Too often we define the Medtech sector by the number of dollars raised, IPOs helped or companies sold. But the focus neglects the very foundation of the sector - the People. Join the Medtech Talk Podcast each week to hear from entrepreneurs, investors and executives who spend their days developing the tools that make sick people well and health care more efficient.
In this episode of Medtech Talk, host Geoff Pardo and Eric Wichems, former CEO of Vertos Medical (recently acquired by Stryker), discuss the responsibilities of a CEO, why high accountability and transparency are important aspects of company culture, and how to hire the right person for the position—and how to determine if they can thrive in your company’s culture. Wichems shares his background in engineering and how he found his way to Vertos, as well as his thoughts on the Stryker acquisition and the reasons behind it.
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Eric Wichems, Former CEO, Vertos Medical
Mr. Wichems was the CEO and member of the Board of Directors of Vertos Medical from 2014 until the company was acquired by Stryker in 2024. Mr. Wichems joined Vertos in September 2011 as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Previously, Mr. Wichems served as Director of Marketing for medical devices in the plastic surgery market for Allergan Medical. He has over 25 years of healthcare industry experience in marketing, sales, strategic planning, and operations at Vertos, Allergan, and Johnson and Johnson.
Mr. Wichems earned a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia, a Master degree in engineering from North Carolina State University, and an MBA from Duke University.
