The Top 25 Medical Device Executives of 2019

The Healthcare Technology Report is pleased to announced The Top 25 Medical Device Executives of 2019.  This is our inaugural year publishing this awards feature.  The following accomplished individuals were selected based on a successful track record in the industry both in terms of product portfolios managed as well as departments led.  We also factored in caliber of current and prior organizations, overall longevity in the field and thought leadership in the industry.  Please join us in congratulating The Top 25 Medical Device Executives of 2019.

 

1. Ashley McEvoy, Johnson & Johnson

Ashley McEvoy is Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Medical Devices, of Johnson & Johnson, and a member of the Executive Committee. She leads the surgery, orthopaedics, interventional solutions and eye health businesses, which generate approximately $27 billion in revenue and employ 70,000 associates. Ashley has been with Johnson & Johnson for more than 20 years and has served in leadership roles in Consumer and Medical Devices. In 2006, she co-led the integration of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare into McNeil, the largest acquisition Johnson & Johnson had done to date.

In 2009, as the Worldwide President of Ethicon, Ashley ran the global wound management business and grew leadership share in sutures and hernia care while advancing key innovations. In her most recent role as Company Group Chairman for Johnson & Johnson Vision and a member of the Management Committee, Ashley and her team redefined Johnson & Johnson’s position in eye health, one of the largest and most underserved need areas in healthcare today. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

2. Bert van Meurs, Royal Philips

Bert van Meurs is Executive Vice President and Chief Business Leader of Image Guided Therapy, and a member of the Royal Philips Executive Committee. Bert has more than 30 years of experience in various leadership positions in research & development, clinical science and marketing & sales in Europe and Asia. The Image Guided Therapy business offers integrated solutions comprising interventional imaging systems, smart catheters, planning and navigation software and service with the aim of improving minimally invasive treatments.

Bert joined Philips in 1985. Through 2004 – 2012, he was the general manager of the global cardio/vascular X-ray division, where he led the business to sustained market leadership and industrial expansion into growth geographies such as India. In 2013, he was appointed Chief Marketing Officer of the Business Group Imaging Systems and since 2015 he has lead the Image Guided Therapy business group. He earned master’s degrees from University of Utrecht and Eindhoven University of Technology.

 

3. Spencer Stiles, Stryker

Spencer Stiles is Group President, Orthopaedics and Spine for Stryker.  Spencer oversees the Company's Joint Replacement, Trauma and Extremities, and Spine businesses. He is also currently serving as interim president of Joint Replacement.  Previously, he served as group president, Neurotechnology, Instruments and Spine. Spencer began his career with Stryker in 1999, excelling in various sales, marketing and general management roles within the Company’s endoscopy, spine and instruments divisions.

He served as General Manager of its communications business unit for three years, President of Spine for four years and President of Instruments for three years. Spencer has consistently driven Stryker’s globalization efforts and was an important contributor to the design of its Transatlantic Operating Model. Spencer holds a bachelor’s degree from Miami University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska.

 

4. Arthur Butcher, Boston Scientific

Arthur (“Art”) Butcher is the Senior Vice President and President, Endoscopy at Boston Scientific, a position he has held since July 2016. He is responsible for developing and bringing to market less invasive devices for treating gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions. Previously, Art served as Vice President and General Manager, Japan Endoscopy from August 2014 to June 2016.

Prior to that, he held a variety of marketing and strategic planning management positions within the endoscopy and urology and pelvic health businesses, including Vice President of Global Marketing, Endoscopy division from April 2011 to August 2014, and Vice President of New Business Development and Strategic Planning, Urology & Women’s Health. Art joined Boston Scientific in 1997 and has held management roles with increasing responsibility across various divisions. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Columbia University.

 

5. Dr. John Liddicoat, Medtronic

Dr. John Liddicoat is the Executive Vice President and President, Americas Region of Medtronic and serves as a member of the Company’s Executive Committee. He joined Medtronic in 2006 as Vice President of Atrial Fibrillation Technologies. Beginning in August 2014, Dr. Liddicoat served as Senior Vice President and President, Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure (CRHF) Division.

He is a cardiothoracic surgeon who, prior to joining Medtronic, founded two medical device companies and most recently practiced at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston where he also held an appointment as Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School. He completed his surgical training in general and cardiothoracic surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. John earned an MBA from Boston University, a doctor of medicine from the University of Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.

 

6. Mojdeh Poul, 3M Health Care

Mojdeh Poul leads 3M’s Health Care Business Group, which encompasses medical and oral care, drug delivery devices, health information systems, and food safety. Mojdeh joined 3M in 2011 as the Global Marketing Leader for the Critical and Chronic Care Solutions Division of the Health Care Business Group.

