Ottobock, Minneapolis, Minnesota, has tapped Andreas Kannenberg, PhD, to fill the newly created position of executive medical director North America. The new role was created to focus on the product lifespan and patient care cycle through managing studies, research and development, and patient outcomes.
In his new role, Kannenberg will promote the development of Clinical and Research Services North America by coordinating a global medical and research team responsible for researching and defining medical requirements for new products, initiation and management of clinical trials, and medical training, as well as medical support for negotiations with healthcare payers.
A native of Berlin, Germany, Kannenberg attended Humboldt University of Berlin and became licensed to practice medicine in Germany and the European Union in 1991. He has several years of clinical experience that includes the areas of general and family medicine, general surgery, dermatology, internal medicine, rheumatology, orthopedics, and rehabilitation medicine. He joined Ottobock in Duderstadt, Germany, in 2003, where he was the director of medical affairs. His work there was recognized in 2010 with a Thranhardt Award, presented to him by the American Orthotics & Prosthetics Association (AOPA).
“We want to support our customers as they are challenged to prove efficacy and appropriate use of devices and to do that, speaking doctor-to-doctor is a key element when connecting with insurers, hospital systems, and referral sources,” said Scott Schneider, Ottobock’s CMO and regional president of North America. “[W]e are pleased to add a clinical expert of Andreas’ stature to our North America team.”
“Unlike in the past, prosthetics and orthotics is increasingly perceived as a regular field of medicine, resulting in similar requirements to demonstrate scientific evidence to justify the use of advanced technology,” Kannenberg added. “I am determined to take on that professional challenge.”
