BeamOne Names New Director of Business Development

BeamOne Names New Director of Business Development

 

BeamOne LLC, also known as Synergy Health Americas Division, has named Clark Houghtling as the new director of business development for Synergy Health Americas and the Beam One organization.

“As we assume new responsibilities and technologies resulting from our acquisition by Synergy Health, we welcome Clark’s technical expertise,” said Glenn Thibault, Synergy Health Americas’ CEO. “His breadth of experience and recognition as a leader in the industry will prove to be invaluable to us as we move forward and expand the Synergy Americas Division.”

Clark’s experience in the medical device industry spans various positions, including sterility insurance manager, plant manager, corporate account manager, senior EO (ethylene oxide) technical specialist, sales and marketing director, and vice president of technical affairs. He also is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation’s (AAMI) Sterilization Standard Committee; as part of that committee, Clark has helped draft many of the standards and guidance documents currently used by manufacturers for product sterilization, testing and logistics, according to BeamOne. In addition, Clark is a frequent guest lecturer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, AAMI, the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, and the Center for Professional Advancement, among others.

Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., BeamOne is a division of Synergy Health Americas, which is based in Swindon, United Kingdom.

New VP Joins Vesta

Robert DeRyke has joined Vesta Inc. as vice president of quality and regulatory affairs.

DeRyke previously was vice president of corporate quality systems for Deerfield, Ill.-based Baxter Healthcare Corporation. His 20–year tenure in the industry also includes positions with Hospira in Lake Forest, Ill., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. in Waltham, Mass. DeRyke also is a member of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society and the American Society for Quality. DeRyke received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich., and a master of business administration from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich.

In his new position, DeRyke will help ensure that Vesta’s quality and regulatory systems meet current and future needs of medical device customers.

Vesta is based in Franklin, Wis.

Cosense ExpandsManagement Team

Cosense Inc. has hired Erik Latranyi as its new sales and marketing manager to help the company boost its production of ultrasonic sensors.

“Cosense is committed to hiring high-quality experienced management, and the recent addition of Erik to our team is an example of that commitment,” said Naim Dam, CEO. “Erik’s deep knowledge of the sensor and instrumentation business will allow our organization to continue to grow while still providing ultrasonic technological support to our customers.”

Latranyi brings more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience to the Hauppauge, N.Y.-based company, having worked for such firms as Keyence Corporation of America in Elmwood Park, N.J., and Hendrick Manufacturing Company in Carbondale, Pa.

PLC Medical SystemsWelcomes New VP

PLC Medical Systems Inc. has named Susan Papalia, R.N., B.S.N., as its new vice president of clinical affairs. Papalia will oversee the U.S. clinical study of RenalGuard, a product designed to help prevent the onset of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy. The CE-marked product currently is being marketed in Europe and selected countries worldwide.

“Susan brings to PLC more than 20 years of experience in clinical research and regulatory approvals related to the launch of new medical devices in the United States and international markets,” said Mark R. Tauscher, president and CEO.

Papalia previously served as vice president of clinical affairs at Correx Inc., where she helped launch the Correx Aortic Valve Bypass kit in the European Union and Canada. She also has held several senior clinical affairs positions at Boston Scientific Corp. and Mitralign Inc., a Tewksbury, Mass., firm that has developed a catheter-based mitral valve repair system.

PLC Systems is headquartered in Franklin, Mass.

Revolutions Medical Names New CFO, Hires Consultant

Revolutions Medical Corporation has named Burt Hodges as its new chief financial officer, effective immediately.

“As the company transitions from a medical device incubator to a global manufacturer and distributor of safety syringes and color [magnetic resonance imaging] technology, I look forward to helping Revolutions Medical make these products successful on the market,” Hodges said.

Hodges has partnered with Accel Financial Advisors, LLC and Accel Tax and Business Services LLC since 2004. He has provided tax, financial reporting and management advice to corporate clients and small businesses for the past twelve years, according to Revolutions Medical.