In the years following, she held global leadership roles in the Food Safety and Infection Prevention businesses before being named President and General Manager of 3M Canada in 2016, then executive vice president of 3M’s Safety & Graphics Business Group in 2018. Previously, Mojdeh held several leadership roles of increasing responsibility with Medtronic and Boston Scientific. She arrived in the United States in 1984 to pursue both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering at the University of Louisville. She later earned an MBA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

7. Patrick Holt, Cordis

Patrick Holt is President of Cordis, Cardinal Health’s interventional vascular business. Cordis is a leading provider of interventional cardiology and endovascular technology with more than a 50-year history. Patrick is responsible for Cordis operations globally bringing more than 20 years of experience across all aspects of end-to-end commercialization in the healthcare industry.

Previously, he served as president of the Cardinal Health Medical segment in Asia Pacific where he led the expansion of Cardinal Health’s diversified medical products portfolio, including Cordis, the Patient Recovery business, Cardinal Health branded products and the Cardinal Health Inventory Management System (CIMS). Prior to Cardinal Health, Patrick held leadership positions of increasing responsibility at Allergan, including vice president and regional managing director of Asia. He also served as the company’s vice president and managing director for key markets including Greater China, Japan and Korea. Patrick earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and chemistry from Monash University, Australia.

 

8. Brad Cannon, Smith & Nephew

Brad Cannon joined Smith & Nephew in 2012 and has since been the President of Smith & Nephew's Europe and Canada business, the Company's Chief Marketing Officer, and now serves as the President of the Global Sports Medicine and Ear, Nose and Throat business.
As President of Europe and Canada, Brad successfully led the commercial business in those regions.

He’s also served as the President of Global Orthopaedic Franchises, leading Smith & Nephew’s Reconstruction, Endoscopy, Trauma and Extremities businesses. Prior to Smith & Nephew, Brad worked in Medtronic’s Spine and Biologics division. From 2009, he was responsible for Medtronic’s Spine International division and held positions heading US sales and global commercial operations. Brad earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

9. Michael Reitermann, Siemens Healthineers

Michael Reitermann has been a Member of the Managing Board of Siemens Healthineers since 2015. Additionally, he has been President of the Diagnostics Segment since 2018. Michael has also held senior leadership positions at Siemens’ healthcare business as President of the Diagnostics Division and President of the North America Region.

Previously, he served in management positions with increasing responsibility in product development, marketing, sales and general management in the X-ray, Angiography and Molecular Imaging business lines. He joined the Company in 1990 in corporate planning and became a partner at Siemens Management Consulting, before joining the healthcare business in 1998. Michael holds a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany, and an MBA from the University of British Columbia, Canada.

 

10. Brian Blaser, Abbott

Brian Blaser recently retired as Executive Vice President, Diagnostics Products, where he led Abbott's diagnostics, molecular and point-of-care businesses. Brian led a team of 19,000 employees and scientists around the globe dedicated to creating life-changing diagnostics technologies that give doctors the information they need to make smarter, faster decisions so they can provide the best care for their patients.

Previously, Brian served as Senior Vice President, Diagnostics; Vice President, Diagnostics Operations; Divisional Vice President, Global Operations; and Divisional Vice President, Reagent Manufacturing, all in Abbott Diagnostics. Prior to Abbott, Brian held several positions of increasing responsibility in engineering, finance and operations at Johnson & Johnson, Eastman Kodak and General Motors. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology from the University of Dayton and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology.

 

11. William “Dan” Daniel, Danaher

William “Dan” Daniel serves as Executive Vice President of Danaher’s Diagnostics and Dental divisions as well as acting as the executive sponsor of the company’s Diversity and Inclusion Council since its formation. As an executive officer for more than 10 years, Dan has risen to oversee the company’s Diagnostics and Dental businesses. In this role, he plays an instrumental part in leading innovation across the multiple businesses that comprise Danaher’s Diagnostics and Dental portfolios, including Beckman Coulter, Leica Biosystems, Radiometer, Ormco, Nobel Biocard, KaVo Kerr and Implant Dental.

Before joining Danaher, Dan began his career with Arvin Industries, where he held a variety of leadership positions over his 19 year tenure. Dan received his bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and his MBA from the University of Virginia.

 

12. Charles DiNardo, Aesculap (B. Braun)

Charles (Chuck) DiNardo is the President of Aesculap, a B. Braun corporation. The Company focuses on innovation in the areas of general, neuro, spine, orthopedic surgery and regenerative medicine. Chuck has been leading Aesculap for the last 12 years. He established the long term strategic direction and restructured the organization to align it with the 2020 strategic plan.

