KALAMAZOO, Mich., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Stryker Corporation announced today that the Board of Directors has appointed Stephen P. MacMillan as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stryker, effective January 1, 2005. In addition, the Board of Directors elected Mr. MacMillan to a newly-created position on the Board, effective January 1, 2005. John W. Brown, who has previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stryker, will retain the position of Chairman of the Board, effective January 1, 2005.
Mr. MacMillan joined Stryker in June 2003 as President and Chief Operating Officer. Before that, he was Sector Vice President, Global Specialty Operations for Pharmacia Corporation, which he joined in 1999. Prior to his tenure with Pharmacia, Mr. MacMillan spent 11 years at Johnson & Johnson, in both the United States and Europe, most recently as President of Johnson & Johnson-Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Davidson College and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.
Mr. Brown noted that Mr. MacMillan's appointment continues the succession plan he initiated when Mr. MacMillan was hired, adding "This transition has been very smooth. Steve has been well accepted at Stryker and we are confident that he is the right leader to take the Company forward."
Stryker Corporation is a leader in the worldwide orthopaedic market and is one of the world's largest medical device companies. Stryker delivers results through a wide range of capabilities including joint replacements, trauma, spine and micro implant systems, orthobiologics, powered surgical instruments, surgical navigation systems and endoscopic products as well as patient handling and emergency medical equipment. Stryker also provides outpatient physical therapy services in the United States.
Stryker Corporation
CONTACT: Dean H. Bergy, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer andSecretary of Stryker Corporation, +1-269-385-2600