For Endoluminal Sales Manager Fatema Yusuf, the most rewarding moments of her job come when she sees the real-world impact of her work. A surgeon telling her his patients are better because of Intuitive is challenging the status quo. A CT scan showing nodules that would have gone undetected without Ion technology.
“I may not always be in the room to see it, but to know it’s happening is enough to continue to have the conviction,” she said.
Building the future, one stapler at a time
Intuitive’s reputation for innovation is what drew Fatema to the company in 2017 as a product marketing manager. “I was always struck by how innovative and cutting edge Intuitive was,” she recalled. “It stood out to me.”
Though her background was in Sales, Fatema took a leap into Marketing at Intuitive. Her first major project was the launch of the SureForm stapler. She was responsible for commercializing it across Europe, Asia, Japan, and Korea, training surgeons, and crafting the messaging.
“We were building the plane as we flew it,” she said, reflecting on the fast-paced environment. “I got an appreciation for what innovation means when you’re behind the scenes at a company like Intuitive.”
A passion for sales and patient impact
After two-and-a-half years in Marketing, Fatema felt the pull back to Sales, her true passion. She joined the da Vinci sales team, focusing on thoracic and colorectal specialties.
Fatema describes her path as unconventional—most move from Sales to Marketing, not the other way around—but says it gave her a unique perspective.
“As a team, we believe in what we do, not because we are told to, but because we wholeheartedly believe in it,” she explained. “That conviction is contagious, and customers notice it too.”
Leading the way with Ion
Since 2022, Fatema has been part of the Ion team on the capital side, covering a vast region—Southern California, Arizona, and Hawaii.
Along the way, she says she’s learned the intricacies of capital sales and the challenges of moving the needle in lung cancer care.
“We are really changing the standard of care with lung cancer diagnosis, much like we have been for decades with da Vinci and open surgery,” Fatema said. “It’s not easy changing the status quo, but when you have a ‘why,’ it fuels your passion to keep moving forward.”
Growth, culture, and staying connected
Every role at Intuitive has stretched Fatema in new ways.
“Intuitive will show you what you’re made of if you let it,” she said, citing the company’s high standards and ever-evolving challenges.
Recognized recently as Manager of the Year for Capital, Fatema describes Intuitive’s culture as fast-paced, patient-centric, and mission-oriented.
Despite the demands of travel and a large territory, she stays connected to the company culture through close relationships with colleagues and mentors—many of whom she leans on for support during long commutes and customer calls.
“Other companies can be very transactional, but here, what we’re doing is profound,” Fatema said.
Beyond work: Family, travel, and finding joy
Outside of work, Fatema is deeply connected to her family and her beloved Shih Tzu, Enzo. Raised in Southern California by parents who immigrated from Afghanistan, she values spending time with her nephews, running, and traveling—especially to Italy, her “happy place.”
Fatema calls Enzo, who she brought home during the pandemic, one of her greatest joys.
“I support his lifestyle,” she said. “I never had a dog before and didn’t know what to expect, but dogs are such special creatures. They teach you about unconditional love, how to be present, and how to find joy in the simple things—all without saying a word.”
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Ready to join Fatema in shaping the future of minimally invasive care? The Ion Sales team is hiring: https://careers.intuitive.com/en/jobs/?search=Ion+sales&pagesize=20#results
