EP83: Heroes at Every Level of Healthcare Innovation

Success Beneath the Surface

In healthcare innovation, success isn't just about breakthrough technology or market leadership - sometimes, it requires heroes at every level. Today's conversation with Joe Yaccarino, CEO of MTF Biologics, reveals how one of the world's largest tissue banks has built an organization where heroic acts happen daily - from donor families making selfless decisions in moments of tragedy to engineers developing cutting-edge processes to surgical teams delivering life-changing outcomes.

What makes this discussion particularly valuable for leaders is how Yaccarino, an engineer by training, has scaled MTF Biologics from 100 to 1,400 people by recognizing and empowering heroes throughout his organization. His journey from building medical devices to leading a major healthcare nonprofit demonstrates how to create a culture where every role - from shipping and logistics to R&D and surgical partnerships - is mission-critical and treated as such.

Join host Deborah Fell as she and Yaccarino explore how to build an organization where excellence isn't just expected, it's required at every level - and how this approach has helped MTF Biologics perform over 500,000 transplants annually while staying ahead of market disruption and maintaining a significant mission that saves and heals lives.

About Joe Yaccarino

Joe has served as CEO of MTF Biologics since June 2018. He received the Leadership Award for Large Businesses in NJ Top Workplaces in 2020 and 2022, and his organization has been named a New Jersey Top Workplace for five years running. Joe joined MTF in 1997 as its first processing engineer, developing several spinal surgery innovations that led to significant growth for the organization.

Joe's accomplishments include leading teams through more than 45 successful new product launches and creating innovative technologies for cartilage, dermal, adipose, amniotic, and cell-based tissues. In his CEO role, Joe has focused on building high-performing Business Units and developing Key Strategies to further MTF’s growth and fulfill its mission to save and Heal Lives.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Joe Yaccarino on LinkedIn

MTF Biologics

MTF Biologics

MTF Biologics is a nonprofit organization headquartered in central New Jersey with a 37-year history of advancing tissue and organ donation. Employing over 1,400 people, MTF Biologics has honored the incredible gifts of more than 165,000 donors while processing over 11 million tissue grafts to save and heal lives worldwide. The organization partners with medical professionals to deliver high-quality, safe, and innovative tissue for transplant, helping patients recover from injury and illness. MTF Biologics also supports research efforts aimed at improving the science of tissue transplantation. Their commitment to donor families and recipients drives their mission of transforming lives, offering hope and healing through the profound gift of donation. Through these efforts, MTF Biologics touches millions of lives each year. Learn more about their mission at mtfbiologics.org.