“I love being able to help a coworker, whether it is making their job easier or providing useful advice. I am a strong believer in teamwork, but also in individual responsibility,” is what Ana Simšič Dužnik finds most rewarding about her job.
As part of the legal team, Ana spends her days at Better reviewing business contracts and highlighting legal aspects and risks, handling topics related to data protection, ESG, and certifications such as ISO standards, as well as other compliance assessments. Her motto is “do not sweep it under the rug, legal will find it eventually”, and she loves being part of the Better team. In her free time, she is a volunteer firefighter, which is her calling and a way of life. “What motivates me, and every firefighter I know, is the simple desire to help those who need us,” she told us, and added that both in firefighting and in her personal career, teamwork is all that matters. Get to know Ana better in the interview below.
Your work at Better covers everything from contracts to tenders to ISO checks. What does your typical workday look like?
There is really no such thing as a typical day at Better, and that is exactly what I love about this job and this company. We have the privilege of working both from our great office and from home, which adds flexibility to our dynamic work environment.
My daily tasks range from reviewing business contracts and highlighting legal aspects and risks, to handling topics related to data protection and certifications such as ISO standards, as well as other compliance assessments required to meet the strict demands of the market and our clients. In the past few months, I have also been involved in two major tenders in Slovenia. This was a completely new area for me, and I truly enjoyed the experience. It was a lot of work, with some late nights, but working with such an amazing team made it worthwhile. I would gladly go through it all again with them!
What part of your role do you find the most rewarding, and why?
First, I love being able to help a coworker, whether it is making their job easier or providing useful advice. I am a strong believer in teamwork, but also in individual responsibility. So, if someone needs help, wants advice, or just needs to think out loud, I am always ready to collaborate and find the best solution together. My motto is: do not sweep it under the rug, legal will find it eventually. 😊
Second, I am inspired by the Better mission. At the end of the day, we are working to improve the healthcare system through innovative software solutions that allow clinicians to focus on what matters most: patients. Being part of that story gives me a real sense of purpose and pride, knowing that our work makes a positive difference.
Legal frameworks in healthcare can be very complex. How do you balance strict compliance with the need to support innovation and flexibility in digital health?
Balancing strict compliance with innovation is definitely a challenge. The reality is that the law often lags behind technological progress, and in areas like digital health and, more recently, AI, it is not just one step behind, but several. In practice, this means we must frequently interpret “old” legal provisions and apply them to entirely new scenarios to ensure compliance. It is not always easy, but it requires creativity, deep legal knowledge, and a strong understanding of technology. Interestingly, the European Union has taken a significant step with the Artificial Intelligence Act, aiming to regulate AI comprehensively. Whether this will prove to be a step forward or another layer of complexity for companies developing and implementing AI remains to be seen.
What do you think are some of the most important legal considerations that healthcare organisations should pay attention to when introducing new technologies?
I believe the most important legal consideration is ensuring that new technologies truly prioritise the patient. When the patient is at the center, the risk assessment tends to be much stricter, and multiple factors are considered to ensure the safest and most effective solutions. Healthcare organisations should also work closely with technology providers, sharing as many real-life scenarios as possible. This collaboration helps providers incorporate practical insights into the development process, resulting in software and products that are not only innovative but also compliant and safe for patient care.
As the ESG ambassador at Better, what does sustainability and social responsibility mean to you personally, and how do you bring those values into your work?
All ESG aspects, environment, social, and governance are in every great company’s DNA. Better is no exception, and I am proud that when the initiative was first taken, it was immediately accepted by the management and employees. To me, all these aspects mean we make conscious choices that benefit both people, society, and the planet. I try to bring these values into my work by promoting ethical practices, supporting inclusive initiatives, and encouraging long-term thinking in everything we do.
You are also deeply involved in ISO processes. Where do you see the value of these standards for a company like Better, and for healthcare organisations in general?
At first glance, ISO standards can seem like endless documentation, pointless paperwork, and policies created just to satisfy external auditors. But anyone who thinks that has probably never truly been part of the process. When a company decides to embrace the content, requirements, and guidance of a standard, the effort becomes a real investment in the future. ISO controls help identify potential risks and provide direction on what your goals should be. They do not prescribe a rigid step-by-step approach, they show you the finish line, and the company chooses its own path to get there. If documentation is created wisely, it becomes highly reusable and valuable for questionnaires, assessments, and tender procedures. At Better, we currently hold ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and ISO 27001 certifications, and we have started the process for ISO 20000. Each standard covers a different area, and every one of them brings additional knowledge and maturity to the organisation.
Outside of Better, you dedicate yourself to firefighting and helping in crisis situations. What motivates you to take on such a demanding and selfless role?
The public often sees volunteer firefighting as demanding and selfless, but we do not see ourselves that way. In Slovenia, volunteer firefighting is part of our national DNA. We have more than 160,000 members, including over 35,000 operational duty firefighters who are highly trained and ready to help anyone in need, at any time. I would even say that Slovenia’s protection and rescue system is among the best in the world.
For me personally, being a firefighter is not a hobby, it is a way of life. What motivates me, and every firefighter I know, is the simple desire to help those who need us. We are all volunteers; we do not get paid. Our reward is a job well done, a life saved, damage prevented, and a heartfelt “thank you” from the people we help. But even without that “thank you”, we would still do what we do with the same passion.
You have participated in rescue efforts in some of Slovenia’s biggest catastrophes. Can you share a moment from that experience that has stayed with you?
One moment that has stayed with me was our intervention in August 2023 in Črna na Koroškem. You probably remember the pictures and videos from that time, but being there in person, seeing the sheer power of nature and the helplessness of the people, brought tears to my eyes. At the same time, I witnessed incredible strength, positivity, and generosity from the community. I am grateful I could help, even in a small way.
Another moment was far more stressful. A few years ago, we had an intervention in my home village where a young man was struck by electricity from a 20kV transmission line. He went into cardiac arrest. I was the first on the scene and immediately started CPR until the paramedics arrived. Thankfully, we did a good job; he survived and made a full recovery. That experience reminded me why every second counts and why training and teamwork matter so much.
What has firefighting taught you about teamwork and trust that you also bring into your Better role?
Firefighting is all about teamwork, literally. The smallest group that can go on an intervention is three people; otherwise, we don’t even leave the station. Through demanding training, obtaining different specialities, and completing courses for higher ranks, you quickly learn that working as a team is the only way to do the job safely and effectively. For example, if you do not trust your commander or your fellow firefighter, you should not enter a burning building or climb a ladder with them. Because we all share that mindset, we can rely on each other completely, even with our lives. This creates bonds that are unlike anything else. That experience has shaped how I work at Better. It taught me that the best way to succeed is by working together toward a common goal. When everyone brings their best and collaborates, success is only a matter of time.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations? Are there new areas you want to explore or goals you would love to achieve in the coming years?
I definitely see myself continuing as part of the Better team. My coworkers are fantastic, especially the “crazy” corner on the second floor, and I would not trade them for anything. Things in our industry change fast, so my approach is to take it step by step: overcoming challenges, adapting, and striving not just to be better, but to be the best. I see a very bright future for Better: we have great products, innovative solutions, an amazing vision, and, most importantly, incredible people.
What do you do in your free time, what recharges your batteries?
If it is not firefighting time, then I am quite boring – family, friends, nature and travel. 😊
What does Better mean to you?
Career-wise, there is no place I would rather be (thanks, Igor 😉). I love being part of the Better journey, and I am genuinely excited about what the future will bring.
