Healthcare innovation could be at risk

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Imagine someone with Parkinson’s sipping their morning coffee with a steady hand. A person with chronic pain or overactive bladder enjoying simple pleasures like going to the movies, taking a road trip, and a restful sleep. A life changed and potentially saved because signs of colorectal cancer were caught and treated early.

These examples represent real people whose lives were changed with healthcare technology. Medical devices and therapies that once seemed like sci-fi are now alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending lives. Artificial intelligence, data, and robotics rightfully get credit for supercharging many recent health tech breakthroughs, but innovation will always be powered by people. Behind every new product is a team of individuals who grew up tinkering, dreaming, and embracing challenges, while ultimately dedicating their careers to improving lives.

Yet, as optimistic as we are about the future of health tech and the people behind it, a global talent shortage of 4.3 million tech workers by 2030 threatens innovation. Making matters more urgent, a looming shortage of 11 million health workers could disproportionately impact health outcomes in low-income regions. These aren’t merely statistics. If left unaddressed, workforce shortages could stall the development of life-saving therapies and compromise the quality of care that all of us deserve. We can’t allow that to happen.

Could a global challenge also be a needed solution? We think so.

Despite global workforce shortages, there’s a generation at risk of being left behind. Currently 80% of young adults from low-income communities globally are not able to find a secure job and 65% of students in primary school today will work in jobs that don’t currently exist. Many of these will be in fields where early exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is critical.

This raises important questions: What if we could equip a generation with the critical skills needed to meet workforce shortages while also breaking cycles of poverty? And, what if we could change the trajectory of lives while also saving them?  

We believe this isn’t only possible—it’s essential. Here are three key things that need to happen:

1. College degrees are valuable, but can no longer be the only path to entry

In health tech we see how personalization is driving better health outcomes. Now, paths and preparation for careers in our industry (and other innovation-driven fields) must follow suit. The next idea that sparks a health tech breakthrough could come from anywhere—or anyone.

But here’s the stark reality. There are bright students who face significant barriers to a post-graduate degree, even after they’re accepted into a program. According to Jobs for the Future, only 14% of low-income students who attend a four-year college will graduate.           

We must open new paths to health tech jobs; skills-based training, apprenticeships, and credentialing can all be effective alternatives. At Medtronic we’ve already worked with InStride to shift 150+ roles from degree-based to skills-based hiring, but we know more must be done.

2. Students need hands-on STEM experiences—early and often

Research from Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation found that three-quarters of Gen Z youth are enthusiastic about STEM fields, but only 29% would rank a STEM role as their top career choice. Lack of exposure to STEM concepts, and their real-world application, could be fueling this gap.

Similarly, the Smithsonian Science Education Center conducted a five-year study in North and South Carolina. They found that hands-on, innovative STEM education not only improved science achievement but also enhanced reading, math skills, and essential workforce skills like collaboration, problem solving, and creativity. These foundational skills are key to preparing students for future jobs. But students must also know jobs exist—and see themselves in them. 

3. Building awareness of health tech careers must be a priority

Every day, health tech innovators are harnessing groundbreaking technologies to improve lives and help close critical gaps in our global healthcare system. Yet despite its “cool factor” most students will never hear about the health tech industry unless they or a loved one need it.

To combat this, we are launching Medtronic Spark—a 10-year initiative that aims to address the growing health tech talent gap through three programs: Medtronic Spark Innovator Labs, Medtronic Spark Credentials, and the Medtronic Spark Scholarship. These programs aim to propel 1 million students from low-income households into health tech careers.

We know we can’t do it alone, but we’re committed to sparking a conversation that we believe can help fuel the future of healthcare. Our goal isn’t to merely touch young people’s lives. It is to truly change the trajectory of their lives with opportunities in health tech that have potential for lasting generational impact.

Because at its core, innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people.

Torod Neptune is senior vice president corporate marketing and global chief communications officer at Medtronic and chairman of Medtronic Foundation. Sally Saba, MD is the president of Medtronic Foundation and global chief inclusion and diversity officer at Medtronic.

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