Joseph F. Amaral, M.D.
Advisor
Dr. Amaral is an internationally recognized pioneer in minimally invasive surgery and the development and commercialization of new surgical technologies. Specifically, he has identified opportunities for practical solutions to existing surgical problems and partnered closely with others to take these solutions through the product development and commercialization cycles, leading to broad-based commercial acceptance of these products.
Currently, Dr. Amaral is VP of Medical and Scientific Affairs for HistoSonics, which is developing a transformational imaging guided robotically controlled technology that uses the cavitation properties of ultrasound to precisely and reliably destroy targeted tissue. He also serves as CMO for Venture Investors, a Midwest based VC firm focused on healthcare innovation. In his capacity with VI, Dr. Amaral provides medical and scientific expertise to portfolio companies and is responsible for potential investments' scientific and technical diligence.
Before these roles, Dr. Amaral was VP of Surgical Innovation at Ethicon, Inc. He developed a novel specialty-based clinically advisory board that led to an HPB Strategy, multiple acquisitions, investments, and new product developments, retiring in 2019. From 2000 to 2007, Dr. Amaral was President and CEO of Rhode Island Hospital (RIH) and its pediatric division Hasbro Children’s Hospital. During this period, he led a turnaround in operations from a $28 million loss to a $35 million profit. Before that, Dr. Amaral was Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Brown University School of Medicine, Chief of Surgery at Rhode Island Hospital, and President of University Surgical Associates. Dr. Amaral is currently a Professor of Surgery at Brown University School of Medicine, a member of 25 professional societies, author of 100+ papers and book chapters, and has delivered over 400 national and international presentations. In addition, he has performed approximately 3,000 laparoscopic procedures and trained hundreds of practicing surgeons in these techniques around the world.
Dr. Amaral was instrumental in the success of Ultracision, a startup company, by developing with company CEO Tom Davison, Ph.D., the Harmonic Scalpel, the first and still leading ultrasonically activated cutting and coagulating surgical device. Johnson and Johnson eventually purchased the company. This technology is used worldwide today, with product sales of over $600 million per year, and is considered one of the significant surgical technology introductions of the past twenty years. He also played a significant role in developing a minimally invasive surgical suction and irrigation device with Davol Corporation, a division of CR Bard. This device is considered the world leader in this space. Most recently, he co-led the acquisition of Neuwave by Ethicon, Inc and established the first in man flexible Bronchoscopic ablation trial to treat medically inoperable lung cancer. Furthermore, he has served as a consultant and advisory board member to multiple leading healthcare and biotech companies, including Johnson and Johnson, US Surgical Corporation, Stryker, and several startup companies such as MicroSurg, Axya, and Sontra.
