Matt Nader

Life has educated me on the importance of being in the right place at right time. Growing up in a family of two physicians, my mother an orthopedic surgeon and my father a nephrologist, I was taught to believe in science and have confidence in the workings of mankind. Little did I know I would one day become the subject of such philosophy. As a 17 year-old All-American offensive tackle, committed to play at The University of Texas, I was on top of the world - right up until I wasn't. On the night of September 15th, 2006 I suffered an episode of sudden cardiac arrest during a football game, and despite the statistical survival rate of less than 1%, the people and the technology around me allowed me to survive within those odds. The combination of my father doing chest compressions, my mother doing mouth to mouth, and the luck of the draw that my high school had an AED, created the perfect storm for my survival.

After a series of tests, it was determined that I would need an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) connected to my heart, to deliver energy in the event that I go into cardiac arrest again. I will live with this device for the rest of my life. This experience has indirectly led to a fulfilling career with St. Jude Medical, where I wake up every morning and have the opportunity to work with cardiac electrophysiologists, to manage and cure some of the world’s most prevalent and deadly diseases - while using the most cutting edge technology known to man. Not only do I play an integral role in the implantation and programming of these cardiac devices in the lab, but I also have the pleasure of being able to connect with patients about to receive these devices - on a technical level, and more importantly, on an emotional level.

After my event I quickly learned I had the unique ability to have an impact on the awareness, education and availability of AEDs and CPR protocols. Through my work as a board member of the Championship Hearts Foundation (nonprofit raising capital for heart screenings and echocardiograms in young athletes), and serving as the keynote speaker in over 30 sudden cardiac arrest awareness events, I have found a passion which inspires me to make a difference every day. Post-MBA, I plan to do just that, in a leadership role within the medical device industry and as a global ambassador for cardiac arrest awareness.