About GuideStar
GuideStar Medical Devices is a med-tech start-up based in Victoria, British Columbia. Our team is committed to delivering world-class solutions to real medical problems, transforming the way doctors use technology. Our goal is to design and manufacture ingenious medical devices that transform medical procedures, improve safety, and reduce cost, with solutions that are accessible to practitioners around the world.
Our Team
Mike Dolphin | CEO and Director
Mike Dolphin is the founder of GuideStar Medical Devices and has led the design and manufacture of medical devices for the past 9 years. Dr. Dolphin has a diverse background including work in precision engineering and manufacturing, rocket design, satellite component engineering, geophysics, and computer software production. He has managed engineering teams on spaceflight projects and teams for software development. He earned a Master's degree and PhD from Stanford University in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Western Ontario in Astronomy and Geophysics.
Ryan Ruedebusch | VP Business Development
Ryan Ruedebusch has extensive leadership and operational experience from several roles, primarily with scientific companies. Most recently, Ryan spent 17 years with VWR where he led a large and interdisciplinary team towards profitability and was responsible for the Pricing Strategy & Operations functions across the company's multi-billion dollar business. Ryan has also held a variety of sales and leadership roles at a large global distributor of scientific supplies, in addition to previous experience running a family owned business. Ryan holds a BS in Environmental Science from St. Cloud State University. When not working, Ryan can be found chasing after two children, running, or golfing.
Nigel Syrotuck | Lead Engineer
Nigel Syrotuck contributed to dozens of medical devices of varying scale in his ten years at StarFish Medical. From complex surgical carts to the humble scalpel, Nigel has acted as a product design consultant, systems engineer, project manager, and everything in between. His projects have spanned all stages of development from beginning conceptualization to post market sustaining engineering. A graduate of the University of Victoria, where he led the satellite design team for four years, he is also the author of around sixty medical device articles and a handful of engineering talks. Off hours, Nigel spends his time with his family, cooking at home or exploring Vancouver Island, and continues to play hockey and lacrosse when time allows.
Jocelyn Mackey | Mechanical Design Engineer
Jocelyn Mackey has been working with GuideStar for over 3 years, and recently graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Biomedical Engineering. During her degree, she completed co-op placements here at GuideStar Medical Devices as well as StarFish Medical. Jocelyn also served as the mechanical team lead for the University of Victoria Biomedical Engineering Design Team, and she conducted an Honours Thesis in orthopedic research, where she analyzed the design of 3D printed patient-specific surgical guides for shoulder arthroplasty. Jocelyn is passionate about creating quality products that make a real impact in the healthcare field. Outside of work, Jocelyn enjoys vegan cooking, strength training, and salsa dancing.
Madison Miller | QA / RA and Testing Specialist
Madison Miller holds a BEng in Biomedical Engineering and a Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Victoria. She has worked on a variety of med-tech projects, including wearables and microfluidic devices, as well as designing material formulations for pH-sensitive drug delivery. Madison has a passion for bringing biomedical research to fruition and has participated in all phases of the product development process from market research and prototype design through to formal verification and routine testing. In her spare time, she can be found hiking, playing soccer, or knitting.
Nick Oldford | Production Manager
Nick Oldford has over twelve years of experience leading manufacturing and development teams at StarFish Medical on a wide scale of electro-mechanical devices of varying levels of complexity, from project conception through to market release and commercialization. Driven by process improvements, cost reduction, and knowledge from ISO 13458 Lead Auditor certification, Nick has the experience to manage teams of multiple disciplines using LEAN manufacturing practices to deliver quality products. Outside of the office Nick can be found on the golf course, in the hockey arena, or enjoying one of the many restaurants in the Victoria region.
Board of Directors
James Helliwell | MD FRCPC, Chairman
Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals founder and CEO holds a medical degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC), with specialization in anesthesiology. He also received sub-specialty training in cardiac anesthesiology and transplantation. Prior to founding Eupraxia, he held a clinical practice at a quaternary academic cardiac center in St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver. He also served as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Dr. Jack Pacey | MD, Director
Dr. Jack Pacey has been practicing medicine for over 40 years. In addition to being a surgeon at Burnaby Hospital for over 30 years, he is also the founder of Saturn Biomedical Systems (acquired by Verathon Medical Canada in 2006) and Pacey MedTech, where he currently serves as CEO.