Dr. Hisham Alshaer, M.D., PhD
With two decades of leadership in medical technology research and commercialization across North America, Dr. Hisham Alshaer is creating real world impact. A medical doctor, biomedical engineer, inventor, and innovator, he’s also an entrepreneur and the founder of the Ontario-based company, Pragmatic Innovation Inc. Focused on creating real world innovation in health care, the company is making an impact in the lives of others. Funded by Grand Challenges Canada, in partnership with government agencies from four countries, Pragmatic Innovation developed a cost-effective modality for wound treatment using negative pressure and works without electricity. With special emphasis on developing solutions designed to reduce cost, increase accessibility, and improve the outcome of medical treatment, Hisham oversees the entire life cycle of innovation, from concept to creation. From prototyping to workbench and field validation, the process goes all the way to clinical trials, publication of results in scholarly journals, and even sales. “The culture of our organization is embedded in our name – Pragmatic Innovation. We’re able to be nimble, flexible and can switch gears or pivot quickly when we need to, while keeping our eyes on the goal and the big picture,” he states.
Prior to launching his latest venture, Hisham was a scientist at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, which is ranked the number one rehabilitation research center in the world. Coming from a life sciences background, he went on to cultivate a career in biomedical engineering, deploying concepts such as miniature electronics and machine learning. Hisham co-founded BresoTec Inc., where he served as chief science officer at the Toronto-based corporation for developing innovative sleep apnea management solutions. With specialties spanning medicine, entrepreneurship, and business, Hisham invented six patent families and authored over 60 peer-reviewed scholarly publications to date. Named Innovator of the Year by University Health Network—the largest hospital in Canada—he’s also the recipient of the University of Toronto’s Poul B. Madsen Award in recognition of excellence in applied biomedical engineering. He’s been invited to present on the journey of innovation in countries around the globe including Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Hisham holds a Bachelor of Medicine from Marmara University, a master’s in biomedical engineering from Bogazici University, and a PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Toronto.
Dr. Hisham Alshaer M.D., PhD
Founder & CEO — Pragmatic Innovation Inc.
Website: https://pragmat.ca/