GE HealthCare is a multinational medical technology company manufacturing and distributing digital solutions such as remote monitoring and diagnostic imaging for disease management. As of 2023, GE HealthCare completed its spin-off from conglomerate General Electric.
You have been at GE HealthCare for 20 years. Now that you are CEO, what is your vision for the future of the company?
My vision for GE HealthCare is built on its long-standing 125-year history of industry firsts and tradition of innovation and excellence. Since my early days as a clinical radiographer, I have witnessed firsthand the evolution of medical technology, particularly in CT scans, MRI, and the integration of digital and AI applications. A year ago, we transitioned to an independent entity, which has allowed us to become more agile and focus intensely on customer and patient needs, as well as digital innovation. Healthcare has gone through so much technological evolution, yet we still have a healthcare system that doesn't deliver care to all patients when and where it's needed most.
Often the conversation about the potential of medical technology is framed in the context of emerging markets like India or Sub-Saharan Africa. What does the potential of medtech look like in New Zealand and Australia?
Accessibility is a critical aspect of our mission, especially in geographically challenging areas like the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, and Australia. Technologies like portable ultrasound have been instrumental in early disease detection and management in remote areas, addressing diseases such as rheumatic heart disease prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities where 3-5% of people suffer from it due to poverty and limited healthcare. These communities face unique health challenges that have been absent from metropolitan areas for decades, underscoring the importance of mobile and portable diagnostic tools in improving healthcare delivery and outcomes in underserved regions. In Papua New Guinea, for example, portable ultrasound technology is making a significant impact on reducing infant and maternal mortality rates by improving the care available to expectant mothers and their unborn babies.
Do you face cultural resistance or logistical barriers when implementing digital solutions in rural areas?
Implementing technology in rural areas presents challenges, including skillset limitations and logistical barriers. We have initiated ultrasound training programs and scholarships to uplift skills and utilization of our technologies, such as the V-scan. There is that barrier to entry in terms of ensuring that the team can deliver what’s needed in the community. By providing the tools and the necessary training, and working with communities to unlock the data potential within the healthcare networks, we aim to ensure that healthcare professionals in remote areas are equipped to deliver the best possible care.
It’s also crucial that our workforce shares a commitment to transforming healthcare and a culture of continuous improvement, entrepreneurial spirit, a patient-centric focus, and a deep sense of responsibility towards patient safety and quality care. Given the shortage of clinical workforce and the specific skill set required to leverage technology effectively, recruitment is a significant challenge. Finding individuals with the right combination of analytical, clinical, and teaching skills is essential for advancing our mission.
Has investor appetite for Medtech always been high, or was there a moment when you noticed a shift?
Since our separation, GE HealthCare has become intensely focused on patients and patient outcomes, and innovative technology is an important part of that.
Since then, we have been focused on how to change the healthcare environment at large. In Australia, for instance, our introduction of a sensory suite for mammography at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Queensland is a prime example. It is designed to alleviate the discomfort and anxiety associated with mammography by creating a calming environment. This approach, along with technology like Pristina Dueta on mammography system that allows patients to control compression, exemplifies our commitment to improving patient engagement and early detection.
Looking ahead to the future, what plans for growth and expansion do you have in place for GE HealthCare?
Our focus is on instilling our precision care strategy locally and leveraging our large base of assets within the clinical community through a strong digital and data strategy. GE HealthCare is a trusted brand that has been around for over 100 years and has good customer relationships. With increased R&D investment, we are poised to enhance new care pathways in oncology, cardiology, and neurology. Additionally, the integration of AI is exciting; deep learning technologies are boundless and enable us to enhance diagnostic accuracy and those insights relieve the burden on healthcare professionals. Our commitment to patient care, ethical practices, and cultural integrity forms the foundation of our future direction and growth.
