The Team &
Story Behind MaxFi
MaxFi Surgical Simulations is the premier provider of perfused cadaver simulation services in North America, combining proprietary perfusion technology with deep surgical and engineering expertise.
Maximum Fidelity
Surgical Simulations
MaxFi is redefining surgical training with breakthrough technology. By integrating proprietary systems into cadavers, we recreate lifelike physiological environments for unmatched realism.
At the core is our patented envivoPC® system, which circulates SimBlood through cadaver vessels. This closed-loop system simulates heart rate, blood pressure, blood loss, and ventilation.
Together, envivoPC® and SimBlood deliver surgical simulations that advance medical education, training, and innovation with unprecedented fidelity.
Built by Surgeons &
Engineers
Founded by Joss Fernandez, MD, FACS and led by CEO Bob Mills, MaxFi was born from a recognition that existing simulation platforms could not bridge the critical gap between the operating room and the training lab.
The platform is trusted by leading medical institutions, device manufacturers, and military medicine programs across 5 continents.
Our Team
Bob Mills
Chief Executive Officer
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Bob Mills, CEO, a graduate of Texas Christian University with a BBA has extensive leadership experience including notable roles at renowned organizations, including Johnson and Johnson, Boston Scientific, and Mallinckrodt. Bob enriches Missouri's entrepreneurial landscape with a wealth of knowledge and this collective expertise propels MaxFi as a leader in creating the most realistic training cadaver model globally. His strategic connections and collaborative efforts firmly position MaxFi as a dynamic contributor to Missouri's forward-thinking entrepreneurial community.
Joss Fernandez, MD, FACS
Founder & Chief Medical Officer
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Joss Fernandez, MD, FACS, is a cardiothoracic and vascular surgery specialist in Columbia, MO. He brings over 21 years of medical expertise. A graduate of the University of Virginia, he completed his surgery training at Vanderbilt University and cardiothoracic surgery training at the University of Iowa in 2011. Board certified in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, as well as endovascular therapies, Dr. Fernandez is the innovative inventor and founder of MaxFi.
Yuriy Snyder, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer
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Yuriy earned his Ph.D. in Bioengineering and a B.S. in Physics and Chemistry. He leads the development of innovative surgical simulation technologies and oversaw the construction and design of MaxFi's state-of-the-art simulation facility in St. Louis. Previously, he developed novel polymeric vascular grafts, heart valves, and designed bioreactor systems for tissue engineering. His work led to numerous publications in leading biomedical and materials science journals.
Maria Ugueto
Director of Technical Services
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Maria Ugueto, a medical surgeon from Venezuela, moved to Austin, Texas in 2021. With several years of experience in the medical simulation industry and cadaver perfusion, she joined MaxFi in 2017 alongside Dr. Joss Fernandez. Initially a perfusion technician, Maria has excelled in executing, organizing, and planning numerous laboratories, actively participating in international labs. Her dedication and efficiency have been integral to MaxFi's growth, leading her to the current role of Director of Technical Services.
Peter Cassidy
Director of Lab Services
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After spending a decade as a Field Archaeologist, Peter Cassidy made an unexpected career shift into the field of body donation five years ago. Drawing on this experience, he established and now leads MaxFi's donor program, which has become a cornerstone of the company's training and research efforts. Under his guidance, the program has grown significantly, giving MaxFi greater control over cadaver tissue and strengthening the realism of its surgical simulations.
Board Members
Bob Mills
Chief Executive Officer
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Bob Mills, CEO, a graduate of Texas Christian University with a BBA has extensive leadership experience including notable roles at renowned organizations, including Johnson and Johnson, Boston Scientific, and Mallinckrodt. Bob enriches Missouri's entrepreneurial landscape with a wealth of knowledge and this collective expertise propels MaxFi as a leader in creating the most realistic training cadaver model globally. His strategic connections and collaborative efforts firmly position MaxFi as a dynamic contributor to Missouri's forward-thinking entrepreneurial community.
Joss Fernandez, MD, FACS
Founder & Chief Medical Officer
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Joss Fernandez, MD, FACS, is a cardiothoracic and vascular surgery specialist in Columbia, MO. He brings over 21 years of medical expertise. A graduate of the University of Virginia, he completed his surgery training at Vanderbilt University and cardiothoracic surgery training at the University of Iowa in 2011. Board certified in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, as well as endovascular therapies, Dr. Fernandez is the innovative inventor and founder of MaxFi.
Brian Kinman
Chairman and CEO, St. Louis Arch Angel Investor Network
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Brian Kinman serves as the Chairman and CEO of the St. Louis Arch Angel Investor Network. Before joining the Arch Angels, Brian retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers as a partner, where he had a 38-year career as a Certified Public Accountant. During his tenure, he led innovative practices in Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Control. Brian and his wife, Mary Jane, are longtime supporters of Easterseals Midwest. They have three grown daughters and five wonderful grandchildren, with a sixth on the way. In his spare time, Brian enjoys watching various sporting activities of his grandchildren. He resides in Clayton, where he also serves as the President of the Clayton Condominium Building Association.