OCT 29TH: From October 15th-17th, the MedTechVets team had an incredible experience at The MedTech Conference in Toronto, Canada. This event brought together key players from across the medtech industry, fostering collaboration and innovation, while also emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion. Throughout the conference, MedTechVets advocated for veterans in the workforce, built meaningful connections, and hosted our highly anticipated second annual breakfast panel, “Building Bridges. Hiring Veterans.”
Second Annual MedTechVets Breakfast Panel: Building Bridges. Hiring Veterans.
The highlight of the conference was our 2nd Annual Breakfast Panel on October 16th. With 80 attendees and seven distinguished panelists, the room was filled with energy, purpose, and practical advice for hiring veterans. The breakfast fostered meaningful conversations about the value of veteran talent, the transition into civilian careers, and how companies can better support veterans in the workplace.
“The military spends billions preparing for war but very little on what happens after service. Companies must step up to bridge that gap by supporting veterans and investing in their development.”
Brandon fertig, MTV Panelist
Creating Pathways for Veterans
The conversation opened with a powerful statement from Scott Whitaker:
“If you hire an MTV fellow, the retention rate is 86%. They come, and they stay. It’s important.”
Panelist Dave Frost built on this by emphasizing the importance of creating intentional pathways for veterans: “If you want to bring veterans in, you need to create deliberate pathways.” He reflected on his own transition into the medtech field, crediting a colleague at Abiomed for opening the door to new opportunities.
“We meet veterans where they are and help them find the right path. If you’re hiring, keep us at the top of your list.”
Patrice Sutherland
Q&A: Lessons from the Panelists on Transition, Inclusion, and Resilience
Our panel was moderated by Patrice Sutherland (MTV Chairwoman of the Board and Corporate Contracting Director at Kerecis). During the panel’s Q&A, the panelists shared personal stories, challenges, and successes from their transitions from military service to civilian careers.
Our Panelist of MedTech Leaders included: Brandon Fertig (Project Manager at Philips), Tabitha Ogle (Strategy Implementation Consultant at Greencastle Consulting), Will Cambardella (Federal Government Relationships Lead at Intuitive), Josh Tallman (Emergency Management Specialist at FEMA), Marc Chauvette (Senior Field Sales Associate at Boston Scientific), Dave Frost (Director of Global Supply Chain Planning & Analytics at Johnson & Johnson) and Scott Whitaker (President and CEO at AdvaMed).
Q: How did your military experience shape your civilian career?
Will Cambardella, who continues to serve as a reservist while working in medtech, shared his unique perspective:
“Culture is culture, and leadership is leadership. These are the same values I learned in the military, and they are just as critical in the civilian world. MedTechVets helped me refine my pitch and find my way forward.”
He emphasized the importance of personal responsibility during the transition:
“It’s not entirely up to the government or employers to figure out your next steps. You have to discover your transferable skills and leverage them.”
Q: What challenges did you face during your transition, and what could have helped?
Marc Chauvette spoke candidly about the unexpected difficulties of the job search:
“We learned so many things in the military, but basic life skills—like networking—were not part of that training. Networking is essential in civilian life, and many veterans don’t fully realize that until they dive into programs like MedTechVets.”
Marc shared how resilience carried him through multiple interviews:
“I prepared for every interview by learning products inside and out. Sometimes it came down to me and one other person, and I didn’t get the job. But you push forward because resilience is what we do best.”
“Organizations need to understand that veterans bring unique skill sets—problem-solving, resilience, and the ability to find solutions. Every organization can benefit from that, and every organization can benefit from diversity because that’s where innovation thrives.”
Tabitha Ogle, MTV Panelist
Q: How can companies create an inclusive culture for veterans?
Tabitha Ogle, a consultant and veteran, highlighted the importance of fostering an open and supportive workplace:
“Organizations need to understand that veterans bring unique skill sets—problem-solving, resilience, and the ability to find solutions. Every organization can benefit from that, and every organization can benefit from diversity because that’s where innovation thrives.”
