AdvaMed Names Board Chair

The Washington, D.C.-based Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the medical device industry’s largest trade group, has named BD Chairman, President and CEO Vincent A. Forlenza as chairman of the AdvaMed board of directors for a two-year term. He replaces Joe Almeida, former chairman, president and CEO of Covidien plc.

“Joe had a remarkable record of success as AdvaMed chair,” said AdvaMed President and CEO Stephen J. Ubl. “We thank him for his leadership and support of the association, his advocacy on behalf of our dynamic and innovative industry, and for his dedication to improving patient care.”

Forlenza has served on both the AdvaMed board and its executive committee since 2010 and is the current chair of the association’s board committee on technology and regulation. In addition, he served as chairman of the board for AdvaMedDx, a division of AdvaMed focused on the unique needs and issues facing diagnostics manufacturers. As AdvaMedDx chair, Forlenza oversaw significant growth of the division and helped establish AdvaMedDx as the leading advocate for the value of diagnostics.

“I am proud to assume AdvaMed’s chairmanship and to help lead the association as it continues to grow in the U.S. and abroad, advancing innovation and helping the economy grow. It is an honor to be selected to lead an organization that does so much to ensure that patients worldwide have access to the life-changing innovations they depend on,” said Forlenza. “In this century of the life sciences, medical devices and diagnostics are helping countless individuals live longer, healthier lives while improving the effectiveness and efficiency of health care systems. But our innovation ecosystem faces many challenges—from regulatory and reimbursement to taxes and trade—and I look forward to working with AdvaMed staff and member companies to meet these challenges head on.”

Ubl called Forlenza a “proven leader who knows how to get things done,” adding that as chairman of AdvaMedDx, he was “instrumental in growing the association’s diagnostics sector and effectively advocating for regulatory and reimbursement policies that support continued innovation in this increasingly important area of medtech. AdvaMed is extremely fortunate to have someone of Vince’s caliber and experience at its helm.”