The 3 K's of Why You Change

Dr. Kingsley R. Chin's 3 K's of why you change: It’s Killing You (KILL), You Know There’s a Better Way (KNOW) and You Gain the Knowledge to Justify Change (KNOWLEDGE).

An Unfiltered Perspective from Inside the Spine Surgery Industry

After more than two decades in spine surgery and medtech innovation, one truth stands out: most surgeons don’t change—until they have no choice.

I’ve stood in operating rooms, built companies, led teams, and taught physicians across the world. I’ve seen promising technologies overlooked, evidence ignored, and talented surgeons stay stuck—not because they lack intelligence, but because the system rewards repetition over reflection.

Look at the dominance of pedicle screws and cages. These technologies were once controversial, with high complication rates and steep learning curves. But when Medtronic and DePuy saw the commercial windfall, they poured money into making them the default. Now, they dominate the market—not because they offer the best outcomes, but because they’ve been standardized, incentivized, and heavily marketed. The result is a rigid, commoditized approach to spine care that often sacrifices motion, ignores biology, and over-treats anatomy.

So again: What will make you change?

In my experience, it comes down to this:

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The 3 K’s of Change in Spine Surgery

1. It’s Killing You (KILL)

   You won’t change until the cost of staying the same becomes too painful. That pain could be patient complications, increasing revisions, burnout, or reputational risk. When it’s killing your outcomes, your time, or your trust in the system—change becomes necessary.

   
   

2. You Know There’s a Better Way (KNOW)

   Seeing a better solution opens your eyes. Whether it’s witnessing a motion-preserving disc replacement or a LESS invasive decompression, the moment you know there’s a more effective way, you can’t unsee it. Staying the same becomes a choice you can no longer justify.

   
   

3. You Gain the Knowledge to Justify It (KNOWLEDGE)

   Understanding empowers action. Once you learn the science behind new technologies, the biomechanics, the clinical evidence, and long-term benefits, the resistance fades. Knowledge replaces hesitation with conviction.

   
   

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My Personal Journey: From Maximal Exposure to LESS

I once stood at the heart of academic medicine as Chief of Spine Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. I performed complex, maximal exposure reconstructions. We fused everything. We removed anatomy to “solve” anatomy. That’s what we were taught.

But over time, I saw the long-term effects. I saw the need for earlier intervention, more thoughtful preservation, and smarter technologies. I didn’t just observe the need for change—I lived it. And I changed.

I stepped away from the traditional path and founded KIC Ventures to pursue a different vision:

A future defined by LESS Exposure Spine Surgery and guided by the REP philosophy—

• Restore function,

• Early treatment,

• Preserve anatomy.

To fulfill that mission, we built a Trinity of technologies:

• AxioMed: restoring natural motion with the world’s most advanced viscoelastic disc.

• NANISX: bringing LESS invasive spine surgery into outpatient centers worldwide.

• NanoFuse Biologics: introducing synthetic biologics that regenerate, not just fill.

And we’re not stopping there.

We’re training physicians. We’re building data. We’re shaping the future of spine care—not for ego, not for legacy, but because the system needs a new direction.

The old way nearly killed innovation. I know there’s a better way. And I’ve gained the knowledge to lead it.

That’s why I changed.

Now I ask you:

What will make you change?

About KIC Ventures

KIC Ventures is a healthcare-focused private investment firm founded by Dr. Kingsley R. Chin and Aditya Humad. We specialize in identifying, funding, and scaling transformative spine technologies that improve patient outcomes and empower physician-entrepreneurs. Our portfolio spans spine, orthopedics, digital health, and ambulatory surgery innovation—backed by a bold, purpose-driven investment philosophy.

About The Author

Kingsley R. Chin, MD, MBA, is a board-certified Professor of Orthopedic Spine Surgery and an honors graduate of Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Combined Orthopedic Residency Program. He completed his spine fellowship with Dr. Henry H. Bohlman and served as Chief of Spine Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Chin completed the executive leadership program at Harvard Business School and is the CEO of KIC Ventures, where he leads innovations in spine surgery technology and investment.

For more information, please visit www.KICVentures.com or contact Investor@KICVentures.com

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Past performance is not indicative of future results.