Medical Alley Archives - Medical Design Sourcing

Medical Alley appoints new CEO

The Medical Alley Association announced today that it appointed Roberta Dressen as its new president & CEO.

Dressen takes over the position previously held by Shaye Mandle since 2014 before he announced his departure for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) in February. Steffen Hovard served as interim CEO in the time since then.

Hovard will stay on board over the next several weeks to assist with the transition as Dressen will officially begin her new role next week, according to a news release.

“The Medical Alley Association has a strong reputation of leadership and innovation,” Dressen said in the release. “I look forward to joining MAA and partnering with other global healthcare leaders to find ways to better serve our members and stimulate collaboration around how we can bridge current gaps in the healthcare industry.”

Dressen holds nearly two decades of leadership experience with some of Medical Alley’s notable healthcar…

Medical Alley launches startup accelerator

Minnesota’s Medical Alley Association announced that it launched an accelerator for early-stage healthcare startup companies.

Medical Alley Starts is described in its subsection of the Medical Alley website as a focused initiative and suite of services targeted at accelerating healthcare startup formation and growth in Minnesota’s Medical Alley region.

The accelerator is led by eight entrepreneurs: Highland Circle Innovations managing director Morgan Clyburn, Visana Health CEO joe Connolly, Jodi Hubler, Rebiotix founder & CEO Lee Jones, Amplio Rx CEO James Kent, Bright Health co-founder Kyle Rolfing, Baird Capital partner Nicole Walker and Capita3 founding general partner & managing director Pam York.

Medical Alley aims to use the accelerator to connect startups to investors and corporate leaders, offer rapid access to critical resources and offer a connection to the association’s national branding campaign.

The associati…

The George Floyd case has rocked a major U.S. medtech hub: Here’s what industry leaders think

Memorial to George Floyd in Minneapolis (Image from Boston Scientific)

Major medtech companies with a presence in the Minnesota have been chiming in with commentary on the death of George Floyd in police custody and the resulting demonstrations and violence.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets across the country since the Memorial Day death of Floyd, 46, in Minneapolis. The unarmed black man died while a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck and bystanders pleaded for the officer to stop.

As a video of his death began to circulate, some protestors began staging peaceful demonstrations in the Twin Cities. Others turned to violence, smashing storefront windows, looting, and burning down a police station and several businesses in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Demonstrations have spread across the country in the ensuing week.

In an open letter to employees on Friday, Bos…