How Todd Austin Went from RT to CEO

Todd Austin, BSc, RRT, RRT-NPS, CPFT, RPFT, was drawn to study respiratory care early in his education because he saw the profession as a chance to make an immediate difference in patients’ lives.

“Few areas of health care are as critical as breathing,” he said. “When a patient is struggling to breathe, accurate information and timely intervention can have an immediate impact on outcomes.” But as his fascination with these concepts grew, he began to realize that the quality of patient care is only as good as the information guiding it.

“Clinicians must be able to trust the data they rely on, especially in high-acuity situations where every second matters,” said Austin. “That realization shaped not only my clinical practice but also my broader perspective on advancing technologies that improve patient care and outcomes.”

It was this mindset that set the stage for a career that would take Austin from bedside care in settings ranging from intensive care to cardiopulmonary diagnostics to leading roles in the respiratory care industry, including his most recent position as CEO of Nonin Medical.

In this interview, Austin shares his journey and how he believes his background and training as a respiratory therapist have helped him every step of the way.

You first stepped outside traditional respiratory care to take on a clinical application specialist position at SensorMedics in 1995, about 10 years after graduating with your BSc in respiratory therapy from Mount Marty University, and you have remained on the industry side ever since. Why did you make that first move, and why did you decide to remain in the industry?

The decision to move into a clinical applications role was driven by a desire to extend my impact beyond the bedside. I valued my clinical practice tremendously, but I saw an opportunity to help a much larger number of patients by supporting the clinicians and health care systems that relied on cardiopulmonary technologies every day.

Joining SensorMedics gave me a broader perspective on how medical devices are developed, implemented, and ultimately used in patient care. As a clinical application specialist, I worked directly with healthcare providers worldwide, helping them integrate technology into their workflows and maximize the clinical value of those tools.

That experience sparked an interest in the full lifecycle of medical technology. Over time, I took on leadership roles spanning clinical affairs, marketing, engineering, and corporate strategy, each providing a different perspective on how clinical needs can be translated into meaningful innovation. What remained constant was the importance of bringing the clinician’s voice into every stage of product development and commercialization.

I have remained on the industry side because of the scale of impact it makes possible. When clinical insight is effectively integrated into technology, strategy, and product design, it can improve care for clinicians and patients across thousands of health care settings. For me, that opportunity to influence patient care on a broader scale has been both professionally rewarding and deeply meaningful.

Equally as rewarding has been working alongside the thousands of colleagues, mentors, and coworkers who have become decades-long friends.

What would you say are the biggest highlights of your career and why?

When I reflect on my career, the highlights are less about specific titles or positions and more about the opportunity to contribute to meaningful advancements in patient care. I have been fortunate to work across clinical practice, medical technology, and executive leadership, each providing a unique perspective on how health care can be improved.

One of the most rewarding aspects has been helping bridge the gap between clinical needs and technology innovation. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with talented teams to develop, launch, and support technologies that clinicians rely on to make critical decisions. Knowing that those solutions have positively impacted patient care is incredibly gratifying.

Another highlight has been the opportunity to lead and mentor exceptional people. Health care and medical technology are ultimately team efforts, and some of my proudest moments have come from helping individuals and organizations grow, develop new capabilities, and achieve outcomes that would not have been possible on their own.

Most recently, being named CEO of Nonin Medical has been a significant milestone. It represents the culmination of decades spent building experience across clinical care, technology, and business leadership. More importantly, it provides an opportunity to help shape the future of a company with a long history of innovation and a mission centered on improving patient outcomes.

What are the biggest challenges and biggest rewards of working in your current position, and why? 

One of the biggest challenges of serving as CEO is balancing continuity with transformation. Nonin has built an exceptional reputation over many decades based on accuracy, quality, reliability, and innovation. Preserving that legacy while ensuring the company continues to evolve in a rapidly changing health care environment requires thoughtful decision-making and a clear strategic vision.

Health care delivery is undergoing significant change, with patient monitoring becoming increasingly connected, data-driven, and accessible across a broader range of care settings. As a leader, it is important to position the organization to meet those emerging needs while maintaining the clinical performance and trust that customers have come to expect from Nonin.

The greatest reward is the opportunity to work alongside a talented team that is deeply committed to improving patient care. There is a strong sense of purpose throughout the organization, and it is incredibly fulfilling to help shape the future of technologies that clinicians and patients rely on every day.

How do you think your background as a respiratory therapist has helped you as you moved up the ladder in the industry?

It has given me a practical perspective that I rely on every day. I think about how technology will perform not just in ideal conditions, but in real clinical environments where consistency and ease of use matter.

It also shapes how I approach leadership. Having spent time at the bedside, I understand the importance of trust in the tools clinicians use. That carries through into how I think about product development, partnerships, and long-term strategy. The goal is always to ensure that what we deliver supports confident decision-making and meaningful improvements in patient care across different settings.

One of the most important lessons I learned at the bedside is that technology must perform reliably in real-world clinical environments, not just under ideal conditions. Clinicians need tools that are accurate, intuitive, and dependable, particularly when caring for critically ill patients and making time-sensitive decisions. That understanding continues to shape how I evaluate products, technologies, and opportunities.

My clinical background has also influenced my approach to leadership. Having cared for patients directly, I understand the importance of trust — trust in data, trust in the technology, and trust in the decisions that follow. As a result, I consistently view business decisions through a clinical lens, asking how they will ultimately impact health care providers and the patients they serve.

What are your top 3-4 bits of advice for other therapists who might like to follow in your footsteps and move into a nontraditional role such as the one you have now?

1. First, never lose sight of your clinical foundation. The knowledge and experience you gain from caring for patients are incredibly valuable and can be a differentiator in almost any role you pursue. Whether you move into industry, leadership, research, or entrepreneurship, understanding the realities of patient care provides a perspective that cannot be learned from a textbook or boardroom.
2. Second, be willing to step outside your comfort zone and embrace new opportunities. My move into industry was not part of a long-term career plan; it was an opportunity to learn, grow, and apply my clinical experience in a different way. Many of the most rewarding career opportunities come from being open to roles that may not fit a traditional path.
3. Third, commit to continuous learning. Health care, technology, and business are constantly evolving. The professionals who are most successful over time are those who remain curious, seek out new experiences, and invest in developing skills beyond their original training.
4. Finally, focus on creating value rather than chasing titles. Early in my career, I learned that meaningful impact comes from solving problems, helping others succeed, and improving outcomes for patients and clinicians. If you consistently focus on those objectives, career opportunities and leadership roles tend to follow naturally.