A modified medical device substrate surface designed to improve adhesion of biomimetic surfactants to the medical device surface, thus reducing the risk of thrombosis is described. The surface modification is accomplished through either an application of a tie layer of a hydrophobic material on the substrate surface intermediate the biomimetic coating or through incorporation of a hydrophobic dopant in the polymeric substrate prior to extrusion or molding. Either method creates a hydrophobically modified surface that enhances the biomimetic surfactant bonding strength.