NuVasive named John DeFord, PhD, to its board of directors.
Here are five things to know:
1. With more than 25 years of experience in the medical device industry, Dr. DeFord will bring a unique perspective to the NuVasive board. He has expertise overseeing clinical advancement through research and development as well as technology-based initiatives.
2. Dr. DeFord is currently the senior vice president of research and development for the international segment of BD; he joined the company in December when BD acquired C.R. Bard, where he was senior vice president of science, technology and clinical affairs.
3. The NuVasive board has grown to include 10 directors with the addition of Dr. DeFord, who will stand for re-election at the annual meeting. Two other board members will retire at the meeting — Lesley Howe and Peter Farrell.
4. In addition to his role at BD, Dr. DeFord is a member of the faculty at West Lafayette, Ind.-based Purdue University's Krannert School of Management and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering.
5. NuVasive CEO Gregory Lucier sees Dr. DeFord's addition to the board as an asset during a time when the company plans to speed up product launches and expand effort to software development and systemizing spine surgery."