Current
Derek Sakata is a practicing anesthesiologist, Professor and Vice Chair of Perioperative Innovations in the Department of Anesthesiology and Executive Medical Director / Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for 25+ medical specialties for the University of Utah Healthcare’s Ambulatory Southern Service Delivery Area (U of U SSDA). He holds adjunct appointments in the Departments of Bioengineering and Ophthalmology. He has authored 14 publications that have resulted in 8 patents, two nationally and internationally marketed medical devices and two companies. He currently serves as the medical director for Dynasthetics (www.dynasthetics.com) and CEO for Majelco Medical (www.majelcomedical.com).
Historical
Dr. Sakata’s undergraduate training was in computer and electrical engineering at the University of California, Irvine. Then, while in medical school at Loma Linda University, he successfully bridged the gap between the science of engineering and the science/practice of medicine through medical innovation. During his last year of residency training, he developed a deep physiologic understanding that translated into his first medical device that is still on the market (www.anecare.com). In a parallel path, he was founder and director of the University of Utah’s first unified Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist group and Director of Anesthesiology at the John Moran Eye Center. This taught him leadership, communication and negotiation skills on behalf of groups. From here, he took on more responsibilities as both vice chair in the Department of Anesthesiology and the Executive Medical Director / CMO for the U of U SSDA. This taught him systems level skills. During this final executive step, Dr. Sakata was also successfully able to launch a second device, VaporClean, and VitalsBridge through his company (www.dynasthetics.com). In his dedication to medical innovation, a fourth device was just approved by the FDA December of 2022. This taught him the interrelatedness, differences and necessities of bright academic minds collaborating with industry.
Personal
In his free time, Dr. Sakata loves to spend time and travel to all parts of the globe with his beautiful wife and two energetic young sons. He loves to read scientific fiction, biographies and articles on innovation in science and operations. On Fridays during the winter, he loves to meet his son after school and take the 20-minute drive up the Canyon to ski the ”Best Snow on Earth”. He also loves to swim multiple laps, jog in his neighborhood and work out in his home gym.