For Anthony Kopiecki, helping others and furthering your career don’t have to be mutually exclusive. It was this belief that led Anthony to grow frustrated with the modern healthcare establishment, but that frustration made him more dedicated than ever to effect positive change.
Since he was a young boy, Anthony felt drawn to two things: healthcare and business. He had a passion for helping people even then, and would always be the one his friends turned to if they got hurt. After viewing a documentary about surgeons helping children born with cleft palates, Anthony decided to enter healthcare. He obtained an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota and then his M.D. from St George’s University School of Medicine, but of course, he wouldn’t stay there. Anthony Kopiecki became disillusioned with the state of healthcare and how it moved away from the patient-first mentality he holds dear. He soon came to realize that change has to come from the inside, and the business world is where he could best make a difference.
His passion for healthcare and his savvy business sense came together in October of 2018 when he co-founded Cathexis Designs. This small business is focused on designing technologically advanced garments, and his work with the company continues to this day. A year after starting Cathexis Designs, Anthony became Medical Director of Cell Vault in New York City. As medical director, his responsibilities included engaging with prospective clients to evaluate clinical opportunities. He also helped commercialize and adopt new-to-market consumer health products.
Currently, Anthony Kopiecki is the client-advisor at Cloud Latitude, helping develop custom IT solutions for clients. He also collaborates with the sales team to create and put into action strategic digital transformations, playing a key role in important efforts across the business development lifecycle. Furthermore, he conducts “discovery meetings” which are meant to identify areas of potential growth with Cloud Latitude.
Outside of work, Anthony loves music of all genres. He especially enjoys Electronic music and is excited by the complexity of it. He is also into fitness and stays active by lifting weights and running. You can connect with Anthony Kopiecki on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Our Interview With Anthony Kopiecki
Question: What’s the most important thing we should know about you?
Anthony Kopiecki: I’m tenacious when it comes to things I care about. I’m loyal and dedicated to my passions, which leads to the tenaciousness of my character.
Question: Name the most impactful lesson you learned from failure.
Anthony Kopiecki: That there is always a lesson and something to be gained/learned from failing. I think knowing that some people who are considered as the greatest of their area, sports, finance, etc, all have failed many times before they succeeded. Failing isn’t something anyone is immune to and it can always teach us to pick ourselves back up and try again.
Question: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Anthony Kopiecki: Getting through medical school. Going to another country with no family, friends, support structure was very difficult.
Question: What did you waste the most time on when you were first starting your career?
Anthony Kopiecki: Worrying about what others in the profession thought of me. I think just being yourself and focusing on the task at hand will pay dividends in the future.
Question: Name a tool you use for work that you can’t live without.
Anthony Kopiecki: My calendar. It really helps to add things to stay organized. I was never big on using calendars or planners, but the more I’ve started using them the more useful I find them to be. Helps clear some of the mental space that tries to manage appointments etc.
Question: What is your favorite hobby and why?
Anthony Kopiecki: I really enjoy being active, either running, biking, lifting weights, yoga, whatever it is. I think being active is good for both body and mind.
Question: What excited you the most about your industry right now?
Anthony Kopiecki: Healthcare and more specifically health tech is an industry that is just exploding with opportunities. The market space is so enormous and the amount of creativity going into the space is exciting and really hopeful about the future of healthcare/health tech.
Question: What concerns you most about your industry right now?
Anthony Kopiecki: The lack of other solid companies. Since health tech is so new, trying to get support behind a brand new never tried idea can be challenging.
Question: What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?
Anthony Kopiecki: Going to another country and starting my journey through medicine. As mentioned before, not having the support structure of family or friends and being in a foreign country can be daunting. I pushed through that initial shock, made friends along the way, and made it through school.
Question: Name one small habit that positively impacts your productivity.
Anthony Kopiecki: I try to do something active every day and also am learning to meditate/practice mindfulness every day. Taking a second to appreciate and slow down really helps my mind and body to feel more at ease.
Question: What tips do you have for getting a seat at the table?
Anthony Kopiecki: Be yourself and be honest. I think when people get to know the real you and what your capabilities are, that is the most important and valuable thing. Nobody wants to be deceived, especially when trying to get a seat at the table.
Question: What book has made the biggest impact on your life?
Anthony Kopiecki: There are so many books that have made positive impacts. Off the top of my head maybe Willpower by Baumeister and Tierney. I like all genres, fiction, non-fiction, self-help, clinical medicine/psychology. All of it fascinates me.
Question: Do you value intelligence or common sense more? Why?
Anthony Kopiecki: I think both are equally important for almost any career and for being a well-rounded individual that can thrive in any environment.
Question: What would you consider to be the perfect day?
Anthony Kopiecki: Waking up with my partner and both of us taking our dog to the park to play. Afterward a nice breakfast and going out and exploring both of us or bringing the dog along. End the night with a nice dinner and snuggle up on the couch and watch something we both enjoy.
