Carol Russell is Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Integer Holdings Corporation, responsible for overseeing Integer’s IT strategies, programs and operations globally. Her career spans more than 30 years in IT and Finance, during which time she has led multiple award-winning transformation programs.
Carol began her career as a programmer and grew into progressively challenging leadership positions. Prior to joining Integer, her most notable roles included Leader of Global Finance Business Services at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Senior Information Officer at American International Group (AIG), and CIO for Supply Chain, Operations and Finance at GE Industrial Solutions.
Carol is a results-oriented leader lauded for her deep expertise in business partnership, strategy development and transformational change. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Quinnipiac University and an Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology from John Tyler Community College. She trained under General Electric Global Learning’s Leadership programs completing GE’s AIMC (Advanced Information Management Course), EIMP (Experienced Information Management Program) and BMC (Business Management Program). She additionally serves as Co-Chair of Integer’s women’s Employee Resource Group, Athena Alliance, and is a board member of American Heart Association’s Go Red campaign (Minneapolis).
What initially attracted you to the medtech industry? How has your perspective on the industry evolved over the course of your career?
I was first attracted to the medical industry because of what I viewed as an opportunity to give back to society. I’ve worked in many industries throughout my career, including CPG manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, telecommunication and higher education, before joining the medtech field. During my first role in the medical industry, I was amazed at how motivating it was to come to work every day knowing I was truly making a difference in the lives of others. When I was approached about a role with Integer and learned what the company does, I was intrigued. Integer’s vision of enhancing the lives of patients worldwide is especially meaningful to me as my family has a history of heart disease. As a technology professional, becoming part of the medtech industry has been an extremely rewarding way to blend my professional background with my passion for giving back.
As a seasoned professional in the industry, how do you envision the future of medtech? What emerging technologies or trends do you believe will have the most significant impact?
I believe the future of medtech will continue to evolve and will be influenced and enabled by new and emerging technologies. Two of the most significant technologies will be artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). While AI has been around since the 1950s, it has really started to take hold in recent years. What we’re seeing today in medtech is only the tip of the iceberg. Two current examples include:
- AI-assisted surgical robotics that perform complex procedures with greater precision and control leading to faster recovery times for patients.
- Wearable devices that allow for remote patient monitoring for more real-time alerts and adjustments to patient treatment.
In both cases, AI / ML algorithms imitate the way our brains work, meaning the algorithm gets smarter as it receives more data. As we continue to leverage it, patients will benefit from faster identification of abnormalities, ultimately leading to faster and more accurate treatments and recovery times.
From your experience, what are some of the key challenges that medtech engineers are likely to face in the coming years? How can professionals in the industry prepare for and navigate these challenges effectively?
I believe there will be two key challenges for medtech engineers – cybersecurity and pace of change.
Cybersecurity is part of our daily lives. Yet, the complexity and innovative nature of malicious cyber crimes has evolved radically. With most cybercrimes motivated by greed, medtech devices will be an increased target. Diligence, education and defensive cyber technology will need to be applied in tandem to combat such forces and ensure protection for patients.
The pace of change in any technology field comes with pros and cons. Most technologists and engineers love the exploration of newer possibilities and capabilities. And, while that’s exciting and can lead to great things, it can also be challenging to keep up. Engineers will need to keep apprised of current happenings and leverage opportunities to stay relevant. Subscribing to credible publications, attending courses and conferences, and general networking with cross-industry peers are great options.
As technology continues to advance rapidly, how do you think medtech engineers can stay ahead of the curve and ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge?
It is crucial that medtech engineers stay ahead of the curve. Some ways of doing this that have worked for me include:
- Subscribing to industry publications. I’m a fan of short daily doses of information that aren’t long reads but provide insights and topics that I can chose to explore more deeply.
- Networking with individuals as a way to share ideas and stay current on industry trends.
- Attending conferences to gather a range of new information in one shot, particularly by applying a targeted approach to the types of sessions you attend. Vendor sessions balanced with practical application can also be helpful.
- Sabbaticals, periodic research and education can also be a good option if there’s an area that you want to go deeper into. This may involve obtaining a certification in a particular area or being part of a research team.
From a broader perspective, how do you see the role of medtech engineering in shaping the future of healthcare? What impact do you anticipate it will have on patient care and outcomes?
The medical device industry is growing as AI expands access to patient data, providing real-time treatment recommendations, improving accuracy and reducing errors when coupled with robotics.
Considering the increasing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, how do you think medtech engineers can effectively collaborate with professionals from other fields, such as medicine and computer science, to drive innovation in the industry?
I see a joining of forces between traditional engineering, computer science and cyber security. Technologies are melding and co-joining of these disciplines will be critical as technology continues to advance while ensuring needed protections.
How do you think diversity and inclusion can contribute to the advancement of medtech engineering? How do you foster a culture of innovation within your team or organization?
I’m a big believer in diversity, including diversity of thought. With my teams, I work to create an environment where everyone is comfortable sharing ideas and challenging the status quo. Diversity then becomes a key part of our work.
Additionally, I support a variety of associate-led diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives that impact Integer associates around the world. I am an active member of the steering committee for two Employee Resource Groups (ERG), and I serve as Co-Chair for Integer’s women’s ERG, Athena Alliance. We champion the advancement of female associates across our organization through executive-led mentoring, networking, and recognition activities – all intended to build awareness and celebrate the impact of women in our industry and business.
Our unique backgrounds bring differing points of view, and I am committed to developing an inclusive environment where associates are empowered to share openly and build upon each other’s ideas to create innovative solutions to business challenges.