Finding the Right Notes

Stephen, associate director of integration for Baxter’s Connected Care Group, wore many hats before finding his way to Baxter – from violinist to law student to entomologist. Throughout these experiences, a few things remained steadfast: Stephen's love of performance, his reaction to adversity and his desire to learn and grow. We recently interviewed Stephen about his fascinating career journey and what continues to drive him.  

Question: How did your career path lead you to Baxter?  

Stephen: I've been a performer since I was four years old, and the stage has always been a comfortable place for me. This has been foundational to my career, and I believe it’s led me to my role at Baxter today. Before joining the company, I was a multi-instrumentalist and I performed in symphonies, played and recorded with various bands, and even came close to a career in music.  

I've also always enjoyed debate and was told repeatedly by more pragmatic people in my life that I should become a lawyer. I pursued studies in foreign policy collegiately, which eventually led me to law school. While those interests kept me busy, I also made time to pursue my passion in technology. Since I was 15, I’ve worked in different facets of the technology industry, from simple contract work to IT consulting. While working my first full-time job after undergrad, I had a few healthcare clients and that's where I developed an interest in research and patient outcomes.

I left law school after my first year and went on to work in various IT roles, the insurance industry, journalism, and even had the privilege of working in the field of entomology (the study of insects). While considering an offer to rejoin the world of music, I received a call from a friend who was asking if they could refer me for a role at Baxter, and shortly thereafter I accepted a Technical Services role. It felt like the perfect entry point into an industry that blends my interests in technology and health.

Q: How did you transition from Technical Services to your current role?  

Stephen: Since joining Baxter more than 12 years ago, I’ve held various roles. In my first role, I was primarily focused on technical services and consulting related to the legacy Baxa Corporation portfolio of business (acquired by Baxter in 2011). Throughout this experience, I built strong relationships with clients and colleagues, which opened my eyes to new opportunities.

As I became eager to grow at Baxter, I received feedback that I needed commercial experience to take my career to the next level. I decided to pursue a virtual sales role, which eventually led to an outside sales position managing hospital accounts for our pharmacy products business.

From there, I moved into a commercial training role and later joined our Device Architect team. This team has evolved over the last few years and now sits within Baxter's Connected Care Group. In my current role, I oversee the integration of our connected care solutions into broader healthcare systems, as we aim to provide partners with an ecosystem that fully connects care teams with one another and their patients.

Q: What makes you excited for work every morning? 

Stephen: Knowing that my work directly, and positively, impacts the safety and integrity of patients, caregivers, healthcare systems, and even larger, societal organizations keeps me motivated to get out of bed every day. It also keeps me rooted in my own personal ethics, as well as Baxter’s mission to Save and Sustain Lives.

Q: What are a few rituals that keep you grounded at work and in your personal life?  

Stephen: Every day, I wake up and read the day’s latest news in a few different languages. If there is a major news moment unfolding, I like to analyze how it’s being covered around the world and see how perspectives differ from country to country. And of course, I love a good cup of coffee.  

I also try to start and close my day with some form of meditation. Often that materializes as a walk around my neighborhood in Chicago, but I can find the same moments when traveling from place to place for work, whether I am sitting in a taxi, standing in the security line at an airport, or even waiting in the lobby of a hospital prior to a client meeting.   

Finally, I think it’s important to stay social and active – whether it be hosting a party, going dancing, going on a hike, or walking my dogs so they can enjoy our local dog park. My wife and I make sure we have at least one social engagement per week, and given our love of art and music, we also make it a priority to see live music weekly.