Heather Hunter Assumes COO Role at Rockwell Medical

Rockwell Medical Inc. has promoted Heather Hunter to chief operating officer (COO), reporting to President/CEO Mark Strobeck, Ph.D.

Hunter joined Rockwell Medical in August 2022 as senior vice president, chief corporate affairs officer and was tasked with revitalizing the company’s investor relations, corporate communications, brand reputation, and market credibility. Subsequently, Hunter assumed responsibility for other functional areas including information technology and transportation. In her new role as COO, Hunter will focus on modernizing infrastructure, processes, and systems, implementing operational efficiencies, and aligning execution with Rockwell Medical’s strategic priorities to enhance shareholder value and drive sustainable growth.

“We are extremely pleased to expand Heather’s role to chief operating officer, which is a natural extension of the areas that she has positively influenced and impacted over the past three years,” Dr. Strobeck said. “Formalizing a role dedicated to driving operational excellence, efficiencies, and scalability demonstrates our continued commitment to building a high-performing, highly efficient organization. This promotion is a reflection of the work Heather has done, in partnership with the entire Rockwell team, to fundamentally transform our organization into the leading supplier of liquid bicarbonate concentrates, and the second largest supplier of acid and dry bicarbonate concentrates, for dialysis patients in the United States.”

With more than two decades of experience, Hunter is recognized for driving organizational renewal, scaling companies, elevating brands, and attracting equity investment, strategic partnerships, customers, and acquirers. Before joining Rockwell Medical, Hunter was vice president, Communications and Corporate Affairs at Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, a private, venture-backed, pre-commercial pharmaceutical company focused on antibacterial and antiviral drug research and development; vice president, Marketing and Communications at Safeguard Scientifics, a venture capital firm focused on early- and growth-stage healthcare and technology companies; and vice president, Corporate Communications at W.P. Carey, one of the largest diversified net lease real estate investment trusts focused on operationally critical properties in North America and Europe.

Hunter currently is an advisory board member at Journal My Health, a digital health platform focused on patients with chronic conditions; and is a managing director at Golden Seeds, an angel investment firm that invests in revenue-stage women-led and women-founded companies.

Hunter earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Yale University.

“Every day I am driven by our mission to provide dialysis clinics, and the patients they serve, with the highest quality products supported by the best customer service in the industry,” Hunter stated. “I am inspired by the opportunities that lie ahead for Rockwell Medical as we work to further streamline our operations and advance our organization for the benefit of vulnerable patients around the world with end-stage kidney disease.”

Rockwell Medical Inc. develops, manufactures, commercializes, and distributes hemodialysis products for dialysis providers worldwide. The company is focused on innovative, long-term growth strategies that enhance its products, its processes, and its people, enabling it to deliver value to the healthcare system. Hemodialysis is the most common form of end-stage kidney disease treatment and is typically performed in freestanding outpatient dialysis centers, hospital-based outpatient centers, skilled nursing facilities, or a patient’s home. Rockwell Medical’s products are vital to vulnerable patients with end-stage kidney disease.