Mike Meyer learned early on that combining technology and compassion could result in innovative devices that improve lives. Growing up with a brother who suffered from cystic fibrosis, Meyers saw the impact a well-designed therapeutic device — one engineered by the boy's own physician — could have on his quality of life. Determined to make a meaningful difference, Meyer uses his natural curiosity and problem-solving passion to be part of a team that includes doctors, Abbott colleagues and the people receiving the life-changing structural heart technology that he helps develop. Let’s get to know him.
You'd describe your childhood as … I feel like I had a great childhood. I have a loving family with parents that really supported me. I loved running around with friends, playing sports and doing stuff outside. I have a brother that was born with cystic fibrosis, so I know what it is like for a family to live with medical challenges. My brother's doctor, Dr. Warren Warwick, invented a vest that uses pulsed air to vibrate the patient's lungs instead of having to do manual treatments. This vest truly changed the quality of life for my brother and our family. I think this invention was a big inspiration for me to pursue developing medical devices that can make a difference in people's lives.
Your 20-words-ish resume … I'm an engineering leader who is passionate about helping others. I have degrees in Biology and Mechanical Engineering and combined my learnings with my construction experience as a general contractor who loves solving problems to eventually end up where I am today in the medical device field.
Why this work, what drew you to it … I have always been fascinated by the human body. I also love technology and solving problems. It seemed a natural fit with my interests and skills to work on medical devices. Having a brother with Cystic Fibrosis got me intrigued with how someone's quality of life could be improved through inventing and developing technologies that made a huge difference in my brother's life.
Your proudest professional moment … I think realizing that the work you do every day really makes an impact in people's lives. I have friends who have received devices I have worked on and that brings it really close to home. Early in my career a lightbulb went off when I was at a case and realized that the women who was receiving a device that I worked on was someone's wife, someone's mother, someone's sister, etc. All of a sudden it made what I do really meaningful.
When you're not Mr. Meyer, for fun Mike likes to … Spend time with family, house remodeling projects, Spending time outdoors doing activities like skiing, hiking and hunting, and volunteering at church.
Your dreams for the future … To continue to make a difference in people's lives, whether it's my fellow Abbott co-workers, the patients we are helping, or the doctors who are implanting our devices. We are all a team and I want to do what I can to make an impact where I am at.
Best advice you ever heard … Rather than complaining and asking 'why?', ask 'what?' What can I learn from this? What can I do with this situation?
Thanks for joining us. Any closing thoughts? … I feel like I am very blessed to be doing what I am doing. It is amazing to be able to work with truly great people at Abbott and partner with fantastic physicians to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Please be aware that the website you have requested is intended for the residents of a particular country or region, as noted on that site. As a result, the site may contain information on pharmaceuticals, medical devices and other products or uses of those products that are not approved in other countries or regions.
The website you have requested also may not be optimized for your specific screen size.
FOLLOW ABBOTT