With a background in biomedical engineering, early experience spanning both clinical and corporate settings, and a family history of doctors and engineers, Vlad brings a rare dual perspective to his new sales role at Athera:

He’s the bridge between the engineering precision that drives healthcare technology and the human realities of hospitals on-the-ground.

Having seen healthcare from both sides of the system, Vlad understands the challenges our customers face when balancing patient care with operational efficiency.

You’ve worked in both clinical and corporate environments. How do you see that experience shaping your work in sales at Athera?

I’ve seen healthcare from two very different perspectives:

At Enable Ireland, I worked directly with patients as part of the clinical engineering team. That experience taught me the value of human connection and showed me how provider-patient relationships directly influence outcomes. It also gave me insight into the day-to-day realities clinicians face and the challenges outside their control.

At Pfizer, I experienced large-scale corporate operations, where teamwork, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration are essential. I saw the power of diverse perspectives tackling complex challenges, but also how easy it is for individuals to feel like just another cog in a big system.

Seeing both sides; the personal, hands-on clinical world and the structured, process-driven corporate one, has helped me understand how technology and innovation impact people at every level of healthcare. That contrast really shaped how I approach my work at Athera:

I want to combine that personal, empathetic understanding from the clinical side with the structured, solution-oriented mindset from the corporate side to build meaningful relationships with our customers and drive real impact.

What has surprised you most so far about decontamination services?

What surprised me most is just how complex and highly regulated the process is.

When you first hear the word decontamination, you think of cleaning or washing. But in a healthcare setting, it’s so much more than that. Every stage is controlled, documented, and validated because ultimately, patient safety is on the line.

Seeing what happens behind the scenes really opened my eyes to the amount of technology and IT integration involved, from the high-tech washers and autoclaves to the traceability software that ties everything together. Being a bit of a tech nerd myself, I was fascinated by how much data, automation, and precision goes into what might look from the outside like “just a washroom.”

What’s really interesting is the balance between human skill and technology. Too much manual input can lead to human error, while over-reliance on automation can create issues if there’s ever a system fault. The process works best when both complement each other.

It’s also incredible to see how data and digital traceability can pinpoint exactly where an instrument is in the process, how many cycles have been run, and where something might have gone wrong. It really shows the potential of technology in improving safety and efficiency and makes me excited about what teams like Athera can continue to achieve in this space.

You’ve already met with some Irish hospital teams – what stands out to you about their priorities?

What’s stood out most to me is that patient safety is always the number one priority. It’s not just about meeting regulations or ticking boxes, there’s a genuine sense of responsibility and pride in keeping patients safe. The teams I’ve met care deeply about preventing issues like cross-contamination, and you can feel that dedication in every part of their workflow.

Another big priority is process improvement. Hospital teams are constantly looking for ways to make their work more efficient and less repetitive, not just to save time, but to support each other and make the overall environment run smoother. Everyone wants processes that are streamlined and simple, especially in areas like decontamination where so many systems and steps are already in play.

I’ve also noticed that teams are very open to innovation. Many want to be at the forefront of adopting new technology, but they value solutions that integrate naturally into their existing workflows. Change can be challenging in any hospital setting, so it’s about showing how a new system can actually make their day-to-day work easier and more rewarding, rather than adding complexity.

Overall, Irish hospital teams are progressive and forward-thinking, but also practical. They balance their commitment to patient safety and compliance with a real desire for smart, efficient tools that help them deliver the best care possible.

What excites you most about working with Athera customers?

What excites me most about working with Athera customers is that the company’s mission really aligns with my own ambitions — driving healthcare progress through innovation, improving operational efficiency, and ultimately enhancing patient care.

I’ve always wanted to be at the forefront of technology, so partnering with organisations like the HSE, the NHS, and private hospitals across Ireland and the UK feels incredibly meaningful. Working with such major healthcare systems gives me the opportunity to contribute directly to their goal of delivering safer, more efficient care. It’s something I feel genuinely proud of, being part of that progress.

I also feel like I’ve joined Athera at a really exciting time — a kind of turning point where healthcare is rapidly embracing digital transformation. We’re moving deeper into the data-driven and AI-powered age, and it’s inspiring to see how solutions like FingerPrint are already making tangible differences in day-to-day workflows. Even small improvements, things you wouldn’t expect to have a big impact, can completely transform how teams work and free up their time for what really matters.

What I love most is that every site and every customer is different. Even though decontamination units share similar layouts or processes, each has its own challenges, priorities, and opportunities. Every conversation brings a new perspective and a new way of learning. That collaboration, between Athera and our customers, doesn’t just benefit us or them, it benefits healthcare as a whole.