Patrice Sutherland Named Board Chair at MedTechVets

MedTechVets will soon have a new board chairperson.

Patrice Sutherland, enterprise executive director at Integra Life Sciences, has been appointed to lead the Board of Directors for the nonprofit organization. A U.S. Army combat veteran, Sutherland succeeds Derek Herrera and will assume the role on Jan. 1.

“I am humbled and honored to have been asked to take on this very special role,” said Sutherland. “Our transitioning veterans are a treasure and our goal at MedTechVets is to help them be well prepared and supported as they move to their next phase of life and continue to be bold and brave in the corporate world of medical technologies.”

Sutherland was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during her time in the Army. She is also a Six Sigma Black Belt and has earned national sales awards for leadership and sales results throughout her career. Sutherland earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry and engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and her MBA from Rice Business – Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. Since joining the MedTechVets board in 2021, Sutherland has personally helped many veterans transition to careers in the medical technology and life sciences industries.

During his tenure leading MedTechVets throughout COVID-19, Herrera orchestrated the launch of the MedTechVets Academy, a seven-week virtual program that helps bridge military and civilian employment by providing mentorship, job search planning and networking and other support services for careers in the medical technology and life sciences industries. “It has been a joy to serve the community as the chair of MedTechVets and I am so excited to congratulate Patrice as the new chair. I am confident in Patrice to lead us and take the organization to the next level,” said Herrera, who is CEO of Bright Uro.

“I am thrilled to have Patrice Sutherland take on this role, knowing that her leadership skills and experience will enable MedTechVets to help more Veterans find meaningful employment after their military service,” said Mike Minogue, president, chairman and CEO of Abiomed and founder of MedTechVets. “I would like to thank Derek for his immense contributions, including the launch of MedTechVets Academy, which will allow for the continued growth of MedTechVets and its impact.” Minogue was the first MedTechVets board chair and served an eight-year term.

“I am pleased to welcome Patrice Sutherland as the new chair of MedTechVets. She is taking the helm of a tremendous organization with a proven track record of connecting Veterans with exciting career opportunities in medtech, and as sponsors of MedTechVets and this mission, we look forward to working with her,” AdvaMed President/CEO Scott Whitaker said. “I also want to thank Derek Herrera for his leadership and for his dedication to growing the organization and ensuring it reaches more transitioning service members. MedTechVets has improved the lives of countless Veterans and has given our member companies access to a dedicated and skilled workforce.”

MedTechVets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving veterans during career transition and beyond, helping them obtain jobs at medtech, life sciences, pharmaceutical, or medical device firms.