicians in cardiology to identify and curate a specialized focus group.
Facilitated by Women As One founder and renowned interventional cardiologist Dr. Roxana Mehran, the session brought together leading women cardiologists to evaluate the SMART Trial’s design, discuss leadership representation in clinical research, and identify future strategies for inclusive, equitable trials. Their input helped Medtronic refine its approach to sharing its findings and maintaining momentum beyond the conference.
The results
Women As One convened 12 structural heart experts and Medtronic leadership for a focused, meaningful exchange. This collaboration ensured that Medtronic’s messaging around the SMART Trial was shaped by the lived experiences of women physicians who understand both the clinical and human impacts of cardiovascular disease in women. The dialogue also generated ideas for strengthening gender equity in future trial designs and advancing women’s health more broadly in the field of cardiology.
By working with Women As One, Medtronic demonstrated a clear commitment to listening to and elevating the voices of women cardiologists and improving women’s health. This collaboration provided strategic insights and strengthened long-term efforts to ensure that clinical research better represents and serves women patients.
The partnership between Medtronic and Women As One over the last five years has resulted in meaningful relationships with established and emerging female physicians. We’ve been able to leverage their voices to directly impact our business strategy and identify strong female physicians for professional opportunities based on their expertise and areas of interest. We look forward to our continued partnership!
Nina Goodheart
SVP and President, Structural Heart & Aortic at Medtronic
Women As One is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the inclusion, development, and advancement of women physicians in cardiology. By creating opportunities and resources specifically designed to support women in the field, we aim to address long-standing gender disparities and foster a more equitable and representative cardiovascular workforce.
We believe that partnerships with industry organizations are essential to creating meaningful, systemic change. Through collaboration, we can amplify our reach, align on shared goals, and develop innovative initiatives that promote gender equity across all areas of cardiology, from clinical trials and leadership to education and visibility. If your organization is committed to making cardiology a more inclusive and diverse specialty, we would be delighted to explore potential opportunities for collaboration. To learn more about partnership opportunities with Women As One, please contact us at info@womenasone.org.
Let’s create a lasting impact, together.
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