Cerner Corp. (NSDQ:CERN) said yesterday that it named Brent Shafer to serve as chairman & CEO effective Feb. 1.
Shafer previously served as CEO of Philips‘ (NYSE:PHG) North America business. Cerner’s co-founder Cliff Illig has been serving as interim CEO and chairman of the board since July last year. Illig said he plans to resume his role as vice chairman of the board once Shafer takes the corner office in February.
“For decades, Cerner has built its reputation on meaningful innovation and driving client value,” Shafer said in prepared remarks. “This company’s history of remarkable, sustained growth is testament to a strong leadership culture, and I’m excited to celebrate many new milestones with Cerner associates around the world. My commitment to Cerner’s clients, shareholders and associates worldwide is that we will continue to be the catalyst for real and effective improvement across health care.”
Prior to becoming the head of Philips North America in 2014, Shafer worked as CEO of the global Philips Home Healthcare Solutions business from May 2010. He has also held leadership positions at other companies, including GE Medical Systems (NYSE:GE), Hill-Rom Holdings (NYSE:HRC) and Hewlett-Packard.
“Brent is a proven chief executive who has helped lead the growth and strategies of a complex, multinational organization over a number of years,” Illig added. “He is committed to innovation, with extensive knowledge of health care, technology and consumer markets and an exceptional skill set that complements Cerner’s strong leadership team. Since our founding, Cerner has used the power of information technology to disrupt and improve health care. The addition of Brent to our leadership team positions Cerner well for our next era of growth.”
Illig took over as interim CEO of Cerner after his fellow co-founder Neal Patterson, who was the company’s chief executive, passed away last year from complications related to cancer.
Teleflex completes CEO transition
Teleflex (NYSE:TFX) said earlier this month that it finished its previously-announced chief executive transition.
Liam Kelly, who was the company’s president & chief operating officer, assumed the corner office on Jan. 1. Kelly assumed the office from Benson Smith, who retired at the end of last year.
Smith was re-elected to Teleflex’s board of directors in May 2017 for another three years and plans to serve as non-executive chairman of the board. He also will provide transition support to the company on a consulting basis through the end of 2019, Teleflex reported.
“On behalf of Teleflex’s board of directors, employees and stockholders, I would like to thank Benson for seven years of strategic leadership, exemplary service and dedication,” George Babich, lead director of Teleflex, said in prepared remarks. “During this time, Teleflex has solidified its position as a global leader in the medical device industry, and Benson is ending his tenure on the executive leadership team with the Company well-positioned for the future.”
“I am delighted to be assuming the role of CEO at such an exciting time for Teleflex,” Kelly added. “The other members of Teleflex’s executive team and I join the Board in thanking Benson for his strong leadership over the past seven years, and we look forward to continued success as we position Teleflex for future growth.”
Imaging3 names healthcare vet Hollister as chief executive
Imaging3 (OTC:IGNG) said in December that it named John Hollister as chairman of the board and CEO.
Hollister has spent more than 25 years in the healthcare industry, including time-spent as CEO of NuLife Sciences, CEO of Nemus Bioscience and chairman and CEO of EEG Spectrum.
“We welcome the addition of John to Imaging3 at this critical time, as we pursue FDA approval via the 510K pathway,” Dane Medley, president & principal executive officer, said in prepared remarks. “In addition, the company will benefit from his experience in raising the capital and building the team necessary to achieve our goals.”
“I am enthused about the opportunity to lead Imaging3 to the key milestone of commercializing an innovative imaging technology that will benefit healthcare providers and their patients alike,” Hollister added. “That the Company has reached this point is a credit to our current team of employees and consultants, and to a number of loyal investors as well, who have helped the company emerge from a very difficult few years. The company can now focus on the last critical steps to carry its innovative technology to market and on enhancing value for our shareholders along the way.”
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Tryton Medical brings on former J&J Vision VP as CEO
Tryton Medical said this month that it appointed Carl St. Bernard to serve as president & CEO. He takes over the corner office from Tryton co-founder, H. Richard Davis, who has served as interim CEO for the past six months.
St. Bernard previously worked as VP of Johnson & Johnson Vision’s Americas surgery business unit. He has also worked as VP at Cordis, where he helped lead the commercial operations for the company’s cardiovascular and endovascular businesses in the U.S.
With St. Bernard’s appointment, Davis plans to return to his role as COO.
“Carl’s proven sales and marketing success and deep understanding of our customers will serve Tryton well as we continue to commercialize the only FDA-approved stent technology for treating complex bifurcated coronary lesions,” Jay Schmelter, board member and managing director of RiverVest Venture Partners, said in prepared remarks. “The board would like to thank Richard Davis for his strong leadership during the transition and continued contributions as COO.”
“We are dedicated to creating unique solutions for patients with significant unmet cardiovascular need,” St. Bernard added. “The breakthrough Tryton Stent System has demonstrated excellent clinical results and, as a result, won over a number of loyal customers – nearly 12,000 patients have been treated with the device. Our focus is to expand U.S. patient access while continuing to develop our next generation cardiovascular platform.”
Conmed taps Bard vet Garner for CFO
ConMed (NSDQ:CNMD) said earlier this month that it named Todd Garner as EVP and CFO, effective immediately.
Garner has spent the last fifteen years at C. R. Bard, where he most recently worked as VP of investor relations. He has also served as controller of Bard’s medical division, director of the company’s corporate financial reporting and controller for the company’s Reynosa operations.
“We are very excited to welcome Todd to ConMed and to our executive team. During his distinguished career, he has made significant contributions to building and transforming finance teams, implementing innovative reporting processes, as well as executing large-scale capital allocation and merger and acquisition strategies,” president & CEO Curt Hartman said in prepared remarks. “Todd’s deep experience and senior leadership skills will be instrumental in continuing to advance our achievement of the Company’s growth and profitability goals.”
“ConMed has built an impressive executive team and product portfolio, both of which position the company as an innovative industry leader,” Garner added. “I am excited about the strategic milestones the company has achieved to date and am committed to contributing to ConMed reaching its next level of operational and financial success.”
In November last year, ConMed announced that its CFO Luke Pomilio planned to retire, but will remain on-hand during the transition period.