Speakers

We are thrilled to announce our distinguished keynote speaker, Josh Makower, MD. Josh is a prolific innovator and seasoned entrepreneur in the medical device industry. With a track record of founding successful companies and holding numerous patents across various medical fields, Josh's expertise spans from cardiology to aesthetics. As a trusted advisor and board member for prominent organizations, Josh's vast experience and accolades underscore his commitment to advancing healthcare innovation.

Mike Blue joined HistoSonics as President, CEO and Board Director in January 2017 and brings over 20 years of leadership experience within the medical device sector, almost exclusively in interventional oncology. Since his start, Mike has led the efforts of a company pivot, raised over $300M in equity financings resulting in significant value creation, and has attracted new healthcare investors including leading institutional investors, strategics, venture capital firms, and state funds. As part of these efforts, the company has recruited a leadership team with deep industry experience and domain expertise, grown the broader team to almost 200 FTE’s, secured the company’s first FDA clearance, and is in the process of global commercialization and expansion of its breakthrough Edison Histotripsy System.

Sessions

Rhonda DeLuca is the Sr. Vice President of Americas Operations and Human Resources at Terumo Cardiovascular, a division of Terumo Corporation. Her focus is on U.S. and Costa Rica operations, and applying growth-minded, experiential HR approaches that move the business and its people forward. Additionally, she serves on Terumo’s Global HR Steering Committee, leading global projects and strategy for the organization.

Rhonda is a results-focused, hands-on senior executive with over 25 years of experience in both corporate and manufacturing environments. She entered the medical device industry 18 years ago and has dedicated her time to building a healthier, happier society for Terumo associates and the world.

Rhonda also lends her passion and expertise to numerous professional and community organizations, including serving as a board member for the Greater Ann Arbor Society of Human Resources Management and is a founding partner of the Michigan-based charity ME oh MI.

Sessions

Dr. Rapundalo has broad experience in the life sciences with an extensive background in pharmaceutical research and development. Prior to joining MichBio in April 2006, he spent almost 20 years as a senior research scientist, project manager, and group leader with Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Research and then Pfizer, Inc., primarily in the area of cardiovascular drug discovery.

Dr. Rapundalo also led a global interdisciplinary team that developed a strategic, operational and organizational change management program to improve Pfizer's worldwide R&D business processes. He has a strong background in innovation and is an internationally recognized expert in a number of technology areas including high-throughput screening and proteomics, among others.

Dr. Rapundalo has a superb record of scientific achievement with over 50 publications, book chapters, and monographs. He has served as a peer-reviewer for a variety of prominent scientific journals and national funding agencies. In addition, he continues to be active in a broad range of industry and governmental initiatives including intellectual property commercialization, talent recruitment and retention, science education and economic development.

Dr. Rapundalo has been a community advocate and civic leader for almost 20 years and formerly served as an elected member of the City Council in Ann Arbor, Michigan.