Touching people’s lives by improving healthcare

“I started my bachelor’s in physics in Portugal at the oldest university in the country,” says Lucia. “In the physics labs I discovered the field of imaging and dose management. When I came to the Netherlands for my master’s at Eindhoven University of Technology, I worked closely with physicians and nurses at Maxima Medical Centre. Being in such a clinical environment, you really feel the impact of technology on people’s lives. I spent time in the neonatology department, where premature babies are treated. Watching the medical staff care for those little babies was simply beautiful, and it confirmed for me that I wanted to contribute to this field.” 

Brainport attracts like-minded people 

“During my studies at Eindhoven University of Technology I experienced that both the university and the Eindhoven region attract many people who want to contribute to a better society. Of course, you need your primary needs covered to be able to do so. I feel thankful for what I have, and I want to spread that further. Philips is exactly in line with my core values with its patient and customer centric mindset. I got to know Philips during my studies and it is a great company to work for, supportive, respectful and offering many opportunities for professional growth.”  

"I want to touch people’s lives and contribute to a better society."

Treating diseases as minimally invasive as possible

“At Philips I work on innovations in the field of minimally invasive interventions, enabling new ways of treating people. These interventions range from fixing small vessels in the brain to the largest vessels in the body, but also include the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in a way that is as minimally invasive as possible. Physicians want to minimize larger incisions typical from open surgeries if it is not strictly necessary, because every surgery brings risks. Minimally invasive interventions reduce the chance of infection, shorten recovery time, and provide doctors with a better view of what is happening inside the patient.”

Augment experience of physicians

“More recently, I have been focusing on Human Technology Interaction, strengthening my expertise in user research and co-creation. For example, data helped us enhance interventions, and through design thinking approaches we simplified the tools physicians use to make treatments more intuitive and effective. My goal is always to ensure that the needs of patients and medical staff remain central.”

Bringing sustainability into innovation 

“I am also proud to bring the customer voice on sustainability into our innovation roadmap. We collaborate not only with surgeons and medical staff who are seeking sustainable solutions, but also with hospital sustainability coordinators and so-called green teams. By listening to their experiences, we gain insights into what sustainability means for hospitals and patients, and how Philips can contribute to this shared journey.” 

"By co-creating with doctors and patients, we make healthcare innovations more meaningful and sustainable."

A puzzle that requires disruptive thinking

“It is a puzzle that requires a helicopter view. We challenge ourselves to think disruptively, to imagine what interventions of the future might look like. Our work feels like being in a start-up, but with all the advantages of Philips’ ecosystem. Of course, our innovations must be clinically, technically and financially feasible, but we also have the freedom to explore, with access to internal experts and a broad network of external partners. We collaborate across disciplines including engineers, designers, software developers, marketers and clinicians to bring all perspectives together.”

Customer research and prototyping 

“My main tasks center around customer research and co-creation. I lead discussions with customers and stakeholders to discover and validate their biggest challenges and to explore solution directions. In early stages we use sketches, but as projects evolve we create functional prototypes. By deploying investigational devices in partner hospitals, we gain direct feedback on the clinical value of our solutions and make sure they are meaningful for both staff and patients.” 

Professional and personal growth 

“Looking back at the past years, I can say I have achieved my main objective in choosing to work abroad, which was to get out of my comfort zone. The Netherlands felt like stepping outside my comfort zone while still being comfortable. The move has been key not only for my professional growth, but also for my personal development.”