Putting patients at the heart of everything we do

This requires collaboration, vigilance and a shared belief that safety is never optional. Over the past 20 years, I've led quality and regulatory functions of several health technology companies. And while I didn't set out to focus on these areas, I was drawn in by the complexity and cross-functional nature of the work, and how it impacts the lives of those around us.

 
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is if you want to have a meaningful impact, you have to make it personal. If you tell someone that a change is necessary to meet regulatory requirements, you get compliance. If you tell them it’s necessary because someone’s health depends on it, you get commitment.

Our approach makes it clear that every single employee at Philips plays a part in ensuring that our solutions and services are safe and of high quality, regardless of their role. That means everyone across the business, whether they work in product design, manufacturing, customer service, finance or marketing, has a fundamental responsibility to ensure patient safety and product quality. It’s a commitment that belongs to all of us.

I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who guided me in my career, and I try to pay that forward. In patient safety and product quality, mentorship is about more than professional development. It’s about instilling a sense of responsibility for the lives connected to our products. That belief must be at the core of everything we do.

Patient safety is everyone’s responsibility, but it’s also everyone’s opportunity – to make care safer, more reliable and more human. That’s what drives me, and what I hope drives all of us together.