Medical Engineering Distinguished Seminar Series, Omar Ishrak

Omar Ishrak is a global healthcare and technology thought leader, with a passion for using technology to innovate, invent, and disrupt healthcare. He is recognized as a creative and forward-thinking problem solver — ranking in America's 100 Most Innovative Leaders by Forbes.

Omar served as Chairman and CEO of Medtronic from 2011-2020. In his more than 35 years in healthcare technology companies, Omar has fostered deep relationships with technology partners, healthcare providers, governments, and payers to advance the future of medicine. He speaks often on the global stage about the intersection of healthcare and technology, and the importance of innovation in transforming healthcare to deliver value for all stakeholders.

As Chairman and CEO of Medtronic, Omar redefined the company's growth strategy, driven by the purpose outlined in its enduring Mission — to use technology to improve human welfare. He rejuvenated the $30 billion company's technology pipeline, strengthened its position in emerging markets, and advanced efforts in value-based healthcare. Notably, Omar created over $90 billion in market capitalization appreciation and engineered the $50B acquisition of Covidien — a global medical devices manufacturer delivering early diagnosis and solutions for patients across the care continuum — the largest medical technology acquisition in the history of the industry. Under Omar's leadership, Medtronic went from serving one patient every 4 seconds, to improving the lives of 2 people every second. During his tenure, Medtronic therapies positively impacted 450+ million patients around the world.

Omar has promoted diversity, inclusion, and equity throughout his career. At Medtronic, he made inclusion a true business priority, often pointing to it as key to the company's success as a global healthcare leader. He embedded a focus on diversity and inclusion in various operating mechanisms to ensure it remained a key priority throughout the company. He established Medtronic's Diversity Networks and focused efforts on measurable goals. His approach helped Medtronic earn accolades such as the prestigious Catalyst Award in 2020, which recognized Medtronic's groundbreaking programs to advance women in the workplace.

Prior to joining Medtronic, Omar spent 16 years in a variety of management roles at GE Healthcare Systems, including President and CEO. Earlier in his career, he amassed more than 13 years of technology development and business management experience, holding leadership positions at Diasonics/Vingmed, and various product development and engineering positions at Philips Ultrasound.

Omar grew up in Bangladesh and earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of London, King's College. He was inducted to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows in 2016 and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2020. He is also a Fellow of King's College.

He has amassed numerous awards over the course of his career, including ‘Outstanding Contribution to MedTech' by the Irish MedTech Association in 2020, ‘Top 5 Healthcare Technology CEOs' by Healthcare Technology Report in 2020, and ‘Person of the Year' by Twin Cities Business in 2015.

Omar currently serves on the Board of Directors of Intel, Amgen, Cargill, Allurion, Cleveland Clinic, and Insightec. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Asia Society and is a Senior Advisor to Blackstone Life Sciences.