Medical Sales U with Dave Sterrett
by Dave Sterrett
Prior to venturing into the world of medical sales, Dave’s diverse background included roles as a dedicated teacher, impactful work in the nonprofit sector, and humanitarian missions to Africa. However, despite his passion for these pursuits, Dave found himself falling short of his financial goals.Undeterred, Dave embraced the challenge and within less than five weeks, secured a coveted six-figure job offer. His stellar performance continued, achieving President’s Club recognition in the first year and doubling his compensation by the third year.Eager to share the secrets of his success and help others overcome barriers to entry, Dave established Medical Sales U. The driving force behind this endeavor is Dave’s commitment to guiding individuals from various backgrounds into the medical sales industry.
Episodes
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E65 | 12 Steps to Get Hired in Medical Sales
Want to break into pharmaceutical or medical device sales, but tired of hitting dead ends? In this episode of Medical Sales U, Dave Sterrett lays out a clear, step-by-step playbook to land your target role in medical sales, even if you have zero clinical background or formal sales experience.…
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E64 | What Pharma Sales Hiring Managers Really Want
The Real Rules of Medical Sales Success: Character, Coaching & Mindset | Medical Sales U Why do candidates with top-tier degrees and years of grit still get rejected in medical and pharmaceutical sales interviews? Because breaking into this industry isn't just a test of your knowledge—it's a test...
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E63 | Career Change Advice: Transferable Skills
Looking to break into medical sales or take your sales career to the next level? In this episode of Medical Sales U, host Dave Sterrett sits down with leadership coach and principal advisor Jason Autry. They dive deep into the mindset shifts needed for a successful career change, how healthcare...
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E62 | 5 Pharmaceutical Sales Interview Answers That Will Get You Hired
How to Ace the Top 5 Medical Sales Interview Questions (Pharma, Device & Oncology) | Medical Sales U Preparing for a pharmaceutical, medical device, or oncology sales interview? The medical sales hiring process is pattern recognition exercise. Hiring managers ask the exact same high-impact...
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E61 | How Medical Sales Changed My Life (And Could Change Yours)
How to Reinvent Your Career in Medical Sales (Nurses, Trainers & Teachers) | Medical Sales U In this episode of Medical Sales U, host Dave Sterrett breaks down how former nurses, physical trainers, firefighters, and teachers are breaking into top medical device and biotech companies like Exact...
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E60 | Hired in Medical Device Sales in Under 2 Months
From Non-Profit to Medical Device Sales in 60 Days with Shannon Donohue | Medical Sales U Can you land a 6-figure medical sales role without a background in B2B sales or healthcare? Yes—and today’s guest proves exactly how to do it. In this episode of Medical Sales U, host Dave Sterrett sits down...
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E59 | How Top Pharma Reps Ask Better Questions
Data and AI won’t close medical device or pharma deals for you—trusted relationships will. Learn how top 1% medical sales reps use the "Ask, Align, & Tell" conversational framework to access tough accounts, handle 2-minute gatekeepers, and convert physicians. Whether you’re an experienced...
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E58 | 30-60-90 Day Plan for Medical Sales
Want to break into medical device or pharma sales, but worried your interview presentation looks exactly like everyone else's? In this episode, we break down how to build a customized 30-60-90 day business plan that gets you a seat at the table. We all use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to…
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How to Break Into Pharmaceutical Sales | $163,700 in 4 Months
$163,700 in 4 Months: The Fastest Way to Break Into Pharmaceutical Sales I was a professor who taught thousands of students. I noticed something: formal education doesn't guarantee a high-paying job. That's why I created Medical Sales U. Our system gets results: ✓ Self-paced course ✓ Online…
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E57 | LinkedIn Personal Branding in Medical Sales w/ Sheikh C. Ali
Are you a medical sales professional or healthcare executive who is completely invisible on LinkedIn? In this episode of Medical Sales U, host Dave Sterrett sits down with Sheikh C. Ali, founder of SC Medical Media, to break down the exact strategies you need to build a powerful personal brand,...
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E56 | Top 7 Highest-Paying Pharmaceutical Sales Jobs
Want to know what the top earners in pharmaceutical sales actually take home? The numbers you see on job boards dramatically undercount the truth because they leave out quarterly bonuses, RSUs, car allowances, and life-changing equity buyout premiums. Every Monday night, we coach you live to land...
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E55 | How Pharmaceutical Reps Make Over $200,000: The Numbers Nobody Is Talking About
Think the real money in medical sales is only in the Operating Room? Think again. Discover how specialty Pharma and Oncology reps are quietly earning $200K - $300K+ without ever stepping into a scrub suit. In this episode, Dave Sterrett, founder of Medical Sales U and former #1 national rep at...
