Profile: Tim Raderstorf
Name: Tim Raderstorf DNP RN
Current Job: Chief Innovation Officer – The Ohio State University College of Nursing
Current City: Columbus
Hometown: Kettering
Q: What is it that you do at Ohio State?
I lead healthcare innovation at the College of Nursing and throughout Ohio State through our many programs.
The Innovation Studio – A moveable makerspace and idea incubator that provides funding and resources to each and every team that wants to turn their ideas into actions.
The Starting Line – A series of regular workshops that connects entrepreneurs in Columbus to the people and resources they need most.
Healthcare Innovation and Entrepreneurship Workshop – An annual workshop that helps clinicians be more innovative.
Interprofessional Innovation Symposium – An annual event that showcases the importance of interprofessional collaboration for healthcare entrepreneurs.
Masters of Healthcare Innovation faculty member
Q: What’s a problem that you are working to solve?
We are democratizing innovation across campus. We believe that every student, faculty, and staff member has an idea that can change the world. Sometimes, they just don’t know where to begin. We founded the Innovation Studio to be that physical location where ideas become reality.
Q: What’s a lesson you’ve learned that has helped shaped your work?
This is a contrarian stance to take (I grew up on sports and I am a competitive guy) and will problem turn some people off.
Here it is: The participation trophy model actually works for innovation. We’ve seen it over and over again at the Innovation Studio, but don’t take my word for it, listen to these experts from MIT and Kellogg.
(Editor's Note: Tim gave a TedTalk on this subject which you can watch here.)
Q: What’s a trend in technology or innovation that you believe doesn’t get enough attention?
It may not even be a trend right now since we are still in a discovery phase, but I think we all need to go back to the realization that people are our greatest piece of technology. As we swing on the pendulum of potential, the products/companies that make us most human are those that will success.
Q: What’s a recent book, podcast or news story that you found interesting?
Loonshots by Safi Bahcall – I received an advanced copy of this book last fall and was amazed to find it contained the same recipe for the Kool Aid I drink.
There’s so much talk about culture of innovation, without the realization that structure and incentives are the leading indicators to our culture. This book lays out a clear blueprint of how to build a structure of innovation that can be tailored to help your organization actually live by your mission, vision, and values.
Q: What’s one moonshot idea that could help make Ohio a world leader in technology and innovation?
Ohio is uniquely poised to be an epicenter of higher education. The current model has got to change and higher education needs to become more involved with industry partners to help our students, faculty, and staff maximize their human potential.
I’d love to have every university in Ohio set up formal educational partnerships with industry leaders. From startups to Fortune 500 companies, there’s so much to learn together that would make Ohio the next frontier for higher education.
Q: What's your favorite place in Ohio?
Ohio Stadium as the Drum Major makes their way down the tunnel. I was born a Buckeye, now they pay the mortgage.
Q: What makes Ohio special to you?
The people. The seasons. Family and Friends. Ohio’s got it all.
Connect with Tim Raderstorf on LinkedIn.