This article is part of our Ask the CMO series, where Cook Medical’s chief medical officer, Dr. John Kaufman, answers questions. Learn more about Dr. Kaufman in his Meet Our Leaders bio.
Q: You have worked with many other medical device companies and many people in the industry, such as sales reps, trainers, product managers, and regulatory scientists. From a physician’s perspective, how did Cook differentiate itself?
Dr. Kaufman: The reason that I was so excited to join Cook is that for my entire career I always felt that anyone that I worked with from Cook is more of a partner with aligned interests toward doing the best thing for the patient than a transactional relationship. I’ve never felt with Cook that there was a pressure to use something that somebody needed to fill a quota for or convince me to switch to something. It was never that way. It is always with Cook that I felt aligned, to the extent that I could trust anyone from Cook to say, “We don’t have the thing you are looking for, but this other company does.” When I first then began investigating or meeting people as potentially becoming part of Cook that culture was very clear.
What is different about Cook is that, although that culture may be present at other companies, it is such a strong presence throughout all of Cook. There is a shared alignment of goals between those of us who are taking care of people and trying to do the best thing for the person in front of us regardless of other factors. Overall, that is how Cook operates.
Obviously, we are a company, we have to somehow make enough money to stay afloat and make enough money to take care of the people who work for us as well. So, decisions can’t always be purely altruistic. We do have to make some of those decisions, but that is always in the framework of is this really the right thing to do, not just for us but for the patients of physicians.
What is an area that could potentially be improved on?
What could we do better? I think everyone has a different answer based on their own perspective, and as Cook customer it would be great if we could get new or updated devices through the pipeline and into clinical practice as fast as possible. We have so much fantastic stuff in the wings and I want it now! On a serious note, we also need to focus on preserving our unique culture and relationships with physicians as we navigate the complex and highly regulated world that we now operate in. These two things have been drivers for Cook from the beginning and are in a sense timeless.
This article is part of our Ask the CMO series, where Cook Medical’s chief medical officer, Dr. John Kaufman, answers questions. Learn more about Dr. Kaufman in his Meet Our Leaders bio.
Q: How do you balance your connection with Cook with what is the best option or device for your patient?
Dr. Kaufman: I do love working for Cook. It is one of the best things that has ever happened to me professionally, if not the best thing. And I also love taking care of patients and I so appreciate the ability to do both things at the same time. It is not a thing I take for granted at all, but it is an incredible privilege.
The culture at Cook and the culture of medicine are very similar: You do what is best for the patient in front of you.
Don’t do what is best for you or what might be best for your friend or the company you work for or the hospital you are working for or the professional organization that you are a member of. You do what is right for the person in front of you and that guides you all the time.
That prevents really any issue from arising of, “Should I be using a Cook catheter or a non-Cook catheter?” Cook catheters are the best catheters — they just are. So, I don’t have any qualms about using what I think is the best device. There are other devices that other people do better than us and I will use them because I think it is the right thing. I’m glad that it is evident that I am excited to work for Cook as it is an awesome group of people and an awesome organization.
As a family-owned enterprise with over sixty years of history, Cook Medical has consistently embraced “People” as one of the key brand pillars of its sustainable development, and strive to promote a balance between work and life for Cook employees.
Guided by this value, Cook China has taken employee engagement to the next level in 2025 – by blending the timeless appeal of China’s intangible cultural heritage with the vibrant spirit of happy living, we have introduced a series of highly-engaging, content-rich activities for our teams in China!
In April, our Shanghai team participated in a memorable water-marbling silk scarf DIY workshop. Originating in the Tang Dynasty (around AD 854), this ancient craft uses water as the canvas and ink as the brush, transforming pigments into one-of-a-kind swirling patterns in seconds. With a light tap of the fingertips, the Shanghai team members gently lifted the designs onto the silk, unveiling quite some visually striking works.
In October, the Shanghai team went a step further by exploring Jingdezhen hand-painted ceramics. Likely originating in the Song Dynasty (around AD 1000), this technique enabled the team to unleash their creativity on porcelain mugs and express their passion for life.
In November, the Beijing office hosted a captivating Cloisonne cup mat workshop. Perfected during the Ming Dynasty (around AD 1450), this art form challenges artisans’ patience and ingenuity, from penciling the initial draft, to bending and fixing the gold wires. The Beijing team members immersed themselves in each meticulous step, producing cup mats that marry the elegance of traditional craftsmanship with everyday functionality.
In addition to the heritage-themed activities, November also saw five Shanghai team members participating in the J.P. Morgan Corporate Running Challenge. With relaxed smiles and strides powered by determination, the Cook runners used every drop of sweat to embody a commitment to healthy living.
At the December year-end event, the Shanghai team joined a unique “Object Therapy” session which was filled with childhood fun, and eagerly shared their own feelings and memories.
By cultivating an inclusive and healthy environment, Cook China empowers every team member to thrive both at work and in life, which has been clearly reflected in the vibrant lineup of activities in 2025. We look forward to unlocking even more exciting experiences in the future!