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E54 | She Supported 60+ Surgeries a Day at Stryker. Then She Became a Medical Device Sales Rep at Hologic.
Can you break into Medical Device Sales without a background in sales? In this episode, Vidhi Patel shares the exact roadmap she used to transition from a Biology major and Clinical Researcher to an On-Site Specialist at Stryker, and finally landing her dream role in Breast & Skeletal Health…
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E53 | He Got Married, Moved Across the Country, and Broke Into Medical Sales — All at Once
Breaking Into Med Device While Planning a Wedding & Moving States How do you pivot into a high-stakes career in Medical Device Sales while life is throwing everything at you? In this episode of the Medical Sales U podcast, I sit down with DeVaughn Crawford, who successfully broke into the…
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E52 | What a Top Oncologist Really Thinks About Pharma Reps — and the AI Changing Everything
Is it time to rewrite the playbook on oncology? In this episode of Medical Sales U, I sit down with Dr. David Waterhouse, a visionary leader in oncology and community research. From the emotional story that almost kept him out of medicine to the birth of Sarah Cannon (the world’s largest...
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E51 | From Young Life Minister to Medical Device Rep w/ Kevin Maher
From $50k to $115k: How a Ministry Director Broke into Medical Sales (and Survived a Major Setback) Can you pivot from a nonprofit background to a six-figure medical device sales role? Kevin Maher did—but it wasn’t a straight line. From landing a dream $115,000 offer at AstraZeneca to having it...
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E50 | From Sales Rep to National Sales Director at Guardant Health w/ Todd Ford
Stop applying to medical sales jobs online. You’re doing it wrong. In this episode of Medical Sales U, I sit down with Todd Ford, National Sales Director at Guardant Health, to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to lead and land a role in the high-stakes world of precision medicine…
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E49 | Early Detection Starts Here: A Medical Director's Perspective - Dr. Jasleen Pannu, MD
What does it take to truly partner with physicians in the medical device and pharma industry? In this episode of Medical Sales U, I sit down with Dr. Jasleen Pannu (Medical Director of Early Lung Cancer Detection at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center) to discuss the massive shift in interventional...
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E48 | How to Master Medical Capital Equipment Sales
Are you trying to break into medical device sales or transition into high-ticket robotics and capital equipment? In this episode of the Medical Sales U, we sit down with Rachel Caton, a Regional Sales Manager and former "Inluminal Sales Rep of the Year" at one of the world's largest medical…
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E47 | Live from the Studio
Can an ICU nurse or a college mascot land a high-six-figure job at Pfizer or Stryker? In this episode of Medical Sales U, I sit down with three successful alumni to deconstruct the exact "pivot" strategies they used to reinvent their careers and land roles at the world’s top medical companies....
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E46 | From Cleveland Clinic Nurse Practitioner to Oncology Pharma Rep
Can a clinician really thrive in the high-stakes world of pharmaceutical sales? In this episode of Medical Sales U, I sit down with Randy Rhodes, a former Nurse Practitioner at the Cleveland Clinic who successfully transitioned into Oncology Sales. Randy pulls back the curtain on why he left the...
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E45 | The Truth about Pharma Sales: Insights from a Top Oncology Sales Rep
How do you go from fashion merchandising to the "cream of the crop" in Oncology sales? Marilu Restrepo, an Executive Sales Specialist in Hematology/Oncology, shares her raw, personal journey—from a Division I athlete to losing her cousin to breast cancer—and how that tragedy transformed into a...
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E44 | Inside the World of a Top Spine Rep
Can D1 competitive mindset help you dominate the medical sales industry? In this episode of the Medical Sales U Podcast, I sit down with Justin Kershaw—former Michigan State player turned top-tier Spine Endoscopy Rep for Arthrex. Justin pulls back the curtain on how he transitioned from the…
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E43 | Nurse to Oncology Educator at Eversana
Is it time to trade your scrubs for a corporate career? In this episode, we sit down with Sydney Gramuglia, a Registered Nurse who successfully transitioned from bedside burnout to a high-impact, 6-figure role as an Oncology Clinical Educator at Eversana partnering with Sun Pharma. Sydney didn't...