Moreover, he has overseen a number of tuck-in acquisitions, including a laparoscopic device company and a cardiothoracic device company. Chuck has also implemented strategic partnerships with key competitors in the marketplace to leverage respective development and market expertise. Previously, he was the Company’s Chief Corporate Officer. Prior to Aesculap, he was a Vice President, Associate General Counsel of B. Braun Medical. Chuck earned a bachelor’s degree from John Carroll University and a JD from Villanova University.

 

13. Peter J. Valenti III, Hologic

Peter J. Valenti III is Division President, Breast and Skeletal Health Solutions, for Hologic, a multi-billion dollar medical devices company that he joined in early 2014. The Division is a global leader in Mammography, Interventional Breast Health and Bone. Previously, Pete was a partner for a Marketing Strategy firm, The New England Consulting Group. Prior to this he served as North America President, Vision Care and Corporate Vice President and Global President, Vision Care for Bausch + Lomb.

In his Bausch + Lomb Global President’s role, he successfully led the turnaround of the Vision Care business from a decade of decline to significant growth. Peter’s career as a healthcare executive has spanned over 20 years including roles with Covidien and over 12 years with Johnson & Johnson. Pete received his MBA from the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University in 1992, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut.

 

14. Myriam Curet, Intuitive

Myriam J. Curet, M.D. joined Intuitive in December 2005 as Chief Medical Advisor. She assumed the Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer position in 2014 and was promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer in 2017. For more than 17 years, Myriam has also held a faculty position at Stanford University School of Medicine, serving as a Clinical Professor of Surgery since October 2015 with a part-time clinical appointment at the Palo Alto Veteran's Administration Medical Center.

She received her M.D. from Harvard Medical School and completed her general surgery residency program at the University of Chicago. She then worked for the Indian Health Service for four years before finishing her Surgical Endoscopy fellowship at the University of New Mexico. She was on the faculty at the University of New Mexico for six years prior to joining the Stanford University Department of Surgery in 2000.

 

15. Victoria Carr-Bendel, Sonova

Victoria (Vicky) E. Carr-Brendel is the Group Vice President of Cochlear Implants and President of Advanced Bionics at Sonova. She joined the Company from JenaValve Technology, a global and innovative transcatheter heart valve company, where she became CEO in mid-2015. She started her career as a scientist in research and development, and took on increasingly larger business roles throughout her career.

At JenaValve, she was responsible for bringing the company through new product development, clinical trial completion for CE mark, and optimizing the commercial launch of their next generation valve and system. Before JenaValve, she worked as Franchise General Manager at Boston Scientific, in the Peripheral Interventions division, where she ran global business operations, including the Bayer interventional radiology acquisition. She holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology.

 

16. Michael J. Pederson, Abbott

Michael J. Pederson is Senior Vice President of Abbott’s Cardiac Arrhythmias and Heart Failure Division, a position he has held since July 2017. In this role, he is responsible for helping further Abbott’s goal of transforming how physicians approach heart conditions that can profoundly affect health and quality of life, including atrial fibrillation, advanced heart failure and other heart rhythm disorders. Michael first joined Abbott in 2015 as Divisional Vice President of Abbott Electrophysiology in order to help build the company’s cardiac arrhythmia business via organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

Michael has over 25 years of experience within the medical device industry; prior to joining Abbott, he held leadership roles in cardiac rhythm management, electrophysiology and vascular divisions for several large biotechnology companies, including VytronUS, Boston Scientific and Guidant Corp. Michael received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and his MBA in marketing & finance from the University of Chicago.

 

17. Hikaru Samejima, Terumo

Hikaru Samejima currently serves as Cardiac and Vascular Company President and Interventional Systems Division, Cardiac and Vascular Company Division President for Terumo, roles he has held since 2018. As head of Terumo’s Cardiac and Vascular Company, Hikaru helps spearhead the company’s initiatives of bringing to market innovative and revolutionary medical device advancements with a particular focus on cardiopulmonary bypass, intra-operative monitoring and vascular grafting. Hikaru obtained his bachelor’s degree in economics from Tokyo’s Keio University and his MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.

 

18. Matt Turner, Ormco (Danaher)

Matt Turner is the President of Ormco, a Danaher corporation, which provides orthodontists with brackets, wires, adhesives, and ancillary supplies used through the course of treatment. Matt most recently served as the vice president, sales & commercial, for General Electric’s (GE) Oil & Gas Surface division after spending nearly 10 years in its Power & Water division. Prior to GE, he consulted with McKinsey & Company, and attained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Air Force. He holds mechanical engineering and political science degrees from MIT and he earned his MBA from the Harvard Business School.

