Medtronic Appoints Kate Benedict as New Head of Acute Care and Monitoring

Medtronic, a leading medical technology company, has announced the appointment of Kate Benedict as the new president of its Acute Care and Monitoring (ACM) business. Benedict, a seasoned healthcare executive with over 25 years of experience, will also serve on the leadership team for Medtronic's medical surgical portfolio.

Leadership Transition and Strategic Realignment

Benedict takes over from Frank Chan, who left Medtronic in April after a 20-year tenure to become the chief operating officer at Haemonetics. This leadership change comes at a pivotal time for Medtronic's ACM division, which was recently consolidated from two separate units that the company had previously considered spinning off.

In late 2022, Medtronic had announced plans to spin out its respiratory interventions and patient monitoring divisions, which at the time generated a combined annual revenue of $2.2 billion. However, this strategy was reversed in early 2024, leading to the merger of these businesses under the single ACM banner. As part of this restructuring, Medtronic made the decision to discontinue its Puritan Bennett ventilators, citing their increasing unprofitability.

Benedict's Background and Vision

Prior to joining Medtronic, Benedict served as the president of Flex's global health solutions business, where she led a team serving medical equipment and device customers. Her extensive experience includes executive roles at BD, where she was general manager of vascular access and integrated diagnostic solutions businesses, as well as leadership positions at Novartis' eye care business Alcon, and Johnson & Johnson's surgical business, Ethicon.

Commenting on her new role, Benedict stated, "ACM's vision to personalize patient care, anytime, anywhere motivates me, and I'm excited to support our teams in delivering world-class technology that empowers healthcare professionals and improves outcomes for patients around the world."

Medtronic's Ongoing Portfolio Optimization

The appointment of Benedict aligns with Medtronic's broader strategy of portfolio optimization. While the company reversed its decision to divest the ACM business, it continues to streamline operations in other areas. Notably, Medtronic recently announced plans to spin out its $2.8 billion diabetes division within the next 18 months, creating a separate entity focused on insulin delivery systems and wearable blood glucose monitors. This follows the 2023 divestiture of its kidney care unit through the Mozarc Medical joint venture with DaVita.

As Medtronic continues to refine its business focus, Benedict's leadership of the ACM division will be crucial in driving innovation and growth in vital sign sensors and intensive care equipment. Her appointment underscores Medtronic's commitment to strengthening its core medical technology offerings while adapting to evolving market demands in the healthcare industry.