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E42 | Why a National Sales Director Enrolled in Medical Sales U
How do top sales leaders stay on top in 2026? Seasoned National Sales Director Kristy McCracken shares her secrets. About This Episode In this episode of Medical Sales U, I sit down with Kristy McCracken, a veteran leader in medical devices and biologics. From managing multi-million dollar…
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E41 | Why Fitness, Discipline, and Leadership Are Connected
Is your medical sales interview strategy falling flat? In this episode of Medical Sales U, I sit down with Nate Yohe, a Regional Sales Director at Boston Scientific with over 20 years of experience in Interventional Cardiology. Nate pulls back the curtain on what hiring managers are actually...
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E39 | From Arthrex to VP Nuo Therapeutics w/ Dave Hazard
How do you go from a 60% pay cut to becoming a VP of Sales in one of the most competitive industries in the world? In this episode, Dave Hazard (Vice President of Sales at Nuo Therapeutics, Inc) breaks down the "unfiltered" reality of medical sales. Whether you are trying to break into the...
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E38 | From Stryker to Exact Sciences with Roo Cotter
How do you go from managing a gym to managing trauma cases in the Operating Room? In this episode, we sit down with Roo Cotter, a former personal trainer who made the incredible leap into the high-stakes world of medical device sales. Roo shares her journey of getting recruited by a gym member to...
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E37 | From Mascot to Pharmaceutical Rep: How an ICU Nurse Landed a Job at Pfizer w/ Corey Stewart
How do you go from being the Ohio State University mascot to an ICU Nurse, and finally to a top-tier Pharmaceutical Sales Rep at Pfizer in just 11 weeks? In this episode of Medical Sales U, I sit down with Corey Stewart to break down his incredible career transition. - The "Hospital Cafeteria"...
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E36 | The Mindset Shift You Need to Break into Pharmaceutical Sales
Start making $150k - $200k+ in your first year of medical sales. Stop chasing crowded "old school" roles like Orthopedics and Spine. The real money—and the life-saving innovation—is in Oncology and Specialty Pharma. Today, I reveal the exact blueprint to reinvent your career and break into the…
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E35 | Why Healthcare Workers Are Moving Into Pharma, Oncology and Device Sales
Are you a nurse or healthcare professional feeling burned out, underpaid, and stuck in a cycle of bureaucracy? Today, I reveal the 3-3-3 Framework: a blueprint specifically designed for bedside nurses who want to break into the high-paying world of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Sales. If you...
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E34 | Pharma or Device: Which Path Fits You in 2026
Are you trying to break into medical sales but stuck deciding between Pharmaceutical and Medical Device? Or maybe you're curious about the high-growth world of Diagnostics and Genomics? Today, we discuss the differences in pay, lifestyle, and entry-level requirements for each path. Whether you…
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E33 | 7 Reasons You’re NOT Getting Hired in Medical Sales
If you are making it to the panel interview but still getting those automated "Thanks but no thanks" emails, you are likely making one of these 3 fatal mistakes. In this episode, we reveal why high-achievers like nurses, D1 athletes, and experienced VPs fail to break into Pharma and Medical…
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E32 | The Secret to Massive Growth
Ready to stop wishing for a bigger role and actually build a massive career? In this episode, I sit down with Brent Lavin (BD Strategic Growth), the leader who took a personal medical scare and turned it into a 20+ product launch dynasty. Forget the generic advice. Brent gives us the raw truth on...
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E31 | Business Leadership from a Doctor Who Enrolled in Medical Sales U
Beyond the MD: Why a Johns Hopkins MBA Chose Medical Sales U (ft. Dr. Kevin Maggisano) What does it take to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and business execution? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kevin Maggisano, a professional who embodies the intersection of high-level medical...
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E30 | Top 10 Medical Sales Interview Questions (and How to Beat More Experienced Candidates)
Do you have a medical sales interview coming up? Pharma, medical device, diagnostics, or biotech… this video will help you stand out and win the offer. This industry is highly competitive, and the candidates who succeed do more than answer questions. They own the interview. What you will learn in...
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E29 | How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" in an Interview (Best Example + Script)
Struggling to answer “Tell me about yourself?” in interviews? You’re not alone. Even the most talented candidates often freeze, ramble, or read their resume. In this episode, you’ll learn a proven framework to introduce yourself confidently and make hiring managers remember YOU. What you’ll learn...
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E28 | Director of Medical Affairs Medtronic Diabetes. From Nurse to Healthcare Leader
In this episode, Kevin Kelleher (Director of Medical Affairs at Medtronic & founder of the Rural Health Technology Consortium) shares his journey from nurse to sales leader, and why passion, and not just money, must drive your career. Kevin’s story really stuck with me. He went from nursing into...
