Tom Umbel interview

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  • Early Career
    Partial Transcript: We are about to be recording
    Synopsis: In this segment, Tom Umbel discusses his career path and work with DuPont, Hologic and Seno Medical
    Keywords: chemical engineer; DuPont; Hologic; Jim Culley; medical x-ray; Seno Medical
  • Changes During Career
    Partial Transcript: So you started off
    Synopsis: Umbel talks about his switch from working as a chemical engineer to working as a business analyst as well as the transition from film to digital detection
    Keywords: Berg Electronics; Denny Lee; digital detector; DuPont; Hologic; Lothar Jeromin; mammography; Xerox
  • Projects at Hologic/Business Acquisition
    Partial Transcript: So you guys had
    Synopsis: Umbel talks about the time he spent developing technologies and then explains the process of Hologic buying the medical imaging part of DuPont
    Keywords: Agfa; David Ellenbogen; DuPont; Hologic; Jack Cumming; Kodak; LG; Phillips; Radiological Society of North America; RSNA; Sterling Diagnostic Imaging; TFT
  • Work at Hologic vs. Other Companies
    Partial Transcript: Wow. So how did the
    Synopsis: In this segment, Umbel explains the culture and specifics of working for DuPont and Hologic
    Keywords: digital mammography; DuPont; Hologic; Jack Cumming; Rob Cascella
  • TFT Manufacturing
    Partial Transcript: So if I could ask you
    Synopsis: Umbel details the negotiations and business dealings that went into finding a supplier for TFT or thin film transistors
    Keywords: Denny Lee; FDA; LG; Lothar Jeromin; Seno Medical; Taipei; thin film transistor; x-ray detector; x-ray energy
  • Technology Developments
    Partial Transcript: So since you were working
    Synopsis: Umbel talks about the technological advancements that were made during the switch from film to digital mammography
    Keywords: digital mammography; General Electric; Hologic; Lorad; mammography; radiography; Trex Medical
  • Challenges and Noteworthy Moments
    Partial Transcript: Can you tell me
    Synopsis: In this segment, Umbel describes some of the challenges of his career, including finding funding as well as some of the more noteworthy momements
    Keywords: Cytyc; David Ellenbogen; Hologic; Jay Stein; Seno Medical
  • Why Hologic focused on Women's Health
    Partial Transcript: Do you know why
    Synopsis: Umbel explains how Hologic became a company focused on women's health through business acquisitions and other decisions by company leaders
    Keywords: bone density; Direct Radiography; GE; Hologic; Jack Cumming; Ken Hitchen; Kodak; US Steel
  • Specific Work Experiences
    Partial Transcript: So what happened
    Synopsis: Umbel talks about some of the successes and failures of his career and touches on what he think made Hologic so successful
    Keywords: Cytyc; Diagnostics Company; Direct Radiography; DuPont; GE; Hologic; mammography; Phillips; selenium; Siemens; University of California, Los Angeles
  • Competition in the Industry
    Partial Transcript: So when you touched on
    Synopsis: Umbel explains what the competition was like in the medical imaging business and how Hologic set itself apart
    Keywords: Direct Radiography; GE; General Electric; Hologic; Jim Culley; Kodak; selenium; x-ray energy
  • Selling New Technologies
    Partial Transcript: Can you say anything
    Synopsis: In this segment, Umbel talks about how Hologic convinced people to buy their new technologies and the creative marketing methods that they used
    Keywords: Germany; Hologic; Jim Culley; Planar; Rob Cascella; Siemens; Sweden; workstations
  • Government and International Work
    Partial Transcript: And what's it been
    Synopsis: Umbel details his experience working with FDA and the FDA approval process as well as some of his work in Europe and China
    Keywords: 3D imaging; China; digital mammography; Europe; FDA; premarket approval; Robert Smith
  • Development of Tomosynthesis/Career Reflections
    Partial Transcript: Were you involved
    Synopsis: In this segment, Umbel explains his involvement in the development of tomosythesis and shares some overall reflections on his career
    Keywords: Boston, MA; breast imaging; Jay Stein; Radiological Society of North America; Rob Cascella; RSNA; Steve MacMillan
  • Work with Insurance Companies
    Partial Transcript: And it seems that
    Synopsis: Umbel explains his work with insurance companies, specifically working to creative a reimbursement plan for new technologies
    Keywords: FDA; PMA; Premarket approval; reimbursement
  • Looking back on Career
    Partial Transcript: So this is kind of
    Synopsis: In this final segment, Umbel talks about the proud moments of his career and what he would change if given the chance
    Keywords: DuPont; Hologic; technology development
Details
Title

Tom Umbel interview

Date Created

2020-06-09

Summary

In this interview, Tom Umbel describes his career in the medical imaging industry. Umbel started his career as a chemical engineer for DuPont and as a result of business acquisitions and transfers, he ended up working for Hologic as a business analyst. Umbel details the culture at Hologic and some of the many positive experiences and challenges he had while working there. Umbel also discusses his business relationship with outside groups such as the FDA, RSNA, international businesses, and insurance companies.

Interviewee

Umbel, Thomas, 1954-

Interviewer

Spohn, Benjamin

Associated Name (corporate)

Hologic (Firm)

Biographical Note

Tom Umbel (1954-) is a chemical engineer who began a career with DuPont in 1976, immediately following graduation. After seven years working in textual fibers, Umbel switched to the medical x-ray film business, working for Agfa, Sterling Diagnostics and then for Hologic. At Hologic, Umbel eventually became the Senior Vice President of Sales and then the Senior Vice President of Development, a position he held for fifteen years. In 2014, Umbel became the Chief Operating Officer for a molecular diagnostic company and in 2016 he was offered a CEO position for Seno Medical.

Subject(s)

Diagnostic imaging
Breast--Radiography
Medical technology
Chemical engineers
Chemical engineering

Find all items with name(s)

Umbel, Thomas, 1954-
Hologic (Firm)
Spohn, Benjamin

Genre

oral histories

Language

English

Type of resource

sound recording

Extent

1 WAV file. (01:45:24:00).

Repository

Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library

Original Collection

Hologic Medical Imaging oral histories (Accession 2020.201)

Finding Aid

https://findingaids.hagley.org/2020_201

Preferred Citation

[Description and dates], Hagley ID, Box/folder number, Hologic Medical Imaging oral histories (Accession 2020.201), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington, DE 19807

Access Condition

Access to this item is provided for educational and research purposes only. The user assumes responsibility for obtaining permission from the copyright holder to publish or distribute this image. If you would like more information, please contact askhagley@hagley.org

Hagley ID

2020201_Umbel_Tom_20200609

PID

islandora:2661952

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