?? Meet the Team: Barbara McHugh ??

In this month's "Meet the Team,"?we are thrilled to introduce Barbara McHugh , our VP of Product Management. Barbara's journey from aspiring oral surgeon to health tech leader is about seizing opportunities and seeking new challenges.

Grab a coffee and take a moment to get to know Barbara.

?? What is your professional background?

"I started my career with a passion for dentistry, aiming to become an oral surgeon. I was on the pre-med/pre-dental track, which in the US involves four years of university followed by four years of dental school, at least four years of residency, and then a fellowship. After undergrad, I decided to take a gap year to experience "corporate America"?while applying to dental school.

I landed a job as an Associate Product Manager in Chicago with a large medical device company, working in the Operating Room division on a product line called Fluid Management. Initially, I planned to stay for a year before returning to school, but I ended up loving the role and the industry. I didn't realize a stereotypical "desk job"?could be so exciting! A pivotal moment in my career came when my manager resigned after I was in the role for only about six months, and I was given?the opportunity?to manage a $30 million product portfolio. This role involved extensive travel and overseeing production in China and Southeast Asia, significantly shaping my career trajectory."

?? Why did you join Naitive?

"After nearly five years at my first company, where I managed two teams overseeing two product lines, I got the opportunity to lead the development of a new device with software components, a first for the company. I found this incredibly interesting, and having spent several years learning everything there is to know about medical plastic procurement and manufacturing, I sought a new challenge and saw?a promising future in healthcare technology. A recruiter from Naitive contacted me, and the opportunity aligned with my interests in health technology and software.

I was drawn?to Naitive because of its integration of?technology into healthcare, its small company size, and its ambitious goals. Naitive offered the chance to build a team from the ground up, wear many hats, and work hands-on with a health tech product, which was incredibly appealing."

?? How would you describe your role and priorities at Naitive?

"As the VP of Product Management, I work extensively with end users to understand their needs and explore potential commercial relationships. I take these user needs and work closely with our engineering teams and the quality and regulatory department to create a deployable product. Back to wearing many hats, I also oversee all marketing efforts and monitor the competitive landscape."

??? What advice would you give to your younger self?

"I would tell my younger self to stop and enjoy life a little more instead of always pushing forward. It's important to balance setting yourself up for success with not burning out. I'd also encourage anyone starting out?to be open to various career opportunities beyond the traditional jobs you see on TV. Challenging yourself and rising to occasions when opportunities arise can lead to unexpected and rewarding career paths. Lastly, never be afraid to ask questions, even if you think they might sound dumb. In fast-paced industries, especially healthcare, it's better to speak up and learn quickly; there just?isn't time to wait until you've figured it out on your own."

?? What are you reading at the moment?

"I had fallen out of the habit of reading lately - beyond work-related topics. That said, I recently read 'Lilac Girls,'?a World War II novel that reinvigorated my interest in reading, and I'm?currently 100 pages into 'Nightingale,'?another World War II-based heroine novel. I also enjoy documentaries and movies based on true events, as I like to learn something applicable while also?being entertained."

Stay tuned for our next "Meet the Team"?post, where we'll bring you another interesting?interview with one of our team members.

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