Richard Vazquez MD, RVT, RPVI, FACS is a general surgeon, Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery (Emeritus) at the Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, and serial entrepreneur. He is a private practice general surgeon and geographical full-time faculty member. Dr. Vazquez frequently speaks on surgical safety and holds certifications by the ARDMS (RVT, RPVI) for vascular ultrasound. He is a member at MATTER Chicago HIT incubator. He acted as director of medical affairs at Soft Tissue Sciences/PSD (PolyPro® Hydrocoat Hernia Mesh). Dr. Vazquez currently sits on the Safety/Quality/Outcomes committee and Safe cholecystectomy task force of Sages (Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic surgeons) and is a member of ASHRM, the American Society of Professionals in Patient Safety, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and National Quality Forum. He currently is the CMO/CEO/ and co-founder of SafeStart Medical, Inc. and creator of the SafeStart mobile surgical safety cloud based application.