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E27 | From Pharmacist to Pharma Rep: Breaking Into Specialty Sales
From pharmacist to Eli Lilly sales rep in just 5 weeks. In this episode, Francesco Russo shares how he went from burnout in retail pharmacy to landing a high-paying role in pharmaceutical sales thanks to strategy, networking, and a customized plan. His story proves that even highly educated...
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E26 | Cracking the Code to Plastic Surgery Sales
From trauma orthopedics to plastic surgery sales: Alexandra Flax shares how she broke into Stryker, transitioned into a role she loves, and built a LinkedIn presence that inspires thousands. Learn what it takes to succeed in medical sales, manage the grind, and create a career (and life) you...
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E25 | Pre-Call Planning in the Interview: Your Data-Driven Edge
Kyle Dunn, founder of Hyperdrive Bio and creator of Voyager, shares how his innovative sales intelligence platform is transforming medical and diagnostic sales. Learn how Voyager gives reps and startup leaders the ability to target physicians more strategically using real data, including...
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E24 | How to Love Sales: Lessons From a Top Surgery Sales Trainer
What if sales weren't about selling at all? In this episode of Medical Sales U, Paul Kesig shares how loving people, not just products, can transform your career in medical and pharmaceutical sales, believe it or not. From breaking into the industry to building real connections, this conversation...
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E23 | The Lobby Network: How Relationships Drive Opportunities
Most people think sales is about pushing products. Kendy Elmore thinks it’s about treating people with genuine respect. In this episode, we go beyond quotas and KPIs to explore what really builds great salespeople: humility, emotional connection, purpose, and yes, gathering face to face with meal...
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E22 | Survivor to Oncology Sales Specialist: Turning Pain Into Purpose
In this powerful episode of the Medical Sales U Podcast, I sit down with Nick Rich—cancer survivor, AYA advocate, and now a Senior Oncology Account Specialist at Pfizer. Nick opens up about his deeply personal journey from battling cancer to building a career in oncology sales, where he now helps...
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E21 | Why Are You Not Getting Hired in Medical Sales: The 3 Cs That Change Everything
Most people who try to break into medical sales fail not because they are not smart, hardworking, or talented but because they do not know the rules. In this episode, I break down the three nonnegotiable traits that every hiring manager is looking for: coachability, curiosity, and collaboration....
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E20 | Catina Pitzen: From Nurse to Oncology Sales
From Nurse to Oncology Sales: Catina Pitzen's Journey What does it take to go from bedside nurse to top oncology sales rep? In this episode of Medical Sales U, I sit down with Catina Pitzen, Senior Oncology Sales Representative at Eisai and board member of the Columbus chapter of the Oncology...
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E19 | How Networking and a Brag Book Landed Holli Brackman a Top Sales Job
In this episode, I had the privilege of chatting with Holli Brackman, a recent graduate of Medical Sales U and one of Canon Medical Technologies' newest hires. Holli’s journey from exercise science and cardiac rehab to breaking into medical sales is nothing short of inspiring. We dove into her...
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E18 | Dave Sterrett: How to Break Into Medical Sales with No Experience
Welcome to Medical Sells U! I’m Dave Sterrett, and today we’re diving into how we’ve helped students land high-paying roles in medical and pharma sales since April 2024. Hear real stories of career shifts, including my own—from a religious studies major to a successful medical sales professional....
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E17 | Dave Bjork - Research Evangelist for Cancer
Discover how Dave Bjork transformed his battle with lung cancer into a mission to save lives through innovation. This could change how you view Medical Sales. _______________________ Follow Medical Sales U: https://medicalsalesu.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MedicalSalesU1...
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E16 | Kyle Dunn: Former VP Sales Neogenomics | Medical Sales U
Thinking about a career in medical sales? Guest Kyle Dunn breaks down the secrets to success in this competitive field. Plus, find out how to stand out with innovative tech and data. Join the conversation with expert Kyle Dunn, who reveals his journey from employee to CEO of a $25M company....
About this show
Prior to venturing into the world of medical sales, Dave’s diverse background included roles as a dedicated teacher, impactful work in the nonprofit sector, and humanitarian missions to Africa. However, despite his passion for these pursuits, Dave found himself falling short of his financial goals.Undeterred, Dave embraced the challenge and within less than five weeks, secured a coveted six-figure job offer. His stellar performance continued, achieving President’s Club recognition in the first year and doubling his compensation by the third year.Eager to share the secrets of his success and help others overcome barriers to entry, Dave established Medical Sales U. The driving force behind this endeavor is Dave’s commitment to guiding individuals from various backgrounds into the medical sales industry.
Hosted by
Dave Sterrett