Fischell Institute Hosts Inaugural Break into MedTech Event

The Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices hosted its inaugural Break Into MedTech: Careers, Conversations, and Connections on March 25 at the Stamp Student Union in College Park as part of Maryland MedTech Week.

The event brought together students, early-career professionals and leaders from the MedTech community for an in-depth look at how to enter and grow within the medical technology field.

The program opened with a welcome from Martha Wang, assistant director of the Fischell Institute, who emphasized the importance of building accessible pathways into MedTech.

“We want students to see that there is a place for them in this field,” Wang said. “Creating opportunities for direct engagement helps make those pathways feel real and achievable.”

Gregory Peel, author of The Pivot Point: Breaking into Medical Device Sales, followed with opening remarks focused on the importance of positioning and persistence when entering the industry.

“Do something today that your future self will be proud of,” Peel said, encouraging attendees to take intentional steps now that will shape their long-term success in MedTech.

The first panel, Exploring MedTech Careers: Roles, Responsibilities, and Realities, was moderated by Chris Frew, CEO of BioBuzz, and featured Ben Barnes, president of Neuro Advisors; Chidiebube Chikezie, director of ETC; Camille Smith, a senior product and program manager; and Kelliann Wachrathit-Kub, a cardiac electrophysiology device nurse coordinator. Panelists discussed how their roles contribute to advancing patient care and innovation, while offering insight into day-to-day responsibilities across the field.

“MedTech is built on a wide range of expertise,” Frew said. “When people understand how their skills connect to the bigger picture, they can find meaningful ways to contribute.”

The second panel, How We Got Here: The Journeys Behind the Jobs, was moderated by Christon Hill, program manager at Georgetown Tech Ventures. Panelists included Alicia Carbaugh, chief operating officer of Medernity; Carrie Huffman, a regulatory and clinical affairs consultant; and Michael Pitts, a clinical consultant at ConSignMed Inc. They shared personal experiences navigating career pivots, challenges and opportunities in MedTech.

“I’m yet to see a single, demarcated path into MedTech,” Hill said. “What I’ve seen are people willing to be expert beginners, take on new challenges, and step into roles they did not necessarily plan but find wildly fulfilling.”

Following the panels, attendees participated in guided roundtable discussions across key career areas within the MedTech ecosystem, including: regulatory affairs, healthcare systems, engineering, marketing and science communications, intellectual property, consulting and business operations, and others. This portion of the event allowed participants to engage directly with the professionals in attendance, ask questions and explore areas of interest in greater depth.

By bringing together perspectives from across the field, Break Into MedTech highlighted the range of opportunities available within the MedTech space and reinforced the importance of building a strong and connected talent pipeline.

Published March 27, 2026