Her Story
About Karla
Karla Castillo serves as a Clinical Account Specialist on the Neurovascular team at Johnson & Johnson MedTech, supporting physicians, nurses, and hospital teams throughout the Orlando area with neurovascular technologies and clinical solutions. Her healthcare career reflects a diverse clinical background spanning respiratory therapy, cardiovascular care, and interventional procedures. With a strong foundation in hands-on patient care and clinical expertise, Castillo is passionate about medical innovation and helping healthcare professionals deliver high-quality care and meaningful outcomes for their patients.
Castillo began her healthcare career in 2014 as a respiratory therapist at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, where she gained valuable experience caring for patients in lung and heart transplant units. She later transitioned to the cardiac catheterization laboratory, working as a cardiovascular invasive specialist and stroke scrub while collaborating with interventional neuro physicians. After relocating to Florida following her marriage, she continued developing her clinical expertise with AdventHealth, where she spent five years in a fast-paced cardiovascular environment. In June 2026, she joined Johnson & Johnson MedTech in her current neurovascular role. Castillo earned a Doctor in Dental Surgery (DDS) from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras and an Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) in Health Services/Allied Health from Delgado Community College. She also holds respiratory therapy credentials through the National Board for Respiratory Care, including Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).
Bilingual in English and Spanish, Castillo attributes her success to her faith in God, discipline, motivation, and positive attitude. As a Hispanic woman who started over in a new country, she strives to remain humble, lead by example, and approach both her career and relationships with honesty, integrity, kindness, empathy, and loyalty. Outside of her professional life, family is especially important to Castillo, and she enjoys creating memories with her loved ones through camping, hiking, trips to the beach, and visits to Disney. Her personal values and professional experiences continue to shape her commitment to serving others, embracing new opportunities, and contributing to the advancement of healthcare and medical technology.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Karla
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first and foremost to my faith in God, which has been my foundation throughout my journey. Discipline, motivation, and a positive attitude have also played an important role in helping me stay focused and overcome challenges. I strive to remain humble, lead by example, and encourage others through my actions, particularly as a Hispanic woman who built a new life and started over in a new country.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to be the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. My supervisor taught me this principle during emergencies, emphasizing the importance of being present, dependable, and willing to help wherever needed. I have carried that advice throughout my career by making it a priority to arrive prepared, contribute as much as I can, and stay until the work is settled. I believe in leaving every situation better than I found it and being someone others can count on when it matters most.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering healthcare is to find a strong mentor or role model who can provide guidance, encouragement, and perspective throughout their careers. Healthcare offers a wide range of opportunities, and there is a continued need for dedicated professionals. It is important to believe in yourself, pursue the opportunities that interest you, and be willing to take the initiative to achieve your goals.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Healthcare and medtech offer tremendous opportunities for professionals across many disciplines, including nursing, clinical technology, medicine, and biomedical engineering. There is strong potential for career growth within hospitals as well as across the broader healthcare industry. At the same time, one of the biggest challenges can be determining the right path to enter the field and identifying the steps needed to advance. Financial barriers can also make pursuing education and professional development more difficult. Having access to a strong mentor and supportive guidance can make a meaningful difference in helping individuals navigate these challenges and build a successful career.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me in both my professional and personal life are honesty and integrity. I believe in being true to myself and maintaining that authenticity in every aspect of my life and in every relationship. Kindness, empathy, and loyalty are equally important to me because I genuinely care about others and want to treat people with respect and compassion. I believe in succeeding through hard work and integrity, never by stepping on someone else to get ahead.
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