Dvorak Replaces MacMillan as AdvaMed Chair

First he took over for Ray Elliott right before the Department of Justice walked in. Now Zimmer Holdings, Inc. President and CEO, Dave Dvorak is taking over for former Stryker Corporation leader, Steve MacMillan.

No, not at Stryker, but as the chairman of the board of America’s largest medical device industry lobby group, The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed). That position had been slated for MacMillan, but when he resigned abruptly as Stryker CEO, he also gave up his board position with AdvaMed.

Dvorak is the longest serving head of a major orthopedic company and now, will lead all medical device manufacturers. 

During his two year tenure as AdvaMed chair, Dvorak will, according to a March 14 AdvaMed press release, focus on strategic initiatives that will:

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  Achieve the Association’s highest priority advocacy issues, such as working with FDA to ensure successful implementation of the new user fee agreement and repealing the medical device excise tax;

“AdvaMed is fortunate to have such a dynamic and committed advocate for medical innovation and patient care as its new Chair, ” said AdvaMed President and CEO Stephen Ubl. “David brings nearly a decade of experience with the Association to the job and a comprehensive understanding of the issues that impact the medical technology industry.”

Dvorak joined Zimmer in 2001, helping execute the company’s successful spin-off from its former parent. He was the company’s chief legal officer and rose to group president of Zimmer’s global business. He is credited with being the principle architect of Zimmer’s acquisition of Swiss-based Centerpulse AG.

Orthopedics will be well represented at AdvaMed. New committee and board chairs for 2012-2014 include:

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  Payment & Healthcare Delivery – Jeffrey R. Binder, President and CEO, Biomet

The AdvaMed announcement noted that Dvorak has been an active member of the AdvaMed Board since 2006 and served as the Chair of the Association’s Orthopedics Sector since 2004. For the past two years he chaired AdvaMed’s Payment & Health Care Delivery Committee, leading the Association’s efforts to ensure that new payment delivery programs – such as accountable care organizations and bundling systems – support medical innovation and preserve patient/physician choice.

“It is an honor to be chosen to lead AdvaMed as nations around the world face a number of challenges that medical technology can help to solve, including the growing need for clinically-relevant and affordable health care solutions, ” said Dvorak. “AdvaMed will partner with governments and sister organizations around the world to help aging populations facing the burden of costly chronic diseases. We can do this by harnessing the benefits of medical technology.”