Brandon Fertig, who works at Philips, echoed this sentiment, sharing how frustrating the transition process can be:
“Leaving the military felt like playing whack-a-mole with my resume—throwing it everywhere, hoping it sticks. We need better pathways, and companies need to meet veterans where they are.”
He also emphasized the importance of mentorship: “The military spends billions preparing for war but very little on what happens after service. Companies must step up to bridge that gap by supporting veterans and investing in their development.”
“There is a diverse group of graduates in this program. Whatever kind of person or skillset you’re looking for, MedTechVets has someone for you.”
Josh tallman, mtv panelist
Q: What drew you to MedTechVets, and how has the program impacted you?
Josh Tallman spoke about the personal impact MedTechVets had on his life:
“When I left the military, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. A friend introduced me to MedTechVets, and I found a new family. This program gave me the clarity and confidence to pursue opportunities that were right for me and my family.”
He concluded with a powerful message:
“There is a diverse group of graduates in this program. Whatever kind of person or skillset you’re looking for, MedTechVets has someone for you.”
A Look Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
During the panel, Steve Mapa reflected on the program’s current success and exciting future:
“We currently have around 100 active mentors—thank you to each one of you. Mentors are the heart and soul of our program, and our goal for 2025 is to grow that number to 150.”
Steve also announced the launch of the new Executive Program: “This program builds on our foundational work and provides deeper support for veterans seeking leadership roles.”
Patrice Sutherland expressed her gratitude for the community’s support:
“We are fully funded through donations and grants, and we couldn’t do what we do without our sponsors. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us grow.”
With a 94% placement rate and 86% retention rate, MedTechVets continues to deliver meaningful opportunities for veterans transitioning into medtech careers. As Patrice shared, “We meet veterans where they are and help them find the right path. If you’re hiring, keep us at the top of your list.”
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Our breakfast panel would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors: Johnson & Johnson, The Michael & Renee Minogue Foundation, AdvaMed, Boost Oxygen, Bank of America, DFFerence, Goldman Sachs, B Braun, Philips, Teleflex, and Intuitive . Your partnership enables us to empower veterans and bridge the gap between military service and civilian careers. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
The MedTech Conference Experience: Conference Highlights
The conference kicked off with the AdvaMed Women’s Conference, where Patrice Sutherland, MedTechVets’ Executive Director, joined a conversation titled “AdvaMed WEN: Beyond Boundaries—Empowering Women in Entrepreneurship Across Industries.”
Three inspiring female leaders shared how they’ve helped foster diversity of thought and inclusion within their companies—part of Sarah Arth’s initiative to advance diversity across medtech. Their stories resonated with Patrice, reinforcing MedTechVets’ commitment to championing diversity in the workplace. As Patrice reflected, “Our program builds bridges—not just for veterans, but for everyone seeking inclusion and new opportunities in this field.”
Later in the day, Patrice engaged with students at the conference’s student center. She shared her career journey and discussing the transferable skills veterans bring to medtech careers. The MTV team also networked with leaders at the MedTech Color Breakfast and attended the CEO Reception, continuing to advocate for veterans at every opportunity.
Final Thoughts: Building Bridges for the Future
This year’s MedTech Conference in Toronto was a testament to the power of community, resilience, and opportunity. Our second annual breakfast panel highlighted the value that veterans bring to the medtech industry and the importance of creating pathways for their success.
We are excited about what lies ahead for MedTechVets in 2025, from expanding our mentor program to launching the Executive Program. Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and believed in our mission. Together, we are building bridges, fostering inclusion, and creating a brighter future for veterans and the medtech industry.
Stay connected with MedTechVets and follow our journey as we continue to grow. If you’re interested in hiring veterans or becoming part of our program, we’d love to hear from you!
About MedTechVets
MedTechVets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Veterans during career transition and
beyond.
Our Vision is to build a bridge to help Veterans find meaningful employment in the Medical Technology Industry. We provide personalized career transition services, mentorship, and career development guidance. We serve Veterans who plan to enter the MedTech, Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical, or Medical Device industries. MedTechVets is proud to be endorsed by Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed).
