The University of Maine at Presque Isle will present Owen McCarthy, co-founder of MedRhythms and leader in neurotherapeutics, as a 2024-2025 Libra Distinguished Lecture Series speaker at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, in the Campus Center.
McCarthy will deliver a talk titled Harnessing Technology, Music, and Neuroscience to Transform Healthcare: The MedRhythms Story. His talk will also be the keynote address for UMPI’s 22nd annual University Day.
The public is encouraged to attend this free event, which will also be offered virtually through Zoom.
McCarthy will share the journey of building a pioneering healthcare technology company from the ground up. MedRhythms blends neuroscience, music, and digital technology to improve mobility for people living with neurological conditions such as stroke.
McCarthy will discuss how creativity and innovation played critical roles in developing MedRhythms’ therapeutic platform, the challenges and triumphs of commercializing novel medical technologies, and insights into how interdisciplinary thinking can lead to impactful healthcare solutions.
Raised in Patten, McCarthy grew up watching his father, a third-generation logger, leave for work at 2 a.m. and still make time for his family. His mother, a second-generation lunch lady, taught him the power of community. Their example shaped his belief that leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about showing up, working hard and helping others succeed.
As valedictorian of Katahdin High School, he learned firsthand from his teachers that education can open doors. At the University of Maine, he studied engineering as a Pulp and Paper Scholar, was elected student body president and became the first in his family to graduate from college. Later, he earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he learned and practiced the tools to build and lead organizations.
He co-founded MedRhythms, originally launched in Boston, and moved moved the business to Maine, proving that world-class innovation can thrive here. Under his leadership, MedRhythms has raised more than $60 million in capital, was recognized as an FDA breakthrough technology and created high-paying jobs—all while advancing cutting-edge technology that serves people nationwide.
McCarthy is a trustee for the University of Maine System, helping to oversee a network of seven public universities that educates nearly 30,000 students. His leadership extends to the Rural Futures Fund, where he works to lift up young people in small communities-like Patten, and the Digital Therapeutics Alliance, where he advocates for new approaches to healthcare. In recognition of his impact, he was named a Presidential Leadership Scholar.
McCarthy, his wife Holly, and their two sons live in Gorham and spend summers on Porter Lake. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and watching Maine high school basketball—a hobby that deepens his connection to communities across the state and fuels his commitment to Maine ensuring it remains a place where the next generation can thrive.
The University’s Libra Distinguished Lecture Series was established in 1999. Each year, the LDLS Committee sponsors four to six speakers who come from Maine and beyond, representing a range of disciplines and viewpoints. Speakers typically spend two days at the university meeting with classes and presenting a community lecture.
For information or to get the Zoom link, contact Kayli Malenfant at 207-768-9426 or email kayli.malenfant@maine.edu.
