Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women worldwide, yet research, leadership, and treatment practices too often overlook their unique needs. In this special RISE edition of the Siemens Healthineers Ultrasound Podcast, three industry leaders shine a light on why that must change.Ìý
In this second podcast episode of Women in Cardiology, Amanda DePalma, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Marketing for Ultrasound, sits down with Dr. Myra Cocker and Dr. Julia Dmitrieva, two trailblazers in cardiovascular imaging and innovation. Together, they discuss: Ìý
The journeys that shaped their careers in science and medicine.Ìý
What it means to be a woman leader in a traditionally male-dominated field.Ìý
From powerful personal stories to actionable advice for clinicians and researchers, this conversation highlights both the challenges and opportunities in driving equity in women's heart health.Ìý
Listen to the full episode below to hear how these leaders are breaking barriers, advancing innovation, and working toward a future where women are equally represented, equally cared for, and equally leading the way.Ìý
Dr. Julia Dmitrieva, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSVU
Dr. Julia Dmitrieva, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSVU, is the Head of Collaborations and Clinical Science for Ultrasound at Siemens Healthineers, where she leads global teams focused on advancing clinical strategy, evidence generation, and strategic partnerships across the product lifecycle. With more than 15 years of experience in medical technology, Julia has built her career at the intersection of engineering, clinical practice, and commercial leadership.Ìý
Combining engineering and sonography knowledge, Julia brings a unique perspective to her work, blending technical expertise with firsthand clinical insight. She has held roles spanning ultrasound, MR, CT, and enterprise informatics, always with a focus on leveraging imaging to improve patient care. In her current role, she is dedicated to ensuring that innovation is clinically meaningful, globally inclusive, and designed to make healthcare more accessible.Ìý
Julia is passionate about building strong, empowered teams and forging collaborations that accelerate the adoption of new technologies while improving outcomes for patients worldwide. Her leadership reflects a commitment not only to advancing ultrasound innovation but also to fostering the next generation of MedTech leaders.Ìý
Dr. Myra Cocker, Ph.D., FACC
Dr. Myra Cocker, Ph.D., FACC, is the Global Director of Clinical Science, Cardiovascular at Siemens Healthineers, where she drives global strategy, research, and evidence generation in interventional ultrasound and cardiovascular imaging. She leads an international team of clinical scientists and research associates, forging collaborations with leading clinicians, academic institutions, and industry partners to accelerate innovation across the cardiovascular care continuum.
An academically trained multimodality cardiovascular imaging scientist, Dr. Cocker completed her Ph.D. in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and a fellowship in positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) imaging in Canada, before joining Siemens Healthineers to lead CT collaborations and subsequently ultrasound innovation. With more than 15 years of experience spanning CMR, PET, CT, and ultrasound, she has made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of both ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease. In ultrasound, her focus is on leading innovation in interventional structural heart disease, electrophysiology, and diagnostic cardiology. Her work bridges science, technology, and clinical practice, shaping the future of image-guided interventions.
In addition to her leadership role at Siemens Healthineers, Dr. Cocker serves as an Industry-Track Assistant Professor of Cardiology at Houston Methodist. A Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), she is recognized for her contributions to advancing cardiovascular imaging and for mentoring the next generation of clinician-scientists. Her vision is to transform cardiovascular imaging from a diagnostic tool into a guiding force that reshapes how medicine is practiced worldwide.
