Celebrating Markku’s 70th Birthday – An Interview

To mark our colleague Markku’s 70th birthday, we sat down with him to reflect on his incredible journey — from his early days in Finland, through decades of nursing and leadership in the UK, to his role as a valued Clinical Adviser at Pentland Medical. His story is full of insight, humour, and inspiration.

First of all, happy 70th birthday, Markku! How does it feel to reach this milestone?
Thank you! I’m amazed to have reached this milestone and grateful for the support of family, friends, and colleagues. I’ve always tried to stay positive, keep busy, and enjoy life to the fullest.

Let’s go back to the beginning — where did you grow up, and what were your early
years like?
I was born in a small town in southern Finland, between Helsinki and Turku. My childhood was full of outdoor adventures with friends — cycling, skiing, and games in every season. I also had two older sisters who made sure life was never dull! Despite challenges such as dyslexia, I had a happy school life, enjoyed sports like basketball and tennis, and built many lasting memories.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
At school, I once wrote that I wanted to be a gardener — though I’m not sure where that idea came from!

What inspired you to become a nurse?
A good school friend had applied to nursing college, and after hearing about it (and encouraged by her family), I decided to give it a try myself. To my surprise, I was accepted, and so began my journey in nursing.

What do you remember most about your early days in nursing?
Being a man in nursing in the 1970s had its challenges, but it also gave me opportunities to stand out. I’ll never forget working with leukaemia patients as a young student — it was difficult but taught me to value life and compassion. There were also many moments of laughter and teamwork that confirmed I had chosen the right career.

You’ve worked in many clinical settings — which roles had the biggest impact on
you, and why?
Two student placements stand out: one in anaesthetics, where a tutor trusted me with responsibility and shaped how I support others; and another in psychiatry, where I learned the importance of holistic nursing. Later, as a Charge Nurse in London, I was guided by strong managers who showed me the value of leadership and organisation.

How have you seen nursing and patient care evolve over the years?
Anaesthetics has advanced enormously, with better monitoring, more patient choice, and safer techniques. Nursing itself has become more professional and better educated, though modern healthcare also faces challenges such as management structures and staffing.

What led you to work with Pentland Medical as a Clinical Adviser?
I was encouraged by Stewart at a BARNA conference. After retiring, I remembered his advice, joined Pentland Medical, and haven’t looked back since. These years have been some of the best of my career.

What’s been your proudest contribution to Pentland Medical so far?
I believe my proudest contribution is still to come. But I’m proud of being a reliable team member and building great relationships with clients.

You’ve seen countless medical devices — which stand out for you?
Three favourites:
– LMA – we were the first hospital to use it in everyday practice.
– Alar probe – a tool I always valued.
– LEAFix – a brilliantly safe product that I’m proud to have been involved with.

What advice would you give to someone starting in nursing today?
If money is your only motivation, nursing isn’t for you. But if you want a career that changes your life and gives you countless opportunities, it’s worth it. Remember: the patient comes first, support your colleagues, and always challenge bad practice.

Looking back, what are you most proud of?
Beyond saving lives, I’m proud of creating strong teams that trusted me and knew I would support them.

And finally — how are you celebrating your 70th?
With plenty of celebrations! It’s been weeks of special moments, starting with dinner with friends and then a family trip to Portugal. Being surrounded by family and grandchildren is the best gift of all.

 

Happy 70th Markku from everyone at Pentland Medical and Innovel Medical!