In addition to naming Hodges as its CFO, Revolutions Medical appointed F. David Rothkopf, MSME, MBA, as a regulatory compliance consultant.

Rothkopf is president and founder of SON Medical and the president of MEDIcept. He is no stranger to executive-level positions: Before assuming leadership spots at SON Medical and MEDIcept, Rothkopf helped start three medical device companies. He also served as vice president of quality and regulatory affairs at Urovations Inc. and the director of quality at Uromed, Inc.

“Over my career, I have assisted over 300 companies with the knowledge required to navigate the national and international regulatory paths,” Rothkopf said. “I am enthusiastic to be working with Revolutions Medical and to help them bring to the market the RevVac Auto Retractable Vacuum Safety Syringes.”

Revolutions Medical is located in Charleston, S.C.

BioEnterprise CEO Joins Board of Directors at Invacare

Baiju R. Shah, president and CEO of BioEnterprise Inc., has been appointed to the board of directors at Elyria, Ohio-based Invacare Corporation.

Shah is a former executive at management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. He was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2010.

“We are looking forward to adding Baiju’s healthcare experience to the Invacare Board of Directors,” said A. Malachi Mixon, III, board chairman. “BioEnterprise, the partnership that he helped form with several of Northeast Ohio’s premiere healthcare organizations, has drawn significant attention and interest from regions around the United States looking to grow their bioscience clusters. His entrepreneurial and healthcare business insights will provide a unique perspective to our board.”

Short Reign for Angeion CEO

Philip I. Smith is leaving Angeion Corporation just five months after assuming the top spot. Smith has resigned as both CEO and as a board member, prompting executives to name Gregg O. Lehman, Ph.D., as an interim replacement.

“Our board of directors, management and employees are grateful for Phil’s contributions to our company, first as a director starting in 2007 and more recently as our [CEO],” said Mark W. Sheffert, chairman.

Smith became CEO on January 1, 2011. A statement from the St. Paul, Minn.-based firm said the decision was “mutual” between Smith and the board of directors, though no reason was given for his abrupt departure.

Lehman most recently served as president, CEO and director of Health Fitness Corporation in Minneapolis, Minn.

“Our board is considering the options for filling the vacancy in our management team resulting from Mr. Smith’s resignation and will promptly make a decision about these matters that will be publicly announced as soon as practicable,” Sheffert said.

A week before Smith resigned, Angeion announced that David Wolf and Mark Gryzwa had joined the company as CFO and vice president of engineering, respectively. Both men report to Lehman.

Tryton Medical Names New President and CEO

Shawn P. McCarthy has joined Durham, N.C.-based Tryton Medical Inc. as president and CEO.

“Shawn’s track record of sales and marketing success and understanding of our customers will serve Tryton well,” said Rick Anderson, a Tryton board member and managing director of PTV Sciences, a healthcare venture capital firm with offices in Houston and Austin, Texas.

McCarthy left his job as senior vice president and general manager of AngioDynamics Inc.’s vascular and oncology units to join Tryton. He also has served as worldwide vice president of marketing for Cordis Corporation (a Johnson & Johnson company) in North Plainfield, N.J.

New Chairman Joins Freehand 2010

Alistair Taylor has been appointed company chairman at medical robotics firm Freehand 2010 Ltd.

Taylor’s experience spans both the pharmaceutical and medical technology markets, and he has focused both on start-up and early stage companies throughout his career.

“We are delighted that Alistair Taylor will be joining us here at Freehand,” said Rosemary Cunningham-Thomas, who recently was appointed CEO at the Guildford, United Kingdom-based firm. “It was essential we appointed a person of Alistair’s experience and caliber at this strategically vital stage for the company.

Taylor previously was company chairman and non-executive director at Life Science Companies. He also was CEO of Schneider Worldwide Inc., which he purchased for Pfizer for $16 million; it was later sold to Boston Scientific Corp. for more than $2 billion.

“[Taylor’s] proven business building skills and track record in assisting successful fundraisings were an optimum fit for our objectives and outlook going forward,” Cunningham-Thomas continued. “Alistair’s leadership, input and foresight will be highly valuable.”

