100 Notable People in the Medical Device Industry100 Notable People in the Medical Device Industry

COVER STORY

The medical device industry consists of products, processes, and technology. These are covered in almost every issue of MD&DI. But it also consists of people,
without whom none of the amazing advances in medical science and technology would be possible.

In this issue, MD&DI honors some of the people who make these advances possible and who ensure that those devices can treat patients safely and effectively. If we tried to list everyone who has made a significant contribution to medical technology, we would have to publish an issue larger than a phone book. So we're highlighting 100 of them on the following pages.

It wasn't easy coming up with a representative list. We started with nominations from readers, Editorial Advisory Board members, and staff. We took those who made particularly notable contributions to the industry and made sure that we had as diverse a group as possible. On the list you'll find a sampling of inventors, executives, consultants, engineers, academics, and regulators. Some of them you'll know from previous coverage in MD&DI or accolades elsewhere. Others you might be hearing of for the first time.

We hope you enjoy their stories.

Frances Akelewicz
Founder
Practical Solutions

Consults for U.S., Canadian, and European organizations…ASQ-certified quality engineer and quality auditor…participates in industry and FDA panels on design control and product submissions.

Dave Albert
Senior Scientist
NAMSA

Advocates chemical and material characterization in medical devices…has more than 25 years of lab experience in biochemistry and pharmacology… member of AAMI and several other industry organizations.

David Auth
Board of Directors, CoAptus Medical

Invented Rotablator…invented and coinvented devices for endoscopic control of gastric bleeding, an electrosurgical device for transcatheter hemostasis, and bipolar forceps for neurosurgical bleeding.

R. Lewis Bennett
President
SpineMedica LLC

Has more than 50 years of experience in industry…has held senior positions at NuVasive Inc., Sofamor Danek, and Smith & Nephew…founder of Howmedica Corp.

John Bentivoglio
Partner
King & Spalding LLP

Recognized lawyer with expertise in regulatory counseling, compliance program development, advertising and promotion, and civil and criminal investigations…thought leader for the device industry.

Mortimer Berkowitz III
President and Managing Dir.
HealthpointCapital

Responsible for $450 million investments into musculoskeletal industry...instrumental in increasing the revenues of four device companies.

Donna Bibber
President
Micro Engineering Solutions

Specializes in tiny microscopic components and assemblies...has helped hundreds of development engineers complete their goals of compliance for minimally invasive surgical devices.

Laura Bix
Asst. Professor
Michigan State University School of Packaging

Responsible for $450 million investments into musculoskeletal industry...instrumental in increasing the revenues of four device companies.

Tom Black
VP of Sales and Marketing
B. Braun Medical Inc., OEM Division

Has more than 20 years of OEM industry experience with B. Braun…frequently speaks on trends and management issues…expertise sought by industry publications.

George Blank
Founder
The MedTech Group

Founded plastics technology firm dedicated to engineering and manufacturing of disposable medical products 30 years ago...corporate research sponsor of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Marlene Bobka
Vice President
FOI Services Inc.

Began educational audioconferences that address critical issues in the device industry…provides industry with unpublished FDA information via the Freedom of Information Act…speaker and author for RAPS.

Steven Boggan
President and CEO
BioHorizons Inc.

Has grown a small dental implant company into a firm that has a 35% annual growth rate…recently acquired dental software company ILS to enable users' access to software technology.

John Broad SM, RM, NRM
Senior Consultant
NAMSA California

Has been a leader in industrial micro­biology and sterilization for nearly 30 years…has served on several standards committees for AAMI and ISO.

Brian Brockway
President, CEO, and Chairman
Transoma Medical Inc.

Has written more than 25 articles in bioengineering and medical publications…holds more than 25 patents in the field of implantable medical devices…in the industry for more than 25 years.

Art Burghouwt
Executive VP
Concordia Medical

Developed custom resorbable and regenerative implants…submitted a patent for 3-D structures created from bioresorbable nonwoven BioFelt…more than 20 years of experience in biomaterials.

Devon C. Campbell
Eng. Manager, Primary Staining
Ventana Medical Systems Inc.

Engineer of two MDEA-winning products…mentors students to pursue careers in medical field…established engineering internship program.