Steve Rusckowski is leaving the corner office at Philips Healthcare (NYSE:PHG) to succeed Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) CEO Surya Mohapatra.
That means a promotion for Deborah DiSanzo, CEO of Philips’ patient care and clinical informatics operation, who will assume the CEO role at the Dutch conglomerate’s largest division.
"After more than 10 years with Philips, I am ready to take on a new challenge in the healthcare industry," Rusckowski said in prepared remarks. "I’m proud of all the people within the Healthcare sector that grew our business into one of the leading medical device players. I am pleased that Deborah DiSanzo is succeeding me and I’m confident that Philips Healthcare under her leadership will further strengthen its position.”
During his last public interview as Philips Healthcare CEO, Rusckowski explained his vision for the new health care paradigm to MassDevice.com.
"I see innovation as the solution to the problem of cost, not a problem of cost," Rusckowski told us during a lengthy interview on the sprawling Philips Healthcare campus in Andover, Mass., last month. "In health care, I always have been a believer in technology and innovation as part of the solution to the problem of cost and quality. When it comes to the question to the question of cost, what we find throughout the world is there’s value to be brought to health care. My argument is always around value. We bring value and we get value back on price."
The move to Quest will be a departure of sorts for Rusckowski, who’s spent his more than 33-year career in the medical device space. As CEO at Philips Healthcare he boosted the top line by 50%, raising the division’s contribution to its corporate parent from 21% to 39% of total revenues.
Read MassDevice.com’s exclusive, in-depth interview with Steve Rusckowski
"Quest Diagnostics is a world leader, and I am delighted to join such a dynamic, innovative company," Rusckowski noted in a press release. "Given the company’s strong position in diagnostic testing, information and services, I believe there are extraordinary opportunities to grow and build shareholder value. I look forward to working closely with Quest Diagnostics employees, as well as customers, shareholders and business partners."
