Hearing directly from patients brings our purpose into focus and reminds us that the most meaningful innovations are those that help improve patient care and outcomes.
By Tim Patz, Worldwide President, Advanced Patient Monitoring (APM) at BD
Last week, colleagues from across our organization came together for our second annual APM Patient Day in Irvine, California. More importantly, we came together with patients whose experiences remind us why our work matters every day.
Hearing directly from patients is one of the most powerful ways to reconnect with our purpose. Throughout the day, patients and care partners shared personal stories of resilience, hope and recovery, offering a firsthand perspective on the human impact of our products. Their experiences remind us that behind every device, every innovation and every clinical decision is a person, a family and a story.
Through struggle, I learned the power of hope and endurance. Meeting the people behind the solutions that supported my care was incredibly meaningful. Because of the work of this team, I have been blessed with the opportunity to grow older with my family. Thank you."
— Amy Cain, Patient Day participant
As healthcare innovators, we spend much of our time advancing technologies, solving complex challenges and supporting clinicians in delivering high-quality care. Patient Day gives us something equally valuable: a chance to pause, listen and reconnect with the people at the heart of everything we do.
Hearing these stories reinforces something we often say at APM: patients are not simply the recipients of our work. They are the reason for it. They inspire us to continue developing solutions that help improve care for millions of patients around the world.
For many associates, it was a unique opportunity to hear directly from patients whose lives have been touched by products they help develop or produce every day. They remind us that regardless of our role, every one of us contributes to patient care.
Patient Day also highlighted something that continues to inspire me: the extraordinary commitment of our associates. From the many volunteers who helped plan and support the event to those who participated with open minds and genuine curiosity, the level of engagement was remarkable. Their enthusiasm reflects a culture that truly puts patients first. It was a visible reminder that patient focus is not owned by one team or function. It is a shared commitment across our organization.
As I reflect on the day, I am grateful to the patients and care partners who shared their stories with honesty and courage, and to the associates who brought such energy, empathy and commitment to the experience.
The stories shared during Patient Day will remain with us long after the event itself. They will continue to shape how we innovate, collaborate and serve healthcare providers and patients. Because at APM, patients are not simply the beneficiaries of our work. They are our purpose.