At some point in a long career, you look back and realize it didn’t go the way you expected—and that’s probably a good thing.
I started out thinking my path would be fairly straightforward. Like many people, I had a plan. What I didn’t anticipate were the turns: opportunities I hadn’t considered, roles I wasn’t quite prepared for, and moments that forced me to rethink not just what I was doing—but how I was doing it.
Over the years, I’ve worked across engineering, business, and healthcare. I’ve spent time designing products, leading teams, and teaching graduate students. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of seeing healthcare up close—not just as a system, but as a deeply human experience.
But this isn’t a résumé.
What stayed with me most weren’t the titles or the milestones. It was the unexpected moments:
conversations that changed how I thought about leadership
situations that didn’t go as planned (and what they taught me)
the importance of keeping doors open—even when you’re not sure what’s behind them
and, more often than not, the role humor plays in getting through just about anything
This space is where I’ll share those stories.
Some will be about career transitions.
Some about lessons learned the hard way.
Some about healthcare—and why I believe it needs to keep evolving.
And some will simply be moments that made me stop and think, “That’s worth remembering.”
If there’s a common thread, it’s this:
The road rarely unfolds the way you expect—but if you’re paying attention, it usually teaches you something along the way.
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Tom, I’m thrilled to be reading your writings. You are inspiring! - David