Former Medtronic Boss to Lead Merit Medical Systems

Merit Medical Systems Inc. has named Martha Aronson as its new president and CEO, effective Oct. 3. She succeeds Fred P. Lampropoulos, who will retain his titles and respective duties until that date and will continue to serve as board chairman once Aronson moves into the corner office.

“I am pleased to welcome Martha to Merit,” Lampropoulos said. “I believe the company has never been in a stronger position. Martha is uniquely qualified to lead Merit into the future and drive its continued success. Her keen intellect and proven track record of empowering global teams through collaborative excellence, consistent with ‘The Merit Way,’ makes her the ideal leader for Merit’s next stage of growth. Since our founding in 1987, we have achieved significant milestones, including strong returns delivered to shareholders since our IPO on May 10, 1990. I am proud of these achievements. With Martha’s experience and capability, I look forward to supporting her vision while she charts Merit’s course forward.”

Aronson has extensive experience in global healthcare. Her business management tenure includes overseeing global healthcare businesses ranging in size from $500 million to $1 billion. She was executive vice president and president of Global Healthcare for Ecolab Inc. and previously served as senior vice president and president – North America for Hill-Rom Holdings Inc. Before that, she spent nearly 20 years at Medtronic in various general management and leadership roles, both in the United States and internationally. Aronson guided and advised companies as a board director, most recently serving as a director, and formerly board chair of CONMED Corporation (she has since resigned as board chair). She also served as a director of Methode Electronics Inc., Clinical Innovations LLC, Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Beta Bionics Inc., Hutchinson Technology Inc., Bright Uro, and OmCare.

“The board is delighted to welcome Martha to Merit,” Board Lead Indpendent Director Dr. F. Ann Millner commented. “Through a meticulous selection process, we identified her as an exceptional fit for our organization. With her extensive global expertise and profound understanding of our industry, we are confident she will lead Merit into a successful new chapter.”

Aronson earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Wellesley College where she graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She was named All-American in Division III tennis and Academic All-American while at Wellesley. Aronson also earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

“I am excited to join Merit and truly honored to take on this role,” Aronson stated. “Fred has built and grown an extraordinary company over the past four decades, starting with one single idea and building it into the incredibly successful global company that it is today. Working with the talented team at Merit, I look forward to building upon his remarkable legacy and leading the company into a future of continued excellence and innovation.”

“On behalf of Merit’s Board of Directors, we extend our deepest appreciation to Fred Lampropoulos for his 38 years of leadership and dedication to Merit,” Dr. Millner added. “Fred is a visionary leader committed to medical innovation, employee well-being, and community involvement. His foundation of ‘The Merit Way’ will continue to inspire and guide the company for years to come. Equally admirable is Fred’s philanthropic work, reflecting his deep dedication to the well-being of others. As Merit’s founder, he has advanced patient care and significantly improved health outcomes worldwide. Fred’s genuine leadership reaches beyond the workplace and has touched communities around the globe.”

Founded in 1987, Merit Medical Systems Inc. develops, manufactures, and distributes proprietary disposable medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care, and endoscopy. Merit serves client hospitals worldwide with a domestic and international sales force and clinical support team totaling more than 800 individuals. Merit employs approximately 7,300 people worldwide.