Who We Are
MDascend began as an idea on a flight to Northern California in 2015, when longtime friends Ryan Olsen and Satish Subramanian were heading to their high school reunion. Recognizing the lack of accessible, physician-centered contract support, they laid the foundation for what would become a mission to help doctors take control of their careers.
In 2018, they launched AlfredMD, a consulting service that quietly gained traction through word-of-mouth, successfully negotiating contracts for physicians across the country. That early success highlighted a clear need: physicians deserve knowledgeable, strategic advocates in their corner.
Now, with the addition of Kavitha to the team, the original vision from that flight is coming to life on a larger scale. Together, the MDascend team is dedicated to empowering physicians with the tools, insight, and support they need to advocate for themselves and thrive in today's complex healthcare landscape.
Kavitha V. Neerukonda, JD, MHA
Co-Founder & CEO, MDAscend
Kavitha V. Neerukonda is the Co-Founder and newly appointed CEO of MDascend, a boutique firm dedicated to helping physicians take control of their employment contracts through strategic negotiation and personalized support. A healthcare leader and passionate physician advocate, Kavitha brings a unique combination of legal expertise and healthcare strategy to her role, holding both a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA).
She has spent her career advancing the interests of physicians, from working within hospital systems to serving at the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R). Her extensive experience within medical specialty societies gives her a unique advantage — she understands both the broader healthcare environment and the specialty-specific challenges physicians face.
Kavitha’s passion for this work is also deeply personal. She is the daughter of a general surgeon, and the sister of an allergist/immunologist, a nephrologist, a cardiothoracic surgeon, and an ophthalmologist. Surrounded by highly motivated physicians who inspire her every day, she brings relentless energy and empathy to MDascend’s mission.
Kavitha believes that in today’s healthcare landscape — where physicians are increasingly employed by large systems — it is essential that they advocate for themselves before signing a contract. Under her leadership, MDascend offers physicians the expert guidance and support they need to secure strong, fair employment terms.
Outside of work, Kavitha enjoys spending time with her husband, Naveen, and their three children in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.
Satish Subramanian, MD
Co-Founder & Principal
Dr. Satish Subramanian is the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of MDascend. A board-certified Emergency Medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles, he brings over 20 years of experience working alongside physicians across nearly every specialty. His firsthand understanding of the challenges doctors face—both in clinical practice and career negotiations—fuels his commitment to physician advocacy and wellness.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, serving on the front lines deepened his passion for supporting his peers, not only as a clinician but also as a voice for balance and fairness in the profession. As the department scheduler, he also has a unique appreciation for how physician time is structured—and the real-world impact of how that time is valued.
Outside of medicine and MDascend, Satish enjoys staying active on the tennis court, golf course, in the gym, or with his two young daughters.
Ryan Olsen, MBA, MPH
Co-Founder & Board Advisor
Ryan brings more than 15 years of prominent health care leadership experience in roles such as CEO and COO at both inpatient and ambulatory care at such organizations as Hoag Health, Providence Health, and Cedars-Sinai. Ryan has a passion for working with physicians and caregivers and credits them for any success he’s had in his career.
Ryan has been instrumental in negotiating strategic partnerships with ASCs; imaging centers; oncology and hospice Joint Ventures; physician practices and acquisitions; and private equity negotiating a $240 million partnership with first private equity and a prominent health system affiliation. He has even negotiated with professional sports on behalf of health systems.
Ryan holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and an MPH from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.