Vermedx Names New Senior VP

James L. Rose has joined Vermedx as senior president of business development. Rose will help evolve the firm’s main technology platform and flagship program for managing diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

“Jim brings not only the ability to develop strategies that help focus operations and realize opportunities, but also fresh ideas and a creative approach that will help drive future growth for our company,” said Stanley Goldstein, CEO of the Burlington, Vt.-based company.

Rose, who brings more than two decades of experience to the role, said, “You can have the best program of care and the best physicians, but if a patient isn’t in sync with recommendations that improve care, then health outcomes will be adversely affected.”

Vermedx is a healthcare technology start-up that provides decision support services to diabetics and their doctors.

 

Additional Passages, Appointments and Promotions

Prodesco and Secant Medical Make Management Changes

Prodesco Inc. and its subsidiary Secant Medical LLC have named former president Stephen K. Chadwick as executive chairman of both companies. Erik Nadeau will succeed Chadwick as president.

Chadwick has been with Prodesco since 1992 and was appointed president and CEO in 2001. Nadeau joined Prodesco in 2010 as vice president of the firm’s Commercial Business Group.

“We are taking proactive steps within the company to provide the ongoing leadership and skilled management necessary to support current business expansion and future growth,” Chadwick said. “In his new role, Erik will be responsible for the day-to-day aspects of the company, including marketing and sales, operations and finance.”

Prodesco and Secant Medical are based in Perkasie, Pa., and are part of Yorkshire, England-headquartered Fenner PLC.

Bridgepoint Names CEO

Bridgepoint Medical Inc. has named former Boston Scientific Corp. sales executive Denis Harrington as its new president and CEO. He replaces Chad Kugler, who is now chief operating officer.

Harrington most recently was head of sales for Boston Scientific’s cardiovascular and cardiac rhythm management division.

Bridgepoint recently raised $9.1 million in venture capital, and is gearing up to market devices that treat patients with severe artery blockage. The startup company is based in Minneapolis, Minn.

Medrad Has New VP for Interventional Business

Jack Darby has joined Medrad Inc. as vice president of Medrad Interventional. Darby will act as general manager of both the diagnostic and therapeutic lines of the business on a global scale, and also will join the company’s executive leadership team.

“Jack’s broad base of experience in the interventional space and combination drug-device products will complement our patient-focused goals for the interventional business,” President and CEO Sam Liang said. “With the support of his leadership, we plan to extend our product innovation and customer satisfaction footprint within this growing, global market.”

Medrad Interventional is a Bayer HealthCare company that operates out of Minneapolis, Minn., and Pittsburgh, Pa.

OraSure’s Board of Directors has a new Member

Stephen S. Tang, Ph.D., has joined OraSure Technologies, Inc.’s Board of Directors. Tang will serve as a Class I director for the next two years—his term expires at the company’s 2013 annual stockholders meeting. Tang’s appointment coincides with member Jack Goldstein’s retirement.

“I am pleased to welcome Stephen Tang, a seasoned healthcare executive, to our Board of Directors,” said Board Chairman Douglas G. Watson. “The addition of Stephen to OraSure’s board ensures that the company will continue to benefit from a diversity of perspectives and experience, and we look forward to his contribution.”

OraSure is based in Bethlehem, Pa.

Catheter Connections Appoints new Board Member

Catheter Connections, Inc. has appointed Michael Bates to its board of directors.

“Mike Bates has a long history as a leader in the medical device industry, garnering multiple successes in growing young companies,” said Vicki E. Farrar, CEO. We are delighted to welcome him to our Board of Directors, where his financial insight and expertise will be valuable as we pursue our goals.”

Catheter Connections is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Cook Group Founder Passes Away

William A. Cook, founder of the Cook Group, died of heart failure on April 15. He was 80 years old.

