{"id":114340,"date":"2021-10-19T09:36:35","date_gmt":"2021-10-19T13:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=114340"},"modified":"2021-10-19T09:36:36","modified_gmt":"2021-10-19T13:36:36","slug":"getting-into-a-rhythm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2021\/10\/19\/getting-into-a-rhythm\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting into a rhythm"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Wright State University biomedical engineering alumna Bridget Frost helps develop devices used in cardiac surgery.<\/p><\/div>\n

A big heart comes in handy when you\u2019re in the business of healing hearts.<\/p>\n

Wright State University biomedical engineering<\/a> alumna Bridget Frost does just that, working as a project manager for a company that provides technologies for the treatment of abnormal heart rhythm.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most rewarding parts of the job all tie to improving people\u2019s lives \u2014 knowing a patient is getting a fuller life once treated with our products and impacting my coworkers\u2019 lives by giving them career advice or helping them through challenging situations,\u201d said Frost.<\/p>\n

For the past four years, Frost has worked for Mason-based AtriCure, Inc., in new product development for devices used in cardiac surgery for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.<\/p>\n

Atrial fibrillation, or Afib, is an abnormal heart rhythm caused by erratic electrical signals in the heart. A normal heart rhythm creates regular electrical signals that are essential for the heart to beat in a steady, rhythmic way to pump blood to all parts of the body. If the electrical signals become irregular, the heart beats abnormally.<\/p>\n

Atrial fibrillation causes physical changes to the structure and shape of the heart. It can scar, stretch and stiffen the heart muscle and increase the risk of stroke fivefold.<\/p>\n

At AtriCure, Frost leads projects through the development cycle, including post-market improvements and follow-up. She works closely with a cross-functional team to ensure that quality products are made that meet product requirements and standards.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most challenging part of my job is joining a project team mid-stream and quickly coming up to speed to make an impact,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s also important, and sometimes challenging, to choose and prioritize projects based on business and patient need.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frost is also program coordinator for the company\u2019s Engineering Development Program, which enables associate engineers to rotate through various departments in order to hone their engineering skills and knowledge. In addition, she works closely with the company\u2019s co-op program to recruit students and mentor them.<\/p>\n

\u201cMentoring people, whether it\u2019s my direct reports or students in the co-op program, is really where I thrive,\u201d she said. \u201cI find great passion in helping others. My job allows me to do that in multiple facets.”<\/p>\n

Frost grew up the in Cincinnati suburb of Silverton and attended Mount Notre Dame High School.<\/p>\n

\u201cI fell in love with physics my senior year of high school, and that inspired me to change my interest from nursing into a more science-based career,\u201d she said. \u201cBiomedical engineering was a good mix of that interest I had in physics, anatomy and caring for people.”<\/p>\n

After graduating in 2004, she enrolled at Wright State.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe engineering program was a respected program, and I really enjoyed the campus atmosphere,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Frost said Wright State equipped her with the skills and knowledge she needed to launch a career in engineering.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe course work was geared toward my interest in medicine and taught general classes that helped me gain knowledge in the other areas,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Frost said the highlight of her time at Wright State was the friends she made and shared experiences with.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worked for the Office of Disability Services while on campus, which was really rewarding and brought me joy when I was helping fellow students with their day-to-day routines,\u201d she said. \u201cI also met my future husband at Wright State so that was also a perk.\u201d<\/p>\n

After graduating with a bachelor\u2019s degree in biomedical engineering<\/a> in 2008, Frost joined AtriCure for six months to research new technologies. She then worked in retail for two years before joining a start-up company in its product development group to make medical devices for general surgery. It was there where she helped create and test an injectable cleaning solution for laparoscopic surgery.<\/p>\n

In 2017, she returned to AtriCure, which provides technologies for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and related conditions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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