 

19. Deepak "Dee" Khuntia, Varian

As Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Varian, Deepak “Dee” Khuntia is responsible for directing the company’s Medical Affairs program. In this capacity, Dee plays a critical role in providing scientific and clinical guidance to Varian’s product, business development, innovation and regulatory teams in regard to clinical risk and opportunities, adverse experience reporting, safety reviews, product life cycle reviews, clinical protocol design, strategy and mergers and acquisitions.

Prior to joining Varian in 2013, Dee served as Director of Research and Education for a large Bay Area private practice. He began his career as a practicing doctor at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he served as Residency Program Director and Vice-Chair of Radiation Oncology Outreach. Dee holds his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed his residency in radiation oncology at the Cleveland Clinic.

 

20. Stéphane Le Roy, Getinge

Stéphane Le Roy was appointed President of Getinge’s Surgical Workflows business area in 2018. As head of the Surgical Workflows division, Stéphane oversees the range of products and services that the Swedish company provides in this area, from consultancy to room and equipment optimization. He is a member of the Getinge Executive Team and reports directly to Company President and CEO Mattias Perjos. Prior to his promotion, Stéphane served as Regional President of South West Europe.

He joined Getinge in 2012 as Country Manager for Infection Control in France. Before joining the Comapny, Stéphane worked for GE Healthcare and Siemens in their medical imaging systems division, where he was responsible for sales, product and marketing. He received his master’s degree in industrial engineering from France’s Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées.

 

21. Francisco Canal, Hill-Rom

Francisco Canal became Senior Vice President and President of Global Surgical Solutions at Chicago-based medical device manufacturer Hill-Rom in June 2017. In this role, he helps spearhead the company’s development and production of its diverse OR product range. Francisco started his career at Hill-Rom in October 2015 as President of Hill-Rom Europe and was instrumental in promoting the Company’s growth in that region.

Before he joined Hill-Rom, Francisco held senior executive roles at several medical technology companies including Baxter, Gambro and Smith & Nephew. He received his MBA from IMD in Switzerland as well as a master’s in chemical engineering from Barcelona’s Intitut Quimic de Sarria and a master’s in industrial engineering from Barcelona’s Universitat Ramon Lull.

 

22. Tomohisa “Tomo” Sakurai, Olympus

Tomohisa “Tomo” Sakurai holds a range of leadership roles at Olympus, including President for Olympus Surgical Technologies America, Corporate Executive Vice President for Olympus Corporation of the Americas and Executive Officer for Tokyo-based Olympus Corporation. In his more than 30 year tenure with the company, Tomo has held a number of R&D positions in Olympus’ medical instruments and general surgery business units.

As head of the company’s Surgical Technologies division, Tomo oversees the development of sector-leading medical devices across specialties including urology, gynecology, otolaryngology and general surgery. Tomo received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.

 

23. Mike Briglia, STERIS Corporation

Mike Briglia is Vice President and General Manager for infection prevention product manufacturer STERIS Corporation’s Life Sciences Capital Equipment and Services division. This position places him in charge of all aspects of the business, including research and development, manufacturing of the company’s mobile VHP equipment, development and execution of strategy, financial performance, revenue growth, customer satisfaction, operational improvement and employee development.

Mike has spent his entire 34 year career at STERIS, joining as a CNC programmer, quality engineer and service engineering manager in 1985. Since then, he’s held a variety of roles, including zone service director, global life science service director and vice president of life sciences global service. Mike graduated summa cum laude with a degree in industrial management from Gannon University and attended Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management.

 

24. Holly Sheffield, Cooper Companies

Holly Sheffield joined global medical device company Cooper Companies as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer in June 2018. Within this role, Holly focuses on business development, corporate strategy and global human resources with the aim of improving long-term shareholder value.

She came to Cooper Companies from investment banking, where she has over 20 years of experience. Most recently, she was managing director and Global Head of Medical Technology at UBS Securities, a role she held since 2009; she was also involved in several key cultural initiatives at the investment bank, including co-heading the America’s Investment Bank Diversity and Inclusion Council. Prior to UBS, Holly was managing director at Credit Suisse. Holly obtained her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and her MBA from Columbia Business School.

 

25. Jim Hollingshead, ResMed

Jim Hollingshead is President of RedMed’s sleep business, a division that oversees the development and manufacturing of all of the company’s sleep therapy medical devices. He was appointed to this position in July 2017 and has since spearheaded the creation and execution of RedMed’s emerging strategy to transform its business by integrating cloud-based business process automation applications and built-in communications for its medical devices. Jim has overseen the launch of RedMed’s Air10 series of cloud-connected CPAP machines, leading to rapid adoption of the company’s SaaS platforms and significant share gains.

Prior to joining ResMed in 2010 as Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Jim worked as a strategy consultant for 18 years, most recently at Deloitte. He graduated from Stanford University with distinction with a bachelor’s degree in history and international relations, and he received a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.