About us

Medvale is a virtually connected network where we help our members create impact. We believe we can do this by identifying and connecting health delivery influencers who feel they can be even more impactful if they are supported through challenged by trusted peers to help them improve themselves so they can in turn improve their organizations.

What Makes Medvale Different

Medvale is differentiated from other communities by our narrow health delivery focus, limited to healthcare providers and those who directly support them. A metaphor of a small smart town helps us to visualize our concept of friends helping friends… supported by a comprehensive ecosystem of a community a library, newspaper, radio and TV station, town square, and clubs.

We concentrate on helping our members make a difference in one or more of these four initiatives: impact the health of any group of patients, impact the patient experience, reduce the cost per patient and impact clinician wellbeing.

By limiting our membership to 150 we can create a sense of connection and accountability to each other, with most support managed by a human, not technology. We intend that our members’ grassroots initiatives will impact a specific population. Therefore we are not an advocacy group pushing specific global approaches.

Who Joins Medvale

Medvalistas – as we call the members of the network – are healthcare delivery CEO’s and senior thought leaders who know there must be a better way to deliver care and want to collaborate with carefully selected peers to make a greater difference. They have the power to translate strategy into operational improvement and are willing and able to spend $5k per year for connections, collaboration and our get-togethers.

They can change an organization and impact others through positions of influence because they are sharp, accomplished, driven, interesting and intellectually stimulating. However they are also humble, kind, well-intentioned and sharing. These influencers are members, not their organizations.

These by-invitation-only leaders and innovators are recruited based on their current or past power to set strategy in their organizations and then implement that strategy, their interest in collaboration, their humility, kindness and good intentions.

During the year, in-person events are also organized to enrich personal relationships and take networking to the next level. Moreover, Medvalistas are connected through the network’s own channels, such as a weekly newspaper, a virtual town square, and all Medvale Media contents.

Why Medvale Matters

Leaders need connections during this age of disconnection. They complain of isolation and “no one to talk to” about sensitive strategic, organizational and personal challenges in a trusted confidential setting. Medvale is the antidote.

Our members benefit from deep personal connections with each other nurtured by well moderated 90-minute monthly club collaborations. We connect, collaborate and innovate to impact our members’ success in any of the “quadruple aims.”

The human condition of America is greatly impacted by healthcare. Fortunately, health is not a zero-sum game. Improvement of any individual’s wellness enhances—does not reduce—the wellbeing of the rest of the population. While the design and execution of existing healthcare delivery systems were well-intentioned, modern realities and technologies offer opportunities.

Our sick-care industry is ripe for disruption. Those drawn into our network know there must be better ways to help. For them collaborating with like-minded idealists provides the idea exchange, resources and emotional support for them and their organizations to become all they can become.

We can be a force for good by improving health delivery one organization or one community at a time. Inspiring non-Medvalistas is the only external influence we seek. And it’s more fun teaming up with trusted peers. Collectively we can make more of a difference. All of us is smarter than any of us.

Interested in learning more? Email us at hello@medvale.com

Medvale is inspired by a small-town model, with its inhabitants called Medvalistas. This metaphor has a
real-world reference, reflecting the identity of Wendell, Idaho, the town where Jim Trounson, the founder of the network (and now “Mayor” of this virtual town), was born and raised.

We believe in the value of great quality in smallness, which is why only those referred by another Medvalista can apply to join the network. We do not aim to be a big city: we do not advertise to grow, and you will see that this website has no call to action to add new Medvalistas.

The team that runs Medvale, the “Town Hall,” operates 100% remotely from various corners of the world. Here we introduce them to you:

Hi. I’m Jim Trounson, the founder of Medvale.

Healthcare has been my calling for my entire professional life. For me, it’s the right combination of meaningful work and entrepreneurship.

Following service in Vietnam, I returned to Idaho to become the CEO of a hospital and help initiate and run a family medicine residency—before starting America’s first physician practice management and staff leasing company.

As an entrepreneur, I know the challenges of the good folks out there who are bringing their ideas to market…and I want to help. But I can’t do much alone. Hence my determination to build a community. I think of my sweet little hometown of Wendell, Idaho…population 1,232 when I was growing up there. Everyone helped each other. Most of what I needed was right there. What a fortuitous launching pad for me, as I hope Medvale will be for others.

I love introducing people I like to other people and ideas I like. Medvale is built to do just that.

Hi. I’m Tiago Bastos, the Community Manager of Medvale.

I’m from Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil, but I’ve been living in Pernambuco state since 2007. I have a 20-year background in education, management, and community engagement.

I come to Medvale from a British startup company that aims to build a world in which individuals have control of their lives to access and discover opportunities, in supportive teams and engaging communities that provide financial security, growth and fulfillment.

I joined Medvale in January 2022 and I’m looking forward to supporting our Medvalistas to improve the health of individuals around the globe.

I’m a citizen of the world and love traveling. I’ve been to several countries in South America, Europe, and Africa. In my free time, I enjoy walking my dog Charlie and playing with my four cats. I’m a tech-savvy and a very curious person, always keen on learning something new.

Hi, I’m María Paz Paniego, the Communication Director.

With a degree in Journalism Communication and over a decade of professional experience, I specialize in leading strategic initiatives and developing comprehensive plans. I participated in the Salzburg Academy on Media and Global Change and hold a Postgraduate Degree in Communication Management.

Throughout my career, I’ve collaborated with diverse government teams, crafting communication strategies for the effective implementation of public policies, including the internationalization of projects. Additionally, I have expertise in building personal brands, guiding professionals to enhance their image through digital positioning plans and narrative improvements.

Argentina is not just where I was born; it’s my current home, and I absolutely love it here. I enjoy spending time outdoors, caring for my plants, playing the guitar, and sharing moments with my family, friends, and Luján, my Golden Retriever.

My goal is to help all Medvalistas discover the power of communication to elevate their projects and personal brands!