“Bill Cook left a lifetime legacy of giving that will last forever,” said Kem Hawkins, president of Cook Group. “His philosophy of putting people and patients first is responsible for our company’s 48 years of growth and success. His primary wish would be that we carry on that tradition, and ensure the stability and security of Cook here in Bloomington and around the world for our employees, our customers and the millions of patients who have been helped with the medical technologies Cook has pioneered.”

The business will continue as a privately held corporation with global headquarters in Bloomington, Ind. Cook’s son Carl is now CEO. Steve Ferguson’s role as chairman and Kem Hawkins’ position as president are not affected.

Cook was born Jan. 27, 1931, in Mattoon, Ill., and grew up in nearby Canton, Ill. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from

Northwestern University in 1953 and pursued post-graduate work in physics at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, according to a brief biography supplied by the company.

In May 1992, Cook received an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind. The following year, he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Indiana University, and in 1995, he received the Northwestern University Alumni Merit Award. He also was given the Oregon Health Science University Distinguished Achievement award in 1999 as well as various other honorary degrees over the next decade.

A U.S. Army medic, Cook taught the physics of anesthesia to Army resident anesthesiologists. His career in business started in 1955 as an engineering recruiter for Martin Aircraft; later he became a catalog editor and scientific products salesman for American Hospital Supply Corporation. In 1958, in Chicago, Ill., Cook co-founded MPL Incorporated, which became the third largest hypodermic needle manufacturer in the United States.

In 1963, he founded Cook Inc. in Bloomington on $1,500 invested capital and only two employees—he and his wife Gayle. The company’s first products were a set of percutaneous wire guides, catheters and needles that helped popularize minimally invasive medical procedures that put an end to exploratory surgery.

Cook is survived by his wife Gayle, son Carl and daughter-in-law Marcy, and a granddaughter, Eleanor.

Leadership Changes at Invacare

Doug Newlin, senior vice president of global engineering at Invacare Corporation, is temporarily replacing Colleen Craven as chief compliance officer. Craven resigned for personal reasons.

“We are fortunate that Doug’s experience allows him to step into this role while we are actively recruiting for Colleen’s replacement,” said Gerald B. Blouch, president and CEO. “Invacare has many important initiatives underway to enhance its corporate compliance procedures, and we will continue to add resources and expertise to our regulatory affairs and compliance functions.”

Invacare is headquartered in Elyria, Ohio.


Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. named Donald L. Fowler general manager and senior vice president. Fowler will oversee Toshiba’s multi-modality business in the United States.

“Mr. Fowler has had an impressive career in diagnostic imaging,” said Toshiya Miyaguchi, president. “His multi-functional, multi-modality experience, as well as his history leading a $2.5 billion dollar business, make him a great fit for this position.”

Toshiba America Medical Systems is based in Tustin, Calif.

Avantis Names New CEO

Rick Randall has been named chairman and CEO of Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Avantis Medical Systems Inc.

The addition of Rick as the chairman and [CEO] provides one of the last key ingredients to effectively commercializing the [Third Eye Retroscope] and providing its benefits to the 15 million patients undergoing this procedure in the United States each year,” said Matthew Jenusaitis, vice chairman.

Absorption Systems Names New COO

Absorption Systems has promoted Sid Boopathy, Ph.D., from vice president of operations to chief operating officer. Boopathy has been with the company since 2004.

“Sid has proven his considerable value to the company in his seven years with us, and has been rewarded with steadily increasing levels of responsibility along the way,” said Patrick M. Dentinger, president and CEO. “As [COO] his passion, focus and drug development savvy will help us execute our shared vision for the future of Absorption Systems.”

Absorption Systems is headquartered in Exton, Pa.

New Chief Medical Officer at Ximedica

Emilio S. Belaval, M.D., has been named Ximedica’s new chief medical officer. Belaval will focus on improving healthcare delivery and serve as a clinical expert for the company’s medical device product development efforts.

“Dr. Belaval is a clinical expert with a track record for successful implementation of process and protocol improvement around workflow re-design,” said Aidan Petrie, chief information officer. “The synergy with our approach is very promising.”