I think with 3-D printing we're in a good position, too. It's still developing for us, so it may be too early to talk about it much, but we're in a good technology position.

HCB News: When you look around at the handful of major imaging OEMs, how do you see Siemens Healthineers distinguishing itself from the crowd?

DP: You go to every booth and you'll hear companies talk about the bells and whistles they have, but we really think what sets us apart is that we not only have great technology, but we're collaborating with our customers in a more meaningful way, with a focus on improving outcomes and reducing overall costs. We want to deliver programs, initiatives, and partnerships that really meet the goals of our customers. For us, it's about that collaboration.

HCB News: That ties in with my next question. There is all this amazing technology at RSNA - but how does Siemens Healthineers create value for the hospitals that cannot afford major capital investments?

DP: We feel we have a broad portfolio across what we call the 'affordability spectrum,' and the key is really getting the right machine or instrument to the right customer. It's really about either having a smart upgrade for them that's not too costly or having a new piece of equipment that meets new goals.

We don't want to put too much technology on a customer who is only looking for certain things. For example, suppose someone only needs to do back scans and they need to do them really fast and that's pretty much it ... well, we are focused on keeping costs down by not providing them with extras they have no use for.

HCB News: You recently launched the Share360 program, which seems to come from that same philosophy; customized service.

DP: Right. ‘My facility is in such an area where I don't need 24/7 service, which may be more costly, or I am not so busy all the time so I don't need this level of service.I need it customized to my model, my institution, my imaging center; I need it customized for my facility and tailored to my needs’. That's the idea.

HCB News: You joined Siemens Healthineers a couple years ago from Abbott and you have a cardiology background. How has that impacted the way forward for Siemens Healthineers?

DP: I'm responsible for North America, where cardiac disease is highly prevalent, and I hope I've brought a more acute awareness to Siemens Healthineers of how important some of these sophisticated procedures are and how dependent they are on image guidance. My team and I have pushed the need to improve and enhance image guidance ultimately because utilizing these advanced structural heart procedures and advanced complex cardiac cases can shorten the case, get the devices implanted sooner, and get the patients out of the hospital. We have seen some dramatic improvements in that area, and we're excited about that.

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