Andrew Cannestra, MD PhD Urges Healthcare Leaders to Rethink Innovation from the Ground Up

From San Francisco, Dr. Andrew Cannestra is advocating for systems-level thinking to drive smarter, real-world medical solutions.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / February 20, 2026 / Dr. Andrew Cannestra, MD PhD, a physician-scientist and healthcare strategist, is calling for a renewed focus on clear thinking, systems awareness, and usability in healthcare innovation. Drawing from his cross-disciplinary career in medicine, data science, and clinical product development, Cannestra believes the path forward isn't more disruption - it's better execution.

"Innovation doesn't matter if no one uses it," said Dr. Cannestra. "We don't need more dashboards. We need tools that give people answers - fast, clean, and in the flow of work."

This message comes as healthcare continues to struggle with low tech adoption and burnout at record highs. According to the American Medical Association, over 63% of physicians report feeling burned out, often citing poor workflows, inefficient systems, and "tech overload" as top drivers.

Cannestra says the core issue isn't a lack of ideas - it's a lack of follow-through.

"Too many solutions are built in isolation. Engineers don't always speak clinician. Clinicians don't always understand the product lifecycle. If you can speak both languages, you can build things that actually work."

The Bigger Problem: Misaligned Innovation

Many healthtech projects fail not because the technology is flawed, but because the execution misses the mark. Dr. Cannestra's work across academic medicine, biotech, and early-stage startups has shown him how big ideas break down in translation.

"You have to be willing to throw out the playbook," he said. "Especially when it's not serving the people on the ground."

He's seen EHR add-ons that get ignored, algorithms that confuse more than they help, and products that promise impact but never leave the pilot stage. The common thread? A lack of usability.

"If a tool doesn't provide clear value in 10 seconds, it's not going to be used. That's not a failure of the user. That's a failure of design."

The Call to Action: Build from Use, Not Just from Vision

Dr. Cannestra isn't advocating for more think tanks. He's advocating for more time spent listening, especially to those on the front lines of care. That includes physicians, nurses, clinical ops teams, and even patients.

His advice is direct:

• Stop over-engineering.

• Start small, test fast, and talk to users early.

• Prioritize clarity over complexity.

"You don't solve problems by shouting. You solve them by slowing down, asking the right question, and cutting out the noise."

Cannestra encourages leaders, builders, and clinicians alike to schedule weekly "quiet thinking" time. Not for meetings. Not for reports. Just time to think through problems clearly.

"Most people want a playbook. But real breakthroughs come when you give yourself space to think differently."

Why This Matters Now

The stakes are high. Healthcare systems are under financial strain. Staffing shortages are worsening. Meanwhile, innovation is often siloed, with new tools adding to the noise rather than solving real pain points.

Data from the CDC shows hospital workloads have increased 25% since 2020, while physician satisfaction has dropped by over 30%. In parallel, startups are burning capital fast, often without long-term traction.

Dr. Cannestra believes the solution lies not in scaling faster, but in slowing down to get it right.

"Speed matters. But direction matters more. You can't scale chaos and expect results."

What You Can Do Today

Dr. Cannestra urges professionals across healthcare, tech, and research to:

• Spend 30 minutes each week talking to someone closer to the problem than you are.

• Revisit a project that stalled - not to fix it, but to rethink its purpose.

• Look at your own workflows. What feels broken? What could be simplified?

• Share feedback early and often, even if it's uncomfortable.

"Good ideas need friction to improve," he said. "But they also need people willing to carry them across the finish line."

About Andrew Cannestra, MD PhD

Dr. Andrew Cannestra is a physician, scientist, and healthcare innovator based in San Francisco, CA. With a background that spans academic medicine, biotech, and clinical product strategy, he brings deep cross-disciplinary expertise to the design and deployment of impactful medical solutions. He is known for his systems-level thinking, ability to bridge technical and clinical teams, and clear communication under pressure.

Press Contact:

Email: andrewcannestra@emaildn.com

SOURCE: Andrew Cannestra