Jason Yang is vice president and general manager of Intuitive Surgical Taiwan, a local subsidiary of the U.S.-based company behind the groundbreaking da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical system. Intuitive develops, manufactures, and markets robotic technologies that aim to enhance clinical outcomes through minimally invasive surgery.
An engineer by training, Yang brings academic discipline and technical precision to his leadership in the medical device industry. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from St. John’s University in Taiwan and a Master’s in Medical Informatics from Taipei Medical University.
TOPICS Senior Editor Julia Bergström sat down with Yang in June to talk about Taiwan’s role in the med tech revolution, how mission, vision, and action shape a meaningful career, and why riding a Harley-Davidson helps him stay grounded. The following is an edited excerpt of their conversation.
You spent the first 15 years of your career as a customer service engineer. What key experiences along that journey helped shape your perspective as a business leader today?
That experience laid the foundation for my professional growth. As a service engineer, precision was critical — everything had to be logical, with no room for uncertainty. One key lesson I learned was patience. I often received midnight calls from radiologists during emergencies, especially in angiography rooms. I had to troubleshoot quickly and stay until the procedure was completed. That level of dedication to quality shaped my work ethic.
Another important takeaway was the value of being data-driven. From 2003 to 2005, I was involved in a government project on early breast cancer screening, evaluating over 150 hospital systems. I helped translate the American College of Radiology guidelines into Chinese. I also co-authored sections of two academic books, including a chapter on mammography physics, an area that lacked existing resources at the time. These experiences taught me that deep expertise and persistence are essential.
What drew you to shift to industry and later join Intuitive in 2017?
After nearly 27 years in the diagnostic segment of healthcare as an engineer and later at Siemens Healthineers, I began thinking seriously about a change. Healthcare can be divided into four segments — pre-clinical, diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up — and I felt it was time to move into the treatment space, which felt both impactful and full of potential.
That reflection ultimately led me to Intuitive. What drew me in was the company’s mission and belief that minimally invasive surgery is life-enhancing care. It resonated deeply, offering the chance to help shape the future of surgical care through innovation and partnership with physicians.
At my previous company, I worked in a well-established system with more than 180 years of history. In contrast, robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) in 2017 was still emerging, with less than 3% market adoption. The opportunity to grow with the field, from early development to wider adoption, was exciting.
Most of all, I was inspired by Intuitive’s focus on patient outcomes and its “patient-first” values. It felt like the right next step — both professionally and personally — to move from diagnostics into treatment and contribute to something that truly aligned with my values.
We’re operating in a rapidly changing environment, and what keeps me grounded is the company’s mission: helping patients return to their lives more quickly. I’ve seen firsthand how achievable that is if you build the proper ecosystem.
What changes have you helped drive since joining Intuitive?
In Taiwan, building a patient-centered ecosystem requires engaging three core stakeholders — patients, surgeons, and hospitals — to ensure faster recovery and better outcomes, support training, and enable sustainable policy adoption.
Since becoming Co-Chair of AmCham Taiwan’s Medical Devices Committee in May last year, I’ve worked to strengthen collaboration across this ecosystem. AmCham’s mission to bridge government and industry aligns perfectly with our goals. We’ve also partnered with medical societies on education and reimbursement. Last year alone, Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Administration approved coverage for 46 RAS procedure fee items, bringing the total to 65. This reflects our commitment to integrated, patient-centered care.
While RAS may seem well-established, its global market penetration is still in the early stages. I believe RAS will redefine the future of surgery, but we’re still in the early stages. That’s why we must keep growing the ecosystem — patient by patient, surgeon by surgeon, hospital by hospital.
How is Intuitive helping Taiwan contribute to the global momentum in health tech development?
Taiwan’s healthcare system is strong, supported by a talented pool of surgeons. Innovation plays a key role in strengthening Taiwan’s medical community, and I believe Taiwan’s surgeons are well-positioned to help shape the future of health technology. One of our goals is to elevate their global presence. As we say in Mandarin, “bring the world in, and let Taiwan go out” — that means introducing world-class technologies into Taiwan while also helping local surgeons gain international recognition.
Access to advanced tools allows surgeons to explore new techniques, publish their findings, and contribute to global standards. This aligns with the broader framework of the internationally recognized Quintuple Aim, which guides healthcare systems toward improved outcomes, patient experience, workforce well-being, cost efficiency, and accessibility. Taiwan is working to adopt this model, with a particular focus on relieving pressure on nurses and frontline staff.
Robotic-assisted systems and AI platforms are already helping U.S. hospitals manage workloads and improve care delivery. Adapting these technologies in Taiwan could boost efficiency and support sustainability — not just by saving costs, but by improving care for patients and working conditions for providers.
How do you work to lead and motivate your teams at Intuitive Taiwan?
I tell my team, not to worry too much about memorizing policies — just ask, “Is this valuable for the patient?” That mindset keeps our mission real and personal.
While our mission gives us purpose, I encourage everyone to define their own vision — what they want to accomplish in the next five years. My personal vision is to make the da Vinci system more accessible and intuitive, bringing its benefits to more patients and surgeons. Having vision keeps us focused through challenges. Especially for senior managers, it separates having a job from building a career. But vision must be paired with action — a vision without action is just a dream.
When I became GM in 2017, I wrote: “Move your dream to your vision, turn your vision into a goal, and make that goal happen.” Since then, we’ve more than doubled our team — and I believe we’ll double again. The opportunities are there for those ready to seize them.
That’s why Intuitive is filled with self-motivated people. They know what they’re working toward, and that sense of ownership drives results. We believe in the multiplier effect: empowering people to think and act independently amplifies their impact. As leaders, we strive to be multipliers — challenging, supporting, and trusting our teams. That’s the kind of leadership we value at Intuitive.
What advice do you have for young professionals trying to navigate their career?
We live in a world full of uncertainty. Situations can change rapidly, often without clear cause or warning. This unpredictability creates anxiety, especially among younger generations. Drawing on my own experience, I would offer four key points.
First, stay passionate and positive. In an uncertain world, it’s important to enjoy the journey of your career rather than fixate on a fixed destination. Keep your passion alive and approach your work with positivity. The future may be unclear, but a positive mindset will carry you through.
Second, build your capacity and resilience. Continuous learning is essential. So is resilience — the ability to adapt, recover, and move forward. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and you have to fix problems under pressure.
Third, trust your intuition and be transparent. Effort doesn’t always result in equal reward — sometimes, outcomes are delayed or disproportionate. That’s why it’s so important to develop intuition, knowing when to act, and when to let go. If something feels like the right opportunity, don’t hesitate. Go for it, even if it comes sooner than expected. At the same time, be transparent in how you work and communicate. People appreciate authenticity.
Finally, I would advise against changing jobs every year. When I look at résumés, especially for director or senior manager roles, too many short stints can be a red flag. It suggests a lack of focus or depth. Choose a field you’re truly passionate about and commit to developing deep expertise.
What do you enjoy doing most when you’re not working?
You might be surprised to hear this, but I ride a Harley-Davidson. I’ve been riding since 2020.
For me, Harley isn’t just a motorcycle. It represents freedom. Like everyone else, I face a lot of pressure in my daily life. Riding is one of the ways I release that pressure. When I’m on my Harley, I feel like I can think outside the box, break out of routine, and just breathe.
Riding in Taiwan presents its own unique challenges, requiring awareness, focus, and a sense of responsibility. I usually ride with a group, and that team spirit is important to me. We respect each other, communicate, and look out for one another. For us, it’s not about speed — it’s about presence, connection, and enjoying the journey.
